2010's Play it Forward program has concluded and is no longer accepting registrations. Please return to Classical MPR's website in spring 2011 for information on next year's drive.

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS Frequently Asked Questions

Are you an individual looking to donate an instrument? Check out our Public F.A.Q.

Join us this spring by participating in Play It Forward: Classical Minnesota Public Radio's Musical Instrument Drive™. Your school's music program will directly benefit when you partner with Classical MPR's first-ever instrument drive campaign, and we have an important role for you to play in the project's success.

Most schools throughout Minnesota have a great need for more instruments so that motivated and talented students have opportunities to participate in band or orchestra. In today's economy, schools lack the funds to buy new instruments and many families cannot afford to rent instruments for their children.

The public launch of Play It Forward: Classical Minnesota Public Radio's Musical Instrument Drive™ will come on March 29. Throughout April, Classical MPR will encourage over 900,000 listeners to donate used band or orchestra instruments to their community's schools. Classical MPR and our partner, the Minnesota Music Educators Association, hope to collect as many instruments as possible and get them into the hands of hundreds of eager and talented children.

With Classical MPR's ability to reach individuals throughout the state and YOUR advance preparation, involvement and support, we can make this program successful for students and for school music programs.

Tell me more

Listeners will be encouraged to donate their used instruments to schools in their community. Classical MPR will reach out in many ways, including announcements on-air and online, social media, emails to MPR listeners, and live broadcasts around the state.

To participate in the program, a school will need to

1. Fill out this Web form,

2. Agree to accept donated instruments throughout the month of April,

3. Agree to provide a tax receipt to donors - Classical MPR will provide each school with a template for a tax receipt to give the donor. It is the donor's responsibility to determine the value of the instrument (see below for more information about tax receipts),

4. Track the kind and number of instruments donated, and

5. Provide information to Classical MPR about how many and what types of instruments were donated to your school.

How and when do schools need to provide tax receipts?

When receiving in-kind donations like musical instruments, the school is responsible for providing a receipt that describes the donation (for example: 1 baritone saxophone and case), the date the instrument was received, and the school/organization that is receiving the donation. This will also help you with records for your business office, and with reporting to Classical MPR at the end of the drive.

If the fair-market value of the instrument is more than $5000 and the donor would like to deduct the donation on income taxes, it is the responsibility of the donor to get an appraisal and to complete certain tax forms (F8283). Individual donors should consult their tax advisor with any questions about deductibility.

We really need more instruments. Is there something I can do to increase participation in my community?

We're learning that some people don't know how to donate to schools in their community. If you have an email list of parents, former students, boosters or school supporters, your personal email endorsing Play It Forward: Classical MPR's Musical Instrument Drive™, informing them of your needs and providing them with a link to www.classicalmpr.org could be the extra encouragement needed for someone to open their closet, help a student in need, and get a tax deduction!

What if I get instruments I don't need or instruments that aren't playable?

Each school makes its own decision about what to accept, and Classical MPR will post a list of "acceptable instruments" on the Play It Forward: Classical MPR's Musical Instrument Drive™ website at www.classicalmpr.org. MMEA has compiled a list of instrument dealers that will take in instruments and issue for store credits so that you can purchase the instruments you need. Contact info@mmea.org for this list.

Who decides which schools receive the instruments?

Each listener will be making his or her own decision about which school will receive the donated instrument. That is why it's important for YOU to complete this online form. Make sure potential donors see your school's name on the list, what instruments you are accepting, and the location and school hours when you or your representative will accept the donated instruments.

What if donors would like to make a financial contribution?

We have let donors know that most schools are capable of receiving financial contributions, and have requested that donors check with the schools they wish to contribute to about their policies. If your school is unable to accept financial contributions, you may consider referring the donor to Vega Productions, a Minnesota-based non-profit organizations that helps rebuild and revitalize music and art programs in Minnesota public schools.

Who is MPR working with on this project?

We have partnered with the Minnesota Music Educators Association on Play It Forward: Classical MPR's Musical Instrument Drive™ to ensure that this project is as effective as possible at getting instruments into the hands of students. The MMEA, along with the Minnesota Association of School Administrators, has been a key resource in helping us identify the needs of K-12 music programs across the state and activating its members so that they are open and ready to receive instruments from their community. Additionally, Vega Productions has given us key support to ensure all donated instruments get into the hands of needy Minnesota students.

Final notes

If you have any further questions, please contact playitforward@mpr.org.

Play it Forward is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund

Play It Forward is a partnership between Classical MPR and the Minnesota Music Educators Association

Sponsorship support is provided by Saint Mary's University and The College of St. Scholastica.

Additional thanks to:


Utah Public Radio