7 Artist-Founded Nonprofits Changing The World You Might Not Have Known Existed

The synergistic bond between music and philanthropy is a powerful force for positive change that extends beyond mere entertainment. At Fandiem, we're dedicated to maximizing artists' contributions to the community. Whether through benefit concerts or charitable foundations, the influence of art and music becomes a transformative catalyst, nurturing connections between artists and communities, foundations and fans. The profound impact of music and art is evident in their ability to inspire compassion, fuel activism, and unite individuals in a collective commitment to enhancing our world. The power of music community extends well beyond the walls of concert venues. Bearing this in mind, please explore these seven nonprofits founded by artists themselves and their ques to to spread kindness!

1. Pierce The Veil - Living The Dream Foundation

Since the late '90s, Pierce The Veil's vocalist, Vic Fuentes, has passionately crafted hardcore music, drawing inspiration from life's complexities. His songs, delving into themes of illness and loss, resonate deeply with Pierce The Veil’s dedicated fanbase. In 2019, Fuentes took a philanthropic leap as CEO and Co-Chairman of the Living The Dream Foundation (LTDF). Prior, he and his band worked with LTDF for years, culminating in his 2016 role as an Ambassador. Fuentes emphasizes the foundation's tangible results, expressing joy in personally witnessing the impact on those they aid.

Originally founded in 2007 by musician Scottie Somers, LTDF revolves around #DREAMDAY, offering unique experiences for those facing life-threatening illnesses. Scottie, born with cystic fibrosis, has overcome hospitalizations to share his musical passion. His resilience, evidenced by his performing in live shows amidst illness, aims to inspire others with cystic fibrosis. #DREAMDAY includes meet n’ greets, VIP access, backstage hangs, hospital visits, and surprise gifts, creating lasting memories for guests and families. These events foster positivity, hope, and appreciation for each day, irrespective of one’s affliction.

Scottie and Vic’s mission is to guide others beyond defining themselves by their affliction, focusing on their holistic identity. The foundation, fueled by genuine connections and transformative experiences, embodies a collective effort to uplift individuals facing life's toughest challenges.

Living The Dream Foundation has recently partnered with Fandiem, offering a lucky winner the chance to Win a Trip to Las Vegas + Artist Passes to Watch Pierce The Veil from Stage. This unique experience offers donators a chance to win the below: 

• Two (2) Artist/Guest passes with VIP backstage access at Pierce The Veil’s SOLD OUT Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas show in Las Vegas, NV on Thursday, December 7, 2023
• Watch the show from the side of the stage and/or at the front of house by the sound engineer
• Round trip travel to Las Vegas, NV and 2-night hotel stay for two (2)
• Pierce The Veil-signed merch pack

🌠 Interesting Fact: LTF Co-Founder Scottie Somers has only missed three musical performances his whole life, despite suffering from complications of CF such as high fevers, pneumonia, and pancreatitis while playing. He once even performed while hooked up to IV’s! 🌠

 

2. Metallica - All Within My Hands

The most storied heavy metal band in history loves to use their platform for good. That’s why the band created All Within My Hands (AWMH), a non-profit organization committed to fostering sustainable communities through three distinct initiatives supporting workforce education, hunger relief, and critical local services.

In partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges, the Metallica Scholars Initiative has expanded to 23 schools, offering $4.1 million in grants to support diverse career and technical education programs. Teaming up with Feeding America, AWMH addresses food insecurity, making it a priority in their Day of Service and Month of Giving events. Funds from ticket sales during Metallica's tours also contribute to local food banks. Collaborating with Direct Relief, AWMH provides timely and efficient disaster relief in response to events like wildfires, hurricanes, and the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The devoted community of Metallica enthusiasts forms the beating heart of AWMH’s support network, and are an integral contribution to the organization’s Signature Events. These events include:

• Helping Hands Concert & Auction: An annual benefit concert supporting AWMH, featuring unique performances and raising substantial funds. In 2020, a pay-per-view livestream engaged fans globally, raising $1.3 million.
• Day of Service: A hallmark event where Metallica fans and band members volunteer at local food banks. The event tripled its volunteer count to over 3,000 participants in 2019.
• Month of Giving: Responding to COVID-19, AWMH shifted its Day of Service to a Month of Giving, raising $200,000 in 2020 and 2021 for Feeding America, Direct Relief, and other initiatives.
• Metallica Mondays: A 23-week concert streaming series during the COVID-19 pandemic, raising over $100,000 for AWMH through optional fundraisers.

