Mick Martin Student Fund - SBS

A Guitar Is Only Half the Story 

For a lot of students in our Blues in the Schools (BITS) program, discovering the blues used to mean a mentor walking into their classroom, guitar in hand, ready to teach. 

For too many talented students, that's not enough. And that's simply not a good enough reason for a spark of musical talent to go unfulfilled.

Removing the Barriers Between a Student and Their Music

This fund exists to make sure that neither a missing instrument nor a missing internet connection stands between a student and the chance to learn blues music. We help students acquire:

• Musical instruments and equipment to actually play and practice
• Specialized instruction or mentoring, matched to a student's specific needs and goals

How We Make Sure Your Gift Is Used Well

We don't hand out cash. Every dollar donated goes toward acquiring or loaning real equipment: the Sacramento Blues Society purchases items directly, seeks donated goods and services from suppliers, or loans equipment from our own inventory.

Instruments and equipment start as a six-month loan. If a student shows real progress and commitment during that trial period, our BITS committee can recommend — with Board approval — that they keep it for good. That means your donation isn't just a one-time gift; it's an investment that rewards a student's follow-through with something they get to keep and build on.

Who We Help, and How

• Students age 18 and older can apply directly.
• For students under 18, a parent, legal guardian, teacher, or one of our BITS mentors can apply on their behalf.
• Requests typically range from $100 to $500, though we review requests outside that range as well.
• Every application is reviewed individually, with a committee recommendation going to our Board for approval — usually within three to four weeks — and every applicant is notified of our decision.

Why This Matters Right Now

Music has always been a lifeline, but without the right equipment, a student who has real musical promise may simply be locked out of the one program that could nurture it.

Your donation can be the guitar a student finally gets to hold, or the app that lets them log on and learn for the very first time.

Either way, you're doing the same thing: telling a young musician that their talent is worth investing in, no matter what stands in their way.

Give today, and help make sure every BITS student — however they're learning, wherever they're learning from — has what they need to make music.