In loving memory of Paul Cunningham
The Mr. Paul Foundation helps children with special needs find their creative voice through grants, donated instruments and art supplies. We honor Mr. Paul’s lifelong generosity by continuing his work.
Our story
Mr. Paul was one man, yet his kindness reached countless lives. He devoted his career to spreading goodness to everyone he met, and for much of it he worked alongside children with special needs, serving in schools across Metro Nashville Davidson County and in programs such as summer camps.
The Mr. Paul Foundation was established in his memory with the same purpose: to spread joy, hope and love wherever we can. Whenever we see an opportunity to help, we do so quietly and often anonymously, just as Mr. Paul did.
Mr. Paul supported countless charities serving children with special needs, programs that teach music to those children, and programs that help young people learn to love art. We are committed to carrying that work forward and to helping give these children a brighter future.
A world where every child with special needs has the chance to express themselves, build confidence and feel the joy of creating.
To help children with special needs discover their love for art and music through grants, donations, equipment and supplies, given with care.
The power of creativity
Art invites freedom of creative expression and helps students relax and think differently. There are countless art forms to explore, and anyone can make art. For children with special needs, creating often builds independence, confidence and self-esteem.
Creating and playing music gives children with special needs a genuine sense of achievement. Research suggests that early music education benefits every child, supporting memory and the auditory, visual-spatial and motor areas of the brain, which are linked to speech and language, reading, focus and attention.
What we do
A few of the ways the Foundation carries his generosity forward.
We award grants to private and nonprofit charities that focus on children with special needs.
We make gifts to worthy causes, including public and private organizations and individuals.
We receive donated instruments, restore them with care, and sell them to fund our mission.
Mr. Paul loved art, and he loved children. We provide art supplies to organizations that nurture a child’s love of creating.
Mr. Paul gave to many public and private charities. In his name, we continue to support each worthy cause.
Many supporters simply want to help in any way they can. If you would like to volunteer at a planned event, please contact us.
Giving the gift of music and art
For those who need musical equipment to follow their love of music, or art supplies to become artists, we help in every way we can. If you would like to donate used musical equipment, or support our work in another way, please contact us and we will respond as soon as possible. Thank you.
Bring your instrument to us or ship it. Your local UPS Store can package it for you.
We clean and repair each item so it is ready for its next musician.
We sell restored equipment on eBay and Amazon, and every dollar funds our grants.
Volunteer with us
We regularly hold events that raise funds and awareness for causes that help children in their own special ways. Our volunteers are at the heart of each one. Whether you can give an afternoon or a season, we would be glad to welcome you.
Upcoming events
A curated look at events in the months ahead for children with special needs and for music lovers. Each is organized by a third party, and dates can change, so please confirm details with the organizer.
2026–27 Season · Select dates
Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Nashville, TN
Every Nashville Symphony Family Series concert is sensory friendly, with an instrument petting zoo, quiet spaces, noise-reducing headphones and a relaxed seating policy.
Event details (opens the organizer’s website in a new tab)November 7, 2026
Nashville, TN
A community social gathering hosted by Autism Tennessee. Check the organizer's calendar for details and registration.
Event details (opens the organizer’s website in a new tab)January 24–26, 2027
Gatlinburg, TN
Skiing, snowboarding, speed skating and 3v3 basketball, with an opening ceremony and a victory celebration. Volunteers are welcome.
Event details (opens the organizer’s website in a new tab)February 12, 2027
Local host churches (find one near you)
A free, prom-style celebration for guests with special needs, hosted by local churches worldwide. Find a host church near you to attend or volunteer.
Event details (opens the organizer’s website in a new tab)February 19, 2027
Hotel Chalet, Chattanooga, TN
A fun fundraising plunge that supports Special Olympics Tennessee athletes.
Event details (opens the organizer’s website in a new tab)Spring 2027 · Date to be announced
Geodis Park, Nashville, TN
A festival-style one-mile walk promoting friendship and inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Event details (opens the organizer’s website in a new tab)June 10–13, 2027
Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN
Four nights of country music in Nashville. A portion of proceeds supports the CMA Foundation's music education programs for young people.
Event details (opens the organizer’s website in a new tab)Our partners in music
Two programs we are glad to recommend to families who want to explore music together.
Joyful early childhood music classes designed for children and the grown-ups who love them. Find a class in your community.
Find Music Together classes (opens in a new tab)
Music and movement classes that support early childhood development through play, rhythm and song. Locate a class near you.
Find Kindermusik classes (opens in a new tab)Some links on this page may be affiliate links. If you enroll through one, the Foundation may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Mr. Paul’s favorite charities
Select a logo to visit the organization’s website.
Questions
The Foundation does not solicit monetary donations. Many friends of Mr. Paul choose to give in other ways, most often by donating used musical equipment. We repair and clean each item we receive and sell it to sustain the funding that makes our work possible.
Over his lifetime, Mr. Paul gave to more than 78 private and public organizations, most of them serving children with special needs, art or music. We follow his example by supporting those same causes as often as we can, and wherever possible we give quietly, without drawing attention to ourselves.
It is easy. You may deliver the item to us in person, or ship it. Your local UPS Store can package the item and send it to us. Please contact us first so we can share the best delivery details.
There are many ways to help. We hold events throughout the year, both to raise funds and to raise awareness of causes that support children in their own special ways. Send us a message and we will let you know how you can take part.
To continue giving to Mr. Paul’s favorite charities and causes, we sell donated used musical equipment on eBay and Amazon. All proceeds fund The Mr. Paul Foundation. We then send grants to organizations that serve the causes Mr. Paul loved most: children with special needs, art and music.
Do you want to help?
Whether you would like to donate used musical equipment, volunteer at an event, or learn more about our grants, we would love to hear from you.
We read every message and reply as soon as we can.
