Recommended Nonprofits for 2011 Holiday Giving
Below are some highlights from our annual list of recommended nonprofits that are working on lead issues to consider for the 2011 holiday giving season. Please let us know if you have any questions. Happy Holidays from the ATC staff!
SPOTLIGHT: Call To Action Music Videos
Current research shows that the numbers of Americans who are watching and sharing videos online via sites like YouTube and Vimeo has more than doubled over the last 5 years to a whopping 71 percent. Watching videos online now outranks social networking, online banking and other activities as the most frequent online activity.
As new features and capabilities are being added to video sharing sites including the ability to sell music, merch, tickets and more, it is clear the potential impact call to action music videos can have in raising awareness, generating funds or promoting action for a cause or issue an artist cares about–while at the same time promoting an artist’s music and brand.
Support for Artists Raising Money for Causes
In the past fifteen years, ATC’s team has helped artists raise, direct and re-grant over $10 million to social change and social justice organizations. These donations go far beyond fulfilling immediate and dire monetary needs of great organizations. They also, and perhaps more importantly, inject energy and excitement into these organizations and the tireless efforts of their staff and volunteers.
This donation is more energizing to our movement than much bigger donations because of who it came from! –an Executive Director after hearing that a musician was giving her organization a small donation.
10th Anniversary of 9/11: How to Get Involved
As the 10th anniversary of 9/11 approaches we are also reminded that October 7th–the anniversary of the US invasion of Afghanistan–will mark ten years of our nation continuously at war. The significance of these events provides us with a unique opportunity to honor those who have lost their lives, to remember the sense of community that arose in response to the attacks, and to lay out a vision toward more peaceful outcomes in the future. Outlined below are several ways to get involved in commemorating the anniversaries by promoting peace, creativity and community service or by generating funds to continue important work in this area. Please help spread the word by sharing the following recommendations with your fans and networks.
Vote for Our SXSW 2012 Panels
It’s that time of year again. Please vote for ATC’s proposed panels on the official SXSW 2012 Panel Picker website or by clicking on the direct links below. Voting begins 8/15 and runs though 9/2. See below for panel descriptions and links. We have some really great content and speakers on board again this time around. 
It’s an Election Year!: http://bit.ly/mUK3nA
Go Green: Strategies For A More Sustainable Tour: http://bit.ly/pMNpFq
Responding to Natural Disasters: http://bit.ly/n1NRVH
Artists Write List of Reasons to Support ATC & Celebrate Its 6th Year (It will make you laugh.)
At ATC we take a different approach to working with musicians (i.e.: we do not “use” them for social justice but rather, we are here to be used by them as a resource). In this same tradition, we also take a different approach to fundraising.
To celebrate our 6th anniversary (which is today!) & to ask for your support, we are not going to send you the typical, boring fundraising appeal. Instead, we have complied a list of reasons, as written by some of the artists, managers and organizers that we work with, to donate to ATC.
Music Tech Tools for Causes
There are a number of great online tools that provide a variety of solutions for independent musicians in a post-major label world from direct-to-fan marketing to booking your own gigs to DIY licensing/distribution services. ATC has also started to see an influx of online tools targeted at helping musicians raise money for various charities and causes. Here are a few that are using these new technologies and funding models to connect musicians and their fans directly to the causes they care about.
UPDATE: JAPAN AID & DONATIONS
Since the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, ATC has been monitoring the situation and consulting with our philanthropy and aid experts (these include advisors in disaster philanthropy and relief work).
What you should know:
- There are 3 phases to a disaster: 1. Rescue, 2. Relief, and 3. Recovery + Rebuilding. Governments are usually best able to respond to the rescue and relief phases as we have seen in Japan. The phase where experts agree that the international community has the most important role to play is in the recovery and long-term rebuilding work. This is also the phase where musicians and fans can have the biggest impact — helping to keep the spotlight on the path to recovery as the international community turns to other news and disasters — and as ATC has seen happen in New Orleans and Haiti.
URGENT ACTION: JAPAN RELIEF – HOW TO HELP
On March 11, 2011, a 8.9/9.0 earthquake – one of the largest in recorded history- and subsequent tsunami hit Japan, causing extensive damage across a large part of the country. The death toll is high and the number of displaced and homeless is even higher.
