Strategic Marketing Plan for UHNWI Donor Pipeline

Case Statement Washington Heights and Inwood (“WHIN”) Music Community Charter School Inspiring Intuition. Igniting Creativity. Transforming Lives. The Vision At Washington Heights Inwood (WHIN) Music Community Charter School, we believe every child can discover, create, learn, and lead. Our mission is rooted in the conviction that families and communities must invest in our students, so that students learn to invest in themselves—building confidence, resilience, and imagination. By inspiring their intuition and igniting their passions for creativity and learning, students’ lives are transformed. Established nearly ten years ago, WHIN is more than a school. It is a community where music is the heartbeat of learning, and where academic rigor is infused with creativity, collaboration, and joy. Here, students are encouraged to see themselves not only as learners, but as creators, problem-solvers, and innovators. Why Music, Why Now? Music is a universal language—and at WHIN, it is also a powerful teaching tool. We are committed to creating a better world through music. And creativity begins with intuition, the spark that leads to discovery. Whether composing a song, improvising a jazz riff, writing a play, or designing a scientific experiment, intuition ignites the creative process. By pairing music with the New York State Next Generation Learning Standards, WHIN provides students with the resources and structure to transform intuition into action. The standards become springboards for creativity, not just benchmarks for achievement. Students use them as tools to explore, create, and solve problems in their everyday learning. Through this approach, learning becomes exciting, rigorous, and relevant In this way, learning becomes both rigorous and relevant. Students gain not only knowledge but the ability to apply it across disciplines. WHIN is the first charter school in the nation founded on the principles of El Sistema, a social development through music education program developed 50 years ago in Venezuela to end poverty. Students, especially those living in poverty, often have difficulty making connections across subject areas and contextualizing their learning for real-world applications. WHIN seeks to remedy this challenge by creating a fully arts-integrated public charter school model where students are active participants in their learning and can develop as Citizen Artists capable of creating a more just world. When students take ownership of projects that reflect their interests and passions, knowledge becomes lasting and transformational. Citizen Artists: A Model for Inspiration Jon Batiste, a classically trained pianist and improviser, exemplifies the kind of curiosity, inspiration, and artistry we hope to instill in every student. His mastery of classical foundations allows him to reimagine the great works through improvisation, creating new meaning and expression for himself and others. At WHIN, we strive to give young people the same tools: a strong foundation in academics and music, combined with the freedom to create, explore, and innovate. How We Do It To bring this vision to life, WHIN invests in: ● El Sistema Music Instruction Students engage in frequent, high-energy, and rigorous ensemble music-making that offers hope, unity, and resilience—transforming lives far beyond the concert hall. Like an orchestra, society is made of diverse individuals with different ideas, but they must play harmoniously together to achieve a common goal. ● Arts Integration Across the Curriculum Every subject—math, literature, science, history—is infused with opportunities for music and creativity. ● Artists in Residence Visiting musicians and performers bring real-world expertise and mentorship. Whether for a year, a semester, or a single project, these residencies deepen students’ exposure to excellence, passion, intuition, creativity, and innovation. ● Family and Community Engagement Parents and families are active partners, ensuring that learning continues beyond the classroom and students feel supported at every step. ● Education and Academics Rigorous, standards-based instruction in literacy, math, science, and social studies—infused with music to spark curiosity and achievement. The Impact Students at WHIN are not only mastering core academic standards—they are discovering who they are and what they can achieve. They are: ● Developing discipline through rigorous music training ● Building confidence by presenting original creative work and collaborating ● Learning resilience through rehearsal, revision, and performance ● Strengthening community ties by sharing their talents with family, peers, and neighbors ● Exploring cultural unity and celebrating harmony, equality, dignity, beauty, and respect through music ● Giving a sense of purpose and meaning to help rise above challenging circumstances This is the WHIN difference: music as a pathway to mastery of life. Your Investment The future of our students depends on the investments we make today. With your support, WHIN can further strengthen and expand the following program areas: ● Juilliard/WHIN Private Lessons Program ● WHIN’s Scholarly Achievement & Education That Empowers ● WHIN’s Comprehensive After-School Program ● WHIN’s Sensory Hallway Interactive Pathway ● WHIN’s Renowned World-Class Artists Residencies ● WHIN’s PD: Empower Teacher Excellence/Inspire Teaching Innovation Your gift helps unlock the potential of every student—empowering them to learn, create, and lead with confidence. Join Us At WHIN, we know that every child has a song to sing and a story to tell. Together, we can help them find their voices—bringing meaning to their lives and greater harmony to the world. Join us in building a school—and a community—where music and creativity inspire achievement, resilience, and joy.

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