Andy Enders & Steven Kurtz
ENDERS
5912 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg, PA 17112
Why does giving back matter to your business — and how does supporting local nonprofits shape your company culture or values?
Enders is nothing without our clients and the communities in which they exist. Many of those clients are nonprofits, and working alongside them has given us an intimate view of both their remarkable work, coupled with all-too-common impediments to success. Existing alongside our clients builds vibrant insight that allows us to better serve our clients.
Community engagement shapes our culture and demonstrates Enders’ 75 years of intentional acts. We don’t support the community because it’s a nice idea. The team members at Enders do it because they care about the people and causes that seek to solve problems and celebrate ideas. When your neighbors are also your clients, the distinction between business responsibility and personal obligation gets blurred in the best possible way.
We believe in the power of new ideas and continue to seek chances to build new partnerships, like the recently established Downbeat Foundation. Growing the breadth of our connections strengthens the impact of our support—through time, talent and financial commitments. The people who choose to join our team at Enders tend to be the same people who show up when their community needs them. Our support of local organizations is an outcome of a company culture that is firmly rooted in charitable acts.
What drew you to this nonprofit, and what does your support look like in action (time, leadership, funding, advocacy, etc.)?
In an era of shrinking opportunities to celebrate the arts, the Downbeat Foundation stands to be an antidote to students never knowing the power of playing an instrument.
Our connection to the Downbeat Foundation is personal before it’s professional. Andy Enders was a classmate of Ben Smith, the inspiration for the Downbeat Foundation, along with Steve Kurtz, its founding catalyst. Beyond the time shared at Central Dauphin, Ben, Steve and Andy shared the bond of a being in a high school garage band together. The loss of Ben was particularly poignant, but the development of the foundation provided the avenue to celebrate a life through meaningful action.
Through those long relationships, it was an easy “yes” when Steve Kurtz asked Enders to provide support to the nascent organization. Andy Enders quickly identified a colleague that loved music and was seeking an opportunity to deepen community involvement: Nelson Butz. Nelson quickly accepted the call to action, aligned with Enders’ common value of giving back. Upon joining the board, Nelson was immediately able to contribute to the planning of the foundation’s signature event this spring, May Jam.
What’s most compelling about this organization is the speed and intentionality with which it came together. A few months after Ben’s death, the foundation was formed. A few months after that, it’s already funded and is supporting multiple students. The people closest to this tragedy found a way to transform it into tangible opportunity for young people who might not otherwise have access to music education.
The Downbeat Foundation
What problem is your organization working to solve, and how does partnership with local businesses help you create measurable impact?
The Downbeat Foundation works to remove the barriers that keep young people from accessing percussion education. We meet students who want to play drums but lack access to drum lessons, a drum set to practice on, or the resources needed to keep learning consistently. Without those basics, even motivated kids can lose momentum before they ever find their rhythm.
Our work is intentionally focused on percussion. We provide need-based access to drum lessons, drum sets and related support so students can learn properly and keep progressing. That means hands-on instruction, quality equipment and the ability to practice at home, not just during lessons. For us, impact is measurable and practical—students showing up consistently to lessons, continuing instruction over time, and developing confidence, discipline and self-expression through drumming.
This work is inspired by our friend, Ben, a lifelong drummer who believed deeply in the power of rhythm to connect people and build confidence. His passion for percussion continues to shape how we think about access, mentorship and keeping music fun and meaningful.
Partnerships with local businesses make this possible. Support from companies like Enders Insurance allows us to put drum kits in students’ homes and keep lessons going month after month. Local partners understand the community and help us build something sustainable. Enders has been a true partner, supporting our mission financially while also showing up and helping amplify our work locally.
When local businesses invest in music education, the results are immediate and lasting.
As you look ahead to 2026, what type of corporate or foundation support would most help you grow or deepen your mission?
As we look ahead to 2026, the support that would most help us grow is partnership that directly strengthens our percussion programs. Financial support remains essential, especially to expand access to drum lessons and drum sets, but consistency and shared values matter just as much.
Predictable funding allows us to plan ahead, accept new students confidently, and ensure lessons continue without interruption. Support designated for drum instruction, equipment purchases, and transportation helps us deepen our impact while maintaining quality. It allows us to stay focused on teaching, mentoring and student progress.
We are also excited about partners that want to engage beyond funding. Sponsoring students, supporting our annual May Jam event, or helping us share the importance of percussion education all contribute to long-term success. These partnerships help reinforce the idea that rhythm, discipline and creativity are skills worth investing in.
Inspired by Ben’s love for drumming and community, our goal is thoughtful growth. We want every student we support to have access to drum lessons, a drum set to practice on, and a positive experience that builds confidence and a lifelong connection to music. Partners that share that focus help us make that possible.
