Billboard (12/07/20) Eggertsen, Chris

Music charities are prospering as they transition to online events amid the pandemic. Although the cancer and diabetes nonprofit City of Hope had to cancel this year's Spirit of Life music industry gala dinner, executives held virtual events, including the first-ever Holiday Benefit fundraiser on Dec. 1. This embodies charities' agility in switching to livestreams with major acts that attract major donors. City of Hope's Kristin Bertell said these efforts have tapped a well of donors nationwide who would not otherwise attend Spirit of Life, and the nonprofit raised a record $188 million in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, a 32% boost from the year before. The UJA Federation of New York also had a record year, raising $55.5 million between March 16 and June 30 even in the absence of its yearly Music Visionary of the Year luncheon. The UJA's entertainment division on May 6 launched a virtual weekly fundraising series with prominent music and event industry speakers. WME agent Richard Weitz and his daughter Demi in April launched the Quarantunes variety show concert series on Zoom. The series has thus far raised $14 million for charities like Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and Baby2Baby with surprise appearances by John Legend, Billie Eilish, Rod Stewart and Elvis Costello.

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