For Aric Steinberg, stepping up to help musicians was an easy decision. He first arrived as a volunteer with the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund 15 years ago and hasn’t regretted it one bit.
“I started as a volunteer and learned about this vulnerable community,” Steinberg recalled. “I really fell in love with the mission.” Now, as an Executive VP of the nonprofit, he’s a big part of the work of helping musicians in need. Specifically, the “vulnerable” communities he mentioned are those with significant illnesses, the physically or mentally disabled, or the elderly who are in need.
It all started in 1994 after singer-songwriter Victoria Williams was forced to drop out while on tour with Neil Young. After a lengthy process, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. A group of friends released a star-studded album of Williams’ songs – “Sweet Relief” – and that phrase would become the name of the charity she’d create with a portion of the album's proceeds. Surely, she realized that many other performers faced debt following medical diagnoses and other unfortunate life events.
“It’s our 30-year anniversary this year,” he explained. When the charity began, it was strictly for musicians, but the scope expanded to include other music industry workers over time.
“We help anyone who makes most of their money in the music business and demonstrates financial need,” Steinberg said. According to the official mission statement, clients seeking grants may include “recording artists, club and session musicians, composers and songwriters from across the country, road crew, agents, managers and many others.”
He explained that fans and music lovers are “terrific” as donors, but Sweet Relief funding primarily comes from larger entities within the music industry. All are welcome to help those who make the music that moves us!
Steinberg explained that Sweet Relief now has “genre” funds. These funds allow donors to earmark their donations to be used in a certain way. For instance, he explained, “Someone might want to donate and help just jazz musicians. The long-awaited ‘bluegrass fund’ just launched.”
There are also specific category funds within Sweet Relief, such as a fund for those affected by cancer or for elderly musicians who are in poverty. “Elder” funds will help those struggling with necessities such as rent, food and clothing.
Donors can be assured that Sweet Relief resources are channeling properly and addressing actual needs. Aside from a period during COVID-19 when needs were more extreme and operating normally was more difficult, the charity makes sure that a third party is involved—a hospital, grocery store, or landlord would be a good example. Instead of giving their grant recipients cash, the needs are identified, and a medical bill might be paid directly or a grocery card purchased.
“We pay third parties; we don’t just cut checks to our clients,” Steinberg assured. “It definitely instills confidence in the donors.”
As a VP, Steinberg’s main gig is talking to artists, managers and others in the business about the Sweet Relief mission.
“We’re a small organization relative to some of the other players in this sphere,” he said, adding that all donations are appreciated. For those who want to help but lack resources, Steinberg suggested an easy, free way to help struggling musicians.
“Follow us on socials…and interact,” he advised. “Thumbs up” the messages of the group. Reply to posts online. Get involved in the conversation. “It really does skew the algorithms in our favor and help the cause.”
“If music has had an influence in your life,” he summarized, please consider donating to Sweet Relief.”
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