Plus many more events to come!

All Within My Hands recently partnered with Fandiem, with one lucky winner getting the chance to Win a Private NetJets Flight To A Metallica VIP Weekend Getaway! This once-in-a-lifetime experience included all of the below:

• A VIP weekend for one (1) winner and up to six (6) guests at a 2023-2024 U.S. tour destination on Metallica’s M72 World Tour
• A private NetJets flight for one (1) winner and up to six (6) guests to a Continental U.S. city destination of the 2023-2024 Metallica tour
• Two (2) nights of Metallica in concert from your own exclusive “Lux Æterna” Private Platform:
• A $5,000 gift card toward your group’s local hotels, ground transportation, and other expenses 

🌠 Interesting Fact: Each year, Metallica & AWMH host a “Month of Giving” fundraiser, in which the AWMH partners with another foundation to raise funds in rapid succession. In 2023, the band partnered with The Farmlink Project, an organization that connects farms with surplus to food banks, serving as an integral player in the fight against hunger. 🌠

 

3. Pearl Jam - Vitalogy Foundation

 

After bursting onto the grunge scene in the Pacific Northwest in the 1990s, Pearl Jam has had one of the most storied careers of any band in history. The group, and its lead vocalist Eddie Vedder, are known for addressing a variety of social and political themes in their music. It is no mystery then that since 2006, upon establishing the Vitalogy Foundation - which aims to elevate the voices of overlooked groups and seeks opportunities to support approaches that value people’s minds, bodies, and souls - they have used both their music and their status as a nonprofit to address these concerns. The Vitalogy Foundation focuses on the three key areas below, and we here at Fandiem have included moments where these philanthropic causes have shone brilliantly in Eddie Vedder’s lyrics.

Homelessness:

“Empathy turned to action defines the band’s work in homelessness,” reads the band’s website, “an issue Vitalogy believes can be solved through working together and deepened civic engagement.” The band, particularly through Vedder's lyrics, has touched on the theme of homelessness in several songs.

"Jeremy" by Pearl Jam, featured on their debut album ‘Ten,’ is a poignant exploration of neglect, alienation, and the tragic consequences of societal indifference. Penned by Eddie Vedder, the song narrates the troubled life of a young boy named Jeremy who faces emotional abandonment in a dysfunctional family. The lyrics vividly portray a sense of isolation, with Jeremy's attempts to communicate and seek attention at school forming a crucial part of the narrative. The lyrics serve as a social commentary on the responsibility of society, schools, and families in recognizing and addressing signs of distress in individuals, particularly the youth.

Environmental Awareness:

Since 2003, Pearl Jam has calculated the metric tons of carbon dioxide output from the band’s world tours. Those calculations are based on band and crew flights and hotel stays, truck mileage, bus mileage, shipping weight (miles/mode of transport), and the number of fans attending each show. Based on this calculation, the band allocates a portion of tour profits to invest in environmental projects that serve to offset or mitigate carbon dioxide that was released into the atmosphere on tours. 

Vedder's song "Hard Sun," featured in the "Into the Wild" soundtrack, touches on the vulnerability of the Earth and the need for environmental stewardship. The song’s lyrics convey urgency and a sense of impending change, using the metaphor of a "hard sun" to highlight the unyielding impact of human actions on Earth.

