HeadCount.org
History HeadCount is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization devoted to voter registration and participation in democracy. It was founded in 2004 by a group of artists, music industry professionals, and fans.
The Mission The core belief behind HeadCount is that the live music community is a large, vibrant audience that has the potential to be politically influential if properly represented at the polls. HeadCount uses the assets of the music industry and the influence artists have over their fans to mobilize this audience into action. HeadCount also aims to become “the community organizing arm of the live music scene,” giving every socially conscious music fan an avenue toward activism.
Tone Energetic, optimistic, informative, pragmatic.
Tunes There’s a multi-media page, but what you’ll find here are audio and video public service announcements about HeadCount, not audio files of the musicians involved in the organization—who, by the way, are largely from the jam-band community. Continue reading ‘HeadCount.org’
thegluenetwork.com
History Founded in 2005 to raise funds for the poor, AIDS- and drought-ravaged people of Nkhoma, Malawi, and inspired by the outpouring of financial donations by everyday people following Hurricane Katrina.
The Mission No one’s going to accuse the people at gluenetwork.com of thinking small. The group’s stated aim is to motivate people to care about those in need who are far removed from their daily lives. “Love requires action” is their motto.
Tone Enthusiastic, loving, corporate-friendly.
Tunes Gluenetwork’s Partners page provides links to a half-dozen musicians and bands, including Arrested Development (the Grammy-winning creators of the ’92 hit “Tennessee”), roots-reggae/rock band State Radio, and rapper Braille.
What You’ll Find There The Glue Network’s “party with a purpose” aims to inspire a larger community-based on caring by providing a place where non-profits, for-profits, artists, and anyone else interested in their cause can find valuable information, share ideas, and inspire further action.
A recent visit had us linking to an NBC news story on a Cambodian sex trafficker, learning about the gluenetwork-sponsored Freedom Project benefit concert, and smiling at this brief post by a gluenetwork member: “Did you know that only a small percent of farmers are paid fairly for their hard work and product? Please purchase wisely.”
We were even able to purchase feel-good products, like a pair of “Africa Shoes.” ($3 from each sale goes to a War Child Rehabilitation Center in Northern Uganda, benefiting children who are kidnapped and made to fight in the country’s two-decade-long civil war.)
Worth The Trip? Pretty much. It’s easy to navigate, and you’ll find some cool events listed and a decent number of links to socially conscious individuals and organizations—for-profit and not-for-profit. (Gluenetwork itself doesn’t hide its for-profit status, stating that when funds are generated from thegluenetwork.com properties, 80% goes to the selected not-for-profit and 20% is designated for operating expenses. they claim this breakdown is similar to the percentages for not-for-profit companies.)
Next Site….
Aim message-music fans to a site deserving wider recognition. Email us with your suggestions.
