Furthering a Tradition of Grassroots Giving 2005 Annual Report – Expanding Connections In our twenty-fi rst year, Rex strengthened its presence and organizations in those communities. In partnership with The giving capacity through continued outreach to an increas- Libra Foundation, Rex identifi ed and lent support to California ingly broad base of supporters and collaborators. Musicians organizations promoting environmental justice, conservation and fans came together for a benefi t concert at Berkeley’s and preservation, and sustainable agriculture. Word spread Greek Theater for “Comes a Time,” a celebration of the across the internet about the Rex Community Caravan, creative and humanitarian legacy of Jerry Garcia and and new riders joined our philanthropic journey. This report the Grateful Dead. Black Tie-Dye Balls in New York and describes the 2005 Rex Awards and Grants, events and Washington, DC, initiated new relationships with grassroots fundraising activities, and collaborations. Mercy Corps Mercy Corps Mercy / / / Photo: Henry McInnis / Sunday Mail Photo: Cassandra Nelson Cassandra Photo: Nelson Cassandra Photo: West Sudan, Darfur Refugee Camps RALPH J. GLEASON AWARD BILL GRAHAM AWARD JERRY GARCIA AWARD In memory of music journalist Ralph J. Gleason, a In memory of pioneering producer and founding Rex In memory of Grateful Dead guitarist and founding Rex major fi gure in the advancement of music in America in board member Bill Graham, himself a refugee, this award board member Jerry Garcia, this award is designed to the 1960s, whose openness to new music and ideas tran- is for those working to assist children who are victims honor and support individuals and groups that work scended differences between generations and styles. of political oppression and human rights violations. to encourage creativity in young people. WWOZ-FM Mercy Corps (MC) Marsh Youth Theater (MYT) WWOZ is a community radio station Mercy Corps alleviates suffering, MYT provides high quality theater established to serve the musicians poverty and oppression by helping arts education to San Francisco youth of New Orleans. Its mission is to people build secure, productive with a focus on outreach to children celebrate the cultural diversity of and just communities. The Award living in the multicultural Mission the city and its surrounding regions is in support of work in Western District. The theater brings to the through music and information. In Sudan’s Darfur region, where MC Mission community a much needed the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, is providing essential humanitarian intensive and unique integrated arts WWOZ is committed to create the assistance to internally displaced education program year round. At means to advocate for the music cul- Sudanese in the refugee camps, the core of all Marsh programs is the ture of New Orleans. The station is improving sanitation and hygiene, belief that if each individual is given establishing a news service for their distributing relief items, providing the tools, technique and venue to be website and broadcast/streaming protection and skill-building ac- successful in one venture, the seeds operations in order to keep displaced tivities for women and creating safe are planted to build a fundamental musicians informed and connected. places for children to learn and play. belief in one’s ability for success. 1008 North Peters Street, New Orleans, LA 70116 Dept. W, PO Box 2669, Portland, OR 97208-2669 1062 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110 • 504-382-1239 • www.wwoz.org • 202-463-7383 • www.mercycorpsdc.org • 415-826-5750 • www.themarsh.org From the Executive Director Recently I was asked about my vision of the future of the Rex Foundation given that our origins are so tied to the Grateful Dead and the support of Deadheads. My smile broadened as I reflected on the last 4+ years of renewal, particularly all that happened in 2005, and what these experiences signify for the future. Furthering a Tradition of Grassroots Giving Since December 2001, when we launched the renewal of the Rex Foundation BOARD OF DIRECTORS with The Healing Power of Music at the Warfield Theater in San Francisco, we Bob Weir have raised $1.1 million and granted $676,000 to 109 grassroots programs across Cameron Sears Sage Scully the U.S. and internationally. Adding to the base of grant making that occurred John Scher between 1984 and 1995, the Rex Foundation has now granted $8 million to over Cliff Palefsky Roger McNamee 1,000 programs. Nick Morgan John Leopold With our renewal efforts we have endeavored to create events which raise Michael Klein Rosalie Howarth funds for grant making while also fostering community connection, creativity Mickey Hart Freddy Hahne and collaboration for social change. The renewal seeds we have been planting Carolyn Garcia these last few years are flowering. What is most heartening is that we are not Andy Gadiel Stefanie Coyote only continuing to connect with the musicians and Deadheads already familiar Barry Caplan with our work, but also, and increasingly, with the new generation