Our Mission
The mission of the VYOA is to provide young musicians with superior educational and performance experiences in orchestral and choral music.
The Impact of Your Gift
As we stretch to accommodate the needs of the VYOA's growing student population, your gift can help us sustain a high level of artistic excellence while insuring that all of our young musicians' needs are met. Donations to the Annual Fund Campaign help the VYOA:
- keep tuition fees as low as possible
- purchase new music and repair instruments
- provide scholarships to those in need
- attract and retain exceptional staff members
- send our young musicians into public schools for educational presentations every year
- maintain the Elley-Long Music Center at Saint Michael's College, our students' musical home
Ways to Give
Gifts of Cash: Your unrestricted gift of cash provides immediate support for our programs. In addition to one-time gifts, the VYOA gladly accepts monthly or quarterly pledge payments. Your check made payable to the VYOA can be mailed to us (VYOA, 223 Ethan Allen Ave, Colchester VT 05446) or you may contribute online via the secure eTapestry service. Just click below:
Gift of Securities: Gifts of stocks, bonds and mutual funds that have increased in value (and that you have owned for more than one year) are a great way to show your support while receiving even greater tax benefits than giving cash. With certain limitations, you can deduct the full fair market value of long-term appreciated securities and usually avoid the tax on the gain. Contact us directly or have your broker call the VYOA for more information on making a gift of securities.
Gifts of Instruments or Property: The VYOA may consider accepting donations of quality instruments for which our students have a need (presently we are seeking bassoons, basses, and A clarinets). Before making such a gift, please have your instrument appraised so that we can acknowledge the value of your gift.
Memorials & Honoraria: Gifts made in memory of a loved one or in honor of a special occasion can be a meaningful way to support the ongoing work of the VYOA. (One of our alumni was recently married and asked her guests to donate to the VYOA in lieu of sending wedding gifts. In a matter of weeks this wonderful gesture raised more than $1,200).
Matching Gifts: Many community-minded companies will match contributions their employees make to nonprofits like the VYOA. Check with your company's Human Resources Department to inquire about a matching gift program. Some companies that currently support the VYOA through matching gifts are: Aetna, Ben & Jerry's, Goodrich, IBM, United Technologies, and Verizon.
Bequests: There are many ways to include the VYOA in your estate plan. For further information about planned giving and bequests, please contact Caroline Whiddon at (802) 655-5030 ext 103. If you have already included the VYOA in your will, we ask that you let us know so that we may acknowledge your thoughtful generosity.
