Phish Fans Donate $1 Million to Charity

In a story that we’re sure won’t get as much play as the Jones Beach Jumper, two incredible organizations founded and operated by Phish fans – The Mockingbird Foundation and The Mimi Fishman Foundation – have announced today that they have raised and distributed a combined $1,000,000 for charity. Not only should each board member of those organizations be extremely proud of themselves, but so should every Phish fan that has contributed to these most worthy causes.

Unlike many non-profits, both foundations are run on an all-volunteer basis with no salaries, paid staff or offices. As such, you can rest assured that nearly all of the money collected goes right to the people who need it.

Here’s more on each organization…

The Mockingbird Foundation was organized in 1996, by Craig DeLucia and a dozen other fans, to raise funds for music education for children through the publication of an encyclopedic book about Phish and its music. Expanding its efforts to include the cultivation and distribution of Phish-related intellectual property more generally, the Foundation has published two editions of a 900-page book, released a double-disc tribute album, produced a variety of tour-friendly merchandise, and re-launched the Phish.net website as a comprehensive database with a dozen mobile extensions. As a result of these efforts, as well as direct donations, the Mockingbird Foundation has been able to fund 193 grants (in 42 states) totaling over $613,000.

The Mimi Fishman Foundation was organized in 1998, by Mimi Fishman (mother of Phish drummer Jon Fishman) and family friend David Shulman, to raise funds for vision-related charities through online auctions of Phish-donated memorabilia. While expanding its focus of charitable giving to include women, children, and animal-related charities, the Foundation also expanded its musical reach by receiving donated auction items from other bands, including The String Cheese Incident, Yonder Mountain String Band, and Umphrey’s McGee. The Mimi Fishman Foundation has administered over 30 online auctions resulting in grants being made to 38 organizations totaling over $390,000. [Press Release]

Phish fans don’t exactly have the best reputation and these two foundations show that there’s much more to the fanbase than drugs and suicidal leaps. There are plenty of ways to contribute to each organization including bidding in a Mimi Fishman Foundation auction, buying the Phanatic iPhone app or donating money directly to each foundation’s coffers.

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