Immediate relief and search and rescue efforts are being led by the Japanese government, one of the most prepared in the world for this type of disaster. This makes aid and relief response very different from other recent disasters that took place in developing countries. Numerous countries and relief agencies have pledged support and aid to Japan when they are ready. Suggested organizations and text are noted below for immediate donations. They are mobilized and have presence on the ground in the affected areas.
NEW ORLEANS! ATC + FUTURE OF MUSIC COALITION PRESENT:
DEAR NOLA: A CONCERT FOR NEW ORLEANS” RETURNS TO THE BIG EASY
New Orleans’ own Bonerama with very special guests Cody ChesnuTT, DJ Spooky/That Subliminal Kid, Grammy Nominated Helen Bruner + Terry Jones, Ira Tuton of Yeasayer, Jenny Toomey & Kristin Thomson of Tsunami, M1 of Dead Prez, Mirah, Sage Francis, Shawn King of DeVotchKa, Sunpie Barnes, Vernon Reid, Zach Rogue of Rogue Wave to perform at Blue Nile on February 17, 2011.
Musicians from around the country celebrate New Orleans’ rich musical heritage & the community working to sustain it.
ATC AND TOPSPIN HELP MUSICIANS SUPPORT CHARITIES & NONPROFITS
A recent Topspin blog post highlights how ATC and Topspin having been working in partnership with several musicians to create successful and engaging social change campaigns. The post also notes some of the ways in which ATC can help to support artists in their efforts – helping to identify a beneficiary, collecting & delivering funds, managing compliance paperwork, evaluating the donation’s impact and more. Below is the original post showcasing some of the most successful case studies from the past year.
(Original post by Topspin can be found here: http://www.topspinmedia.com/case-studies-2/musicians-for-charity/)
REBUILDING HAITI – How To Help
Now, more then ever, Haiti needs our help. Since last year’s earthquake, Haitians and countless organizations and individuals have worked tirelessly on the recovery and rebuilding effort. In honor of the one year anniversary, ATC has listed a few quick actions for artists and their fans and highlighted four nonprofits doing critical work in Haiti.
DAVID MATTHEWS PUTS CHARITABLE GIVING IN FANS HANDS
With the goal of inspiring charitable giving amongst his fans, Dave Matthews played two benefit acoustic shows in Seattle, WA on Dec. 6th & 7th, 2010 where concertgoers were given a full credit back of $150 for each ticket purchased to donate to a charity of their choice. Through a partnership with JustGive, fans were able to pick from the 1.8 million charities featured on the nonprofit organization’s online platform for giving. The two acoustic shows are said to have raised around $1 million dollars.
ATC’S RECOMMENDED NONPROFITS FOR 2010 HOLIDAY GIVING
It’s that time of year again! ATC has compiled a list of recommended nonprofits working on lead issues to consider for the 2010 holiday giving season. The list highlights effective organizations working on a range of issues important to the music community including education, food justice, gay rights, immigration, net neutrality and more. Below is a sample or download the full list here: ATC’S RECOMMENDED NONPROFITS FOR 2010 HOLIDAY GIVING.
GULF RESTORATION NETWORK (GRN) is committed to uniting and empowering people to protect and restore the natural resources of the Gulf Region for future generations.
MAKING FUNDRAISING FOR CHARITY EASY + LEGALLY SOUND: PROCESS AND CHECKLIST
Raising money for a charity should be easy for bands. But beyond consideration of the issue or organizations to support, there are also legal issues to think about that differ by state. These laws and regulations are overlooked by bands and their managers.
To streamline the information on this legal compliance, ATC and Joe Voss, a lawyer at Clark Hill’s Entertainment Division, have created a checklist on the process that you can download here. ATC has also created a philanthropic advising program that can provide focus, administrative oversight, identification and vetting of organizations, management of compliance and nonprofit relations, and impact reporting to bands that want to raise funds for charities. For more information about this work, please contact us by emailing tara at atctower dot net.
OUT TODAY! DEAR NEW ORLEANS DIGITAL BENEFIT COMPILATION
It feels really good to say it and sell it! The response to Dear New Orleans has been overwhelming and wonderful. The album has garnered much press and coverage. On Monday, Amazon offered the 31 track album as its daily deal and the compilation quickly reached #1 of Amazon’s most purchased Mp3′s and remained in that position until just yesterday evening.
