Music Empowers Foundation & Kris Allen Partnership Benefits 47,000 Children of Needy Music Classrooms

NEW YORK, Jan. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Music Empowers Foundation announced today that its recently completed national initiative to support music education programs in public schools surpassed all expectations.  The month-long program, which wrapped up just before the holidays in December, raised $80,000 and helped to fund over 225 classroom music projects which will benefit an estimated 47,000 grade and middle school students.

Music Empowers Foundation and platinum recording artist/American Idol winner, Kris Allen, collaborated for the Double Your Impact program, which consisted of a major grant to DonorsChoose.org.  The national online charity matches individual donors to project requests from teachers in public schools.  Funds provided by the Music Empowers grant were used to match individual donor contributions to eligible classroom music projects, thereby "doubling the impact" of each donation and the number of projects funded. 

"We are thrilled with the success the Music Empowers and Kris Allen program has had in funding these many projects and helping so many teachers acquire the music supplies their students need to thrive," says Charles Best, Founder and CEO of DonorsChoose.org.  "Because of their commitment, tens of thousands of children, who may not otherwise have had the opportunity, will be exposed to music education."

One of the major factors contributing to the success of the initiative was Kris Allen's support, in particular his agreement to grow a mustache for a month to encourage his fans to contribute to one of the eligible music projects. 

"Kris's fans definitely came out in full force to support the cause," said Andy Davis, Founder of Music Empowers. "I'd have to say that over 50% of the individual contributions came from those fans."

"I definitely want to thank all my fans for partnering with Music Empowers and me to support DonorsChoose.org and the many music teachers and students who will benefit," expressed Mr. Allen.  As to the prospect for any future facial hair… "I am glad my 'stache had the desired effect, but no plans for an encore at this time."

ABOUT MUSIC EMPOWERS
Music Empowers Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit that provides financial support to nonprofits that offer music education programs to communities with limited or nonexistent programs.  Since its inception in early 2010, it has awarded nearly half a million dollars in grants to organizations such as The Dr. Phil Foundation, Little Kids Rock, Berklee City Music, Artists Corps of America, The Quincy Jones Musiq Consortium, and DonorsChoose.org.  For more information on Music Empowers please go to www.musicempowersfoundation.org, become a fan on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

ABOUT KRIS ALLEN
Since winning American Idol in 2009, Kris Allen has become a household name.  After releasing his self-titled debut album in 2009 on 19 Recordings/Jive Records, Kris toured the U.S. opening for Keith Urban, Maroon 5, the Barenaked Ladies, and Lifehouse, as well as headlining his own club tour.  His first single "Live Like We're Dying" has sold over 1.6 million copies to date.  Kris currently is recording new material for his second album.

ABOUT DONORSCHOOSE.ORG  
Founded in 2000, DonorsChoose.org (www.donorschoose.org) is a nonprofit website where public school teachers describe specific educational projects for their students and donors can choose the projects they want to support.  After completing a project, the donor hears back from the classroom they supported in the form of photographs and teacher thank-you letters.  To date, 198,000 public and charter school teachers have used the site to secure funding for $91 million in books, art supplies, technology and other resources that their students need to learn.  Through DonorsChoose.org, individuals from all walks of life have helped 5.4 million students.

Contact: Andrew Davis, [email protected]

SOURCE Music Empowers Foundation