The MBIRA Musicians Fund enables donors to make a tax-deductible donation, of which 100% is distributed to those with greatest need among 300 traditional musicians MBIRA works with throughout Zimbabwe. Many of these musicians live as subsistence farmers in villages. For some of them, this is the only cash they have during the year to meet essential expenses of their families.
Because Musicians Fund donations are combined with the musicians’ recordings royalties, they generate more self-repect than many other types of charity, and musicians feel proud that their music attracts such support. A village musician may report that he/she bought livestock, which is the equivalent of a savings account, as there are no banks in most of rural Zimbabwe – that animal can later be sold to pay for medical care or school fees when needed (and, if not, reproduce for better value than interest on a bank account).
Those musicians on MBIRA‘s recordings who wish to receive MBIRA Musicians Fund donations, in addition to their recordings royalties (which are often less than $50 each per year), show that they are teaching the next generation their traditional music skills. MBIRA documents this.
To donate to the MBIRA Musicians Fund, 100% of which is distributed to over 200 Zimbabwean musicians who earned less than $100 during the past year, note ‘Musicians Fund’ on your MBIRA donation (except during November and December, when all donations go to the Musicians Fund).
Thank you! YOUR donation is changing lives and supporting one of the world’s most complex and incredible musical traditions.