of musicians, Diane Blagman Steve Bernstein fans and philanthropic organizations who want to be part of our efforts. Bill Graham (1984 – d.1991) Jerry Garcia (1984 – d.1995) As you read through this report you will see the different ways we have con- ADVISORY BOARD nected with people to create collaborations that fund vital grassroots programs Bill Walton like those described here, and bring us together as a grassroots philanthropic Jon McIntire Larry Brilliant community. The added spark in these activities is the quality of the musical Bernie Bildman experiences generated by the creativity and positive energy of the musicians, John Perry Barlow EMERITUS – Hal Kant who generously contributed their time and talents to participate in our Black EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Tie-Dye Balls and the Comes A Time benefit. Sandy Sohcot Administration Because of the successes of our 2005 endeavors, we granted $110,000 during the Chris Meharg year and began 2006 by distributing another $85,000. Each of you receiving this Writer: Barbara Saunders report is in some way responsible for these successes. As you look at the phrase Volunteers: Alan Trist sitting beside our logo – Furthering a Tradition of Grassroots Giving – take credit Brooke McKinney for being part of what we are doing to continue what the Grateful Dead and fans started at that first Rex benefit concert in the spring of 1984. I look forward The Rex Foundation is named after Rex Jackson, to traveling the road ahead with you on the virtual bus of the Rex Community a Grateful Dead roadie and later road manager until Caravan. – Sandy Sohcot his untimely death in 1976 Mission Statement HOW REX WORKS The Rex Foundation continues to embody the spirit of generosity and concern that evolved The Rex Foundation has no in the culture of the Deadheads and the Grateful Dead, aiming to help secure a healthy paid board members. Virtually environment, promote individuality in the arts, provide support to critical and necessary all of our grant recipients are social services, assist others less fortunate than ourselves, protect the rights of indigenous selected through the personal knowledge and outreach of our people and ensure their cultural survival, build a stronger community, and educate chil- decision makers – as a result, dren and adults everywhere. grant requests are not solicited. We have no application forms Guiding Principles and Values and no published guidelines. • We respect traditional wisdom cultures. Grants are made once or • We respect individual rights and differences. twice a year, and our report • We are willing to take risks and trust people. is published annually. • We help people who are helping others and are trying to make a difference. • We help people develop bold new solutions to problems. REX FOUNDATION • We benefit the broader community and the broader good. P.O. Box 29608 • We practice inclusiveness and open-mindedness. San Francisco, CA 94129 • We support organizations committed to grassroots action. (415) 561-3134 • We seek to identify entities doing good work that might otherwise be overlooked. www.rexfoundation.org • Our support helps beyond direct funding by boosting the visibility of the recipient’s work. • We want to be an agent of change, to help leverage greater impact. Federal ID # 68 0033257 • We are non-partisan. PRINTED ON • We promote an active, informed citizenry. Vanguard Ecoblend • The Foundation is an efficient conduit for supporting the community. 25% Hemp + 75% PCW • Being part of the Rex Foundation is enjoyable. Living Tree Paper Company • We carry on the best of the spirit of the 60’s to create a more harmonious world. Partnerships for Grant Making REX EVENTS – A MUSICAL YEAR This year, Rex expanded a partnership with The Libra The Rex Foundation held three very special benefit Foundation, a family foundation that aims to unite the concerts in late 2005, furthering endeavors to host global struggle for human rights with U.S. social justice events in cities throughout the United States. In the work. The Libra Foundation’s grant of $30,000 was for Bay Area, the Jerry Garcia Estate LLC partnered with grassroots programs in California working on sustain- the Rex Foundation for a one-of-a-kind celebration able agriculture, environmental justice, and environ- of Jerry Garcia’s music and spirit. In Washington, mental preservation, conservation and restoration. Rex DC and New York City, Rex collaborated with local also received grants from two other family foundations volunteers and businesses to produce Black Tie-Dye to support youth in San Francisco and environmental Ball events and identify beneficiaries in those regions. sustainability in California. Support from these founda- During the last few months of the year, images from tions represents recognition by the philanthropic com- Hurricane Katrina’s destruction reminded us all of the munity of the Rex Foundation’s track record for iden- universal importance of community, compassion and tifying worthy programs that larger, more traditional respect for people beyond our immediate circles.