The Weeknd performs at the 59th GRAMMY Awards in 2017

The Weeknd

Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

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The Weeknd donates $100,000 to Uganda health center

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GRAMMY-winning R&B singer joins to support a maternity and children's medical facility as part of rapper French Montana's #Unforgettable Dance challenge
MusiCares
Jun 5, 2017 - 2:00 pm
GRAMMY.com

It's inspiring to see our favorite artists make a difference in the world, and that's exactly what GRAMMY winner The Weeknd did this week.

The R&B singer donated $100,000 to Suubi Health Center, a maternity and children's medical facility in Budondo, Uganda, as part of rapper French Montana's #Unforgettable Dance challenge.

French Montana visited Budondo as part of a shoot for his video for "Unforgettable." He was so inspired by the community he decided to help the area by contributing to Suubi Health Center, which lacks the space it needs to care for the 56,000-member community it services. French Montana donated $100,000 of his own money to start an expansion fund.

After partnering with Global Citizen and Mama Hope, French Montana challenged his colleagues to also make donations to the Ugandan community in need, and The Weeknd is the first to step up to the plate.

Philanthropy is nothing new for the Canadian native. In 2016 The Weeknd donated $38,000 to the University of Toronto to help the school develop an Ethiopian Studies program.

More musicians making a difference: Don Williams tribute album proceeds donated to MusiCares

Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake

Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

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Justin Timberlake, Beyoncé Join "Hand In Hand" Hurricane Relief

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Celebrities step up to lend their voices for Hurricane Harvey and Irma relief TV special helmed by Scooter Braun and Bun B
Renée Fabian
MusiCares
Sep 12, 2017 - 12:51 pm

Want to help those in the paths of both Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma? Tune in for "Hand In Hand: A Benefit For Hurricane Relief" on Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. ET on all the major networks and online.

Helmed by artist manager Scooter Braun and Houston rapper Bun B, this special one-hour telethon will broadcast live from Los Angeles, New York and Nashville, Tenn., and will help raise funds for charities in need for Texas and Florida, including Rebuild Texas Fund, ASPCA, Best Friends, Direct Relief, Feeding Florida, Feeding Texas, Habitat for Humanity, Save the Children, and United Way.

To support these fundraising efforts, a battalion of celebrities have joined the cause from all corners of the entertainment industry. Everyone from Justin Timberlake, Beyoncé, Selena Gomez, Kings Of Leon, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Faith Hill, Josh Groban, Gwen Stefani, Barbra Streisand, Drake, Nicki Minaj, and many others will be on-hand to deliver special messages of support, appearances and performances throughout the show.

Like this special, which provides relief for victims of both hurricanes, MusiCares has also stepped up to the plate to expand their hurricane relief efforts for those impacted by both Harvey and Irma. Donations made to MusiCares will provide musicians assistance for a wide range of needs, including basic living expenses, medical expenses, clothing, instrument and recording equipment replacement, relocation costs, home repairs, and more.

"We are truly grateful to the numerous artists, music industry professionals and other organizations who are partnering with us to provide hope and help to those in need," said Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow.

As a community, from the "Hand In Hand" star-studded TV special to MusiCares to individual donations, we can help those in need rebuild, recover and grow together.

Make A Donation To MusiCares To Support Hurricane Relief

Eric Church

Eric Church

Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images

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Eric Church Band Golf Tournament Raises Funds For MusiCares

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Annual event raises more than $200,000 to help MusiCares provide a safety net for music professionals
Renée Fabian
MusiCares
Aug 17, 2017 - 5:16 pm

Do music and golf mix? Those who favor traditional golf protocol might disagree, but a recent Golf Digest reader survey revealed that 20 percent of golfers 18–34 listen to music on headphones while playing.

Music and golf surely made for a perfect match on Aug. 14 at the sixth annual Eric Church Band Put A Club In My Hand golf tournament in Nashville, Tenn. Produced by Big Hearted Babes, the invitation-only tournament was a swinging all-day event featuring an 18-hole scramble for artists, musicians, Church's band and tour staff, music industry professionals, and more.

