Sound Foundations of Rochester Awards $165K to Ten Public
ROCHESTER, New York – July 28, 2026 —Sound Foundations of Rochester is awarding $165,000 in grants to ten local charter schools for the 2026–2027 school year to strengthen their music education programs. The new nonprofit invests in music education, bringing together funders, educators, school leaders, parents, students, musicians, and community partners to promote student success in school and in life.
Sound Foundations, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, was formed to bridge a longstanding funding gap that leaves charter schools with significantly fewer resources than traditional district schools. In Rochester, public charter schools receive approximately 42 cents per student for every dollar allocated to district schools, making it more difficult for charter schools to build and maintain adequate arts programs, particularly music.
Over the past several months, Sound Foundations reviewed grant applications from Rochester area charter schools before selecting the 2026-2027 recipients. Schools will use the funding to expand music programs including hiring and retaining music teachers, purchasing or renting instruments, upgrading music room technology and equipment, supporting in-school musical performances, and expanding opportunities for students to learn and create music.
The 2026–2027 grant recipients are:
- Academy of Health Sciences
- Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School
- Genesee Charter Schools
- Innova Girls Academy
- Renaissance Academy
- Rochester Academy Elementary School
- Rochester Prep Elementary & Middle Schools
- University Preparatory Charter School for Young Men (UPREP)
- Vertus High School
- Young Women's College Prep
"Faculty regularly share how much students look forward to their music classes each week, and the energy that music brings to our building is palpable," said Lindsay Swanson, Co-Founder and Head of School Operations at Innova Girls Academy. "Students have also had opportunities to practice and perform the material they learn, giving them meaningful experiences of growth, accomplishment, and joy. For a school whose mission centers on empowering young girls through education, these moments of confidence-building are invaluable."
Vertus High School is experiencing similar results. “Grant funding from Sound Foundations is transforming opportunities for our students by making it possible to offer a dynamic music program that extends far beyond the classroom,” said Julie Locey, CEO at Vertus High School. “Through this experience, students write, produce, and perform their own original music, building creativity, confidence, and self-expression while helping them discover new passions and envision futures they may never have imagined. These investments make it possible to provide innovative, high-quality enrichment opportunities that would otherwise be beyond our financial reach, ensuring our students have access to experiences and pathways that prepare them for success in college, careers, and life.”
The grants for the 2026-2027 school year represent significant growth for Sound Foundations. During the 2025–2026 school year, the organization distributed $80,000 to pilot music programs in three charter schools. This year's expansion to $165,000 brings the organization's total investment in music education to nearly a quarter of a million dollars over two years.
"We know music education has a profound impact on children’s academic performance and social-emotional learning,” said Melinda Goldberg, Sound Foundations Executive Director. “But many charter schools struggle to pay for comprehensive music programs because of ongoing disparities in public funding. Sound Foundations was created to help close that gap. We want charter school students to have access to the same enrichment opportunities as their peers who attend district schools, because every child deserves the opportunity to participate in music programs."
Goldberg added that additional support is needed to increase Sound Foundations’ impact. “Several foundations, partnering organizations and individuals are helping with financial contributions, donating musical instruments, and providing other resources to help students participate in music education,” she explained. “We’re especially grateful for support from the Rochester Area Community Foundation and ArtsBloom, funded through the City of Rochester’s Percent for the Arts Program. Their investments will make a real difference, but they do not fully meet the growing demand for music programs.”
For Rochester-based charter schools, grant applications for the 2027-2028 school year will be available later this year. All charter schools in Rochester are encouraged to apply.
To learn more about funding and partnership opportunities, please visit the Sound Foundations website.
About Sound Foundations
Sound Foundations is a 501c3 nonprofit that is championing investment in public charter school music programs. We are a coalition builder bringing together funders, educators, school leaders, parents, students, musicians, and community partners to promote student success in school and in life. Our vision is to ensure high-quality music programs are available to every scholar in Rochester.