Help Bring Music to Those in Need
Volunteers play a vital role at Music & Memory. From the beginning, dedicated supporters have advocated for the power of personalized music, introducing the program to care organizations and helping to expand access to those who need it most.
Today, a growing community of volunteers supports our network of Music & Memory-certified organizations in a variety of meaningful ways.
If you’re passionate about helping people connect through life-affirming music, you can make a real difference. Whatever your skills or interests, there’s a volunteer opportunity for you – take the first step today!
Volunteer at a Music & Memory Location
Many of our most passionate advocates volunteer directly with Music & Memory-certified programs, assisting staff with maintaining equipment, creating playlists, and bringing personalized music to those in need. If you’re interested in working hands-on with individuals living with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other cognitive challenges, this could be a great opportunity.
- Find a local Music & Memory program using our certified locations map.
- Learn more by downloading our free guide: Volunteering for Music & Memory.
Become a Music & Memory Ambassador
Music & Memory Ambassadors help expand access to personalized music by introducing our program to senior care organizations in their communities.
Ambassadors are equipped with a simple outreach toolkit, including email templates, a one-page overview, and talking points. Their role is to share information about Music & Memory with local senior care organizations and invite them to learn more by completing the Music & Memory Interest Form.
This is a flexible, do-from-anywhere volunteer opportunity. Ambassadors typically reach out to just a few organizations each month, helping connect older adults living with dementia to the music that is personally meaningful to them.
If you are interested in serving as a Music & Memory Ambassador, please complete the Interest Form and select “Ambassador” when prompted. A member of our team will follow up with next steps and additional information.
Student Chapters and Volunteer Groups
Music & Memory also works with student chapters and volunteer groups who are interested in supporting older adults through personalized music.
Student chapters and groups can be formed at any grade level and are typically organized around supporting a local Music & Memory certified organization. Groups often identify a nearby organization and work in partnership with staff to provide support through fundraising, collecting gently used equipment, or assisting with the creation of personalized music playlists.
To help groups get started, Music & Memory can provide a chapter starter kit that includes a code of conduct, student charter template, and a chapter launch guide. These materials are available upon request and are designed to support responsible, organized, and meaningful engagement.
Once a certified organization accepts a group’s assistance, participating students are eligible to receive Music & Memory training at no cost. This allows students to better understand the program model while contributing directly to improved quality of life for older adults in their community.
If you are interested in starting a student chapter, forming a volunteer group, or learning more about existing chapters, we invite you to contact us for additional information.
Fundraise for Music & Memory
Fundraising is a great way to support a Music & Memory program, and there are plenty of fun and easy ways to be successful. This guide provides tips and best practices for raising funds both online and in your community, including:
- Where to Start
- Fundraising Platforms
- Corporate Giving
- DIY/Offline Giving Ideas
- Other Ways to Give
The funds you raise will go to the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function (IMNF), of which Music & Memory is a service, and will be used to support Music & Memory and other vital music services for older adults.
For more detailed information, download our free guide, Fundraising for Music & Memory.
Donate Equipment
We welcome donations of gently used MP3 players that are in good working order and restored to factory settings. We also accept select Apple iPod models, including iPod nano (4th generation or later) and recent versions of iPod touch. Devices should be fully functional and able to support music playback for individual use.
We are also especially grateful for Apple Gift Cards and Amazon Gift Cards, which allow us to provide music directly to program participants and support the ongoing needs of certified organizations.
If you are interested in donating equipment or gift cards, please mail items to:
Institute for Music and Neurologic Function
c/o Music & Memory Program
One Wartburg Place
Mount Vernon, NY 10552
Thank you for considering a donation that helps bring personally meaningful music to those who need it most.