Project 440 - Project

Participating in Doing Good has really exceeded my expectations in so many ways. I love the breadth of knowledge given to us, the incredible wealth of resources and most of all the support logistically, practically, and also emotionally.

Participant

This generous grant allowed us to double our Doing Good programme offerings to high school students, residing in 18 different postal codes throughout the city of Philadelphia.  Projects included raising awareness about music provision in schools, encouraging community clean-ups, using music to help students’ mental health, and also to lower stress by creating informal performance opportunities.

Rebecca Bolden, Executive Director, Project 440

Established in Philadelphia, a city with one of the highest poverty rates in the US, Project 440 helps young people use their interest in all kinds of music to forge new pathways for themselves and ignite social change. They learn to use the discipline and skills inherent in being a musician as a jumping-off point to strengthen identity, build community and develop the capabilities they need to thrive.

A BBT Community Grant in 2021 supported Project 440’s aim to double the number of participants in its nationally recognised flagship programme Doing Good. This programme teaches students to understand the ways in which musicians can make a difference in the world. They learn skills in the areas of entrepreneurship, leadership and service and are given the opportunity to implement these through community-based service projects. Each project is aimed at solving a community problem – from issues of diversity, literacy, mental health or environmental issues – through music.