Charity Organizations

There are numerous charitable organizations that have been established using music as the driving force to raise funds and awareness for social and economic issues, similar to benefit concerts. Music is an interest that crosses all boundaries and can easily be related to by most everyone, making it a powerful tool in charitable endeavors.

The causes of these organizations are diverse and range from creating awareness for HIV/AIDS, raising funds for music programs in schools, obtaining instruments for children who are less fortunate, animal rights and so on.

ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) The Dixie Chicks, Moby, and Michael Stipe are a few of the artists who support defending individual rights and liberties as guaranteed by the Constitution and Bill of Rights. aclu.org

War Child A network of organizations that offer aid to children in global war zones; supported by Sum 41, among others.warchild.org

DATA (Debt AIDS Trade Africa) Bono has practically found a second full-time job fighting for AIDS treatment, fair trade rules, and debt forgiveness for Africa. data.org

MAP (Musicians' Assistance Program) Hardly unfamiliar with the dangers of drugs and alcohol, the rock community has founded a group to help those in the industry struggling with addictions, regardless of financial situation. www.map2000.org

The Milarepa Fund A decade-old nonprofit organization dedicated to Tibet's nonviolent struggle to obtain independence from China; famously backed by the Beastie Boys. milarepa.org

Farm Aid Since its 1985 inception, Farm Aid, with the help of such musicians as Willie Nelson, Dave Matthews, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, and many others, has fought to help family-owned farms hold on to their land. farmaid.org

Charity Music is an all volunteer nonprofit public service organization, which provides Musical Instruments on loan, to at risk and disadvantaged youth wishing to explore their hidden Musical Talents. Our Mission is to help cultivate the next crop of upcoming young artists.

LIFEbeat is the music industry's charitable organization dedicated to reaching America’s youth with the message of HIV/AIDS prevention. For more than fifteen years, LIFEbeat has helped to mobilize the talents and resources of the music industry to raise awareness and funds, and to provide support to the AIDS community

These are just a small sample of the music charity organization in existence as there are many many more that operate in different geographical scope that may not get noticed but certainly provide a world of good.