Seven-year matching challenge invites the community to build a permanent fund for scholarships and teaching artist support, on top of annual giving and Arizona tax credit donations.
[Phoenix, Arizona] – [December 15, 2025] – Phoenix Conservatory of Music (PCM), Arizona’s only Berklee College of Music City Music Network partner, today announced a transformative $500,000 matching gift commitment to launch the Phoenix Conservatory of Music Endowment.
Over the next seven years, a visionary donor will sustain matching up to $500,000 in new and increased gifts designated to PCM’s endowment, dollar-for-dollar, creating a board restricted fund to sustain high-quality, accessible music education for generations to come.
“For more than 25 years, Phoenix Conservatory of Music has ensured that cost is never a barrier to a young person’s musical journey,” said Regina Nixon, Executive Director of Phoenix Conservatory of Music. “This matching gift is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure that promise for the future. Our annual gifts keep the music going today; these new endowment gifts will keep it going forever.”
Each year, PCM serves nearly 2,000 students across Maricopa County, with a focus on students from under-resourced communities. The organization provides more than 13,000+ hours of direct instruction annually and has helped students earn over $2,800,000 in scholarship offers in a single year, with 100% of College Prep seniors graduating high school and 85% continuing to college.
Many of these students begin their journeys with limited access to instruments, instruction, or performance opportunities. Through PCM’s scholarships, instrument bank, and high-quality teaching artists, they discover their voice, build confidence, and access college and career pathways in music and beyond.
Under the terms of the matching challenge:
- Gifts must be designated to the PCM Endowment.
- Funds must represent new or increased givingfor the donor, above and beyondtheir regular annual and Arizona tax credit support.
- Eligible gifts and pledges made over the next seven years will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $500,000.
“We’re inviting donors to think about three levels of impact,” Nixon added. “First, your annual gifts and Arizona tax credit donations keep doors open and students learning today. The Arizona Charitable Tax Credit allows you to give up to $495 as an individual or $987 as a married filer, and you receive a dollar-for-dollar credit on your state taxes. It’s one of the easiest and most impactful ways to support our students.
Second, your additional endowment gifts, gifts that are above and beyond your traditional annual gift- will be matched dollar for dollar, helping us build a fund so that PCM can serve future generations of young musicians.
And third, multi-year pledges to the endowment can turn one decision into decades of life-changing opportunities for young people.”
Arizona taxpayers can continue to support PCM through the state tax credit program, directing up to $495 per individual or $987 per couple filing jointly to Phoenix Conservatory of Music and receiving a dollar-for-dollar credit on their state income tax, up to the allowed limit.
Your Tax Credit gift keeps the music going today- to help fund immediate needs such as scholarships, instruments, meals, and teaching artist compensation.
Endowment gifts, by contrast, will be invested to build a long-term, income-generating resource for PCM’s mission. It ensures the music never stops.
Here are the ways that you can make a gift or a pledge:
Visit us online at: https://pcmrocks.org/ways-to-help/donate/
Give a gift of Appreciated Stock: https://donatestock.com/phoenix-conservatory-of-music
Or,
Through Your Donor Advised Funds
Community members interested in learning more about the $500,000 Endowment Match or making a year-end gift can contact Chiquita Taylor, Development Manager, ctaylor@pcmrocks.org.
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About Phoenix Conservatory of Music
Phoenix Conservatory of Music (PCM) is a nonprofit community music school dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable, and accessible music education that prepares students for college, career, and life. As Arizona’s only Berklee College of Music City Music Network partner, PCM offers a continuum of programs that includes early childhood music, school partnerships, community classes, private lessons, ensembles, and an award-winning College Prep Program. Each year, PCM serves nearly 2,000 students, with a significant percentage receiving scholarships or financial aid.
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