96% of people give to charity because they feel a sense of duty to give back to society and tackle inequality, using their own good fortune to help others.

Finding like-minded individuals who are passionate about music and civic engagement can help you expand your audience, call upon donors, or exchange ideas for future projects.

Staying up to date on current events in our community helps us understand the importance of people, events, and issues so that we can make our own voice heard.

Themed performances offer the opportunity to research and learn new repertoire that we may not have otherwise chosen for ourselves.

Learn how to advertise your performance, reach out to news outlets in your community, create fliers and programs, and gather interest in your event.

Give yourself and others a place to try new repertoire, practice performing for others in a low-pressure environment, and work on your stage presence.

Non-Profit Partner:Chicago Books to Women in Prison
Local Business Partner/Event Host: Volumes Book Café

The Cause: Provide incarcerated women with books to read; access to literacy initiatives
Repertoire: Songs about women overcoming obstacles; quotes from authors about female empowerment
How We Gave Back: Brought business to the bookstore and collected donations of new books; also collected used books and cash donations

Non-Profit Partner: GirlForward
Local Business Partner/Event Host: Charmer’s Café

The Cause: Fundraiser for teenage refugee girls
Repertoire: Songs about travel, home, immigration
How We Gave Back: Collected cash donations from corporate sponsors as well as in-person concert patrons; brought business to the café

Local Business Partner/Event Host: National Organization for Women, Chicago Chapter

The Cause: Pro-choice Fundraiser
Repertoire: Songs about motherhood, fertility, choice
How We Gave Back: All cash and donations went to Chicago NOW

Local Business Partner/Event Host: Smack Dab Bakery

The Cause: Write letters to Congress regarding issues affecting voters
Repertoire: Songs about writing letters
How We Gave Back: Provided postcards, addresses, writing utensils, and writing prompts to patrons who wrote as we performed; mailed postcards for patrons; brought business to the bakery

Maybe you are passionate about getting people registered to vote, ending homelessness, creating more community gardens, or keeping children in school. Find a non-profit in your area that focuses on issues you care about by clicking here.

Contact cafés, bars, bookstores, concert venues, and rentable public spaces to find a location that serves your needs and is accessible to the public that you are trying to reach.

Use your network of friends and classmates to find other singers, poets, actors, or other artists who are interested in participating in your project.

You can choose to do a themed recital based on the community partner you have chosen, or you can open it up and perform whatever you’d like! Search song repertoire by theme or subject matter here.

Create fliers and social media images to advertise your performance. Ask your community partner and venue host to help you market your event. Reach out to local newspapers, radio stations, schools, or community organizations who share a passion for your project.

Don’t forget to take photos, go live on social media, talk to patrons, and thank your community partner and event host!