1. Participant:
Program Term:
02/2012 – 1/2013
Contact:
Tracy Jacobson
Anni Hochhalter
Garrett Hudson
contact@windsync.org
908.723.2115
windsync.org
Pre-Incubator Program
2. Participant Profile:
“WindSync’s mission is to enrich the lives of children, families, and members of the
community through innovative, interactive chamber music concerts and educational
programs.”
• Initially structured through fiscal sponsorship with Fractured Atlas.
• 2011 operating expenses = $18,200
• Incorporated in 02/2012
• Number of Board Members = 3
• Main challenges we faced prior to the Program:
• Developing a strong support system in the Houston community
• Transitioning to a non-profit from Fiscal Sponsorship
• Creating standard processes by which the organization functions
• Increasing the organizations audience size and fund-raising potential
Enters the Pre-Incubator Program on Feb 2012
3. Outcomes Summary
progress during grant term
– Salaries paid to all personnel to ensure
the highest level of artistic excellence
– Free Houston community concert
series established (4 concerts)
– Anti-bullying campaign launched in
Houston elementary schools
– Partnerships with the First Unitarian
Church on Fannin, KUHA and HSPVA
strengthened
– Board procedures and interaction with
the organization regulated
– National recognition received
• Grand Teton Music Festival, Artist in Residence WindSync with St. John Flynn from KUHA
Jackson, WY The Ghost of Mozart: October 27th, 2012
• Winner of the Concert Artists Guild
First Unitarian Universalist Church on Fannin
Competition, Adventurous Artist Prize
New York, NY
4. Play Different Project
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Play Different Project is an
awareness campaign about
helping children learn to
appreciate individual differences
and unique qualities.
This project engages an even
broader system of support
beginning in Houston, and
reaches across the United States
and all over the world.
Pilot School:
Crockett Elementary
Indiegogo Fundraising
12/10-14/2012
Campaign
5. Use of Funds
Awarded $7500 towards administrative and/or programmatic expenses including a part-time
Executive Director, office rental fees, community programming, & music education concerts.
Description1 Amount Type 2 Insert photo 3
The Ghost of
$2634.66 Program
Mozart Concert
The Nutcracker
$2,047.51 Program
Concert
Studio Rent $1,789.30 Admin.
Publicity $277.32 Admin.
Play Different
$750.00 Program
Project
WindSync performing the Nutcracker
Totals= $7,498.79 The Nutcracker and other Bon Bons: December 7th, 2012
First Unitarian Universalist Church on Fannin
7. Keys to Success
and strides made throughout the grant term
• Financial Stability
• Heavy fundraising early in the process to
develop sufficient funds to free the organization
from immanent financial worries and focus on
achieving goals.
• Big Risk for Big Gain
• Leaving Houston for one month in order to
compete in the Concert Artists Guild
Competition. Because of this commitment to
preparation for the competition, we were able to
win a management contract including concerts
internationally and a Carnegie Hall debut recital,
November 19, 2014 .
• Artistic Quality Above All
• Changing personnel by hiring the most
accomplished musicians available significantly
increased the level of music making and elevated
the artistic status of the whole organization.
8. Lessons Learned
and challenges throughout the grant term
• 501c(3) and Visa Delays
• Working with V&E to become a 501c(3) turned
out to take significantly longer than had been
anticipated because of a significant number of
revisions.
• After May 2012 when we had finished all of the
revisions, the lawyers at V&E took an additional
2 months to submit the application
• The expectation is by February WindSync will be
a 501c(3) however it is still unsure exactly when
the status will be approved
• Lesson Learned: Continually follow up with
lawyers in order to ensure that work is being
done well and promptly
• Incorporating traditional structures and
systems into an unconventional
organization
9. Summary of Future Plans
This Season
• Henri Tomasi International competition Insert photo 6
• Executive Director search
• Board recruitment
Future Seasons
• Houston artist collaborations (composers,
choreographers, visual artists)
• Corporate/community sponsors for school
appearances
• Carnegie Hall debut
• International touring (Europe, Canada,
Asia)
10. Haiku
The arts take strong root Creative souls bound
In Houston bud, grow and bloom By our song and art allies
A bountiful spring Paint this town, Houston