Indigenous Causes:

For decades, Pearl Jam has quietly championed neglected tribal groups, directing carbon mitigation initiatives towards safeguarding the Amazon and its inhabitants. This not only aids climate regulation, rainfall stimulation, and carbon reduction but also fortifies the land for indigenous communities. One instance of this is the Kayapo Nation, which is reliant on natural resources in the Amazon, and possesses a worldview entirely distinct from the Industrial West. The Kayapo Project, supported by Vitalogy, encapsulates efforts to protect both the land and tribes, marking a significant part of Pearl Jam's enduring commitment to environmental and indigenous causes.

The song "Wishlist" is often seen as Vedder's homage to Native American influences, and the band has collaborated with Indigenous artists on projects. Eddie Vedder's lyrics express a desire for simplicity and connection with nature, referencing Native American themes.

Pearl Jam's music, driven by Eddie Vedder's lyrics, often touches on social and environmental issues, including Homelessness, Environmental Awareness, and Indigenous Rights. Their advocacy is not only expressed through their art but also through their engagement in various charitable and awareness-raising activities.

Vitalogy Foundation recently partnered with Fandiem to Giveaway a Pearl Jam Signed Fender “Player Telecaster” Electric Guitar.

🌠 Interesting Fact: The Kayapo people, supported by Pearl Jam and the Kayapo Project, are stewards of the world’s largest Indigenous managed Tropical Forest, home to countless species of plants, animals, insects. Moreover, Kayapo territories sequester an estimated 1.3 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide, regulating the planet’s climate. 🌠

 

4. Corey Taylor - The Taylor Foundation

"During my career, I’ve been privileged to have many veterans and people in emergency service support me,” says Slipknot and Stone Sour frontman Corey Taylor, on the healing impact his music has had on veterans, “[they’ve told] me how much my music has helped them with everything they’ve had to endure - from combat to stress on the job to the inevitable repercussions that come from PTSD. Now, it’s my turn to give back as much as I can to them."

Since the inception of the Taylor Foundation, the organization has aimed to mobilize resources and attention for regional non-profits dedicated to aiding both past and present armed forces members and first responders grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The organization’s strategy involves partnering with local and regional non-profit entities to establish a comprehensive support network. This network endeavors to offer assistance to veterans and first responders dealing with PTSD, fostering a community and providing the necessary support for overcoming these challenges within the confines of their respective communities.

In a recent interview, Taylor discussed the themes of his since released solo album, 'CMF2’. He highlighted a track, 'Post Traumatic Blues,' addressing his personal experience with PTSD and emphasizing the need for understanding the complexities of the condition. Taylor expressed a desire for the song to bridge the gap between those dealing with PTSD and those seeking to comprehend its nuances. The themes of the song are inextricably linked to the mission of The Taylor Foundation.

The Taylor Foundation recently partnered with Fandiem on a Hangout Experience with Corey Taylor in London!

🌠 Interesting Fact: Corey's grandfather Claire Taylor, was a Korean War veteran and like many veterans, his grandfather suffered from post traumatic stress disorder. 🌠

 

5. Nathaniel Rateliff - The Marigold Project

Nathaniel Rateliff, hailing from Hermann, Missouri, is now an award winning singer-songwriter in Denver, Colorado. Raised in a town marked by both tourism and a meth epidemic, he began his musical journey in his family's church band, cut short tragically by his father's fatal car accident. Music, ever a solace for Nathaniel, prompted a move to Denver in 1998. Working nightshifts at a bottle factory and trucking company, he honed his craft at open-mic nights.

The Marigold Project, founded by Rareliff, is a foundation dedicated to addressing issues of racial, social, and economic justice. Inspired by the metaphor of marigolds serving as beneficial contributors to their environment, the organization aims to support meaningful solutions that engage communities. Emphasizing the importance of coming together based on truth and understanding history and lived experiences, the project commits to long-term, life-affirming work. Through his music and the organization, Nathaniel expresses a human desire for collective learning, accountability, and collaboration to make a lasting impact on root causes rather than surface-level issues.

