Scholarships

WHY:

Our Mission Statement: The Make More Music Foundation provides access to music education by: providing scholarships for musical instruction, donating musical instruments & equipment, hosting community concert programs, and facilitating access to performance & educational opportunities.

Our Memorial Scholarship Fund was founded in honor of the late Shirley J. Rupert & Gary F. Rupert. Shirley was a loving mother, seasoned educator, & avid music supporter. Gary was a dedicated father, advocate for children with learning challenges, & fervent supporter of the arts. They both knew the power of music to uplift young people & to change their lives for the better. After Shirley passed in November, 2021, her children established this scholarship fund in her memory. In July 2023, Gary F. Rupert passed & the fund was renamed in both their honor by their loving children. Scholarships fund tuition to private music lessons, group music classes, and ensemble & performance opportunities for underserved youth in San Francisco. 

WHO:

Our scholarship fund will support the following individuals:

• Those with a strong desire to learn and deep love of music.
• Beginner musicians who have little to no music experience but would like to learn an instrument and don’t currently have access to musical instruction.
• Experienced musicians who have musical experience but would like to strengthen/develop their musical talent with access to instruction, classes, and performance opportunities.
• Applicants must:
  • Be aged 5 to 18 years of age.
  • Be a resident of San Francisco, CA.
  • Meet at least two of our scholarship need or identity-based criteria below.
  • Demonstrate proof of plans and implementation for scholarship funds. (Ex. Acceptance into a music school or lesson studio that is an approved partner.) 

HOW:

• Recipients will be awarded a once-annual $2,500 scholarship.
  • Please note that funds will be primarily disbursed directly to approved partner educational institutions.
  • Interested in becoming an approved partner? Read full info and complete our partner application here. 

WHAT:

Scholarship funds may be used to support the following music instruction types with approved partners*:

• Private music lessons and instruction. 
• Group music lessons and instruction.
• Ensemble and performance opportunities.
• Studio time and practice room rental.  

Scholarship funds may also be used to support the following education-related expenses:

• Materials for lessons (sheet music, book, music stands, etc).
• Musical instruments.
• Technical equipment.
• Software for music programs.
• Maintenance or repair of instruments.

Scholarship funds may not be used to fund the following, including but not limited to:

• Tickets to attend professional or commercial events.
• Competition entrance fees.
• Instruction from non-approved partners.
• Exams fees. 
• Food/meals, fuel, or any other item not related to musical education. 

*Approved Partners are Bay Area-based music educators & institutions vetted and endorsed by Make More Music Foundation.

SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA:

Applicant must be a resident of the City of San Francisco and meet at least two of the following need or identity-based categories:

Need-based categories:

• A resident of public housing, BMR units, RVs and SROs.
• Experiencing homeless and/or housing insecurity.
• Child in foster care system.
• English-language learners.
• DREAMERS.
• Low-income and working-class families and individuals (80% of the Average Median Income (AMI) for a family of 4 in San Francisco – $106,550 and below).
• Recipient of social service programs such as CalFresh, WIC, General Assistance, SSI, Medi-Cal, Refugee Assistance, CA EDD, CalWorks, etc.

Scholarship Criteria for Identity:

• All are welcome, and we center our scholarship funds for BIPOC families and youth, those who identify as:
  • Black/African American
  • Latino/a/x
  • Native American/Indigenous, First Nations
  • Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
  • Asian-American/East, South, Southeast, Filipino/a/x
  • Middle-Eastern/North African
• All are welcome and we center our scholarship funds for the diversity of our LGBTQIA+ community and support those who identify as:
  • LGB/Queer
  • Transgender
  • Gender Non-Conforming/Non-Binary
  • Gender Expansive
  • Two-Spirit