With generous support from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, The MPO Initiative made funds and customized technical assistance available to the 17 organizations, including four jazz presenters. The MPO Initiative was designed to support organizations with excellent artistic track records meet long-term goals and maintain financial health, and sustain or increase opportunities for artists to create and perform their work by providing each group with grants of $360,000 - $500,000 over four years. The participants were provided access to a broad range of technical assistance provided through NFF and attend periodic convenings.

The selection process was highly competitive, with the national peer review panel recommending 25 finalists to NFF. The 17 participating organizations were recommended by the national peer review panel to NFF from this group. Organizations selected to participate in the MPO Initiative are:

• Harlem Stage/Aaron Davis Hall, New York, NY
• Bang on a Can, Brooklyn, NY
• Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, LA
• Danspace Project, New York, NY
• DiverseWorks, Houston, TX
• Kuumbwa Jazz Society, Santa Cruz, CA
• La Peña Cultural Center, Berkeley, CA
• Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, Pittsburgh, PA
• Miami Light Project, Miami, FL
• Myrna Loy Center, Helena, MT
• National Black Arts Festival, Atlanta,GA
• New World Theater, Amherst, MA
• On the Boards, Seattle, WA
• Outpost Productions, Albuquerque, NM
• Philadelphia Live Arts Festival/Philly Fringe, Philadelphia, PA
• World Music Institute, New York, NY
• Youth Speaks, San Francisco, CA

Literature

• WolfBrown Finds MPO Initiative Successful in Meeting Key Goals:“Overall, both the qualitative and quantitative data suggest that the MPO Initiative has been successful in meeting key goals . . . Considering the deterioration of the national economy over the course of the Initiative, this modest improvement (in key measures) is particularly noteworthy.”
• On the Boards: Sustaining a Vibrant Seattle Arts Institution: On the Boards (OtB) is recognized as a leader in contemporary performance. As with so many nonprofits that expand, growing pains were inevitable. In 1998, a wonderful performance space was for sale, and OtB found the support to purchase and renovate it. Though their audiences loved it, revenue couldn't cover the increased expenses of the new facility. See how their participation in the MPO Initiative helped them turn around.