Kathy and I gave because we want to offer opportunities for children to enjoy palying music.

I stand with writers and actors and support staff!!

Since 1968, providing quality fine arts experiences for students and our community through our summer camps and year round events.

Shell Lake Arts Center Inc

National human services organization. Our mission is to foster stability and resiliency, and provide a safety net for performing arts and entertainment professionals over their lifespan.

Founded in 1882, we serve all professionals—and not just actors—in film, theater, television, music, opera, radio and dance through programs that address our community's unique and essential needs.

Employment in any division of the performing arts and entertainment industry is unpredictable. Work is erratic, security is fleeting and health insurance is often just a dream. For all of these reasons and many more, The Actors Fund is an indispensable and deeply significant part of the entire entertainment community.

As a national organization with offices in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, we directly serve thousands of performing arts and entertainment professionals across the country every year, in person and via our online resources. Our programs are wide in scope, responsive in nature and produce significant results.

Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund)

We are the oldest educational institution for the performing arts in Greece, founded as a non-profit organization in 1871. 

The Athens Conservatoire (greek: Odeion Athinon) is the oldest educational institution for the performing arts in modern Greece, founded as a non-profit organization in 1871, by the "Music and Drama Association "Athens Conservatoire - 1871"
The institution played a significant role in the advancement of music studies in Greece since day one. Some of the most renowned international musical personalities have graduated from or taught at the Athens Conservatoire, including conductor Dimitiris Mitropoulos (NY Philharmonic music director from 1951 to 1958), composers Nikos Skalkottas and Mikis Theodorakis, opera diva Maria Callas, pianists Gina Bachauer and Dimitris Sgouros and many others. Today, apart from continuing to offer to its c.700 music students the full range of classical music studies from the earliest stages to the concert diploma, the Athens Conservatoire is constantly expanding into new areas: thus, the Jazz Music Department includes leading Greek jazz musicians among its teaching staff and has already gained significant momentum, the Centre of Early Music offers new insights into historically informed performance to a growing number of students in collaboration with international institutions such as the Leeds University (UK), while a new program of studies leading to a BMus (Hons) degree in classical music performance is being developed in collaboration with Goldsmiths College, University of London (UK). 

Meanwhile, the first Drama School in Greece, also founded in 1871, has had a pivotal role in the advancement of theatrical studies in the country. Today, the Drama School of the Athens Conservatoire, member of the World Theatre Education Alliance (WTEA) – Beijing, is included among the select few top professional drama schools in Greece, officially recognized by the Ministry of Culture. The school students and its staff regularly stage cutting edge performances and cooperate with leading drama institutions abroad.

The Athens Conservatoire School of Dance, although established in the ‘00s, has been constantly expanding ever since and today features one of the few state-accredited Higher Professional Dance Schools in the country, complementing perfectly the Athens Conservatoire's wide portfolio of performing arts disciplines.

The Athens Conservatoire Centre for Research and Documentation, initially founded in 2015 to rescue from oblivion and decay our institution's extensive historical archives, is currently developing a broad range of research and editorial initiatives such as the preparation and edition of the first ever extensive History of Music in Contemporary Greece. The AC Centre for Research and Documentation participates and regularly contributes to international fora like the IAML (International Association of Music Libraries, Archives and Documentation Centres), publishes scientific papers and a magazine, and organizes various exhibitions, such as a major exhibition on the composer Iannis Xenakis in collaboration with the Greek National Museum of Contemporary Art.

Many other major Greek arts organizations such as the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre, the Greek National Opera, the Athens & Epidaurus International Festival, the Onassis Cultural Centre, the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron) and many others regularly invite us to participate in leading cultural events.

The Athens Conservatoire iconic building, located in the heart of Athens near the Presidential Palace and the Aristotle Lyceum, is designed by the famous Greek architect Ioannis Despotopoulos (1903-1992) who holds a prominent position within the modernist architectural movement of the 1930s and the Bauhaus School in which he actively participated. His work for the Athens Conservatoire is the only completed part of an ambitious large-scale cultural complex commissioned in 1959 by the then government for Athens. For these reasons, the building is officially designated as a "Modern Architectural Monument" by the Greek Ministry of Culture. Today, this recently renovated building is functioning as a unique and enviable cultural hub for various contemporary artistic and cultural high profile events.

WHY DONATE TO US:

Since our establishment more than 150 years ago, we offer top-class education in the fields of Music, Drama and -more recently- Dance.

