State Champ Radio philanthropy
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PLUS1 announced the recipients of the second annual PLUS1 Impact Awards on Thursday (Nov. 13), recognizing the artists, industry leaders, and partners driving measurable social impact across music and entertainment. Awardees are determined through PLUS1’s data-driven evaluation of impact, including funds raised, lives reached, and outcomes achieved. The awards are presented in partnership with Wasserman.
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AEG Presents, CAA, Live Nation, $uicideboy$, Sabrina Carpenter and Wasserman are this year’s recipients of the PLUS1 Million Award, which recognizes artists and partners who have raised over $1 million via PLUS1 for charitable causes. The recipients of that award reached the $1 million milestone in 2025 but began their engagements with PLUS1 prior to this year. Mumford & Sons is the artist that raised the most in 2025 alone.
“This year’s honorees exemplify what’s possible when purpose meets action,” Marika Anthony-Shaw, founder and CEO of PLUS1, said in a statement. “Their leadership shows how every corner of the industry — from artists to agents, managers, marketers to venue teams — can turn creativity into collective impact. At PLUS1, we’re proud to help connect and amplify that work, and to celebrate the people driving real, lasting change.”
Carpenter, who was the first PLUS1 artist to reach $1 million in under one year for her fund, shared what her philanthropic efforts mean to her in an exclusive statement to Billboard. “The Sabrina Carpenter Fund began as a way to give back to causes close to my heart — mental health, animal welfare, and LGBTQ+ rights — and seeing its growth and impact over the past year has meant the world to me. I’m proud of what we’ve been able to build with PLUS1, and incredibly grateful to continue using my platform to make a difference.”
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MARINA was one of the recipients of the Above and Beyond Award, which recognizes “artists who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to social impact.”
“It’s an enormous privilege to be able to use my art to create tangible impact for issues I care deeply about, particularly for LGBTQ+ individuals and civilians affected by conflict,” MARINA shared in an exclusive statement to Billboard. “Partnering with PLUS1 has enabled the MARINA Fund to turn our commitment to justice into meaningful action.”
PLUS1 introduced a new award this year, the Avoe and Beyond (and Behind) Award, recognizing industry leaders. (The name is a play on their existing Above and Beyond Award, geared to behind-the-scenes players.) The initial honorees are Merce Jessor, Shira Knishkowy. Lesley DiPietro. Denise Melanson and Ashley Poitevin.
PLUS1, a nonprofit that started with a simple idea to invest $1 from every concert ticket into communities in need, has since partnered with hundreds of artists and granted more than $32 million to nonprofits worldwide. To learn more, visit the PLUS1 site.
Here’s the full list of 2025 PLUS1 Impact Award honorees:
PLUS1 Million Award
Recognizing artists and partners who have raised over $1 million via PLUS1 for charitable causes.
Honorees: AEG Presents, CAA, Live Nation, $uicideboy$, Sabrina Carpenter, Wasserman
Impact Leader Award
Honoring the artist who raised the most funds via PLUS1 in 2025.
Honoree: Mumford & Sons
Rising Star Award
Awarded to an emerging artist who made outstanding contributions to social impact in 2025.
Honoree: Wyatt Flores
Community Hero Award
Recognizing artists and partners who have significantly impacted local communities they have toured through in 2025.
Honorees: Alex G, Diplo’s Run Club, Rainbow Kitten Surprise
Arts Advocate Award
Honoring an artist who uses their platforms to advance creativity, access, and advocacy in the arts.
Honoree: Post Malone
Above and Beyond Award
Recognizing artists who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to social impact.
Honorees: Big Thief, Bright Eyes, Jessie Reyez, MARINA
Above and Beyond (and Behind) Award (New Category)
Honoring industry leaders whose dedication behind the scenes makes meaningful impact possible.
Honorees: Ashley Poitevin (MNRK Music Group), Denise Melanson (Wasserman), Lesley DiPietro (CAA), Merce Jessor (Volara Management), Shira Knishkowy (Another Management Company)
Agent of Change Award
Awarded to agents making a positive difference in the industry.
Honorees: Kevin French (CAA), Lenore Kinder (Wasserman), Zoe Williamson (UTA)
Impactful Management Award
Awarded to a management team making a measurable difference through artist impact initiatives.
Honoree: Volara Management
Promoting Good Award
Recognizing a promotional company making a positive difference in the industry.
Honoree: First Avenue
Venue for Change Award
Recognizing a venue that demonstrates exceptional leadership in sustainability, equity, and community support.
