Beneficiaries

 

In 2024, the Light Up The Queen Foundation awarded over $65,000 in grant money to support music education programs at The Choir School of Delaware, Christina Cultural Arts Center, Jazz Reach at Cityfest Inc., The Grand Opera House, Kingswood Community Center, Cultural Restoration Project at Kuumba Academy, and Reed’s Refuge Center.

All seven organizations reach our program-goal audience of musically-inclined youth in Delaware’s underserved communities.

These funds were generated by gifts from our generous donors and well as the 2024 Shine A Light benefit concert held on March 3 at The Queen. Below is a description of some of the programs funded by the Foundation.

​Kingswood Community Center was awarded $15,000 to support its partnership with Wilmington Children’s Chorus. The collaboration sees WCC vocal instructors teaching KCC children twice a week as part of a year-round, play-based, culturally responsive, and developmentally appropriate music program created for early learners. Studies show that starting these musical programs at such an early provides important cognitive and social benefits, which continue through childhood development.

Reed’s Refuge Center was awarded $12,638 to support the intermediate level of its Young Professionals Series, a four-week professional development program that uses song-writing, music creation, and videography to foster job skills and techniques. Designed for RCC children of ages 8-16, the series utilizes math (with music theory); science (with technology); and language (with songwriting) — all while encouraging personal and professional developmental skills of punctuality, accountability, listening and following directions, problem solving, project planning and teamwork.

Christina Cultural Arts Center was awarded $11,300 to further its one-on-one music programs. For five years, CCAC has enjoyed an ongoing relationship with LUQ via our sister program, the Christian Salcedo Music Scholarship fund. Each year, three CSMS recipients are each awarded a $1000 grant that includes musical equipment and one-on-one instruction at CCAC.

Funding was also awarded to the following programs:

  • The Choir School of Delaware ($2000)
  • Cityfest, Inc.’s Urban Artist Exchange program ($15,000)
  • The Grand Opera House’s Gilliam Family Diversity Fund ($2000)

Highlights of these programs are coming soon. Please check back for more information.