General operating support helps expand access to free music education while strengthening early childhood programs
PHOENIX, Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Rosie's House, the nation's largest free music education program, has received a $250,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation to provide general operating support, helping ensure low-income children and families across the Valley continue to have access to high-quality, tuition-free music education and mentorship.
The unrestricted gift allows Rosie's House to invest where it is needed most while continuing to expand programs that inspire creativity, build confidence, and create opportunities through music. By 2027, Rosie's House will serve upwards of 1,000 students, due to such philanthropic support it receives from the community.
"We are deeply grateful to The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation for their continued investment in Rosie's House," said Becky Bell Ballard, CEO of Rosie's House. "Flexible operating support allows us to meet the evolving needs of our students and families while continuing to grow programs that have a lasting impact on children's lives."
A shared priority between the Foundation and Rosie's House is early childhood education. Research shows that 90% of a child's brain develops before age five, making early exposure to music a powerful tool for language development, memory, physical coordination, and school readiness. (Source)
"Watching children light up through music is a powerful reminder that learning happens in so many different ways," said Renee Parsons, Co-Founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. "Rosie's House creates opportunities for children to build confidence, express themselves, and discover talents they many never have known they had."
The Foundation's support also complements an ongoing partnership between Rosie's House and Child Crisis Arizona, another Parsons Foundation grantee. Through this collaboration, Rosie's House brings bilingual early childhood music classes to children and caregivers both at its downtown Phoenix campus and at Child Crisis Arizona's East Valley campus, helping families experience the developmental benefits of music in a welcoming, community-based setting.
For more than 30 years, Rosie's House has used music as a catalyst for opportunity, providing free music education that helps young people build confidence, develop leadership skills, and discover their full potential. In addition to music instruction, students receive mentoring, performance opportunities, and college and career guidance that prepare them for success beyond the classroom. Today, 96% of Rosie's House graduates continue to pursue their college and career goals
"Renee and I want programs like these to be available to all kids, especially those whose families can least afford them." said Bob Parsons, Co-Founder of The Bob & Renee Parson Foundation. "Learning to play an instrument goes beyond simply playing music. Kids learn discipline and persistence-lessons that last a lifetime."
About Rosie's House
Rosie's House is one of the nation's largest free music education programs, dedicated to eliminating barriers to high-quality instruction for Phoenix youth. For 30 years, Rosie's House has empowered students through the transformative power of music, building skills, confidence, and pathways to success.
Through its Afterschool, Early Childhood, and Summer Music Programs, Rosie's House provides free instruction in general music, mariachi, voice, guitar, strings, winds, piano, digital music, and percussion. Students also benefit from mentoring, college readiness, and community service opportunities.
Despite financial barriers faced by every family served, Rosie's House students consistently excel—96% of graduating seniors achieved their post-high school goals for the past five years, far surpassing Arizona's statewide average of 48%. Learn more at rosieshouse.org.
About The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation
The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation offers support to nonprofit organizations successfully working to empower, educate, nurture, and nourish people during what is often the darkest time of their lives. Founded in 2012 by philanthropists and business leaders Bob and Renee Parsons to provide hope and life-changing assistance to the country's most vulnerable populations. The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation offers critical funding at critical times to those in need. The Foundation's giving is driven by the core belief that all people- regardless of race, religion, roots, economic status, sexual orientation or gender identity – deserve access to quality healthcare, education and a safe place to call home. Follow @WeDealInHope on social media or visit TBRPF.org, to learn more about partner organizations and the important work being done in the community.
Media Contact
Laura Schairer, Rosie's House, 1 480-797-3111, [email protected], www.rosieshouse.org
SOURCE Rosie's House
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