In 2022, 'Food Fight for Reproductive Rights' was launched by The Marigold Project in Denver through collaboration with The Block Distilling. “The Supreme Court ruling in the Dobbs decision presents a unique political and cultural organizing moment outside of the traditional reproductive rights and justice movement spaces” says the organization. “Industries that have a history of supporting reproductive rights and justice at the margins, like music and food, are beginning to understand they can play a powerful role in organizing for reproductive rights and justice in their own communities.”

The initiative seeks to empower them with the necessary tools and movement guidance.

🌠 Interesting Fact: Nathaniel Rateliff founded the Marigold Project, a social justice-minded foundation, in 2017 after a close friend, a carpenter injured in a construction accident, needed support. Since then, the Marigold Project has distributed over $100,000 to various community-based organizations. 🌠

 

6. Imagine Dragons - Tyler Robinson Foundation

The Tyler Robinson Foundation arose from the poignant story of Tyler Robinson who, diagnosed with stage 4 Rhabdomyosarcoma at 16, confronted a year of rigorous treatments with unwavering positivity. Despite initial setbacks, Tyler's resilient spirit persisted. Following an unexpected remission, he shared his story of resilience before succumbing to a cancer relapse. 

Fueled by Tyler's love for music and his bond with Imagine Dragons, the foundation aspires to uplift families battling pediatric cancer. Imagine Dragons' breakthrough with the 2012 single "It's Time" resonated deeply with Robinson, a superfan amidst his cancer struggle, and sparked a lasting connection. Despite Tyler's 2013 passing, the band dedicated themselves to the Tyler Robinson Foundation, providing emotional and financial support to families dealing with pediatric cancer.

The organization continues its work to offset out-of-pocket life expenses for those affected by pediatric cancer.

The Tyler Robinson Foundation recently partnered with Fandiem, giving one lucky winner the chance to Win an Exclusive Invitation to Meet Imagine Dragons at their Las Vegas Gala!

🌠 Interesting Fact: The nonprofit raised over $3.5 million in Las Vegas at this year’s Rise Up Gala 🌠

 

7. Lindsey Stirling - The Upside Fund

Medical debt in the USA is a pervasive and burdensome issue, impacting American citizens' financial well-being and exacerbating socioeconomic disparities. Many individuals face the dual challenge of navigating health crises and grappling with the financial fallout, leading to bankruptcy, damaged credit, and limited access to essential resources. The high cost of healthcare, coupled with gaps in insurance coverage, leaves a significant portion of the population vulnerable to the long-lasting consequences of medical debt, highlighting the urgent need for systemic reforms to alleviate this burden on citizens.

With this in mind, Stirling has initiated an annual holiday campaign to relieve individuals of medical debt, garnering significant impact through generous donations. This year, efforts were expanded by collaborating with Dollar For, a nonprofit facilitating access to charity care—a legal provision requiring non-profit hospitals to offer free or reduced care based on income. Sirling’s vision is to assist the stateside community, particularly the nearly 50% of Americans grappling with medical bills. Contributions, regardless of amount, provide crucial aid during the holiday season, fostering solidarity and support.

“I am so grateful that I’m in a place where I’m OK” said the Grammy Nominated singer in an interview conducted shortly after founding the campaign. “My family’s OK, and I know that all my loved ones will be taken care of. Why? Because my fans have made it possible for me to be here in this spot, there’s a lot of people that are so afraid right now and that don’t know if they’re going to be OK.”

The Upside Fund has recently partnered with Fandiem on an epic Trip to Paris to Meet Lindsey Stirling in Her Favorite City! There is still chance to win so enter quickly!

🌠 Interesting Fact: Since the foundation started in 2020, The Upside has helped eliminate over $4.5 million in medical debt. During the COVID-19 pandemic, The Upside helped raise over $200,000 to go directly to helping people that had immediate medical bills, housing costs, and living expenses that they could not cover. 🌠