MusiCares helps the humans behind the music, because music gives so much to the world
About
MusiCares is music's largest provider of financial assistance and preventive services, offering trusted support for mental health, addiction recovery, basic living needs, health care and disaster relief to everyone working in music. Resources are designed to help individuals sustain wellness throughout every stage of their careers as they navigate the unique realities of working in the music industry.
Data Driven Programming
MusiCares' Annual Wellness in Music survey is the largest and most formative data set on the well-being of music people. This information drives MusiCares programming and also informs the broader music industry about the most pressing needs of the music community.
Specialized Service Teams & First-Class Providers
MusiCares’ Health and Human Services staff is comprised of licensed experts in social work, mental health, and addiction recovery. Our team provides personalized care through a client-centered and trauma-informed approach. We also collaborate with a trusted network of external providers including medical, dental and behavioral health practitioners who understand the music community and provide specialized, compassionate services.
Trusted Care
MusiCares deeply understands the unique experiences of those working in the music industry. Individuals receive compassionate and personalized support that meets them where they are. In addition to providing financial assistance, we encourage music pros to access education, resources and programs that promote long-term sustainability across the scope of their music career.
Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Services facilitate access to treatment for mental health support and addiction recovery. To bolster recovery, MusiCares may also provide support for aftercare including intensive outpatient programming (IOP), sober living, and weekly support groups.
Health Services offer financial assistance during medical or dental crises and preventive health programs including nationwide biannual dental, vision and physical therapy clinics. Additional holistic care includes hearing health, nutrition coaching, smoking cessation and access to support for family planning. Educational workshops help music people stay on top of their health on and off the road.
Human Services ensure support during times of unforeseen need and financial hardship. Assistance is provided for basic living needs including housing, insurance premiums, funeral expenses, disaster relief and more. Preventive wellness programs include 1:1 financial coaching and overall financial wellness.
Income Instability: Music professionals may face unstable income due to unpredictability of gigs and varying demand for music services. MusiCares’ customized care programs provide long-term resources and short-term financial assistance for basic living needs in times of hardship.
Limited or Lack of Health Insurance: Many music professionals are self-employed, making it difficult to access affordable health insurance. MusiCares provides free preventive medical and dental clinics in cities across the country so music professionals can access care, regardless of insurance status.
Mental Health & Addiction: Rates of mental health and addiction issues are higher in the music community than in the general population. MusiCares provides financial support for therapy and comprehensive addiction recovery services, including treatment programs, inpatient rehabilitation, and ongoing resources to sustain sobriety.
Confidentiality
Each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. All information provided is privileged and legally protected from disclosure by HIPAA.
Help the Humans Behind the Music
35 Years of Service
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1989
MusiCares is Founded
In 1989, the Recording Academy founds MusiCares, an independent 501(c)(3) charity, to serve as a vital safety net for the music community.
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1991
Person of the Year
MusiCares’ hosts the first-ever Person of the Year Gala honoring David Crosby.
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1997
Safe Harbor Room
MusiCares’ established its first Safe Harbor Room in 1997, backstage at the 39th Annual Grammy Awards telecast. Safe Harbor Rooms are dedicated, clean, and sober spaces backstage for music professionals in recovery.
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2004
Acquisition of MAP
MusiCares acquires MAP (Musicians Assistance Program), an organization that helps music professionals recover from alcohol and drug addiction.
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2005
Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort
MusiCares launches its first relief effort to help victims of the hurricane. In the days after the storm, MusiCares provided more than $1.7 million in direct assistance to 2,400 music professionals and their families.
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2005
Preventive Care Programs
MusiCares establishes its preventive care programs with first-ever free medical and dental clinics for music professionals.
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2012
Superstorm Sandy
In November 2012, MusiCares established a fund to support members of the music community affected by Hurricane Sandy.
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2017
Route 91 Harvest Festival
Following the 2017 Las Vegas festival shooting, MusiCares provided trauma therapy and town hall meetings to the Nashville music community.
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2020
COVID-19 Relief Effort
In response to the global pandemic sidelining the music industry, MusiCares activated the COVID-19 Relief Effort, distributing $35.7 million in emergency financial assistance and providing over 140,000 services to the music community from March 2020 to July 2022.
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2020
Wellness in Music Survey
MusiCares launched the first-ever Wellness in Music Survey in 2020, an annual initiative to help inform programming by gauging the health and well-being of the music community.
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2025
LA Wildfire Relief Effort
The Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire forced widespread evacuations, destroyed homes, and left many music professionals facing significant loss and instability. MusiCares acted quickly, launching a dedicated relief campaign that distributed more than $15 million in immediate and long-term aid to over 3,200 affected music professionals.
