BONNAROO MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL ESTABLISHES THE BONNAROO WORKS FUND TO FORMALIZE PHILANTHROPIC EFFORTS
NASHVILLE, Tenn., -- May 26, 2009 -- The creators and founders of the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival (www.bonnaroo.com) have announced the establishment of the Bonnaroo Works Fund to further the organization's community investment and philanthropic endeavors. The Fund will be administered by the East Tennessee Foundation (ETF), a 501(c)(3) community foundation which manages philanthropic endeavors for numerous businesses and organizations in Tennessee.
Since its inception eight years ago, Bonnaroo has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting numerous local, regional and national non-profits, with a special focus on the Coffee County community where the festival is based. "Bonnaroo organizers made it clear when they arrived that they want to be an active and supportive part of our community, and they have proven it time and time again," says Coffee County Mayor David Pennington. "If we let them know of a need, they work to fill it. I can't imagine the needs that would have gone unmet if not for Bonnaroo."
Bonnaroo has generated and distributed over $3,000,000, mostly in direct contributions to a variety of initiatives and causes, mostly in Coffee County. Through a combination of programs - including ticket add-ons for charity and for the Coffee County general fund, the annual on-site Silent Auction, numerous other on site programs, and volunteer opportunities for local organizations - the Bonnaroo Music Festival has been a model in developing innovative ways to engage both fans and artists to support a variety of worthy and necessary causes in their community. Health and social services, educational programs, and a variety of community projects such as the Coffee County Recreation Center, the Skateboard Park, and the Manchester Performing Arts Center have all benefited from Bonnaroo contributions.
But Bonnaroo's charitable efforts extend beyond Middle Tennessee. The festival has also supported national non-profit organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, Head Count, Music Cares, Conscious Alliance, Habitat for Humanity, Boys and Girls Club of America, Rock the Earth, the American Red Cross, the Sierra Club and many others.
According to Andy Bernstein, executive director of HeadCount.org, Bonnaroo played an active role in both encouraging and supporting voter registration efforts.
"We registered voters at 42 festivals last year, and Bonnaroo was the most successful by a wide margin," Bernstein said. "Not only did we register our highest number of voters, but Bonnaroo promoters also made a generous financial contribution through their silent auction. When we started sharing our post-election plans, which are all about taking the next step toward creating involved and active citizens, Bonnaroo was the first to embrace that vision. They believe that nonprofits add something to the overall festival experience, and they stand behind that belief."
The creation of the Bonnaroo Works Fund and the alliance with the East Tennessee Foundation (www.easttennesseefoundation.org) is an important step in providing the structure and process for Bonnaroo to further develop its community investment and philanthropic activities. While the Bonnaroo partnership will continue to oversee and control the actual distribution of funds, ETF will administer and manage the fund. In addition, the Foundation's tax exempt status will enable Bonnaroo's organizers to maximize opportunities for even greater support of chosen projects.
Mike McClamroch, president and CEO of East Tennessee Foundation, says this is exactly why ETF was founded.
"Establishing and administering philanthropic efforts is complex and time consuming," McClamroch said. "Our staff has the experience and knowledge to guide these generous, community-minded organizations as they work to have a considerable effect on their chosen non profits. We are so pleased that Bonnaroo organizers have taken this important step, and we look forward to helping them continue their investment in our community. The Bonnaroo Works Fund will undoubtedly heighten the quality of life in communities across the nation."
The ETF raises, invests and endows funds to support nonprofits and currently serves 25 counties in Tennessee. East Tennessee's largest vehicle for philanthropy, ETF has awarded in excess of $158 million in grants, primarily in the region, since 1986.
"Community is at the heart of the Bonnaroo experience, and we're very proud of what we've been able to accomplish - with the fans, the artists, the organizers, the community working together - to have a positive impact and make a difference in the world around us," says Bonnaroo co-founder Ashley Capps. "We want to see these efforts grow. The establishment of this fund - and our alliance with ETF - is a big step in nurturing that growth. We are very inspired by the potential that it offers."
2009 Community Investments
With the help of our fans and patrons the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival proudly supports worthy causes and non-profit groups in Coffee County and the surrounding region, as well as select national efforts. We strongly believe in the principle of working together to make our community a better place for people to live, work, and play.
When we became Coffee County landowners we formed the Bonnaroo Works Fund, through which we support groups working towards creating healthy and self-sufficient communities. The Fund targets projects in the areas of the arts, environmentalism, economic development, sustainable
living, education, healthcare, long-term county infrastructure
projects and other programs furthering the health of the community.
Over the past few years the Bonnaroo Works fund has contributed to the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department and Manchester Police Department, Common Ground Relief, the Manchester Performing Arts Center, Doctors Without Borders, Rock the Earth, Head Count, and Music Cares, among others.
Bonnaroo Silent Auction
Please join us in these efforts by stopping by the 2009 Silent
Auction in Centeroo and bidding on some of the many exciting
autographed items which Bonnaroo artists and sponsors have donated.
We will also be initiating a Bonnaroo 365 online auction, so keep an
eye on bonnaroo.com all year round for your chance to bring home
something amazing and make a difference at the same time!
Conscious Alliance Food Drive
The Bonnaroo Music Festival and Conscious Alliance are proud to announce our 5th Annual Food Drive to benefit the Good Samaritan Food Pantry, of Manchester, TN. Last year’s food drive brought in 10,000 pounds of food donations for the hungry in Coffee County. This year with your help, we hope to pull in at least 15,000 pounds!
The first 2,000 patrons that donate 10 non-perishable food items will receive a free limited edition Bonnaroo poster created by renowned artist, Justin Hampton.
Two Food Drive Donation Tents will be located outside the main entrances to the concert areas. These locations will be marked on the Bonnaroo guide map, given to all attendees upon arriving at the festival grounds. After dropping off your food, you will receive a voucher for one free poster that can only be redeemed at the Conscious Alliance “Art that Feeds” Gallery, located inside Planet Roo.
The Conscious Alliance always encourages food donations to be low-sodium and health oriented products. “Organic” food donations are especially encouraged. RAMEN NOODLES will not be accepted for the free poster.
Thank you for your continued support in feeding the hungry everywhere the music plays!