Dear New Orleans is available for purchase from all of the major on-line music outlets: iTunes, Amazon, emusic and Rhapsody. But of course, we prefer it if everyone purchased it from our own TopSpin store on www.dearno.la so ATC can raise more funds for New Orleans and you get 3 bonus tracks and stream the full album before purchasing.
MY MORNING JACKET + ATC: PHILANTHROPY, OUR ALBUM + NEW ORLEANS
ATC has been working with My Morning Jacket on a range of philanthropic efforts over the years. Jim James and Patrick Hallahan both participated in our New Orleans artist activism retreats and, along with their band, have gone on to do incredible philanthropy and activism work that is making a real impact for the issues they care about. We love this interview where they talk about how we collaborate, their time in New Orleans and our upcoming album, Dear New Orleans.
IT’S OFFICIAL: OUR DEAR NEW ORLEANS ALBUM ANNOUNCED
We are really excited about our Dear New Orleans benefit compilation and cannot wait to share the music with everyone. The official press release just went out and lots of great press has already been generated:
Discovery Channel Planet Green
…to name a few.
Full album details, release date, where to buy and track listing are all available on our album site: www.dearneworleansmusic.org
URGENT ACTION: DEVASTATING FLOODS IN PAKISTAN
The worst floods in Pakistan’s history have hit the north-west region of the country. Estimates have the death toll over 1,600 and over 20 million people affected. The United Nations has warned the international community that, due to a massive shortage of international aid, an estimated six million people, mostly children and children, are at a high risk of deadly diseases from dirty water.
ATC asked our contact at Oxfam America for an update and how our network can best help the situation. Here is what he said:
COMING AUG 24: DEAR NEW ORLEANS – ALBUM MARKS 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE STORM & FLOODS
Album cover artwork for Dear New Orleans
ABOUT DEAR NEW ORLEANS: Air Traffic Control has been hosting artist activism retreats in New Orleans for the last four years. To mark the 5 year anniversary of the storm and floods we thought it appropriate to produce a benefit album. We started by asking the 60 alumni artists who participated in the retreats if they’d be interested in donating a track for a benefit album — we had no idea over half of them would send us music.
We are grateful they did.
ATC PROFILE: ARCADE FIRE & HAITI
The members of Arcade Fire continued their support of Haiti by vowing to match pledges to the newly formed charity KANPE, up to 1 million (Canadian) dollars. According to Arcade Fire’s website, KANPE was “born of a desire to play an integral part in the fight to help Haiti break free from a vicious cycle of poverty.” The band’s latest pledge is a continuation of the members’ remarkable efforts to support Haiti since the devastating earthquake in January 2010. Even before the earthquake, the band raised awareness and money for Partners In Health via ticket surcharges and by distributing informational leaflets at shows. Arcade Fire’s constant support since the earthquake is a great example of what a band’s authentic passion and desire for an issue can produce.
BJÖRK + DIRTY PROJECTORS RELEASE “MOUNT WITTENBERG ORCA” BENEFIT ALBUM
ATC can finally tell you about this project we have been working on: Mount Wittenberg Orca. The seven song album can be purchased for a donation of $7, $25, $50 or $100 and all profits will benefit National Geographic Society Oceans Project. Apart from the initial strategizing and research, ATC will receive and re-grant the funds raised by this effort, manage compliance and conduct a thorough evaluation of the project and its impact.
OUR 5 FAVORITE WAYS TO SUPPORT CHANGE ON TOUR
Touring season is upon us and ATC is working with many musicians and managers to implement strategies that support the causes and issues artists care about while on tour.
If you are touring band or active manager and would like more information about any of these activities, please contact us.
1. Voter Registration + Engagement For Midterm Elections
Musicians whose audiences includes women, people of color and/or young people have a huge role to play in encouraging fans to vote in the Midterm elections. Midterms are the elections between Presidential elections and include federal, state and local seats and initiatives and always suffer from low turnout. Research has shown us that musicians can help fans—many of which were groups of people, like young people, that were critical to the 2008 election–to return to the polls on Nov 2nd. Here is how:
