Campaign by 
Story
The school's need:
For nearly 20 years, music teacher Zachary MacLean has been building a music program that gives students confidence, community, and a place to belong. Today, this growing program is facing an urgent challenge. Many of the school’s instruments are so old and worn that the local repair shop has begun recommending they be removed from the inventory entirely. With rising repair costs and increasing enrollment, the program's most pressing needs are saxophones, trombones, and flutes.
The students at Hope of Detroit Academy bring incredible passion to their music. Every spring, the program hosts a recital where students perform solos and small ensemble pieces for families and community members. A beloved tradition is the high school band’s featured senior soloist, a moment that honors the dedication of graduating musicians.
Seven years ago, a young clarinetist named Ivett stepped onto the stage as the very first senior soloist. Years later, after graduating, Ivett reached back out to share her gratitude.
She shared how that performance sparked her lifelong love of music and inspired her to pursue opportunities she never thought possible.” — Zachary MacLean, Music Teacher, Hope of Detroit Academy
DONATE NOW
Your donation goes to Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, allowing the foundation to work with Hope of Detroit's music teacher to purchase the school’s needed instruments. Instruments are then delivered directly to the school.
Every contribution helps! Your generous support will:
*Equip students with high-quality instruments
*Expand access to music education and grow participation
*Inspire creativity, confidence, and success in school and life
How your donation works:
Your cash donation goes directly to the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation to help purchase the instruments each school needs at deeply discounted rates (typically one-third of retail price). Instruments are delivered directly to the school; no cash is given to schools. A 5% service fee is retained by JustGiving, and the Foundation retains 10% to cover administrative costs, including school vetting and grant management.
With generous and transformative support from Eddie Van Halen over the years and now continuing through his son Wolfgang, Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation is pleased to announce that the Van Halen Family has committed to kickstarting the Adopt A School campaign with a generous $1,000 donation towards each of the first 100 participating schools.
How we select schools:
The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation identifies schools through a combination of outreach and research, focusing on those that meet specific grant eligibility requirements. Once a school is determined to be eligible, the music teacher is invited to complete a detailed grant application and participate in an in-person or virtual site visit. This process helps the Foundation understand the school’s unique needs and ensures that any donation will result in a sustainable, long-term impact on students’ access to music education.
More ways to help:
To spread the word on social media or link to this page in your own fundraising efforts, use the links below! And to learn more about Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation's Adopt A School campaign, visit mhopus.org/adopt-a-school or contact us at info@mhopus.org or 818-762-4328.