However, our main goal is to create a level-playing field for all children and young artists, offering equal opportunities for all interested in performing arts to join our programs, irrespective of their background, financial situation, class, ethnicity, religion or sex. 
We strive to serve this goal via a series of endowments and donations which support many students for the realization of their musical and artistic dreams. 

Therefore, your contributions are valuable since they will greatly help to ensure the seamless continuation of our efforts and programs from one year to the next and will also enhance our capacity to offer unique life-changing opportunities to even more aspiring young artists.



The Athens Conservatoire 

Making Chipping Campden a global hub for music & literature with concerts, events, and programs supporting young talent & culture

**The History of Chipping Campden Music Festival**

**The Chipping Campden Music Festival** is an International classical music festival based in the ancient town of Chipping Campden, ‘the jewel of the Cotswolds'  nestled in the heart of rural England in an area of outstanding beauty.  The Music Festival was established in 2002 over a bottle of wine between friends in the kitchen of the Festival Founder, Charlie Bennett,  and since then has grown into one of the UK’s most prestigious Classical Music events.T he Music Festival runs for a fortnight annually in May, stages around 20 concerts, performed by some of the world's greatest musicians to an audience totalling over 5000 people. The majestic 800 year old St James' Church is our concert hall and it is the extraordinary acoustic in this historic building that attracts both musician and audience from around the world, an acoustic described by Sir Alfred Brendel as “*one of the finest acoustics I encountered in my 60 year career”.*  

The Music Festival firmly believes in supporting and inspiring the next generation of musicians and integrated into and around the Festival are several well established, long term schemes dedicated to this aim. 
We have built a highly acclaimed side by side teaching orchestra, **The Chipping Campden Festival Academy Orchestra or CCFAO** (est. 2008) for Conservatoire graduates on the cusp of their professional career who spend a week at the Festival working alongside seasoned pros hand-picked from Europe's best orchestras. This unique scheme (50% experienced professionals and 50% students) creates a bespoke orchestra each year, auditioning around 200 graduates for the 25 student chairs. During the Festival the CCFAO performs 3 concerts to sell out audiences, sharing the stage with world class soloists in concerto performances. Many of our alumni now work in orchestras around the world. The whole community supports this scheme offering accommodation, refreshments, transport, and a listening ear to the 50-member orchestra during their stay in the town. 

For younger musicians, we have developed a **vibrant, immersive year-round education programme** reaching around 700 children annually, offering local students free instrumental lessons from experienced musicians, a tiered youth orchestra scheme, free Festival concert tickets and inspirational workshops from Festival performers. 

For the wider community, we have established and support the **Campden Community Chorus** (est. 2013) with around 60 members ranging in age from 17 - 87, meeting weekly and performing regularly to local audiences.

In 2010, **The** **Chipping Campden Literature Festival** was founded as a complimentary Festival to the Music Festival, and takes place in the week prior to the Music Festival. It is renowned for presenting a series of thought provoking, original, and wide-ranging events featuring some of the world's greatest writers. Since 2010 the Literature Festival has grown in size, reputation and popularity, now attracting over 3000 audience members to over 50 events - a mix of intimate and large scale talks, lectures and discussions, held in venues around the town of Chipping Campden and reaching into the heart of the community.

The two Festivals are overseen by the same board of Trustees under the umbrella of The Chipping Campden Music Festival Charity.

**Our Charitable Objectives**
Promotion and arrangement of concert performances, literature events and music educational activities. 

**Governing committee**
The Chipping Campden Music Festival received Charitable status in 2005, and is governed by a board of Trustees who are: 
Ailsa Scott, David Roberts, Arthur Cunynghame and Suzanne Smith. 

Suzanne Smith was appointed in 2024 to replace Richard Stephens, one of the original trustees who stepped down in 2023, due to age and health. Founder Charlie Bennett was an original Trustee, but stood down when he became Festival Director in 2007. 

More information about us on The Charity Commission of England and Wales website can be found [here](https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/4000425/governance?_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_organisationNumber=4000425)

**Current Management**
Festival Founder, Charlie Bennett served as Artistic Director of the Music Festival until 2023 when he stepped back to focus on the Literature Festival. The Music Festival is now run by Charlie’s two colleagues, Jessica May (Co Director) and Thomas Hull (Artistic Director). Tom and Jessica have both been closely involved in the Festival from the early days and are supported by a seasonal team of 6 paid members of staff and a network of over 20 volunteers who offer their services as front of house, hosting and catering staff. Their first two Festivals (2024 and 2025) have been met with universal approval, growth in ticket sales and increased financial support from key donors. 

