StubHub, the online ticket marketplace, announced the launch of a philanthropic program to spotlight outstanding grassroots nonprofit organizations in a press release today, as well as its first award: a $50,000 grant to The Roots of Music Foundation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNl4F5mXRqo&feature=youtu.be
The Roots of Music is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support, teach, and protect at-risk youth through music education, academic support, and mentorship while preserving and promoting New Orleans’ musical heritage. As StubHub’s first Rising Star, The Roots of Music will receive up to $100,000 in funding support this year.
“Imagine if the next LeBron, Michael Oher or Beyoncé never had the opportunity to pick up a basketball, football or instrument as a child,” said Chris Tsakalakis, StubHub CEO. “Yet vital community music, theater and sports programs for youth are falling on the chopping block today. That is why Rising Stars will focus StubHub’s philanthropy where we see the greatest need: underserved, at-risk youth and locally rooted, grassroots nonprofits.”
To showcase the work of Roots of Music, StubHub has created a documentary short, produced in collaboration with cast and crew members of the HBO series “Treme.” The company has also has committed to donate up to an additional $50,000 (adding up to a $100,000 total donation) to The Roots of Music if the film reaches 50,000 views by Super Bowl Sunday.
“We are extremely honored and appreciative to be selected as a StubHub Rising Star,” said Allison Reinhardt, co-founder of The Roots of Music Foundation. “StubHub and its Foundation’s support will literally help us keep our doors open, offering academic mentoring and musical education to 140 kids — keeping them safe and off the streets while fostering the future musical talent of New Orleans.”
Funding support through StubHub and the StubHub Foundation to The Roots of Music represents the largest single donation in the organization’s history. In addition, the StubHub Foundation also recognizes New Orleans’ Youth Empowerment Project through grant funding of $25,000 to support expansion of its sports and recreational programming for inner city youth.
For more on the Rising Stars program visit: www.stubhub.com/rising-stars.