Music is a gift whose value is magnified most in the giving. Musicians share their talents with us, and in passing them on, create something larger that brings people together in a way nothing else has the power to do.

In 1989, The Recording Academy^® established MusiCares^® to sustain music and its makers — as a force in all of our lives.

MusiCares provides emergency health and human services and addiction recovery resources to music people. Whether it's artists or other industry professionals who are in need, MusiCares is there with a safety net of support for those who have given the gift of music to our lives. 

Mission
MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares' services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community.

MusiCares experienced another landmark year in 2007–2008 by serving more than 1,400 clients with more than $3 million dollars in aid.

Our Programs And Services
Since its inception, MusiCares has developed into a premier support system for music people and its innovative programs and services are designed to meet the specific needs of its constituents.

Emergency Financial Assistance Program
The "heart and soul" of MusiCares is the Emergency Financial Assistance Program. With a commitment to providing help to those in need as quickly as possible, this program provides assistance for basic living expenses including rent, utilities and car payments; medical expenses including doctor, dentist and hospital bills; psychotherapy; and treatment for HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, hepatitis C and other critical illnesses.

"I want to thank you kindly for the wonderful grant I received towards my medical expenses from my recent surgery. I truly faced a traumatic financial time as a performing artist, and felt a glimmer of hope when I was put in contact with your office. I was also impressed with the care, attention and support I received during this really tough time.  I was at my wits end and you provided some light — thank you."
— Vocalist undergoing cancer treatment

"I attended the funeral on Saturday. It was sad, and the burial sadder under downcast skies and biting air. Family relations were apparently so strained, and cash was evidently so strapped that, when the gravedigger demanded immediate payment for his services (lest the grave lay uncovered afterward), most of the people assembled lit out like the woods were on fire. A small clutch of other willing relatives reached into their pockets for crumpled bills — $250 in all. It was a sad coda to the life of a bluesman's wife, but I know the assistance the MusiCares folks provided were a tremendous comfort."
—Friend of MusiCares client

The Emergency Financial Assistance Program is open to music people who are able to document at least five years of employment in the music industry and/or credited contribution to six commercially released recordings or videos, and who can demonstrate proof of need. MusiCares operates toll-free phone lines serving all regions of the United States.

"It is beyond my expression the gratitude I feel for your kindness. In my thirty-something years in the music business, I have never been in a situation like what I have experienced the past two years.  You have helped me keep my home and how can I express my thankfulness? If you ever need me, please call me and I’ll come running, with arrangements in hand and ready to sing!"
— Blues guitarist whose home was saved from foreclosure

Personal attention and confidential care are given to anyone who contacts MusiCares. Professionally trained staff evaluate a situation, provide crisis intervention if needed and offer any appropriate referrals to local and national organizations. They review the financial assistance application and the approval process with the applicant. Clients are notified as soon as possible about the available resources, and approved financial assistance grants are paid directly to a third party or creditor.

MusiCares client receives necessary dental services in Memphis. TN.

In 2008, MusiCares embarked upon our first dental clinic initiative. Each dental clinic is free of charge to our clients. MusiCares covers the costs of the dental care but our dentists and dental partners charge us Medicaid rates which are typically 30-50 percent less than most dental offices charge. In addition, in celebration of World Voice Day on April 16, 2008, MusiCares co-sponsored a free voice screening for professional singers in partnership with NY Eye and Ear Infirmary, Kay/Pentax, the NY Singers’ Collective and Starkey Hearing Foundation that offered a full complement of diagnostic and preventive services and consultations worth up to $2,000, free of charge.

While MusiCares works confidentially with its clients, some individuals, like Slash, want to share their inspiring stories. Click the photo for addiction recovery stories on video

"In times like this, where people are struggling to survive, it warms my heart to know that there is a place for musicians who have a chance to be taken care of in times of need. MusiCares saved my life once before, years ago with my drug addiction, and now once again, they stepped up to help me with rent due to lack of work. They saved me from being evicted and thrown out on the street. Their assistance helped me to continue to believe and not loose my sobriety over times of struggle when life can be so scary!"
— MusiCares client

MusiCares also provides addiction recovery support through its MusiCares Safe Harbor Room^®. Staffed by qualified chemical dependency and intervention specialists, MusiCares Safe Harbor Rooms offer a support network to those in recovery while they are participating in the production of televised music shows and other major music events. The program has sponsored more than 108 Safe Harbor Rooms throughout the country and has grown to include Coachella, SXSW, the CMA Awards and many other large venue music events.

Additionally, the MusiCares advocacy initiative has, on behalf of the music community, expressed to Congressional leaders the need for an insurance parity bill that would help ensure that all Americans who suffer from addiction and mental health issues receive equal insurance funding when seeking treatment for those problems. The legislation was passed as part of Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.

MusiCares continues to offer weekly addiction support groups for people in the music industry to discuss how to best cope with the issues surrounding the recovery process. The MusiCares Sober Connection^® provides access to a database of individuals across the United States who take music people to recovery support meetings while on the road.  

Fundraising Initiatives

Slash and Alice Cooper perform at the MAP Fund Benefit Concert Click here to see more pictures and videos.

We hold the MusiCares MAP Fund Benefit Concert annually to generate funds for our addiction recovery services.

Throughout the year, MusiCares benefits from our GRAMMY^® Charity Online Auctions, which feature exclusive VIP experiences and memorabilia presented in partnership with Kompolt at www.ebay.com/grammy.

Your Support
As our industry responds to current technological and economic shifts, the need to broaden and sustain our respective missions increases. Your help is more important now than ever. When considering a charity for your personal contribution or corporate affiliation, please remember that you can make a real difference in the lives of the people we serve through support of MusiCares. Donate now.

To see a list of generous supporters from our 2008 fiscal year click here.

To view financial information for the 2008 fiscal year click here.

MusiCares Offices

The MusiCares Foundation Community Services Report is published by: MusiCares Foundation

©2009 MusiCares Foundation

Contents may not be reprinted without express written permission. The GRAMMY
Foundation, MusiCares, GRAMMY, and The Recording Academy and their respective logos are registered trademarks and service marks.

Unless otherwise noted, photos courtesy of The Recording Academy, photographed by WireImage.com.