The Cynthia Yasuda Annual Giving Society
Honoring the legacy of Cynthia Yasuda (1948–2025) by supporting the VMA Foundation's free Junior Program, student leadership, outreach concerts, and volunteer recognition nationwide.
The Cynthia Yasuda Annual Giving Society recognizes individuals and families whose annual generosity sustains the mission of the VMA Foundation. Named in honor of our founding Board Secretary, Cynthia Yasuda, the Society celebrates her lifelong commitment to compassion, service, and the belief that every person has the capacity to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Annual Giving Society members provide the philanthropic foundation that allows the VMA Foundation to keep its Junior Program free while expanding opportunities for young musicians to serve, lead, perform, and make a meaningful difference in their communities.
Together, our donors help students across the nation grow not only as musicians, but also as compassionate servant leaders whose acts of service enrich the lives of others.
Your Annual Gift Helps Sustain
Members of The Cynthia Yasuda Annual Giving Society invest in the leadership, stewardship, and organizational capacity that help sustain the VMA Foundation and its charitable mission for the long term.
Leadership & Organizational Capacity
Supporting the executive leadership and organizational capacity needed to guide the Foundation, strengthen its programs, and responsibly expand its national impact.
Stewardship & Partnerships
Helping cultivate relationships with families, educators, donors, community partners, and supporters who strengthen the Foundation and its mission.
Governance & Administration
Supporting responsible administration, governance, planning, and organizational systems that help ensure VMA remains accountable, sustainable, and prepared for future growth.
Sustainable Growth
Investing in the infrastructure and long-term capacity that help sustain VMA's free Junior Program, student leadership opportunities, outreach initiatives, and service to communities nationwide.
Annual Giving Society Recognition
Membership in The Cynthia Yasuda Annual Giving Society is recognized based on cumulative calendar-year financial support of the VMA Foundation. Qualifying charitable contributions and other board-approved forms of financial support that advance the Foundation's mission may count toward Annual Giving Society recognition.
Friend
$50–249Annual Giving
Patron
$250–499Annual Giving
Benefactor
$500–999Annual Giving
Legacy Circle
$1,000–2,499Annual Giving
President's Circle
$2,500+Annual Giving
As a gesture of appreciation, members may receive recognition in VMA Foundation publications, invitations to donor appreciation events, advance registration opportunities for select flagship outreach concerts, and other acknowledgments celebrating their commitment to the Foundation's mission.
Explore the Giving Society Concert Series
The Giving Society Concert Series creates special opportunities for members and families to experience the VMA Foundation's mission through fundraising concerts, donor appreciation events, and select student participation opportunities. Giving Society members may receive priority registration for eligible opportunities.
Explore the Concert SeriesMembers of The Cynthia Yasuda Annual Giving Society
Building the Legacy (2025–2026)
Following Cynthia Yasuda's passing in 2025, the VMA Foundation spent the year thoughtfully developing a lasting way to honor her life and values. During this period, many generous supporters helped sustain and strengthen the Foundation through their financial support.
We gratefully recognize these individuals, families, organizations, and community partners whose generosity helped build both the VMA Foundation and The Cynthia Yasuda Annual Giving Society during its earliest stages.
President's Circle
Legacy Circle
Benefactor
Patron
Friend of the VMA
Distinguished Community Partners
This permanent recognition honors organizations whose longstanding partnership, generosity, and belief in the VMA Foundation have helped strengthen our mission and expand opportunities for young musicians to serve their communities through music.
M. Steinert & Sons
M. Steinert & Sons has helped create meaningful educational opportunities for young musicians while supporting outreach performances, leadership development, and community engagement through music.
New England Music Academy
Honored for its longstanding partnership with the VMA Foundation and its shared commitment to inspiring students to combine musical excellence with compassion, service, and leadership in their communities.
The Legacy Behind the Mission
Behind every outreach concert, every student leader, every volunteer hour, and every life touched through music are generous individuals, families, and community partners who believe in this mission. Together, they carry forward Cynthia Yasuda's enduring example of compassion, kindness, and service to others.
"Be Sensitive to Others."
These four simple words capture the spirit of Cynthia Yasuda's life and continue to inspire the mission of the VMA Foundation. Through the generosity of members of The Cynthia Yasuda Annual Giving Society, her legacy lives on through the leadership, stewardship, and organizational capacity that help sustain the Foundation and its charitable work for generations to come.
Together, we are helping build a strong and sustainable foundation for young musicians to grow as compassionate leaders, serve their communities through music, and carry forward the values of compassion, service, and leadership in their families, communities, and throughout their lives.
Become a Member of The Cynthia Yasuda Annual Giving Society
Join The Cynthia Yasuda Annual Giving Society with an annual gift of $50 or more. Your generosity invests in the leadership, stewardship, and organizational capacity that help sustain the VMA Foundation and its free Junior Program for the long term.
Every gift helps carry Cynthia's legacy of compassion through music, service, and leadership. Recognition is based on your cumulative calendar-year financial support through qualifying charitable contributions and other board-approved forms of financial support that advance the VMA Foundation's mission.