The Literature Festival is run by Charlie Bennett (Co-Artistic Director) and Vicky Bennett (Co-Artistic Director and Founder) supported by a seasonal team of 2 paid members of staff and a network of over 15 volunteers who help with the day to day operations of the Literature Festival. Since 2023, the ticket sales and audience size has doubled from c1600 - c3100 due to a more ambitious and wide-reaching programme of events as well as the opening of a new community theatre with a bigger auditorium and a perfect venue for the spoken word.   In 2025, the Literature Festival produced their first play – Samuel Becket’s Waiting for Godot – to great acclaim. The success of this production will pave the way to similar projects from the Literature Festival team. 

**Our Mission**
To build on our achievements and reputation to date and establish Chipping Campden as a world-renowned centre of music and literature excellence, providing world class concerts and events with the development of young talent at our heart. 

**Music Festival Core Value**s
- Excellence in all we do – not compromising on quality of performance and keeping music at the core of our output. 
- Artistic Integrity – working with world class artists and emerging artists on the cusp of major international careers. Curating thought provoking and beautiful programmes and bringing the best musicians in the world to this pocket of rural England. 
- Cultural Development – stimulating and developing the minds of our youth, our community, our audiences and our performers.
- Mutual Respect – treating all with respect and consideration.

**Music Festival Short/Medium term Goals** 
- To build on our reputation as an internationally recognised festival and continue to bring the very best musicians to the region.
- To continue to stage concert performances of the highest quality to our supporters in the Cotswolds.
- To develop a programme of practical and inspirational musical education for local students of every level.
- To inspire confidence in future donors, by demonstrating tangible and successful outcomes from these projects and securing funding for long term goals. 

**Education Ambitions** 
- To sustain a long-term programme of practical and inspirational musical education for local students through the support of benefactors aligned with this as a focus. 
- To inspire greater uptake in classical music instrumental lessons for next generation performers.
- To see young musicians in the region go through a 15 cycle:  learn an instrument through involvement in CCMF projects; study at Conservatoire/Tertiary Education; return as student of CCFAO or young artists scheme; become a music professional and ‘pass it on’ to the next generation.

**Literature Festival Goals**
To continue to bring a diverse range of literature events and people to engage with audiences in Chipping Campden.

**Past and Current Activities**
The programme for the [May 2026 Festivals can be found here](https://www.campdenmayfestivals.co.uk/). 

Student applications for the May Orchestra can be submitted between September and November 2025. We will audition all candidates in January and February 2026. 

Our past Festivals can be found via this link [https://www.campdenmayfestivals.co.uk/music/past-music-festivals ](https://www.campdenmayfestivals.co.uk/music/past-music-festivals )

Currently we have 7 schools involved in our education work, involving over 700 children. Our  education work can be found here: [https://www.campdenmayfestivals.co.uk/music/community](https://www.campdenmayfestivals.co.uk/music/community)

Future planned activities

In addition to the May Festival planning, we are exploring the possibility of a summer performance of West Side Story in St James Church, reconvening our May orchestra, building a youth/community chorus alongside world class soloists. 

This will provide more opportunities for our players, students and give our audiences a thoroughly exhilarating summer show. 

**Last word from a legend**
Sir Bernard Haitink, the late Maestro and long-time supporter of the Festival said the following, just a year before he left us.  *“The Chipping Campden Music Festival brings world class artists – and also young musicians starting their professional journeys – to a wonderful venue. After a long lifetime as a performer, having the chance to be part of the audience and to hear concerts of outstanding quality in such a setting is the purest joy”.* 

Chipping Campden Music Festival

Ithaca City of Asylum (ICOA) is a community organization dedicated to providing sanctuary to writers whose works are suppressed.

Ithaca City of Asylum (ICOA) is a community organization dedicated to providing sanctuary to writers whose works are suppressed, whose lives are threatened, whose cultures are vanishing, or whose languages are endangered. ICOA is a member of the International Cities of Refuge Network, one of only three member cities in the United States. Formed in 2001, ICOA has hosted writer, poet, and essayist Yi Ping; the late playwright and novelist Reza Daneshvar; poet and memoirist Sarah Mkhonza; poet and playwright Irakli Kakabadze; journalist Sonali Samarasinghe; journalist and memoirist Raza Rumi; political cartoonist Pedro Molina; poet, novelist, and satirist Dmitry Bykov; and filmmaker, writer and puppeteer Arthur Groys.

