Dear Supporter

There is only a week left before we wrap up our 2016 fundraising campaign, and for some strange reason it has not taken wing yet. We have only reached 52% of our goal for the year. All it needs is about 30 more donations, which when combined with corporate matching, will take us over the finish line. If all donors who contributed last year pitch in again, that will take us over the finish line. If all the families that enjoyed at least two or more concerts made a contribution, that would take us well over the finish line. If you have been putting it off, now is the time to take a minute to donate online or drop a check in the mail. As you can very well see, every single contribution makes a big difference!

If you missed the last concert, you must have surely heard about it from those who didn't. Thanmayee's mellifluous renditions, Kamalakiran's violin wizardry, and Vignesh's rock-solid mridangam came together in such rare cohesive amalgamation that it became difficult to appreciate one without tipping a hat to the others. That is the true essence of teamwork, when the whole transcends the sum of the parts. Don't worry if you missed it. High-quality recordings from the concert are available for download, for your listening pleasure.

Hamsadhwani's mission is to help create such extraordinary experiences for our community as a whole, and organize concerts that are accessible and convenient virtually in your own backyard. It is the last week of our campaign this year. Please donate today and help us reach our goal!

Thank You
HCMA Board of Directors
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Dear rasikas

It is week six of our fundraising campaign and we've reached only 50% of our goal! Thank you to all those who've contributed so far. Your support is especially crucial as it motivates others to pitch in as well. 

When you think of donating to any non-profit, you like to think that most of your money is going towards its stated goal. However, one of the important factors to look for is what is called the 'Overhead Ratio'. The overhead ratio commonly refers to a non-profit organization’s expenses that is devoted to administrative costs and fundraising costs as a percentage of overall expenses. The average overhead ratio for most US non-profits is about 40%, and ratios as high as 65-75% are not unheard of. A quick breakdown of Hamsadhwani's 2015 financial statements (published online) reveal the following:

Beginning Balance
Balance at beginning of year = $775
Revenue
Contributions received = $10471
Expenses
Artist fees = $5951
Food expenses = $178
Operation expenses = $106
Insurance expenses  = $182
Hall rent = $2943
Youth festival & thematic concert expenses = $672
Travel expenses - artiste = $912
Staff/Volunteer Compensation = $0
Administrative expenses = $0
Fundraising expenses = $0
Ending Balance
Net balance at end of year = $302

Can you believe that the overhead ratio for Hamsadhwani is 0%? Yes, you read that right! This means that 100% of your contributions go towards supporting the cause - to encourage up and coming artistes, to provide exposure to students, and to benefit the general public interested in Carnatic music. How is this possible? It is simply because of the volunteers who donate their time and effort. From those who setup the stage, organize food, cleanup after events, manage the sound, to those who organize fundraising, write blogs, prepare financial statements, etc., every single small-to-big activity is performed by volunteers. We do it for the love of music, culture and tradition. We do it for the benefit of the community. We do it for our children.

You can make a real difference to encourage our volunteers. Pitch in with your support today! Donations can be made online or via postal mail too!

Thank You
HCMA Board of Directors
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Dear supporter

We have reached 35% of our fundraising goal, thanks to the donors who have contributed so far. At this point, we need only 78 more donations to reach our goal. Yes, you read that right. If you haven't already, please lend your support for a good cause.

A quick reminder about the concert coming up today. It is generating quite a buzz as it features a powerhouse of talent - Thanmayee Krishnamurthy as the vocalist, Vignesh Venkataraman on the mrudangam and the multi-faceted Kamalakiran Vinjamuri on the violin. Don't miss it! Stop by the Simi Valley Senior Center today between 3 and 6 pm.

The mrudangam is considered to provide a foundation for Carnatic music concerts. It is one of a rare breed of percussion instruments that is tuned to the pitch of the vocalist. The most seasoned vidhwans employ this instrument with delicious fervor to subtly enhance and elevate the performance. It is difficult to believe that the complex rhythmic patterns, endings and transitions are created extemporaneously, live on the spot by the mrudangist, with a hundred mathematical computations running through the sub-conscious mind, while also sync'ing up with the other musicians on stage. Intrigued? Watch this documentary made by filmmaker Rajiv Menon on the grandmaster of today's mrudangists - Shri UmayaLpuram K Sivaraman, whose long shadow is going to be cast on stage (Vignesh Venkatraman is his disciple) during the concert today.

Help us reach our goal, and perhaps inspire your kids. Make a donation today. And don't forget to join us today for an afternoon of soulful music!

Thank You
HCMA Board of Directors
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