BACKSTAGE FOUNDATION
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Mission Statement
The Backstage Foundation is a non-profit that funds opportunities for youth development and core value training through dance education, self expression, and involvement within a safe community.
About This Cause
Since its inception in 2021, The Backstage Foundation has been dedicated to providing underserved and at-risk youth ages 6 to 19 with access to arts enrichment programs centered around dance and performing arts. The mission is to fund opportunities for youth development and core value training through dance education, self-expression, and involvement within a safe community. The vision is for every young person to have the opportunity to explore creative avenues, develop their skills, and be part of a community that promotes personal growth and the spirit of giving back. Dance education creates lifelong benefits, including fostering community, instilling values like work ethic and confidence, and enhancing teamwork and problem-solving abilities. A significant amount of independent research highlights the challenges that low-income and disadvantaged students face in advancing their art careers and benefiting academically from arts education. The need for support is extensive. According to the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families, nearly half of the approximately 85,000 high school students in the 2023-2024 were identified as low-income. Additionally, according to the Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, 70% of K-12 students in Washington are eligible for free or reduced lunch. With our local community's concern for these young individuals in mind, The Backstage Foundation actively addresses this gap. In 2024, we successfully reached approximately 335 youth, providing 450 scholarships and performance opportunities. With your support, we are on track to expand our reach to about 545 young individuals in 2025, offering over 700 scholarships and performance opportunities across multiple counties in Washington State. This ensures that even more youth will benefit from our programs. The impact of these initiatives on the lives of these young people, building confidence, enhancing mental health, and instilling essential life skills is both profound and inspiring. The feedback we’ve received from our participants highlights the vital role of arts education in their lives, particularly for those from low-income and at-risk backgrounds who often face barriers in pursuing these opportunities. Our comprehensive programs, including the Individual Scholarship Program, Community Center Dance Class Program, Steps to Success Program, and the Backstage Pass Program, are thoughtfully designed to address these challenges and promote inclusivity and personal development. Our initiatives are designed to serve the community, promote excellence in our youth, and support those who lack a safe and stable environment for self-expression, growth, and encouragement. We aim to inspire our young people to give wholeheartedly—whether they are at work, volunteering in the community, or helping their neighbors. Community service is a major focus. Our scholarship philosophy highlights the importance of both receiving a gift and learning to give back. Through our Backstage Pass Volunteer Program, we enable more youth to have similar enriching experiences. We base our core values and daily practices on the inclusion of individuals from diverse backgrounds, abilities, and interests, both within our team and board of directors, as well as those we serve. We firmly believe in encouraging, supporting, sustaining, and motivating every person in our community and organization with respect and dignity. Our commitment to providing equitable experiences and opportunities, while fostering a diverse and inclusive community, is fundamental to our identity. We strive to create environments that feel safe and inviting, encourage self-expression, and help our youth and team members build the confidence to step outside their comfort zones. The Foundation dedicates itself to cultivating excellence in our youth and making opportunities more accessible by utilizing community support and breaking down the barriers created by financial constraints and limited access.