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2026
$135+ Million Distributed
Since inception, MusiCares has distributed over $135 million to music professionals in need.
Help the Humans Behind the Music
As a 501(c)(3) public charity, MusiCares is committed to transparency and accountability - we’re an open book. Scroll down to view our annual reports, audited financial statements, and tax returns.
Annual Reports
Trusted & Transparent
At MusiCares, we are dedicated to ensuring your hard-earned contributions directly support the music community. As stewards of your generosity, we don’t take this responsibility lightly, working tirelessly to channel those dollars back to the songwriters, touring crew, musicians, and other music professionals who keep the music playing.
Charity Navigator
We are proud to be a four-star organization on Charity Navigator. This seal reflects our ongoing commitment to good governance, fiscal responsibility, and operational transparency.
Candid
We are proud to be a platinum Candid-recognized organization. This seal reflects our ongoing commitment to transparency, effectiveness, and sharing our impact with you.
88%
PROGRAM SERVICES EXPENSE RATIO: percentage of dollars spent on programs and services
$.05
FUNDRAISING EFFICIENCY: what it costs MusiCares to raise $1
$135.8M
TOTAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS: financial assistance grants from inception through current fiscal year
Financial Statements
Tax Filings
Help the Humans Behind the Music
Board of Directors
Harvey Mason jr.
CEO
Carianne Marshall
Chair
Ambrosia Healy
Vice Chair
Jeff Harleston
Secretary/Treasurer
Steve Boom
Chair Emeritus
Manuel Abud
Irving Azoff
Coran Capshaw
Donna Caseine
Phylicia Fant
Dr. Chelsey Green
Ali Harnell
Marty Hom
Tamara Hrivnak
Jeff Jones
Mike Knobloch
Vivien Lewit
Rob Light
Charlie Puth
Rita Wilson
MusiCares Staff
Harvey Mason jr.
CEO, Recording Academy & MusiCares
Theresa Wolters
Executive Director
Halen Anderson
Executive Assistant, Executive Office & Health and Human Services
Paul Baker
Manager, Development
Angela Bilkic, MSW
Client Manager, Health Services
Lindsey Burris
Senior Managing Director, Development
Jessica Carmona
Communications Manager
Wes Cole
Coordinator, Events and Sponsorships
Stefanie Curtiss, MA
Managing Director, Health Services
Niki Datar
Coordinator, Mental Health & Addiction Services
Ryan Donahue
Senior Managing Director, Operations & Finance
David Enos
Staff Accountant
Jessica Estrada
Managing Director, Human Services
Virginia Faddy
Senior Managing Director, Marketing & Communications
Kate Ferber
Digital Communications Manager, Marketing & Communications
Jennifer Heaton
Director of Sponsorship, Development
Stephanie Henderson, LMSW
Client Manager, Health Services
Chloe Herbrand
Assistant Manager, Clinic Services, Health Services
Sol Iriarte
Senior Social Media Manager, Marketing & Communications
Marshai Iverson, LMFT
Managing Director, Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Services
Wade Johnson Jr.
Director, Community & Outreach
Hannah Kulis
Senior Operations Manager, Operations & Finance
Patrick La Cotera
Director of Production, Development
Kelly Lamb
Systems & Database Manager
Jennifer Leff, LCSW
Vice President, Health & Human Services
James Manzo, MSW
Client Manager, Human Services
Brooke O’Neal
Director, Development
Breana Phelps
Senior Coordinator, Marketing & Communications
Anita Ramsarup
Client Manager, Human Services
Carie Salas, LCSW
Client Manager, Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Services
Andrea Schollnick
Content Producer
Myte Sosa
Coordinator, Development
Candress Suber, LPC
Client Manager, Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Services
Roger Tang
Finance Manager
Robert Taylor, Jr., MSW
Client Manager, Human Services
Emanuel Tekle
Senior Accounting Coordinator
Wynnie Wynn
Senior Director, Development
Nana Yip
Senior Coordinator, Human Services
Help the Humans Behind the Music
MusiCares supports music professionals at every stage of their careers with access to health, financial, and human services. From preventive care to times of need, resources are designed to help individuals navigate the unique realities of working in the music industry. This work is grounded in a long-standing commitment to care, ensuring those behind the music have consistent, trusted support to sustain both their well-being and their livelihoods.
$100M+
In Financial Assistance Grants
200K+
Towards Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Services
$100M+
Distributed for Disaster Relief
48,000
People Served
Why People Give
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MusiCares has touched the lives of so many music people I know. Every day — all year long — MusiCares saves lives.
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I donated what I can to MusiCares because music is essential to my life, and I want to make sure we take care of the people who make it.
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The power of live music... connects people and strengthens communities, and we have seen just how critical MusiCares’ work is to support the humans behind that music.