This year’s honorees tell Billboard which organizations they give their time and money to — from music-focused charities to those supporting the unhoused population.
As part of the questionnaire for this year’s Power 100 list, honorees were prompted to give their thoughts on four separate questions: the state of the industry, what they foresee for the future of the business, the charities they support and what they would do if they didn’t work in music. Over the next several days, we’ll run a roundup of responses to each of those questions — our way of offering a snapshot of what the biggest players in the industry are thinking as we head into the new year.
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This edition focuses on the following question: “What charity do you support and why?” Perhaps the most common answer among Power 100 honorees was MusiCares, the philanthropic arm of the Recording Academy that provides health and welfare services to the music community — from mental health and addiction recovery to support for basic living expenses when music workers experience financial hardship. Other music-focused charities named include Musicians on Call (which brings live and recorded music to hospital patients’ bedsides), the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation (which supports songwriters with services including educational programs and direct financial assistance) and Music Will (which provides free music education and instruments to schools in the U.S.)
Music charities weren’t the only organizations that received love from honorees. From nonprofits and foundations supporting the unhoused population (My Friend’s Place, The People’s Concern, Covenant House) to those supporting cancer patients and research (City of Hope, St. Jude), responses covered a broad range of charities.
Check out all the answers below.
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Melissa Aron, Atlantic Records
“My Friend’s Place in Los Angeles. It is vital that we do not lose sight of the nearly 4,000 young people experiencing homelessness in our own backyard. My Friend’s Place provides more than just crisis intervention and health services. They offer a creative sanctuary through their education and arts programs. I believe that every young person deserves the resources to build a self-sufficient life and the safety to explore their creative potential. Supporting their mission is my way of investing in the future and wellbeing of the L.A. community.”
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Tyler Arnold, Mercury Records
“I’m very inspired by the work Steve Gawley has done with the TJ Martell organization. I’ve loved learning more about TJ Martell every year.”
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Barry Weiss, RECORDS
“Student Leadership Network Inc., a group of national girls’ schools founded by Ann Tisch to provide better educational opportunities to girls in low income families. This provides them with a greatly improved education and a greater chance to attend college.”
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Larry Jackson, gamma.
“The People’s Concern, which supports homelessness in Los Angeles, and Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project, where my wife Stephanie is on the board of directors.”
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Mitch Glazier, RIAA
“Musicians on Call. I love it because it’s an all-volunteer organization. I don’t know how much more selfless a musician can be than to spend time in a hospital. To me, that’s the ultimate volunteering.”
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David Israelite, NMPA
“The NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation, which provides direct services to songwriters.”
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Ramon Villa, Primary Wave
“GMHC, Heifer International and Smile Train, because the support goes to those in immediate need.”
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Justin Shukat, Primary Wave
“A wide range; having built my career on my network, I get a lot of requests to support friends, which I happily do. But my passion is raising awareness and funds to support prostate cancer research, having lost my father and music mentor Peter Shukat to it in 2014.”
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Larry Mestel, Primary Wave
“We support numerous charities and organizations including BMAC, the Whitney Houston Foundation, the Melissa Etheridge Foundation, the Bob and Rita Marley Foundation and more. It is important to provide opportunity and support for those in our community that need help.”
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Colleen Theis, The Orchard
“I support Covenant House for at risk and homeless youth, as well as Save the Children. My husband and I are actively involved in multiple animal rescues. We donate, fundraise, foster and adopt.”
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Brad Navin, The Orchard
“Boys and Girls Club of America, because all kids deserve a safe and supportive environment to thrive.”
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Sherrese Clarke, HarbourView Equity Partners
“As a native New Yorker, the city’s performing arts organizations have been a fundamental part of my lived experience. It gives us great joy to have been supporters of the Apollo Theater, Carnegie Hall and the Gordon Parks Foundation. The devastation of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica holds a special place in our hearts given the roots of the firm; as a result, we have also made generous contributions to support recovery efforts. We also have great respect and admiration for the work of the Black Music Action Coalition and have supported the organization over the course of the last few years.”
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Rishi Mirchandani, Amazon Music
“MusiCares and City of Hope.”
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Ryan Redington, Amazon Music
“Fred Hutch Cancer Research, a local Seattle charity focused on cancer care and research.”
