The Becker Family Foundation (BFF), a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization, was founded in 2018 to expand awareness of, and appreciation for stringed instruments. BFF provides services and funding for violin, viola and cello stringed instrument education, research, and performances benefitting artists, listeners and learners.  Projects developed include an instrument loan program, grants for education and career, and creation of a network of musicians and a curriculum of music for strings. 

The Foundation’s Instrument Loan Program allows artists to benefit from the use of high-quality instruments which otherwise would not be available to them.  The goal of this program is to unite talented students and professional artists with instruments of a quality that encourages their growth as musicians and enables them to communicate more effectively through their music.  Instruments currently on loan range from fine student level violins, violas and cellos to antique bows and the rarest of vintage concert instruments.

In addition to costs covered by traditional scholarships, a young musician’s expenses as a student and as an aspiring professional can be sizable.  The Foundation Grants for Education and Career help with expenses such as accompanists’ fees, sheet music purchase, travel expenses to competitions, and audition recording sessions.  Grants are given to artists on the basis of great musical talent and accomplishment, artistic aspirations, financial need, and merit of the grant request. 

Plans include sponsoring residencies for music teachers and instrument makers from America, and providing scholarships for musicians to study performance, pedagogy, and instrument repair in the U.S. and internationally.

Paul Becker, President

Melissa Sheppard, Secretary

*Marilyn R. Becker, Treasurer

Cole Beebe - Play it Forward Liaison

Doni Jordan

Derek Menchen

*David Schroer

*D. Ray Wade, D. Min, deceased

*Denotes founding members