MUSE is diverse and dedicated to social justice – and means it! Not only is MUSE comprised of members who vary in age, race, and ethnicity, but also vary with a wide range of musical abilities, political interests, and life experiences. MUSE’s mission of peace and inclusiveness gains momentum through affiliations with other like-minded organizations. One of these affiliations is with Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati. MUSE and other member organizations in Cincinnati benefit directly from the contributions made through Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati.

Community Shares’ purpose is to create a central platform to promote its local nonprofit member organizations. Their mission: To help achieve social and economic equity and a healthy environment in Greater Cincinnati. Who doesn’t want that? Community Shares raises awareness and support for its member organizations through workplace giving campaigns, professional enrichment, community education, and a variety of other innovative initiatives. With a reduction in individual giving in these tough economic times, Community Shares provides major support to local community organizations dedicated to social change, and minimum hassle for people who wish to donate.

There are 28 member organizations of Community Shares with a range of diverse missions. Some of the members are: Parents of Public Schools, Gorman Heritage Farms, STOP AIDS (formerly AVOC) and UCAN. One of the benefits of supporting Community Shares is that you may give specifically to a member organization of your choice. YOU designate who will receive your contribution. Other large workplace giving organizations may put your contribution in a general fund to be allocated as they see fit. However, with Community Shares, you know that every dollar goes to the exact organization you specified. What a concept!

MUSE has been a member of Community Shares since 1996. The workplace giving campaign is an important revenue source for MUSE, and is often more predictable than grants sources that support the arts. In addition, it is gratifying to know that MUSE’s involvement in Community Shares, helps to make a stronger community.

We give freely in our support of Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati, and hope you do, too!

For more information on how you can support Community Shares, visit their website.

This year’s new Community Shares members include:

Grailville is an organization that inspires and connects people through its spiritual, environmental and artistic programs, retreat center and organic farm on 300+ acres (only 20 minutes from downtown Cincinnati). Grailville has been the home of The Grail in the United States since 1944.

Media Bridges is Cincinnati's community media center. It exists to take the tools of media and put them in the hands of the community by providing the education, equipment and environment for people to communicate effectively through media.

Parents for Public Schools of Greater Cincinnati (PPSGC) advocates for excellence in public schools. It exists to develop and sustain constructive parent and community involvement so that all students will achieve.

--Ramona Toussaint, Community Shares Board Member, MUSE Member