Honoree: The Salt Shed (Chicago)
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Rapper, actor and philanthropist Ludacris is set to perform at the 2025 Baby2Baby Gala honoring tennis legend Serena Williams. The gala, presented by Paul Mitchell, will be held Saturday, Nov. 8, in Los Angeles. Baby2Baby is a national nonprofit that provides critical items to children in need across the U.S.
Previous performers at the event include 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg and Nelly.
Ludacris has amassed five No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including two as a lead artist: “Money Maker” (featuring Pharrell) and “Stand Up” (featuring Shawnna). He has landed four No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 and has won three Grammy Awards, including best rap album for Release Therapy, one of his No. 1 albums.
Chris “Ludacris” Bridges made a seamless transition to acting, including the role of Tej in the Fast & Furious franchise, where he was introduced in 2003’s 2 Fast 2 Furious. As a father of four girls, his latest ventures include launching KidNation, an educational platform devoted to the enrichment of children. In addition, Bridges created the animated series KARMA’S WORLD on Netflix, which is awaiting its fifth season.
Williams will receive the Giving Tree Award, which is awarded annually to a public figure who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to improving the lives of children in need. Past honorees include Charlize Theron, Salma Hayek Pinault, Kim Kardashian, Kerry Washington, Jennifer Garner, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Alba, Kate Hudson, Amy Adams, Drew Barrymore, Chrissy Teigen and Vanessa Bryant.
Last year’s Baby2Baby Gala raised a record $17 million in support of Baby2Baby’s mission. In the last 14 years, Baby2Baby has distributed more than 500 million essential items, including diapers, formula and clothing.
Baby2Baby’s Disaster Relief & Emergency Response Program has responded to the needs of children in more than 100 disasters. This year, Baby2Baby announced the expansion of their initiative to combat the maternal health crisis to 15 states. To learn more about Baby2Baby, visit their site.
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More than 550 entertainment industry leaders gathered in Los Angeles on Sunday (Oct. 19) for Creative Community for Peace’s (CCFP) seventh annual Ambassadors of Peace gala to promote dialogue and unity through the arts. The event was held at the Beverly Park residence of Haim Saban, chairman and CEO of Saban Capital Group.
This year’s honorees were Bruce Resnikoff, president/CEO of Universal Music Enterprises; Jonathan Strauss, CEO of Create Music Group; David Kohan, showrunner and executive producer of Will & Grace and Mid-Century Modern; his wife, Blair Kohan, partner and board member at United Talent Agency; and actor Jerry O’Connell.
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The event featured a performance by John Mellencamp, who said, “I don’t like to call it antisemitism. It’s too polite a word for what it really is. Hatred is what it really is. And I may just be a guy with a guitar and sing some songs, but I promise this to the Jewish people: I will remain a staunch ally to you guys as long as I’m on this earth. And to the Jewish haters, I say f—k you.”
“In order to make a difference, sometimes we need to get out of our comfort zone, and that’s what I’m doing tonight,” Resnikoff said. “In the Jewish community, especially during an epidemic of undeniable and widespread antisemitism, we will always need more voices, and particularly in the music industry. CCFP brings caring people together to help amplify our voices, and I’m proud to do my part tonight.”
Strauss added, “Great companies and great cultures are not built in an echo chamber. Disagreement doesn’t mean division; it means engagement. And there’s nothing worse than apathy.”
CCFP chairman and co-founder David Renzer opened the event and said, “We have to push back. We have to educate. We believe in coexistence. We believe in the power of music and arts and culture to help build bridges and that it should not be shut down.”
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Ari Ingel, CCFP executive director, added, “Jewish pride means knowing where we come from and taking control of where we are going. It means speaking Hebrew with joy, wearing your Magen David in the open, loving Israel, not with blind nationalism, but with eyes wide open, with commitment, with critique and care.”
Among those paying tribute to this year’s honorees were Ringo Starr, Def Leppard, Paul Rudd, Nick Kroll, Rebecca Romijn, Howie Mandel, Mayim Bialik, Debra Messing, Greg Berlanti, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos.
Artists and entertainment leaders in attendance included Gene Simmons of KISS; Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records; Gary Barber, co-founder Spyglass Media Group; Suzanne de Passe, co-chairwoman of de Passe Jones Entertainment Group; Jody Gerson, CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group; Jacqueline Saturn, president of Virgin Music; Michael Rotenberg, founder and partner at 3 Arts Entertainment; David Zedeck, global co-head of Music at UTA; Jacob Fenton, UTA partner; Larry Rudolph, founder and CEO of 724 Entertainment; and Phylicia Fant, global head of music industry & culture collaborations at Amazon Music.
Previous Ambassador of Peace honorees include Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr., Grammy-winning songwriter Diane Warren, reggae star Ziggy Marley, music mogul Scooter Braun, chairman & CEO of Sony Music Latin America Afo Verde, and CEO and co-chairman of Warner Records Aaron Bay-Schuck.
More information on Ambassadors of Peace can be found on the event’s website.
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis will receive the Vanguard Award at The Guitar Center Music Foundation’s fourth annual Gala and Benefit Concert, which will take place on Sept. 11 at The Maybourne Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. The pair, who have written and produced dozens of hits for such artists as Janet Jackson and Mariah […]
Michael Bublé will headline the City of Hope’s 2025 Spirit of Life gala on Wednesday Oct. 15. The event will be held at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, Calif. As previously announced, the event will honor Tom Corson, co-chairman and COO of Warner Records, as the Music, Film and Entertainment Industry [MFEI] group’s 2025 Spirit of Life honoree.
“Like so many people, my family has been personally affected by cancer, and I know how important it is to have hope — and real answers,” Bublé said in a statement. “City of Hope is doing the work that changes lives, and I am thrilled to be part of this night honoring Tom and supporting the incredibly important groundbreaking work of this wonderful cause.”
Bublé’s oldest son was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a rare form of liver cancer that primarily affects young children, in 2016. The singer canceled a planned tour to spend time with his son during chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Bublé’s son has fully recovered.
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“This is about making a difference that lasts,” Corson added. “Cancer has touched all of our lives. What City of Hope is doing — fast-tracking research, delivering leading-edge care, and supporting survivors beyond the hospital — is nothing short of extraordinary. I’m proud to stand with this community to help move it forward.”
The music industry’s relationship with City of Hope spans five decades, beginning with Mo Ostin in 1973 and echoed today by the continued support of Warner Records and the broader artistic community.
“Aside from the Grammys, there are very few nights when the entire music industry gathers in one place — and this is one of them,” said Alissa Pollack, executive vice president of global music marketing at iHeartMedia and president of City of Hope’s MFEI board. “But unlike an awards show, this night is about something bigger than all of us: saving lives. I’m incredibly grateful to Tom Corson and Michael Bublé for using their platforms to support City of Hope’s mission. Their leadership makes this moment possible — and meaningful.”
“There’s nothing more powerful than this industry using its influence to help save lives,” said Evan Lamberg, president of Universal Music Publishing Group North America and chair of City of Hope’s MFEI board. “What makes the Spirit of Life Celebration so special is that it reminds us why we do this — not just to make music, but to make an impact. Supporting City of Hope means we’re helping push forward the research, care and compassion that cancer patients urgently need.”
Bublé, signed to Warner’s Reprise label, has amassed four No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200: Call Me Irresponsible (2007), Crazy Love (2009), Christmas (2011) and To Be Loved (2013). He has won five Grammys for best traditional pop vocal album, the second-highest tally of wins in the history of that category, topped only by the late Tony Bennett, with 14.
For more information about the Spirit of Life campaign or to get involved, contact mfeievents@coh.org.
Past Grammy nominees Kassa Overall and Brandee Younger are among the six recipients of the 2025 Doris Duke Artist Awards. The award is the largest cash prize in the U.S. dedicated to individual performing artists, specifically those in theater, jazz, and dance.
How large? Each artist is awarded a life-changing $525,000 in unrestricted funds allocated over seven years and an incentive of up to $25,000 to save for retirement. Including the 2025 recipients, the foundation has the distributed a total of more than $40 million to nearly 150 artists through the Doris Duke Artist Awards program.
Overall, 42, was nominated for a Grammy four years ago for best jazz instrumental album as a member of Social Science for Waiting Game, a collab with Terri Lyne Carrington (who was a Doris Duke Award winner in 2019).
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Younger, 41, was nominated for best instrumental composition three years ago for “Beautiful Is Black.” She was the first Black woman to be nominated in that category, which dates to the first Grammy presentations in 1959.
Here’s a quick look at this year’s six Doris Duke Artist Award recipients:
Kassa Overall: Jazz drummer, producer, rapper and bandleader. He has released three studio albums – Go Get Ice Cream and Listen to Jazz, I Think I’m Good and Animals. He melds avant-garde experimentation with hip-hop production techniques to tilt the nexus of jazz and rap in unmapped directions.
Brandee Younger: American harpist who blends classical, jazz, soul, and funk influences into her music. Early in her career, Younger worked with a diverse range of artists, including Pharoah Sanders, Common, John Legend, The Roots, and Lauryn Hill. In April 2019, Younger’s original composition “Hortense” was featured Beyoncé’s Netflix concert documentary Homecoming. In 2024, she won the 2024 NAACP Image Award for outstanding jazz album for Brand New Life.
