Empower U.S. Women Through Music: Jobs & Education

Hello from Austin, Texas!

While 2020 has thrown some major curveballs at us, Backstage Chats Foundation is still forging ahead. And we have you to thank for believing in our cause to uplift the next generation of female musicmakers. 

The cancellation of SXSW and subsequent fundraising events forced us to "stop, drop, and pivot" in an unexpected twist to the sweeping COVID-19 pandemic.  After learning that so many essential workers were scrambling for protective equipment, our board of directors jumped into action. We donated over 400 bandanas (originally created for the cancelled fundraising events) to healthcare and food service providers. That's a $6,000 retail value of gear that went where it is needed most. 

Here is a short but sweet video about how we made that happen and which organizations benefitted. Above is Dr. Sherry Neyman's team at Rennaissance Women's Group. They hand out BCF bandanas to patients who may have forgotten their masks so they can keep their appointments. How cool is that? 

I'll be honest, this year hasn't been easy for anyone. And our fundraising investments still need to be recouped to get us back on track. If you're able to pitch in just $10 per month or more using GlobalGiving's recurring payment system, it will make all the difference in the world for musicmakers who need our support now more than ever. The good news? We're developing a mobile music educational program just for teen girls that is gauranteed to be pandemic proof.  Stay tuned for updates on that in the future.

Meanwhile, stay safe and enjoy listening to our new pandemic playlist "Anywhere But Home" on Spotify!

Rock on,

Thea Wood, President