FOLMADS, Inc., or Friends of Lexington Music, Art, and Drama Students, Inc. is a non-profit organization created to foster and promote excellence in the fine and performing arts programs in the Lexington Public Schools. FOLMADS furnishes grant money for various projects within the district, such as new equipment for students, guest artists, and musical instruments. As a result of these grants, the quality of arts education in Lexington is improved. For instance, recently jazz pianist David Berkman visited LHS to teach and perform with students, which would not have been possible without funding from FOLMADS.
LHS Music Endowment
The Lexington High School Music Endowment, or LHS Music Endowment, was created by Samuel Mehr, a 2006 graduate of Lexington High School. With the help of a group of volunteers, over 2,000 alumni were contacted during a short fundraising period. The fund was created within the Lexington Trustees of the Public Trust, to host the endowment and organize yearly interest payments. FOLMADS, Inc. manages the fund and collects donations. FOLMADS donors can specify whether their contributions should be directed to general grants or the LHS Music Endowment.
The LHS Music Endowment is unique: traditionally, music departments rely on contributions from year-to-year (such as those of FOLMADS, Inc.). It is rare that a public school department can benefit in perpetuity from an endowment as colleges and universities do.