Our mission is to supplement and strengthen instrumental music programs across Mecklenburg County schools by supporting equitable access to resources for the maintenance, repair, and longevity of school-owned instruments. We are committed to empowering both students and directors by ensuring they have the tools they need to fully engage in meaningful, high-quality music education and performance opportunities.

The CMIMF envisions a future where every student in Mecklenburg County has equitable access to a full and enriching music education. We believe that vibrant music programs strengthen communities, and we are committed to expanding opportunity and access for as many young musicians as we can reach.

Our Origin Story:

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Instrumental Music Foundation was born from a shared truth that every band and orchestra director in the district knows all too well: our instrumental music programs need more support than they currently receive. In a district as large and diverse as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, the arts are often pushed aside in the face of other urgent student needs. But music isn’t extra - it’s essential.

In the summer of 2025, a group of local band directors gathered in a coffee shop with a simple but powerful idea: what if we stopped waiting for the support that may never come, and built it ourselves?

We recognized that the Charlotte region has a rich musical legacy, shaped by decades of educators, students, and families who poured their time and talent into growing school music programs. We also realized that there are countless individuals and organizations in our community who care deeply about the arts - they just need the right way to give back.

From that first conversation, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Instrumental Music Foundation began to take shape: a nonprofit dedicated to providing the resources, equity, and advocacy that our students and teachers need to thrive.