Folks. JINGLE A CHUNK ‘O CHANGE and contribute to some worthy musical causes this holiday season. Here are a few last minute gift ideas — pass the hat and salve the world’s ills with the best medicine your change can buy!
C — being a working musician isn’t all about winning a Grammy. It’s about being able to support oneself and one’s family — and that even includes one’s grammy sometimes. Everyone sings the blues when times get tough and MISFOR is a prefix to every tune.
Listeners, this season make it all about solidarity with the players by proactively recognizing the fidelity of an ephemeral art that spills into spiritual spaces and enlightens lives. Help pave the path for aspiring music makers and those who have already given their talents to an appreciative audience.
…and speaking of GRAMMY – How about the Grammy Foundation’s —
MusiCares
provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares’ services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community.
The Jazz Foundation of America
From performance opportunities to emergency living expenses to medical care to housing, the Jazz Foundation offers a variety of programs and assistance for jazz and blues musicians in need.
Charity Music Inc
Charity Music Inc, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public service organization, whose mission is to help cultivate the next upcoming crop of young artists by providing Musical Instruments, on loan, to at- risk and disadvantaged youth wishing to explore their hidden Musical Talents.
In addition, our “Notes of Appreciation” – Music for Our Military program hopes to provide Musical Instrument and Live Entertainment to over 157 Veteran Hospitals nationwide.
Society of Singers
SOS has been vital to the health, wellness and survival of more than 3,000 professional singers since our inception in 1984. Through our programs and services we have rescued numerous singers by providing emergency grants during times of crisis. We have come to the aid of displaced performers during times of critical disaster and devastation such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. SOS also offers annual scholarships to Masters students pursuing graduate degrees and future careers in the Vocal Arts.
Ongoing support from individual members, corporate sponsors, and funds raised from our gala events have enabled SOS to offer free comprehensive services to singers meeting eligibility guidelines. Recipients of aid must have earned their primary living as professional singers for five years and more. They represent all ages, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, and all genres of performance.
All services provided under the auspices of our Human Services department are carried out with compassion and are kept strictly confidential. SOS respects the pride of all singers whose talent, energy, courage and determination have a vital impact in the world of entertainment, culture and the arts.
The Fender Music Foundation
The Fender Music Foundation believes that music participation is an essential element in the fabric of an enduring society. Our mission is to have the benefits of making music available to everyone in the communities in which we serve, to promote its importance through education and media initiatives, and to provide financial and in-kind resources in collaboration with other organizations to achieve our common goal.
The Musicians Foundation helps professional musicians by providing emergency financial assistance in meeting current living, medical and allied expenses.
Music for Charities/Download.Uplift
We are unique for two reasons:
We are the only location on the web where:
1) The music purchasing patron determines precisely which charity shall benefit from their charitable gifts.
2) The proceeds from the purchases of music goes to non-profit organizations AND the artists.
In other words …
Patrons of Music for Charities
choose the music they want to
Download and the non-profit they want to Uplift.
Music for Charities enthusiastically pledges:
1. To respect the intellectual rights of the artists who have generously contributed their music,
2. To account for each and every downloaded song and the subsequent payment made to not-for-profit organizations in the form of proceeds from the sale of music purchases,
3. To protect the privacy of our dear patrons whose generosity makes the promotion of services by our nonprofit/charity members possible,
4. To be available to the members of the MusicforCharities.com community and respond to all queries in a timely, professional manner.
Essence of Music for Charities:
Music for Charities is a web-based portal that combines the need for fundraising by non-profit and charitable organizations with the desire for promotion and a media outlet by independent musicians.
The MusicforCharities.com essence, therefore, is to facilitate the union of these two worthy and socially invaluable groups. Through their mutual association via this web-portal, we nurture a community that benefits us all ? One download at a time!
Tipitina’s Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization associated with the legendary New Orleans music club. The Foundation’s mission is to support Louisiana and New Orleans’ irreplaceable music community and preserve the state’s unique musical cultures. Tipitina’s annual INSTRUMENTS A COMIN’ benefit concert, silent auction and community fair happens each year on the Monday between Jazz Fest weekends. The program functions year-round providing musical instruments and materials to school music programs.
EAR CANDY is a Phoenix founded 501(c)(3) Non-Profit devoted to providing kids access to music education. Arizona is currently dead last in per person educational funding and arts programs are the first to get cut. Music is our Universal Language and the children of this world deserve the opportunity to be exposed to its powerful influence. EAR CANDY has created a sustainable solution to address the growing epidemic of music being ripped out of schools.
We fulfill our mission in 3 unique ways:
1.) Support In-School Music Programs – We donate musical instruments to pre-established music programs through our Instrument Drive efforts. Throughout 2010 all 57 Phoenix Fire Stations are serving as donation sites for our Instrument Drives ®.
2.) Create After-School Music Programs – Ear Candy launches after-school music programs where children are already going, but where no music program is being offered. We work closely with community partners like The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix.
3.) Beyond the Classroom – In an effort to provide a holistic approach to music education, we provide children with unique opportunities like touring a radio station, visiting a major artist’s sound check and concert, or attending a guitar making workshop. We have received support from a variety of Major Recording Artists including: Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Chick Corea, Nickelback and many others.
The Goal of EAR CANDY is to: CREATE CULTURALLY ENLIGHTENED MEMBERS OF SOCIETY! We are on pace to impact well over 10,000 youth in 2010 and are actively working on expanding our sustainable community driven model in other areas of the country.
The Music Maker Mission
Music Maker Relief Foundation, Inc. helps the true pioneers and forgotten heroes of Southern music gain recognition and meet their day to day needs. We present these musical traditions to the world so American culture will flourish and be preserved for future generations.
Global Music Project
We believe in the power of music to connect people around the world, educate about other cultures, and unite humanity.
The Musicians Foundation (a non-profit 501(c)3 organization established in 2004) is dedicated to providing scholarships to talented, but financially challenged students at Musicians Institute (MI) in order to help them achieve their educational goals.
Musicians Institute provides high-quality professional training leading to careers in the contemporary music industry. Donations to the Musicians Foundation are fully tax-deductible and 100% of all funds received are applied directly to student scholarships.
AMFM, Annapolis Musicians Fund for Musicians, Inc., is a non-profit organization created to provide temporary financial relief to professional Annapolis musicians who cannot work due to sickness, injury, or any other circumstance leaving them unable to perform. This fund will act as an emergency relief fund for lost income.
…and the Elliott Smith Memorial Fund which supports Free Arts for Abused Children (LA, CA) and Outside In (Portland, OR) — two very good causes.
People! It’s not the thought that counts…it’s the giving. If you can’t give them a bouncy C-note — give them a hand (up) however you can.