Furthering a Tradition of Grassroots Giving 2006 Annual Report In 2006, the Rex Foundation continued to build communi- Working with the International Convention on Human ty connections and strengthen its network, and engaged Rights and Bay Area youth arts programs, Rex com- in new collaborations. Notably, summer festivals around misioned a dramatization about human rights aimed at the country supported Rex with funding and an active incorporation in school curriculums. This report highlights presence. Bands enthusiastically particpated in benefits. the many meaningful connections and worthwhile results. RalpH J. GLEASon AWarD JErrY Garcia AWarD Bill GraHam AWarD In memory of music journalist Ralph J. Gleason, a In memory of Grateful Dead guitarist and founding Rex In memory of pioneering producer and founding Rex major figure in the advancement of music in America in board member Jerry Garcia, this award is designed to board member Bill Graham, himself a refugee, this award the 1960s, whose openness to new music and ideas tran- honor and support individuals and groups that work is for those working to assist children who are victims scended differences between generations and styles. to encourage creativity in young people. of political oppression and human rights violations. NOTC marching band in old New Orleans Teachers & students at Las Posadas Holiday Event IP founders Peter Neufeld and Barry Scheck New Old Time Chautauqua Los Cenzontles Mexican Innocence Project The New Old Time Chautauqua Art Center The mission of the Innocence Project seeks to build community through The mission of the center is to pro- is to provide post-conviction legal laughter, entertainment and educa- mote and provide a quality education assistance to people in prison whose tion. They aim to delight, educate, in Mexican art forms to the general claims of innocence can be proven amaze, and provoke the imagination public with an emphasis on youth, through DNA testing, and to bring of adults and children alike. Summer to sponsor cultural exchanges be- much needed tools and reforms Tours are usually three to six weeks tween the U.S. and Mexico and to to the criminal justice system. The long and the stay in each community develop community awareness and primary policy objectives are to is commonly about three days. Typi- responsibility through the arts. Los guarantee access to DNA testing, to cally events include a vaudeville Cenzontles provides weekly classes establish professional standards and show, workshops, a parade and in music, dance and arts and crafts independent oversight of crime labs a smaller community show. New in a variety of regional Mexican and and to prevent mistaken eyewitness Old Time Chautauqua is an entirely Latin styles. Los Cenzontles strongly identifications. The Innocence Proj- volunteer community whose goals believes that traditional culture ect forges common ground among are: to present programs to diverse should be a vehicle for deeper and all those affected: the wrongfully communities with a focus on under- more relevant modes of expression convicted and their families, crime served areas, to partner with local and achieves this by promoting both victims and their families, criminal groups to organize and present a strong technical approach to music justice professionals, and all others community events and to promote and dance as well as the social con- concerned with the fair and honest interaction within communities. texts for the traditions represented. administration of justice. 615 54th Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368 13108 San Pablo Avenue, San Pablo, CA 94805 100 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10011 360-385-2212 • www.chautauqua.org 510-233-8015 • www.loscenzontles.com 212-364-5356 • www.innocenceproject.org From the Executive Director On December 1, 2006 I had the privilege of welcoming a full house to a Warfield Theater benefit concert to enjoy Vibes for Peace – A Celebration of Music. That night marked, to the day, the 5th anniversary of our renewal endeavors. As I reflect on 2006 activities, I think of them in the context of all that has happened since that Furthering a Tradition of Grassroots Giving special launch benefit on December 1, 2001, The Healing Power of Music. BOARD OF DIRECTORS We have continued to plant seeds for a garden of connections that enable Rex to Bob Weir support many grassroots programs, while at the same time building a broad phil- Cameron Sears Sage Scully anthropic community grounded in the spirit of creativity. Those seeds have been John Scher sprouting, and their roots deepened in 2006. We granted $150,500 to 34 programs Cliff Palefsky Roger McNamee across the U.S. and internationally, and began 2007 with another $78,000 to 15 pro- Nick Morgan John Leopold grams. Since our launch we have granted $832,000 to 149 programs, for a grand Michael Klein total of $8.2 million to some 1,000 beneficiaries. In 2006, the first Rex Foundation CD Rosalie Howarth Mickey Hart was produced; Rex was a beneficiary at four summer music festivals; several family Freddy Hahne foundations chose Rex as a funding partner to support programs they might other- Carolyn Garcia Andy Gadiel wise have missed; and we held our 4th Black Tie-Dye Ball, which further deepened Kristin Dolan community ties among concert goers, in-kind contributors and local beneficiaries. Stefanie Coyote Barry Caplan Diane Blagman 2006 also included a new type of creative collaboration for Rex: The World As It Steve Bernstein Could Be – A Declaration of Human Rights. This collaboration brought together local Bill Graham (1984 – d.1991) youth art organizations to create a live production to dramatize the vision of uni- Jerry Garcia (1984 – d.1995) versal human rights through original compositions for theater, dance, spoken word ADVISORY BOARD Bill Walton and song. This initiative demonstrated the importance of the arts as a vehicle for Jon McIntire Larry Brilliant generating greater awareness about vital social issues, and the importance of sup- Bernie Bildman porting non-profit programs like those involved in this effort. With this project, in John Perry Barlow EMERITUS – Hal Kant addition to the benefits received from the programs themselves, the youth had the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR opportunity to learn about human rights and how their creative disciplines could Sandy Sohcot help convey what they learned. They also were given a voice and powerful role in ADMINistratioN Chris Meharg teaching others, in a way that will live on. Made possible because of the generous EVENTS Peter Kliegman support of corporate, foundation and individual sponsors, this endeavor connected VOLUNTEERS Alan Trist many segments of the Rex Foundation community. Casey Lowdermilk As you read through these pages, take satisfaction from all that your support and The Rex Foundation is participation has helped make happen. I am honored to be part of this special named after Rex Jackson, a Grateful Dead roadie community that demonstrates care for the greater good with such a unique com- and later road manager until bination of generosity, creative spirit and joyful connection. his untimely death in 1976 – Sandy Sohcot HOW REX WORKS Mission Statement The Rex Foundation has no The Rex Foundation continues to embody the spirit of generosity and concern that evolved in the cul- paid board members. Virtually ture of the Deadheads and the Grateful Dead, aiming to help secure a healthy environment, promote all of our grant recipients are individuality in the arts, provide support to critical and necessary social services, assist others less selected through the personal fortunate than ourselves, protect the rights of indigenous people and ensure their cultural survival, build knowledge and outreach of our decision makers – as a result, a stronger community, and educate children and adults everywhere. grant requests are not solicited. Guiding Principles and Values We have no application forms 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. Rex Foundation at Summer Festivals In 2006, Rex was designated a beneficiary at the follow- ing music festivals: Another Bear’s Picnic, Gathering of the Vibes, Grateful Fest, and for the second year in a row, the 10,000 Lakes Festival. We were also invited to participate at the Mountain Jam festival. In addition to receiving direct financial support, we had the opportunity to connect with musicians and fans, many of whom are part of the next generation that want to further what the Grateful Dead started. The Rex Foundation is grateful for the vision and generous support of the Festival producers and looks forward to participating in their 2007 festivals.... and many more. D ramatizing the S i g n i f i c a n c e o f t h e Universal Declaration of Human Rights Balboa High School performance of The World As It Could Be On December 10, 1948, the United Nations adopted and To encourage the creative arts and support non-profit proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.