Support

Your support helps us teach, inspire, and grow a stronger world community.

Your impact

The United States and Cuba, separated by 90 miles of ocean, have been inextricably linked for centuries through bonds of geography, history and family. CAYO’s mission of cultural diplomacy fosters people-to-people relationships through our shared language of music. In growing these links, CAYO enables the rising generation of both countries to find purpose and meaning through the expression of their talents. CAYO provides world-class music education, cultural exchange, and leadership training with the help of generous donors like you.

CAYO by the numbers

$ 25,000

Scholarships awarded

Learn more about available scholarships

1,200

Students impacted

Earn service in Cuba

1,700 lbs

Humanitarian aid

Food, clothing, medicine and musical instruments

CAYO transforms lives and creates memories that last a lifetime

“A beautiful connection has been forged between the U.S. musicians who traveled to Cuba and our Cuban counterparts. The friendships I made here will only continue to grow.”

-Jordyn Krause, clarinetist, Northwestern University

“We delivered the soul and put every bit of our hearts into making music. It was a week of sharing two cultures that became one through art.”


— Isabel Barciela, Havana

“It was absolutely one of the most – if not the single most impactful weeks of my entire life.”


— Philip Capuzzi, cellist, University of Miami Frost School of Music

Where your donation goes

Our Student Ambassador Program pairs students from the US and Cuba for an experience where they learn side-by-side using our mutual language of music. In the course of a week, CAYO makes an effort to level the playing ground in the following ways:

$20 supports a Cuban student with transportation needs throughout the CAYO program

$50 supports a new batch of strings, reeds or other needed supplies

$125 supports a private lesson with a CAYO teaching artist

Student making a heart symbol with their hands

Other ways to give

Your gift supports learning that goes beyond the classroom, helping young people become better listeners, observers, and members of the world community. Every gift made to CAYO has a positive impact on talented youth who will be the arts and civic leaders of the future. From tax-deductible cash gifts to joining a trip, there are many opportunities to support CAYO’s mission to transform the world through music. In addition to these methods, you can also make a contribution through your donor-advised fund, or even give the gift of stock to help support CAYO today.

Give through your donor-advised fund

Your gift provides a tax benefit to you and the freedom to direct your support to CAYO programming

  • 1. Request a grant distribution through your DAF

  • Group of clarinetists posing with their instruments

    2. Submit our EIN: 81-3196433

  • Group of CAYO students posing with their instruments

    3. Choose a fund where you wish to direct your gift

    General Operations, Rick Heydinger Memorial Fund, or endowment

Click to be taken directly to your financial institution’s website

Give the gift of stock

Charitable giving with tax savings for you!

A gift of stocks benefits the giver and CAYO! When you make a gift of stock to CAYO, by eliminating the capital gains tax that would be due upon selling the stock, you receive tangible tax-savings and benefits while also supporting our mission of cultural diplomacy.

 

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