We asked our local nonprofits how they could benefit from contributions during the holiday season, and here’s what they had to say on how donations ranging from $50 to $10,000 would enable them to help others.
Now it’s your turn. Take a look at our list to see how you can help spread hope and goodwill this season by making a contribution to one or a few of these incredible arts organizations. Spark creativity across Marin: your gift sustains museums, theaters, music programs, arts education and more.
Art Works Downtown
Art Works Downtown believes visual art is a universal language that connects people across cultures and experiences. Since its founding in 1996, AWD has worked to enrich the community by supporting artists, promoting art education and strengthening the bond between art and the public. Based in a historic San Rafael building and reaching across the Bay Area, AWD fosters creativity, collaboration and a sense of belonging within a vibrant arts community.
Photo courtesy of Art Works Downtown
$50
Helps support the day-to-day operations that keep Art Works Downtown free and open to the public. From keeping the lights on in the galleries to providing basic supplies for community programs, every contribution helps sustain a welcoming and vibrant space for artists and visitors alike.
$100
Provides one Art Works Downtown artist membership to an artist in need. This support offers valuable benefits such as exhibition opportunities, professional connections and community engagement—ensuring that talented artists can fully participate, regardless of financial barriers.
$250
Helps rebuild the reserve fund after two years of costly repairs, supporting the long-term sustainability of the 1880s historic building and strengthening Art Works Downtown’s ability to provide affordable studios, exhibitions and community arts programs.
$500
Provides an artist honorarium for participation in a public exhibition, community workshop or artist talk at Art Works Downtown. This support ensures artists are fairly compensated for their time and talent, enabling them to continue creating and sharing meaningful work with the public.
$1,000
Provides a musician stipend for live entertainment at the 2nd Friday Art Walk, helping hire local performers, create a lively atmosphere and attract visitors to galleries, turning the evening into a community celebration.
$2,500
Provides an artist stipend to create public artwork in the Art Works Downtown breezeway, transforming shared space into a vibrant cultural landmark that enriches the daily experience of all who pass through.
$5,000
Supports the renovation of the old electric room into a cozy artist hangout with a vinyl record player, creating a hub for relaxation, collaboration and inspiration. Donors are invited to enjoy the space and be part of the community they help build.
$10,000
Provides a two-year working studio to an artist who could not otherwise afford one, removing financial barriers and offering space, stability and resources to focus on their practice. Support includes Open Studio fees, art fair admissions, artist membership and other opportunities to advance their career.
Bread & Roses Presents
Bread & Roses Presents brings hope, healing and joy through live music to people living in isolation and challenging circumstances.
Photo credit Sherry LaVars
$50
Supports the performer stipend fund, allowing recognition of local artists for their time and talent.
$100
Contributes to the performer stipend fund, helping provide more consistent support to participating artists.
$250
Strengthens the performer stipend fund, allowing an increase in the number of paid performance opportunities.
$500
Augments the performer stipend fund, ensuring fairer compensation for artists contributing to programs.
$1,000
Adds meaningful support to the performer stipend fund, helping attract and retain high-quality performers across more events.
$2,500
Makes a significant investment in the equipment fund, allowing maintenance and upgrades of essential tools for live performance.
$5,000
Replaces outdated sound equipment with newer, more reliable technology, enhancing the quality of programs and performances.
$10,000
Expands reach into new facilities and communities, bringing programs to more people and increasing access to the arts.
GiftedGuitar
GiftedGuitar purchases concert-quality classical guitars and unconditionally gifts them to conservatory students in need anywhere in the U.S.
Photo credit Greg Maloney
$50
Smaller donations would allow additional strings to be added to the guitar gifts.
$100
Smaller donations would continue to make it possible to add extra strings to the guitar gifts.
$250
Increases the number of strings the organization can add to the guitar gifts.
$500
Allows strings to be added to the gifts or can be combined with other contributions to fund the purchase and delivery of a concert guitar.
$1,000
Enables contributions to be combined to fund the purchase and delivery of a concert guitar.
$2,500
Can be combined with other donations to fund the purchase and delivery of a concert guitar.
$5,000
Funds the purchase and delivery of a classical guitar, which can be life-changing for a student.
$10,000
Funds the purchase of two classical guitars, truly changing the lives of two students!
Marin Jazz Performing Arts
Marin Jazz Performing Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to celebrating and sharing the performance, education and creative spirit of jazz.
Photo courtesy of
$1,000
Provides a full scholarship ($550) for one child to participate in our after-school theatre program at Vallecito, Glenwood, Lucas Valley, or Novato Elementary School, with any remaining funds supporting overall program expenses.
$2,500
Would fund four full scholarships for four children to participate in our after-school theatre program at Vallecito, Glenwood, Lucas Valley, or Novato Elementary School, with any remaining funds supporting overall program expenses.
