The Rex Foundation was named Then that fateful moment arrived after the band’s early roadie and with the death of Jerry Garcia in road manager, Rex Jackson, a bigger 1995. The Grateful Dead ceased to than life benevolent human being exist. Direct funding of the Rex from Pendleton, Oregon. In 1983, Foundation from benefit concert with the band’s growing economic ticket sales ceased, as well. success, manager Danny Rifkin, conjured a model of philanthropy Fortunately, the music survived, that set the stage for many non- and the Rex Foundation profits that still exist today. The Board has committed to retaining Photo © Herb Greene Rex Foundation was conceived as the original mission and spirit. a way for the band to support Revenue from event ticket sales is The Grateful Dead evolved into an grassroots start-ups that were doing only one source of funding as we ensemble of highly accomplished “good work”. This model thrust explore creative ways to continue musicians of world renown, the Grateful Dead into being support of grassroots programs spawning a community with global proactive rather than being reactive helping the environment and perspective and positive influence. to benefit requests. Rex Foundation furthering the well-being of all The Dead played together for 30 people. years in venues ranging from open fields at county fairgrounds to Look at the Rex mission, the list beautiful outdoor amphitheaters of grantees and all of the good work throughout North America and produced from Rex grants over the Europe, including an historic three last 27 years. Consider the impact days in Egypt at the Pyramids the Rex Foundation has had on at Giza. humanity. In some cases, Rex grants helped change the world. The band grew to become the For most grantees, the recognition largest consistently grossing touring Rex Jackson: Photo © Rosie McGee and grant from the Rex Foundation act in the world in the late 20th is what made the difference. Century. The Grateful Dead left benefit concerts became legendary, quite a wake beside the blown enabling the Foundation to jump Furthering a Tradition minds and ringing eardrums of its start over 900 organizations, most of Grassroots Giving devoted followers. Testimony to of which still exist today. Fans who their legacy is the non-profit bought the tickets trusted the Rex Rex Foundation, the band’s Foundation made sound decisions philanthropic charitable effort that and granted the money wisely. continues to this day in spite of the fact that it was never endowed. Rex Awards: The World As It Could Be: The Foundation provides three The World As It Could Be Human awards annually. The Jerry Garcia Rights Education Program is an Award, The Bill Graham Award, outgrowth of a series of successful and the Ralph J. Gleason Award. initiatives carried out since 2006 Each award of $10,000 is typically to educate and inspire youth and granted to an individual or adults to further human rights for organization well grounded and all people. These initiatives have mature within their community. used the creative arts to deepen learning about the Universal Jerry Garcia Award: In memory Declaration of Human Rights of Grateful Dead guitarist and (UDHR); they have also given founding Rex board member Jerry participating youth the voice to Garcia, this award is designed to teach their peers and adults about honor and support individuals the importance of manifesting © Key-Z Productions and groups that work to encourage the UDHR words. With the creativity in young people. success of two years of pilot work at The new acid test is philanthropy. Balboa High School, Jerry Garcia’s You can Make the Difference. Bill Graham Award: In memory of alma mater, the project is now The Rex Foundation has four areas pioneering producer and founding poised to widely distribute high that support the good work people Rex board member Bill Graham, school curriculum that integrates are doing in this world to promote himself a refugee, this award is for the creative arts to deepen the positive change: Grassroots Grants, those working to assist children learning of the UDHR, as well as Rex Awards, The World As It Could who are victims of political to commission original productions Be, and Community Engagement. oppression and human rights where youth convey the importance violations. of the UDHR Articles, starting Grassroots grants: with the Right to an Education. Grants are provided to smaller non- Ralph J. Gleason Award: In profit organizations who often fall memory of music journalist Ralph Community Engagement: under the radar of larger funding J. Gleason, a major figure in the The Rex Foundation continues to sources. Grantees do essential work advancement of music in America engage the community of music in the areas that fall within the Rex in the 1960s, whose openness to lovers who so faithfully supported Foundation mission which are: new music and ideas transcended the Grateful Dead as well as secure a healthy environment, promote differences between generations contemporary musicians and their individuality in the arts, provide and styles. fans. Through our publications, support to critical and necessary social web and social network postings we services, assist others less fortunate than Would you or your organization seek to inspire awareness about the ourselves, protect the rights of want to be the sponsor providing issues our grantees address, and indigenous people and ensure their the resources for one or all three of how we can all help further positive cultural survival, build a stronger these awards? Consider how your social change. Through our live community, and educate children and donation can Let It Grow! events we seek to provide unique adults everywhere. Rex grants average musical experiences that foster $2,500 to $5,000 and often provide creativity and positive community funding at a crucial moment in connections while raising funds. time along with helpful foundation recognition. We are rich with experience! Though never endowed, Rex has granted almost $9 million to over 1,000 programs in the United States and internationally since 1983 with $1.2 million granted to 225 programs since 2001. The Rex Foundation invites you to help Make the Difference by supporting Grants, Awards, The World As It Could Be, and Community Engagement. Be part of this unique philanthropy that helps make the world better. Let’s continue the good work... RexFoundation P.O. Box 29608 San Francisco, CA 94129-0608 (415) 561-3134 Fed ID #68 0033257 email: [email protected] web: RexFoundation.org.