Trajal Harrell: American dancer and choreographer best known for a series entitled “Twenty Looks or Paris is Burning” at The Judson Church. He is considered one of the most important choreographers working in contemporary dance today.
Raja Feather Kelly: Brooklyn-based choreographer known for his surrealist productions. He’s worked on such shows as Fairview and A Strange Loop, and he serves as artistic director for The Feath3r Theory and the New Brooklyn Theatre.
Aya Ogawa: Brooklyn-based playwright, director, performer and translator. Their work explores cultural identity and the immigrant experience, challenging traditional notions of American aesthetics. They use a collaborative process and incorporate diverse perspectives and languages into their performances.
Kaneza Schaal: New York City-based artist working in theater, opera, and film. Her work Flight Into Egypt: Black Artists and Ancient Egypt, 1876–Now was The Met’s first live performance as an integral part of a major exhibition.
This year, the Doris Duke Foundation (DDF) is reaffirming its commitment to and investment in the performing arts with $6.2 million in grants to support the national Creative Labor, Creative Conditions campaign.
“We are so proud to announce the 2025 Artist Awards and to stand alongside these artists — and the broader arts community — in their fight for a future where artists have the resources and opportunities they need to live and work,” Ashley Ferro-Murray, arts program director at DDF, said in a statement. “DDF has long supported the performing arts. With Creative Labor, Creative Conditions, we’re building on that commitment — highlighting how artists fuel culture, community, and entire industries, even as their contributions are too often undervalued.”
Doris Duke was a billionaire tobacco heiress, philanthropist, and socialite. She died in 1993 at age 80.
Neil Diamond is set to receive the Inspirational Lifetime Achievement Award by the Children’s Diabetes Foundation at the 39th Annual Carousel Ball on Oct. 11. The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Denver, near the home of CDF’s primary operations and its clinic and research facility, the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes.
Proceeds from The Carousel Ball benefit CDF and focus on patient support, awareness and diabetes research. The Carousel Balls, which date to 1978, collectively have raised more than $117 million.
Diamond, 84, has served on CDF’s advisory board and has attended the organization’s fundraisers for many years, including performing in Denver in 2001, as well as at The Carousel of Hope Ball in Beverly Hills in 2012, where he memorably sang an impromptu duet of “Sweet Caroline” with George Clooney.
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“Neil Diamond is a once-in-a-generation talent,” event chair Dana Davis and honorary chair Barbara Davis said in a joint statement. “As a bestselling recording artist the world over, he is an undeniable force whose songwriting has earned him countless musical accolades. … For over 35 years, Neil has lent his timeless voice to our efforts to find a cure for diabetes. On behalf of the patients and researchers his generosity has touched, we can’t think of anyone more deserving of our Inspirational Lifetime Achievement Award.”
Diamond’s career spans nearly 60 years. He landed his first top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, “Cherry, Cherry,” in October 1966. He has notched three No. 1 hits on the Hot 100 — “Cracklin’ Rosie” (1970), “Song Sung Blue” (1972) and “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” a duet with Barbra Streisand (1978). Diamond finally topped the Billboard 200 in 2008, nearly 42 years after he first made that chart, with Home Before Dark.
Diamond was elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984 and has received two additional awards from that organization — the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement in 2000 and the Johnny Mercer Award (their top honor) in 2018.
Additionally, Diamond received MusiCares’ Person of the Year Award in 2009, the Kennedy Center Honors in 2011 and a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy in 2018. He was voted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. His achievements also include a Grammy, a Golden Globe Award, an American Music Award, an ASCAP Film and Television Award and a Billboard Icon Award.
In addition to the award to Diamond, The MacMillan Family will be honored with the High Hopes Tribute Award for their nearly three decades of commitment as supporters of CDF. To purchase tickets and tables and learn more about the event, visit the Children’s Diabetes Foundation’s site.
Little Big Town is set to perform at The Women’s Cancer Research Fund’s “An Unforgettable Evening” gala, taking place Monday, April 28, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Comedian, actor and writer Whitney Cummings will host the event. Actress and activist Olivia Munn will receive the Courage Award. Little Big Town, consisting […]
The Find Your Light Foundation (FYLF), founded by Josh Groban, announced that in its most recent grant cycle it awarded more than $1.25 million to 189 nonprofit organizations in 33 states which will provide arts education to more than 300,000 K-12 youth. In addition to its regular grant-making, FYLF also made special grants to The […]
On April 25, MusiCares will host The Day That Music Cares, an annual worldwide day of service. Now in its third year, the initiative invites everyone in the music community — both people who work in music and music fans — to give back in ways that feel meaningful to them. Last year, more than […]
