By John Lynds
Zumix announced that it was chosen as one of 100 local Massachusetts-based nonprofits that will be receiving a $100,000 grant from the Cummings Foundation.
The grant is part of the Cummings Foundation’s ‘$100K for 100’ program and Zumix and the other nonprofits beat out 549 other applicants during the competitive review process.
Zumix’s Director of Development, Kelly Baker, said the money will be used to enhance the music and performing art program’s mission in Eastie
“Zumix is so excited to join a cohort of amazing non-profits and community organizations who are doing important work in our city,” said Baker. “We feel very honored to have received this level of support and are thrilled that the Cummings Foundation is investing in the next generation of artists and innovators.”
Baker said Zumix plans to use the funding to add capacity to its songwriting and performance programs, which are designed to help youth ages 12-18 address the challenges of urban life, such as structural poverty and racism, in a positive way.
“Participants in these programs develop critical thinking and literacy skills as they analyze, write about, and discuss issues that affect their lives,” said Baker. “Learning the basics of rhythm, poetic rhyme, and harmony, participants transform their ideas into original songs. The program also teaches mediation skills through skits and discussions in which young people share personal stories about their daily lives.”
Baker said since the early 1990s. Zumix has been giving youth tools to develop viable careers in cutting-edge creative and technology fields. Through music production, songwriting, performance, audio engineering, and radio broadcasting these 21st century skills youth acquire at Zumix support overall career readiness by emphasizing skills in communication, leadership, creativity, and adaptability.
Cummings Properties founded the Cummings Foundation as a way to give back in the areas where it owns commercial building. Founded in 1970 by Bill Cummings of Winchester, the Woburn-based commercial real estate firm leases and manages more than 10 million square feet of space, the majority of which exclusively benefits the Foundation.
“Nonprofit organizations like Zumix are vital to the local communities where our colleagues and clients live and work,” said Cummings Foundation’s Executive Director Joel Swets, “We are delighted to invest in their efforts.”