Even better, the yearly event grossed $203,818 in proceeds for MusiCares, which provides a safety net of assistance for those in the music industry to help with medical, financial and personal emergencies.

This marks the second consecutive year the tournament has raised more than $200,000. To date, the annual event has raised more than $800,000 for MusiCares' programs and services.

"The Eric Church Band Golf Tournament is so uniquely special due to the unwavering support of the Eric Church Band and Eric, specifically to help music people in times of need. Year after year, Eric's band and crew put this fundraising tournament together, and their efforts touch thousands of lives," said Debbie Carroll, Senior Executive Director of MusiCares. "This event is a great reminder that we can all do our part to help make the world a better place."

Eric Church golf tournament participants hold check for MusiCares

(l-r) Michael Todd (tour crew), Marshall Alexander (Eric Church Band crew), Christina Scholz (MusiCares), Craig Wright (ECB drums), Driver Williams (ECB guitar), Lee Hendricks (ECB bass), Jeff Hyde (ECB acoustic guitar)
Photo: David Schenk

How MusiCares Helps Musicians In Recovery

Britney Spears

Britney Spears

Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com

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Britney Spears Donates To Louisiana School Flood Relief

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GRAMMY winner to donate portion of proceeds from Las Vegas residency to public schools impacted by floods
Renée Fabian
MusiCares
Aug 14, 2017 - 10:18 am

Trivia question: Did you know GRAMMY winner Britney Spears grew up in Louisiana? She did — in Kentwood — and now she's giving back to Louisiana public schools.

On Aug. 7 Spears announced she will donate $1 from every ticket sold for the remainder of the shows in her Las Vegas residency, which concludes in December 2017. Funds will go to the Louisiana School Boards Association's LSBA Fund for Restoring Schools, which is allocated to schools impacted by last year's devastating Great Floods of 2016.

Reportedly, Spears already donated $65,000 to the cause, and initial funding will be distributed to teachers and students to assist with instructional materials. The partnership between Spears and the LSBA was made possible through Lynne Spears, Spears' mother, and her friendship with the first lady of Louisiana, Donna Edwards.

"We anticipate making additional disbursements in the future as the long-term recovery efforts continue," said Scott Richard, executive director of LSBA. "The LSBA is humbled by the generosity of the many donors for this effort, and, we're especially excited about the opportunity to partner with the first lady of Louisiana and Britney Spears."

"I am so proud to be able to give back to my home state and help the Louisiana School Boards Association," said Spears. "I can't wait to see all my amazing fans when I return to Vegas for my last run of shows this year!"

Read More: Remember These 11 Most-Requested "TRL" Videos?

Chris and Vicky Cornell

Chris and Vicky Cornell

Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.com

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Chris Cornell: Music therapy program established in Seattle

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Childhaven and the Chris and Vicky Cornell Foundation partner for music therapy program in an effort to inspire and protect vulnerable children
Philip Merrill
MusiCares
Jul 24, 2017 - 2:55 pm
GRAMMY.com

Music therapy has demonstrated unique abilities to heal, especially for reaching the inner self and encouraging the healthy expression of feelings. Two months following the tragic passing of Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell, Cornell's widow, Vicky Cornell, is looking to honor the memory of her late husband through the lens of music therapy's healing power.

On July 20, Cornell's birthday, the Chris and Vicky Cornell Foundation announced a $100,000 donation founding the Chris Cornell Music Therapy Program at Childhaven, according to Billboard.

"Chris and I always shared a strong belief in the healing and inspiring power of music," said Vicky Cornell in a statement. "Through Childhaven's establishment of this program, we are able to keep the promise for Chris by continuing to protect the world's most vulnerable children."

Specializing in childhood trauma treatment and prevention since 1909, the Seattle-based Childhaven has grown into one of the world's leading facilities and a treasured local resource that now serves hundreds of children and families. The organization is dedicated to strengthening family relationships and providing a foundation for generations of safe and nurturing families.

This generous donation to Childhaven is not the first from the Chris and Vicky Cornell Foundation, who previously contributed to the organization's music therapy program in 2013.

Share the love and grief: "Remembering Chris Cornell"