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Kirdis Postelle, Amazon Music
“Years ago, Bill Silva recruited me to be on the board of MusiCares, and I continue to admire and respect the work they do with the music community.”
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Steve Boom, Amazon
“I have been on the board for MusiCares for more than eight years and was the longest-serving chair, over six years. We must continue to support the people behind the music, because music gives so much to all of us.”
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Harvey Mason, Jr., Recording Academy
“The charity I champion year-round is MusiCares because it exists to care for the people who make music possible. For years MusiCares has provided life-changing health, financial and recovery services to music professionals at every stage of their career, often during moments when support is needed most. MusiCares understands the realities of this industry and steps in as a true safety net for those who create, perform and produce the music that moves us all, ensuring no one has to face hardships alone.”
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Ralph Peer II, peermusic
“NMPA SONGS FOUNDATION, because it supports songwriters, who are our most vital resource.”
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Alistair Norbury, BMG
“I support The Amos Bursary in the mentorship and development of academically talented young men of African and Caribbean heritage who are often underrepresented in top universities, professions and leadership roles.”
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Marc Cimino, Universal Music Publishing Group
“I support WhyHunger. This extraordinary organization partners with more than 8,000 community-based groups across 30 countries, working to end hunger by expanding access to nutritious food. The people behind WhyHunger are tireless in their efforts, and the impact they make day after day is deeply inspiring.”
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Bob Valentine, Concord
“As the son of a music teacher, I am a huge advocate for Music Will. They are an outstanding organization that provides free music education and instruments to public schools around the country. I know that I am a direct beneficiary of having music programs in my schools, and I think so much of my passion stems from those early exposures. We have been working to connect Music Will with artists to do school visits in their home communities and recently partnered with Indigo De Souza to meet with students and donate instruments in her hometown of Ashville, NC. I can’t think of a better or more impactful way to support the next generation of great artists.”
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Mike Caren, APG
“We focus on organizations that are either (a) music adjacent, (b) support the communities our artists are from or (c) support the greater community where we operate. One of our favorite local organizations is El Nido Family Centers.”
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Emma Banks, CAA
“I support Nordoff & Robbins, which is the UK’s largest music therapy charity. I am currently Chair of the Board of Trustees and I am constantly in awe of the work that our incredible team of Music Therapists do with the most isolated and vulnerable people in our society. Nordoff & Robbins trains therapists with our Master of Music Therapy course and they are best in class. If you have a desire to give back through the medium of music, I would urge you to look at this incredible charity.”
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Jay Williams, WME
“Music Health Alliance does essential work for the people who make this industry run. They provide a safe, confidential place for artists, crew and industry professionals to access healthcare, insurance and advocacy when they need it most, and that kind of support is critical to the long-term health of our music community.”
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Rob Gibbs, UTA
“Carver YMCA Atlanta. A reminder of what matters most: seeing kids show relentless drive and ambition as they chase their dreams.”
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John Chapman, Chord Music Partners
“We proudly support organizations that expand access to music education and protect creators’ rights and needs. We’re proud to support MusiCares and Nordoff and Robbins as just two examples of organizations that are doing that important work.”
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Lee Anderson, Wasserman Music
“Personally, I’m passionate about supporting public education, particularly in underfunded communities. Nobody can control where they’re born or their economic realities, but it’s unfair that in the U.S. some folks are held back based on the education they have access to. This access has a real, long-term impact on opportunity, and it’s something I believe in investing in both personally and professionally. That’s why I’m proud of the partnership Wasserman Music launched this year with Save The Music, funding music technology grants that give young people the tools to create while connecting them directly with our agents to help inspire and nurture their passion for music. At Wasserman, creating a positive impact across the industries and communities we operate in is a core value and one we take seriously.”
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Dennis Arfa, Independent Artist Group
“Covenant House. We believe in supporting young people and giving them a fighting chance at a great life when they have been dealt a very tough hand through no fault of their own.”
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Tina Davis, EMPIRE
“I support St. Jude because cancer is devastating at any age, but it’s especially heartbreaking when children are diagnosed so early in life, before they can fully comprehend what they are facing. No parent should have to watch their child battle such an overwhelming disease while also worrying about finances. St. Jude provides lifesaving care while removing the financial burden, allowing families to stay close and focus on helping their child heal.”
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