During his life LeRoi Moore, a founding member of the Dave Matthews Band, had regularly supported various social service organizations. A year after his death The LeRoi Moore Fund–established by the late saxophonist’s trust to ensure that his philanthropic activities would continue after his passing–has created three four-year college scholarship programs that will launch with the 2010-2011 academic year. The fund will also make annual contributions to the following charities: Toys For Tots, Habitat for Humanity, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.
Born in Durham, NC on September 7th, 1961, Moore died last year from complications stemming from an ATV accident.
“LeRoi was one of the most generous people I have ever met, although he was very private about it,” said Rit Venerus, Trustee of Moore’s estate.? It is great to see that his legacy of giving will live on.”? The LeRoi Moore Fund is administered by the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation.? The awards were announced on the eve of the late musician?s birthday on September 7.??
The Dave Matthews Band formed in 1991 and became the highest-grossing American touring act in history, The band has sold a collective 35 million units (CD and DVD combined) since 1994. Moore played bass, baritone, tenor, alto and soprano saxophones as well as the flute, bass clarinet, wooden penny whistle and oboe. Credited with arranging much of Dave Matthews Band’s music, Moore masterfully traversed jazz, funk, rock and classical styles.? In 1999, the band members formed The Bama Works Fund, which supports numerous humanitarian and environmental initiatives.
African Americans and Philanthropy
As Moore did during his life, many Black professionals donate to their favorite causes and/or volunteer their time and other resources.? However we tend not to use the term “philanthropy” instead we refer to our activities as simply “giving back,” “community involvement” or “activism.” While “giving back” time, money and other resources is something that many of us were raised to do, experts agree that still some education in this area is needed.? Several online sources have emerged to inform African Americans about our rich altruistic past and to instruct us on how we can continue our deep rooted tradition of giving. In particular an article called Strengthening the Legacy of Black Philanthropy?on Examiner.com by Karyn Brianne Watkins profiles several movers and shakers involved in African American Philanthropy including some of the sources mentioned below.
The Council on Foundations
The council features a study chronicling our philanthropic past from the first churches established by African Americans during the colonial times, to the establishment of the fraternities and sororities in the early part of the 20th century, to the celebrities and sports figures who began to give large gifts in the 1980s all the way up to the First National Conference on Black Philanthropy which convened in 1997.? The article is written by Mary-Frances Winters, President and Founder of The Winters Group, a 24-year-old organization development and diversity-consulting firm.
The Fabulous Giver Blog
This website offers lots of good information on how to make giving a part of your everyday life.? The post Turn Your Living Space into a Giving Space lists several easy ways we can be charitably minded.? For example the next time you have friends over ask them each to bring canned goods that can be donated to a local food bank.
Look to the Stars
Want to know if your favorite celebrity is socially minded??Look to the Stars catalogues the charitable and philanthropic activities of hundreds of celebrities.
