MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund

MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund
MusiCares' COVID-19 relief effort was a charitable initiative aimed at providing financial and other forms of assistance to musicians and music industry professionals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative was established by MusiCares, a non-profit organization that was founded in 1989 by the Recording Academy, the organization behind the GRAMMY Awards.
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the music industry with the closure of concert venues, the cancellation of tours, and the loss of income for many music professionals. MusiCares launched its COVID-19 Relief effort in March 2020 to provide assistance to those in need. The central program was MusiCares’ COVID-19 Relief Fund which was established with $1 million from MusiCares and a $1 million dollar donation from The Recording Academy. MusiCares received further donations from organizations and individuals within and outside of the music industry in order to distribute $37.5 million, and serve 47,228 clients between March 2020 and July 2022 to complete their COVID-19 Relief effort.
Goals
The goal of the MusiCares' COVID-19 Relief effort was to provide financial assistance to musicians and music industry professionals who have lost income due to the pandemic. The initiative also aimed to provide other forms of assistance, such as medical and mental health support, and to raise awareness of the impact of the pandemic on the music industry.
Activities
MusiCares' COVID-19 Relief effort has provided a range of assistance to musicians and music industry professionals, including:
Financial assistance: MusiCares distributed Over $24 million in direct emergency financial grants to musicians and music industry professionals who have lost income due to the pandemic. The grants were used to cover basic living expenses.
Medical assistance: MusiCares partnered with healthcare providers to offer free medical consultations to professionals who are uninsured or underinsured. The organization also provided assistance with medical bills and prescription drug costs.
Mental Health support: MusiCares provided counseling sessions and support groups to musicians and music industry professionals experiencing anxiety, depression, substance abuse, or other mental health issues due to the pandemic.
Awareness-raising: MusiCares collaborated with other organizations to raise awareness of the impact of the pandemic on the music industry. The organization also launched a social media campaign, using the hashtag #MusiCaresForUs, to encourage people to support the initiative.
Funding
MusiCares' COVID-19 Relief effort has been funded through donations from individuals and organizations, as well as through partnerships with corporate sponsors. The organization has received support from a range of musicians and organizations:
Alice in Chains
Alicia Keys
All American Rejects
Amanda Shire
Andrew Bird
Ashley McBryde
Black Pumas
Bob Weir
Brandi Carlile
Camila Cabello
Chris Stapleton
Dead & Company
Deadmau5
Dirty Projectors
Dolly Parton
Father John Misty
Finneas
Foo Fighters
Frank Zappa Trust
Garth Brooks
Greta Van Fleet
Guns N’ Roses
H.E.R.
Hanson
Jason Isbell
Jerry Garcia Foundation
Jewel
John Legend
John Mayer
John Prine Estate
Jojo
Josh Groban
Katy Perry
Kenny Rogers
Lady A
Lady Gaga
Leon Bridges
Luke Combs
Mandy Moore
Margo Price
Marshmello
Nathanial Rateliff
Naughty By Nature
One Republic
PJ Morton
Ringo Starr
Rita Wilson
Sarah Brightman
Scotty McCreery
Selena Gomez
Skip Marley
Slash
Sleater-Kinney
Sofi Tukker
St. Vincent
Steve Aoki
Stevie Nicks
STYX
Sublime
Taylor Swift
Tedeschi Trucks
The Lumineers
The Weeknd
Thomas Rhett
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Yola
Yoshiki
Zac Brown Band
Organizations:
Amazon Music
ASCAP
BMI
City of Austin
Country Music Association
Elma Philanthropies
Jerry Perenchio Foundation
Meta
SESAC
SONY Music Group
Spotify
The Recording Academy
Tides Foundation
TikTok Inc.
Universal Music Group
Vivid Seats LLC
Warner Music Group
References
External links
Charitable activities related to the COVID-19 pandemic
Fundraising events
Funds