Kiff Gallagher
Encyclopedia
Christopher "Kiff" Gallagher is an American musician, songwriter, and nonprofit administrator, noted for his work in public service.
In 1993, Gallagher helped to create AmeriCorps
, then served as president of the Social Venture Network
before leaving to pursue singing and songwriting. He was never signed to a label, so decided to return to his background in public service. In 2008, his idea for a public service music education initiative was endorsed by then president-elect Barack Obama
and former Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee
.
Gallagher subsequently became CEO and founder of the nonprofit Music National Service ("MNS"), which administers MusicianCorps, a program that recruits musicians to serve as music teachers. "MNS [initially] launched a domestic 'musical Peace Corps' called MusicianCorps in four cities – SF/Oakland Bay Area, Chicago, New Orleans and Seattle – where twenty MusicianCorps Fellows serve[d] full-time in public schools, parks and recreation centers, children’s and veteran's hospitals, public housing communities and elsewhere in return for a living stipend, health benefits and professional development."
A 2008 Aspen Institute
"Ideas Fellow," he graduated in 1991 from Wesleyan University
with honors from the College of Letters.
In 1993, Gallagher helped to create AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps is a U.S. federal government program that was created under President Bill Clinton by the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 and later expanded by 50 percent under President George W. Bush...
, then served as president of the Social Venture Network
Social Venture Network
The Social Venture Network is a network of socially responsible business leaders committed to building a just and sustainable world through socially and environmentally sustainable business. As of 2007, SVN has over 430 members in the United States....
before leaving to pursue singing and songwriting. He was never signed to a label, so decided to return to his background in public service. In 2008, his idea for a public service music education initiative was endorsed by then president-elect Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
and former Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee
Mike Huckabee
Michael "Mike" Dale Huckabee is an American politician who served as the 44th Governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. He was a candidate in the 2008 United States Republican presidential primaries, finishing second in delegate count and third in both popular vote and number of states won . He won...
.
Gallagher subsequently became CEO and founder of the nonprofit Music National Service ("MNS"), which administers MusicianCorps, a program that recruits musicians to serve as music teachers. "MNS [initially] launched a domestic 'musical Peace Corps' called MusicianCorps in four cities – SF/Oakland Bay Area, Chicago, New Orleans and Seattle – where twenty MusicianCorps Fellows serve[d] full-time in public schools, parks and recreation centers, children’s and veteran's hospitals, public housing communities and elsewhere in return for a living stipend, health benefits and professional development."
A 2008 Aspen Institute
Aspen Institute
The Aspen Institute is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1950 as the Aspen Institute of Humanistic Studies. The organization is dedicated to "fostering enlightened leadership, the appreciation of timeless ideas and values, and open-minded dialogue on contemporary issues." The...
"Ideas Fellow," he graduated in 1991 from Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college founded in 1831 and located in Middletown, Connecticut. According to the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Wesleyan is the only Baccalaureate College in the nation that emphasizes undergraduate instruction in the arts and...
with honors from the College of Letters.