Cynthia Smith Hearts Foundation Inc

The Cynthia Smith HeARTS Foundation, Inc. is a licensed nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching lives through the power of the arts. Established in honor of Cynthia Smith—a lifelong advocate for creativity, education, and community—the Foundation promotes access to diverse art forms including music, dance, drama, folklore, crafts, 3D printing, fashion design, and visual arts. Music includes steel band and African drumming, while dance includes line dancing for seniors. Serving communities across Miami-Dade County and beyond, it provides inclusive programs in community centers, and public spaces, with a focus on empowering individuals (young and old) from under-resourced and marginalized backgrounds. By offering hands-on workshops, creative opportunities, and skill-building activities, the Foundation nurtures self-expression, fosters economic and personal growth, and promotes mental well-being. Through continued community engagement and support, the Cynthia Smith HeARTS Foundation strives to build a vibrant, inclusive arts ecosystem that honors Cynthia’s legacy and uplifts lives locally and globally.

The Cynthia Smith HeARTS Foundation plans to also establish summer school programs to provide consistent, high-quality arts education that keeps young people engaged, learning, and creatively growing during months when academic and enrichment opportunities are often limited. These programs would also deepen community impact by offering a safe, structured, and inspiring space where children and seniors can explore diverse art forms, build confidence, and strengthen their overall well-being. 

Proposed Annual Budget — $50,000

🎨 Instructional Programs and Tutors

Art Form / Instructor	Rate	Hours per Week	Weeks per Year	Total Cost
Sewing Instructor	$25/hr × 2 hrs	52	$2,600
Steel Pan Instructor	$30/hr × 2 hrs	52	$3,120
African Drum Instructor	$35/hr × 1 hr	52	$1,820
Line Dancing / African Dance Instructor	$35/hr × 2 hrs	52	$3,640
3D Printing Instructor	$30/hr × 2 hrs	52	$3,120
Cricut/Silhouette Instructor	$25/hr × 2 hrs	52	$2,600
Visual Arts / Crafts Instructor (painting, drawing, etc.)	$30/hr × 2 hrs	52	$3,120
Drama / Spoken Word / Folklore Music Facilitator	$30/hr 3hrs	52	$4680

Subtotal (Instructor Fees): ≈ $24,600

🧰 Equipment & Technology Purchases

Item	Estimated Cost	Purpose
Base Steel Pans (2 sets)	$1,000	For music instruction and performances
Silhouette & Cricut Machines	$1,000	For design, fashion, and craft projects
Apple Tablet	$1,000	For digital design, class coordination, and instruction
Laptop	$1,000	For program management, presentations, and digital workshops
Portable Speaker System	$500	For classes, performances, and events
Overhead Projector System	$2,000	For visual presentations, workshops, and showcases
Art Supplies (paint, brushes, canvases, fabric, clay, etc.)	$2,000	Consumable materials for all art programs
Sewing Materials (fabric, threads, notions, patterns)	$1,000	For sewing and fashion design workshops
Musical Instruments & Maintenance	$1,000	For drum repairs, pan tuning, and accessories
3D Printer and Supplies (filament, maintenance)	$3,000	For continued operation of 3D printing programs

Subtotal (Equipment & Supplies): ≈ $12,500

🌐 Program Development & Administrative Costs

Item	Estimated Cost	Purpose
Website & Social Media Designer / Maintenance	$3,000	For online presence, community engagement, and event promotion
Marketing, Printing & Outreach	$1,500	Flyers, promotional materials, and local advertising
Facility Rentals / Utilities / Insurance	$4,000	Community space, lighting, insurance, and maintenance
Volunteer & Community Engagement Events	$1,500	Recognition events, showcases, or student exhibitions
Contingency / Miscellaneous	$2460	Unforeseen expenses or equipment replacement

Subtotal (Administrative & Operations): ≈ $12,460

Total Estimated Annual Budget: ≈ $49,560  – $50,000

Summary of Impact

This $50,000 investment would:

• Employ 8–10 local instructors representing diverse cultural art forms.
• Provide year-round community classes in music, dance, crafts, and digital arts.
• Equip the Foundation with modern creative tools and technology.
• Offer intergenerational engagement, such as line dancing for seniors and youth design and dance programs.
• Build an inclusive, sustainable arts ecosystem that celebrates diversity, cultural expression and creativity.

Please visit us on Instagram @cynthiasmithhearts and on Facebook @cynthia.smith.hearts.foundation to see some of the activities we are currently doing.