$5,000
Helps fund the hiring of a teacher for a new Marin City program, contributing to a $30,000 fundraising goal and bringing the program closer to serving more students.
$10,000
Continues to help fund the hiring of a teacher for a new Marin City program, contributing to a $30,000 fundraising goal and bringing the program closer to serving more students.
MarinArts
MarinArts assists in reaching out to individual artists to create their free profiles on the MarinArts website.
Photo courtesy of MarinArts
$50
Assists in reaching out to individual artists to create free profiles on the website.
$100
Assists the organization in reaching out to schools to ensure they list their arts events and displays on MarinArts.org.
$250
Helps promote events on the organization’s site for underserved communities through increased outreach and education.
$500
Sponsors an ad for an arts organization’s special event or promotion.
$1,000
Provides marketing materials to ensure access to the community arts calendar.
$2,500
Sponsors a banner ad for an arts organization’s special event or promotion.
$5,000
Hires additional marketing support to boost arts access, community building and support for Marin’s arts sector.
$10,000
Funds new outreach strategies and materials to expand arts access and strengthen the Marin arts community.
Mountain Play Association
The Mountain Play began in 1913 as a unique spring tradition, bringing people together on Mount Tamalpais to share the magic of live theatre and the beauty of the natural surroundings. From ancient Greek dramas to contemporary Broadway hits, storytelling has always been the heart and foundation of the Mountain Play. Bringing musical theatre to new heights, it offers an outdoor experience unlike any other.
Photo by Eileen Grady
$50
Provides performance materials for one actor.
$100
Covers email marketing service for one month.
$250
Sponsors ADA event transportation (golf cart) for one day.
$500
Provides costumes for one actor per production.
$1,000
Sponsors one musician in the live orchestra each season.
$2,500
Sponsors a Day on the Mountain for one under-resourced and underrepresented youth group at the mountain event.
$5,000
Sponsors one arts education program, a 10-week theater class.
$10,000
Sponsors a shade structure to add sun protection and guest comfort on the mountain.
Performing Stars of Marin
For 30 years, Performing Stars has provided enrichment programs to low-income children in Marin County.
Photo courtesy of Anna Jay
$50
Provides a pair of shoes for dance class.
$100
Covers a complete costume, including a leotard and shoes.
$250
Provides nutritious snacks for five children for the semester.
$500
Covers nutritious snacks and transportation for 10 children per semester.
$1,000
Provides parade and dance costumes for the entire student body in 2026.
$2,500
Funds transportation—including a driver and gas—for 100 children for one year.
$5,000
Supports faculty rental for the annual production and parade staffing.
$10,000
Covers rent for all rehearsal facilities for one year.
Sweetwater Music Hall
Sweetwater Music Hall is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization advancing education, understanding and appreciation of music, culture and the arts through a vibrant range of performances, exhibits and community programs.
Photo courtesy of Maria Hopp
$50
Supports the ongoing tradition of Open Mic Nights.
$250
Helps us continue to offer free Sunday Open Jams.
The Canal Arts
The Canal Arts creates and teaches mural art, working with local artists in the largely immigrant Canal community to visually celebrate its cultures and build connections with other Marin communities. The organization believes the creation and presence of public art are essential to a thriving community, vital to a good life and nourish creative confidence. It manages Saturday art sessions that practice art basics and the Mural Art Workshop program.
Photo courtesy of The Canal Arts
$1,000
A $1,000 donation covers tuition and materials for our 2026 Mural Art Workshop course for Canal students.
$10,000
A $10,000 donation provides tuition and materials for our 2026 Mural Art Workshop course for Canal students, as well as the creation of a new wall mural in the Canal.
Youth in Arts
Youth in Arts (YIA) provides high-quality arts education to students of all backgrounds and abilities. Since its founding in 1970 by local arts advocates, YIA has spent more than 50 years cultivating creativity, confidence and resilience through visual and performing arts programs. The organization emphasizes whole-person growth, helping students develop their identity, voice and imagination through creative expression. YIA believes that every student has a right to the arts and works to ensure all young people, regardless of background or ability, can participate in meaningful, transformative artistic experiences.
Photo courtesy of Youth in Arts
$50
Covers the YIA Gallery’s hanging supplies for Rising Stars, showcasing more than 150 high school artworks from across Marin.
$100
Provides adapted art tools for 4 students in Arts Unite Us, serving children with disabilities.
$250
Funds five planning sessions between educators and teaching artists to better support students.
$500
Pays a teen artist to design and install a mural through the I AM mentorship program.
$1,000
Provides eight in-school capoeira classes led by a professional teaching artist.
$2,500
Enables Youth in Arts to provide free, engaging, hands-on art projects for the community at the San Rafael Summer Market.
$5,000
Provides full-year scholarships to two dedicated students in the award-winning teen a cappella troupe ‘Til Dawn.
$10,000
Provides a full year of in-depth music programming and supplies for an entire grade at a Title I elementary school in Marin.