**The problem**

In many places in today’s world, writers face persecution for the statements they make in their art. Every writer who is silenced means one less voice to speak for thousands more against oppression.
 
**Our approach**

ICOA hosts one writer at a time (plus family members) for a two-year residence in partnership with a local institution of higher learning. Currently, our artist serves as a Visiting Affiliate Artist at Ithaca College. Cornell University has hosted past writers and currently provides substantial financial sponsorship. 

Our visiting writers teach, share their work through public events, and form alliances with local organizations. The resident benefits from a place to live, time to write, financial support, and community. Ithaca gains the perspective, friendship, and artistry of each visiting resident.
 
**Our team**

ICOA is a volunteer board of up to 20 members.
 
**Contact information** 

Jason Freitag, Advisory Board Chair
ithacacityofasylum@gmail.com
   

Ithaca City of Asylum (ICOA)

Best Seat In The House is a nonprofit organization. It is based in Sandy, UT. It received its nonprofit status at the end of 2017.

The Best Seat in the House is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing life-changing experiences for children facing challenging circumstances, including serious illnesses, poverty, disabilities, and those in foster care. What began as a birthday celebration for Ivan evolved into a dynamic nonprofit with a mission to infuse joy and hope into the lives of children and their families.

Best Seat In The House

Elm Shakespeare Company is a nonprofit organization based in New Haven, CT that brings people together through Shakespeare. 

At Elm Shakespeare Company, we believe in the transformative power of storytelling to bring people together. Since our founding in 1995, we have been a cornerstone of our community, offering free performances, educational programs, and partnerships that create spaces where everyone—regardless of background, identity, or ability—can connect, reflect, and celebrate our shared humanity. Inspired by Shakespeare’s universal themes, we make theater accessible and relevant for today’s audiences, fostering dialogue and understanding across differences. Whether it’s gathering under the stars for a summer performance or empowering young people to find their voices through creative expression, Elm Shakespeare Company is dedicated to building a vibrant, inclusive community where everyone belongs.


Elm Shakespeare Company

We are a community based social enterprise on a journey to build the first sustainable rural city in Uganda. 

Invest in us as we build the sustainable rural city in Africa! 

Our work is premised on the belief that using a holistic and participatory development approach to design and implement community initiatives can empower local communities and create prosperity. Since 2019, our ecosystem of 20 social businesses and community projects serves 10,000 clients through the targeted provision of services/products across the education, health, agriculture, tourism, and finance sectors.  So far, 2,000 learners have benefited from our functional adult education, primary education, early childhood education, and vocational skilling activities. 8,000 patients have been treated at our health facility. 100 women who are members of our Shea butter Coop have seen their daily household incomes triple from under $1 to now $4, etc. Moreover, our interventions are successful because we actively involve the community in discussing their needs, views, and priorities while giving them the tools they need to solve their own challenges. Across and beyond Okere, the impact of our work shines bright and the international media have comprehensively covered our radical approach to rural transformation.  Okere City's initiatives are driven by actual community needs and the implementation of project activities is led by community members. Overall, Okere City strives to be a community organization and social enterprise that creates multiple opportunities for agrarian reforms and rural transformation in Okere Parish by encouraging open and forward-thinking, mobilizing, organizing, and training the rural population through a series of innovative projects, activities, and techniques so that they are able to develop practical solutions to the day to day challenges they face. Okere City seeks to be an enabler for the rural community in the parish to be more imaginative, cooperative, creative, innovative, and enterprising as prerequisites to make them more progressive, empowered, and successful. At the core of our work is ensuring that we strengthen the dignity of our rural community members by providing the support infrastructures that enable them to become responsible for shaping and designing their own futures and destinies.  Our current strategic direction is being guided by the Okere City 2030 Strategy which aims to build the first sustainable rural city in Africa.  
Okere City is certified by NGOsource as equivalent to a U.S. public charity under the International Revenue Service's Equivalency Determination standard. 

Okere Community Development Project

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We are a nonprofit, so instead of charging fees we rely on the generosity of donors like you.

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Shell Lake Arts Center Inc

The Athens Conservatoire

Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund)

The Athens Conservatoire

The Athens Conservatoire

Chipping Campden Music Festival

Theater