Much will be required from everyone
to whom much has been given
Not addressed often enough, but some of you may believe that since your career may not be at a level for you to make a monetary contribution to an organization, you'll simply wait until that 'breakthrough project' comes along. You're wrong. Giving freely is not exclusive to a monetary contribution. Give of your talent. Give of your time. Give of yourself.
You may wish to volunteer your services to perform at an event, or write copy for a brochure or a mailing. As a composer, you could write a theme for a public service announcement for the organization, and donate all of the proceeds from performances. You could help by simply folding letters, and stuffing and stamping envelopes for a charitable campaign mailing. Donate your time in public school music programs, or perform your work at healthcare or assisted living facilities. The list is endless with things you can do without making a monetary contribution.
The list below is a 'work-in-progress' that I commenced many years ago. I regularly discuss 'giving' with clients, prospective clients and when I lecture at universities. The uniqueness of this list is that it is populated with organizations that are supported by the entertainment community. You'll find familiar names. You'll find unfamiliar names. Some have budgets in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Some have budgets that barely cover their rent and utility bills. In the event you are part of the entertainment industry and associated with an organization that is not acknowledged on the list, please send me a note for consideration to be added.
Review the entire list, and find an organization that supports a cause that may have impacted your life through your own personal experience, a family member or friend. Perhaps it's an organization that simply whets your interest, or has an emotional appeal. Contact the organization to learn more about what they do. Attend a meeting, an event. If it feels good, support it; if not, find another organization. Don't stop after your first attempt! Keep looking!
Volunteering is an investment in your community—and in your growth as an individual. You will get back far more than you put in.—Otto Vavrin II
Academy of Business Leadership
Alzheimer's Association of Los Angeles
American Foundation for AIDS Research [AMFAR]
American Friends Service Committee
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
American Society of Young Musicians
Andre Agassi Foundation for Education
Audrey Hepburn's Children's Fund
Barbara Sinatra's Children's Center for Abused Children
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater L.A. and the Inland Empire
Boys and Girls Club of Hollywood
Breast Cancer Research Foundation
California Community Foundation
California Conference for Equality and Justice
California State Summer School for the Arts
Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times
Cancer Support Community - Los Angeles
Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters
Children's Dental Center of Greater Los Angeles
Children's Diabetes Foundation
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
City of Hope, Music & Entertainment Chapter
Dedication and Everlasting Love to Animals
Drug Abuse Resistance Education [DARE]
Drumming for Your Life Institute
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
Entertainment Industries Council
Entertainment Industry Foundation
Environmental Media Association
Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund
Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation
Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation [GLADD]
Haven House Addictive Treatment
Hollygrove Children and Family Services
Hollywood Entertainment Museum
Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity
Humane Society of the United States
Jewish Federation Entertainment Division
Kurt Weil Foundation for Music
L.A.'s BEST [Better Educated Students for Tomorrow]
Los Angeles Child Development Center
MADISONS Foundation {Moms and Dads In Search
Marine Corp - Law Enforcement Foundation
Media Access Office - Disability Portrayal in the Media
Minorities in Broadcasting Training Program
Motion Picture and Television Fund Foundation
Motion Picture Industry Charitable Alliance
Multicultural Motion Picture Association
MusiCares Foundation of the Recording Academy
National Alopecia Areata Foundation
National Kidney Foundation of Southern California
National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable
National Film Preservation Foundation
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Natural Resources Defense Council
Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services
Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance
POWER UP - Professional Organization of
Reaching Youth Through Music Opportunities
Ricardo Montalban Nosotros Foundation
Rosie's All For Kids Foundation
Salvation Army of Southern California
Simon Wisenthal Center, Museum of Tolerance
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Starlight Children's Foundation
Stroke Association of Southern California
Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation
Tourette Association of America
United Friends of the Children
United Nations Children Fund [UNICEF]
USO - Until Every One Comes Home
Variety - The Children's Charity of Southern California
Variety - The Children's Charity of the United States
Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation
William Holden Wildlife Foundation
SMC Artists does not endorse any of the charities above. Any decision to become associated with a particular charity, is to be determined solely by the reader. Ratings of these charities may be reviewed at: Charity Navigator.