Music for Relief, Linkin Park’s global humanitarian assistance fund, is joining forces with The Entertainment Industry Foundation.
Music for Relief, which the members of Linkin Park formed in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, will become the official crisis relief program of EIF. Since its inception, Music for Relief has raised $11 million to assist survivors of more than 30 natural disasters including Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, and earthquakes in Haiti, Japan and Nepal.
“My bandmates and I founded Music for Relief in the spirit of collaboration; recognizing that we could do more in partnership with others,” Linkin Park’s Brad Delson told Billboard in an exclusive statement. “Joining forces with EIF exemplifies the teamwork that will make both entities stronger.”
He continued, “The Entertainment Industry Foundation has the capability to activate the entertainment community around a cause, which is what we set out to achieve with Music for Relief.”
EIF, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, is known for its industry-wide philanthropic programs including Hunger Is and Stand Up to Cancer.
“EIF is honored to help magnify the vision of the generous founders of Music for Relief, the members of Linkin Park, and their donors, partners and fans,” said EIF CEO Nicole Sexton. “Music for Relief will allow EIF the capability to harness the power of the entertainment community to help make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by natural disasters around the globe…It’s an honor to be their strategic partner in amplifying the Music for Relief mission, and mobilizing the creative community to respond immediately to future global disasters.”
The members of Linkin Park took to social media on Tuesday to commemorate what would have been the 42nd birthday of lead singer, Chester Bennington, who committed suicide last July. The group launched a fundraiser on its Facebook page benefitting Music for Relief’s One More Light Fund. Money raised will go to 320 Changes Direction initiative, an effort started by Bennington’s wife, Talinda, to educate people on signs of emotional suffering.