Rick Steves issues challenge grant to help save Edmonds School District music education

The following was written by the Foundation for Edmonds School District.

Imagine Edmonds not being able to afford music programs in its schools. No orchestra. No jazz. No band concerts filling gymnasiums with applause and pride. That’s the future we face if critical funding isn’t restored for the 2025–26 school year.

When Deborah Brandi, executive director of the Foundation for Edmonds School District, shared this reality with local travel expert and philanthropist Rick Steves, he was stirred to action. She explained how middle school music education feeds into high school programs. Without it, over 300 students will lose access to a complete and creative education next year. 

Steves remembered how music shaped his own school experience. “Why,” he asked, “can’t we afford something so fundamental in our community today?”

Brandi explained that she’s on track to raise about $100,000 and that by raising a further $120,000, they could cover the cost of 1.2 full-time teaching positions split across six schools to maintain the district’s music pipeline from middle school to award-winning high school programs and fund Jazz Band 2 at two high schools for a year.

This would buy time to advocate for state funding after that. Here's what could be saved:

• Orchestra at Alderwood Middle School, serving over 80 seventh grade string students
• Jazz Band at Meadowdale, Alderwood, and Brier Terrace middle schools
• Jazz Band 2 at Edmonds-Woodway and Mountlake Terrace high schools

Steves did a little arithmetic ($120,000 for 300 students equals $400 per child), and it seemed like a wonderful investment for something so powerful. He proposed this: “I’ll give $30,000 if you can find another donor or donors to match that. And with that $60,000, we’ll rally the music-loving public in our community to raise the final $60,000 to reach that $120,000 goal. Together, we’ll save music education in the Edmonds School District for an entire year.”

His $30,000 gift has already been matched. Now, we need your help to raise the remaining funds by Aug. 15. The first $60,000 in gifts will be matched dollar for dollar.

When asked why he cares, Steves explained:

“In my travels across the globe, I’ve seen how music and the arts transcend language, connect people, build empathy, and make communities stronger. Music education should not be ‘extra,’ nor should it be for the privileged few. It belongs in our public schools, available to every child. Supporting music education is an investment in a more thoughtful, creative, and connected society.

“With the turmoil in our country today and the arts being slashed far and wide, this is more important than ever. I’m proud to contribute what I can, and I hope the community will join me to keep music education alive in Edmonds.”

Donations of all sizes are welcome, but must be received by Aug. 15 for the “Save the Arts” campaign to unlock the $60,000 challenge grants and save these programs for this school year.

To give or learn more about how you can help: foundationesd.org/give/save-the-arts/