CHICAGO, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- CIT Group Inc.
(CIT) today announced that it has made a donation to the Musical
Arts Institute (MAI) to fund a computer lab that will strengthen
the organization's music instruction in Chicago's underserved areas, a community need
identified by a CIT Small Business Solutions customer as part of
the company's Acts of Caring initiative.
CIT's donation provides five Apple iMac computers with Logic Pro
X software to help MAI establish a greatly anticipated computer lab
for students to write and create music, practice instruments and
learn music theory.
Musical Arts Institute equips students to compete for college
scholarships and to pursue sustainable professional careers in
music, providing lessons in vocal, piano, percussion, string
orchestra, wind instrument, bass and guitar and music theory and
production, in addition to specialized classes. MAI engages 2,500
students annually to grow and refine their talent and support
college placement, including scholarship assistance.
"When Musical Arts Institute was founded a decade ago, we
noticed that students in the Chicago public school system and in Black
communities lacked access to advanced music instruction, so we
compiled a team of professional musicians and educators to serve
this need and provide music instruction for students," said
Michael Manson, executive director
at Musical Arts Institute. "CIT's donation of computers and
software will further support these students in their musical
endeavors, providing them with the technical tools they need to
succeed."
"CIT is proud to support the needs of our communities and
complete projects on behalf of our customers as part of our Acts of
Caring initiative," said Ken Martin,
managing director of Small Business Solutions at CIT. "We're
pleased to provide MAI with computers and software that will
enhance the music education of students in underserved areas and
support their dreams of going to college and pursuing a rewarding
career."
CIT Acts of Caring
As part of CIT's Acts of Caring program, the company invited
customers to nominate a need in their hometown and share how the
company could support those efforts on their behalf. Identified by
a customer of CIT's Small Business Solutions, Musical Arts
Institute is one of ten projects nationwide that was selected to
receive a donation from CIT this summer.
The customer program follows a month-long social good project
where CIT employees completed more than 3,000 Acts of Caring and
dedicated nearly 5,000 hours in support of causes such as COVID-19
relief, addressing food insecurity, improving the environment and
advancing social and economic justice.
Learn more about CIT's Acts of Caring initiative at
cit.com/ActsOfCaring.
About Musical Arts Institute
The Musical Arts Institute (MAI) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3),
music school which provides high quality instrumental and vocal
training for culturally and economically underserved Chicago
youths. Its mission is to transform the minds our youth via world
class musical instruction. Since its founding 10 years ago, MAI has
become a leading music performance organization whose purpose is to
prepare students, particularly those who live in under-resourced
communities, with the character and skills aligned with success in
school and life, thus reaching their full potential. Our students
receive in-school instruction as well as intensive after school
private and group training when access to music education is
limited or nonexistent. Musical Arts Institute is recognized as one
of the top-rated nonprofits in the United States based on community
service and financial responsibility.
About CIT
CIT is a leading national bank focused on empowering businesses
and personal savers with the financial agility to navigate their
goals. CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) is a financial holding company
with over a century of experience and operates a principal bank
subsidiary, CIT Bank, N.A. (Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender). The
company's commercial banking segment includes commercial financing,
community association banking, middle market banking, equipment and
vendor financing, factoring, railcar financing, treasury and
payments services, and capital markets and asset management. CIT's
consumer banking segment includes a national direct bank and
regional branch network. Discover more at cit.com/about.
MEDIA RELATIONS:
Susan Fitzpatrick
212-461-7806
Susan.Fitzpatrick@cit.com
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SOURCE CIT Group Inc.