Sony Music Group is set to provide funding to over 90 additional international, national and regional non-profits via its $100 million Global Social Justice Fund, the company announced today.
The fund, which was unveiled last June, was established to support social justice and anti-racist initiatives. This is the third funding round to date, bringing the total number of organizations supported to more than 300 around the world.
The allocation breakdown in this funding round is 24% educational initiatives, 23% civic and community engagement programs, 21% civil rights and social justice organizations, 17% youth advocacy organizations and 15% additional equal rights, cultural and wellness programs. The work of the chosen organizations impacts communities in Africa, Australia, Canada, the Latin America region, New Zealand, the U.K. and the U.S.
All funds provided to recipients are “need-based,” says Towalame Austin, SMG executive vp philanthropy and social impact, who added the company does not reveal specific amounts.
“We’re looking at groups that are doing this work from a very grassroots perspective… providing services to communities on the ground,” says Austin of how organizations are chosen. “We want to make sure that we are touching and impacting people and communities with our work.”
Recipients are chosen by “a group of task forces” employed by Sony across the globe. Those selected then go through a “vetting and due diligence process” before being sent to an advisory committee for review and final approval.
After receiving the funds, the organizations – known as “non-profit partners” – report back to Sony on how the money is being used.
“We operate in terms of a full grant process, in terms of making sure that it’s going through a very strategic process for consideration and also making sure that we are getting information on the impact that they’re providing in these communities, the work that they’re doing, the demographics that they’re serving,” says Austin, “just making sure that they’re hitting their goals.”
Sony is not naming third-round recipients at this time.
Since its founding, the fund has doled out money to organizations including the mental health non-profit Silence the Shame (founded by former Universal Motown executive Shanti Das), the National Museum of African American Music and 3T Course, a U.K. non-profit that provides technical training to Black women in the touring industry.
Another recipient from a previous round, the Young Urban Arts Foundation (YUAF) in the U.K., provides workshops designed to drive creativity in at-risk youth.
“Working with Sony artists and Sony staff in our online programme; Thrive & Connect has added so much value to what we are doing and opening doors of aspiration that YUAF can offer our young people,” said YUAF founder Kerry O’Brien in a statement. “The panel sessions will help them broaden their perspectives of working in the industry, by discovering new ways they can work in a record label or in publishing, rather than just going down the artist route. Working with Doctored Sound delivering education on Black History is also hugely beneficial to everyone learning the crucial history that undeniably shaped music.”
Also receiving funds in a previous round was the Canada-based non-profit Pour 3 Points, which offers athletic programs for youth from underserved neighborhoods.
“Our partnership with Sony adds a brick to the foundation of the vision and the mission of our organization,” says Pour 3 Points philanthropic development advisor Ericka Alneus. “Sony realizes that we play a role in the community supporting under supported youth in the community and the coaches that we train. The impact to ensure social equality is important. Our partnership is the start of a conversation that demonstrates what can be done in the community when corporate companies partner with organizations such as ours.”
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