Rob Thomas and Matchbox Twenty Donate $200,000 to Consortium for Worker Education

Strategic Insights -

Rob Thomas and the band Matchbox Twenty have donated $200,000 to the Consortium for Worker Education (CWE), a federally designated resettlement agency that has helped tens of thousands of workers displaced by 9-11. The money will be used for ongoing resettlement efforts from 9-11 and as seed money to amplify their existing program to the hurricane-ravaged Gulf region, where people are still without jobs, homes, and basic needs.

The band collected funds from conscientious fans in the wake of the 9-11 tragedies through the sale of merchandise at Hard Rock Cafes. They chose CWE as the recipient of the monies based on the success of its Emergency Employment Clearinghouse program.

Matchbox twenty's Paul Doucette stated, "After 9-11, we wanted to do something to help, so we began collecting funds. We raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, and when we learned about this organization we decided to donate our monies there because of their success in New York and their important work in re-settling those affected by Hurricane Katrina."

Rob Thomas will collect money at each concert on his 2006 summer tour to aid in the restoration of music education and instrument replacement in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. The program will be administered by CWE, who have been working with Louisiana officials since November to apply the same successful principles used in New York for 9-11 recovery.

Key Takeaways:

  • Rob Thomas and Matchbox Twenty donated $200,000 to the Consortium for Worker Education, a federally designated resettlement agency that has helped tens of thousands of workers displaced by 9-11.
  • The money will be used for ongoing resettlement efforts from 9-11 and as seed money to amplify CWE's existing program to the hurricane-ravaged Gulf region.
  • Matchbox twenty collected $200,000 from selling merchandise at Hard Rock Cafes after the 9-11 tragedies.
  • CWE's Emergency Employment Clearinghouse program has been successful in New York, and the band chose to donate their monies to CWE based on its success.
  • Rob Thomas will collect money at each concert on his 2006 summer tour to aid in the restoration of music education and instrument replacement in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.
  • CWE will administer the program, working with Louisiana officials since November to apply the same principles used in New York for 9-11 recovery.
  • The program will target high schools that were closed or disrupted by the hurricane and seek to aid in the re-implementation of music education throughout the region.
  • Any donation amount, no matter how small, is welcome, and fans who donate more than $10 dollars will receive a compilation CD of bands from New York City that donated their music to the relief effort.

Statistics:

  • $200,000: The amount donated by Rob Thomas and Matchbox Twenty to the Consortium for Worker Education.
  • 75 million: The number of records sold worldwide by Matchbox twenty.
  • 22 million: The number of copies of Matchbox twenty's albums sold worldwide.
  • 2003: The year Matchbox twenty played sold-out concerts at three of the world's premier venues, including New York's Madison Square Garden, London's Wembley Arena, and Los Angeles' Staples Center.
  • 2002: The year Matchbox twenty released their RIAA double-platinum album "MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE," which earned the band two Grammy nominations and two American Music Award nominations.

Sources:

  • Market Wire (May 30, 2006): Rob Thomas, matchbox twenty To Donate $200,000 To Consortium For Worker Education
  • [www.cwe.org](http://www.cwe.org): Consortium for Worker Education
  • robthomasmusic.com: Rob Thomas
  • Atlantic Records (2006): Rob Thomas and matchbox twenty Donate $200,000 to Consortium for Worker Education