It’s December and the season of giving is upon us. The last two years have been especially hard for the entertainment industry and non-profit sectors. Here we are featuring three non-profit organizations that are doing good locally and in our industry. We encourage raising awareness, volunteering, and donating to these wonderful causes.
UpBeat Music and Arts
UpBeat Music & Arts is a Chicago-based not-for-profit 501(c)(3), led by musician and philanthropist Scott Barbeau, who founded the non-profit in 2013 to help youth reach their fullest potential through music and art. Upbeat helps students from all backgrounds connect with music, the arts, and each other. They believe economics should not be an obstacle to learning music and art, so scholarships are offered to those in need. Click here to support UpBeat Music and Arts.
Girls Rock! Chicago
GRC is a local organization, building a socially just community with girls, transgender youth, and gender non-conforming youth by developing leadership, fostering self-esteem, and encouraging creative expression through music. Through our music education programs for girls and transgender & gender expansive youth ages 8 to 16, we are committed to educating girls and TGNC youth about the musical, technical, and creative aspects involved in musicianship because we believe that they are rarely encouraged to explore self-expressive creative outlets and are less likely to be given access to musical and technical instruction or equipment. We believe that music can be a crucial tool in allowing youth to respond to preconceived notions of what they can do and what they can become. Click here to make a contribution to Girls Rock! Chicago.
The National Independent Venue Foundation (NIVF)
NIVF is working to build programs that will preserve and nurture live entertainment venues and promoters across the United States. As a relatively new organization, they rely on the kindness of people like you to help realize this vision for a better future within the live entertainment community. The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) was the driving force behind lobbying and grassroots efforts to pass the bipartisan Save Our Stages Act, now officially named the Shuttered Venues Operators Grant Program, which was signed into law as part of the second COVID-19 Relief Bill on December 27, 2020. The program allocates $16 billion in federal emergency relief via the Small Business Administration, saving the industry from mass collapse. Click here to donate to NIVF.
We hope you consider giving to these worthy causes, any contribution this holiday season and beyond. Happy Holidays!
