According to the interview he gave to Under the Radar, Elliott Smith started a foundation for abused children after the release of his album ‘Figure 8.’ It is possible he started this charity with Valerie Deerin, his girlfriend at the time. Although the foundation had been dormant while he was dealing with his drug problem, in 2003, he was ready to consider his foundation as his number one priority. I heard him mentioning it during a show at that same period of time, and you could tell it was something that was really important to him. Even before starting one, I read he would give his money to diverse charities, and if there is another need to demonstrate Elliott’s generosity, this bitter-sweet anecdote will do it: during a memorial show at the Henry Fonda Theater in L.A., his sister told the audience that he used to slip $100 bills into homeless men’s shoes.
After his death in October 2003, Elliott’s family established the ‘Elliott Smith Memorial Fund,’ a not-for-profit organization whose purpose consists of providing financial support for children who were victims of abuse
At that time the address given was:
Elliott Smith Memorial Fund
2658 Griffith Park Blvd. #138
Los Angeles, CA 90039
And there was even an email address set up for the paypal account. They said at the time it was the only organization authorized by Elliott’s family to carry out his charitable wishes, but the fact they needed to specify that they were not associated with any other foundation let people think there were actually other funds existing out there.
The Elliott Smith Memorial Fund was soon associated with Free Arts for Abused Children a non profit organization founded in 1977 by a group of Malibu artists, and dedicated to helping children who have been abused, as well as families living in crisis. Their program based on the simple philosophy that art heals, uses creative activities such as painting, music, drama to develop self-esteem and build positive character by unlocking the imagination and creativity of the victims of child abuse and homelessness.
Elliott Smith Memorial Fund
c/o Free Arts for Abused Children
12095 W. Washington Blvd. Suite 104
Los Angeles, CA 90066
310-313-4278
310-313-5575 FAX
Recently, the family added a new organization to the Elliott Smith memorial fund, Outside in. They justify their choice by saying that the facilities of the organization are across the street from Elliott’s high school, and that he knew about them and had agreed to do a benefit for their needle-exchange program.
Founded in 1968, Outside In is a Portland social service agency which helps homeless youth and marginalized people. Their goal is to improve health and self-sufficiency with the help of a community health clinic, and a homeless youth program designed to help homeless youth obtain independent living. The organization provides all kinds of very important supports, such as housing, medical care, a needle-exchange program, transgender/sexual identity services and scholarships among other things. They have been a successful organization because their website says 80% of youth who go through their program never return to the streets.
Outside In has received the first award ever given to a Youth Program from the Oregon Shelter, a “Cares” Award from American Health Care Systems, is placed 5th out of 68 clinics reviewed nationwide and is a Federally Qualified Medical Center.
Outside In
1132 SW 13th Avenue
Portland, OR 97205
503-535-3800 Phone
503-223-6837 Fax
According to this website http://www.causes.com/causes/698, the Elliott Smith Memorial Fund has contributed over $50,000 to Free Arts for Abused Children. Let’s hope they will even raise more money with the addition of the new organization.