NPO’s first fundraising initiative raises much-needed money to feed families
in partnership with Howler
In less than two weeks since launching on 17 April 2020, the South African Fund 4 Entertainment (SAFE) has already raised R650,000 to help feed the hardest hit in the country’s entertainment and events industry.
As its first initiative to raise awareness of the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the industry, and to raise donations, SAFE and leading ticketing and cashless technology company, Howler, created and hosted the DreamStream this past weekend from 24-26 April 2020. The three-day live streamed festival featured 33 of South Africa’s best artists who performed from the safety of their own homes. They used their time and their talent to get thousands of people watching – and donating. The live event generated R500,000 in donations in just three days, adding to the R150,000 already raised.
DreamStream had over 50,000 viewers on the stream across the weekend (12,000 on the Friday, 20,000 on the Saturday and 18,000 on the Sunday), watching from 130 countries. At least 9,000 people got to experience the unique and fun theme rooms, which was integrated into the Howler Platform.
During the lockdown Howler has adapted its technology by creating one platform to enable organisers, DJs and performers to host dedicated streaming events and accept donations while working with video chat service, Zoom to create a two-way virtual experience. Zoom confirmed that they hadn’t seen anyone do something at this level on the platform, saying DreamStream was the largest Electronic Virtual Festival to date. This is another first for Howler and a milestone for an NPO not even a month old.
SAFE is now working to identify and verify the first batch of recipients amongst the thousands of funding applications received to date. SAFE has partnered with Pick ‘n Pay Feed The Nation to buy food vouchers for affected people and their families.
In a statement, SAFE and Howler thanked everyone who donated during its first round of fundraising: “Raising so much money through donations in just 12 days is testament to the incredible spirit and generosity of South Africans. Because of them, we are helping to feed people who are out of work – but also to help sustain our industry through this terrible time so that everyone in the industry can continue to produce the incredible events and experiences for fans everywhere.”
Fundraising efforts are ongoing and DreamStream is the first of many to feed those most in need in the entertainment industry.
You can help!
Donate! Party and festival goers, concert attendees, conference delegates, you the music-lover. You, the life and soul of the jol, who fuels the industry. If you attend events of any kind, you can help! Support any initiative on the SAFE platform. Whether hosted by your favourite DJ, band or event. Any donation will be accepted and your donation can make a big difference!
Donate to SAFE here: https://safefund.org.za/
Create your own initiative, streaming event or call to action. We’re calling on event organisers, festival promoters, concert promoters, MC’s DJs, bands, industry sponsors, suppliers, agencies, exhibitors, platforms, labels, publishers and venues.
Get your unique SAFE ticket link so your community can support the voucher campaign or to setup your own initiative right away or get a SAFE DonateQR, register on http://safefund.org.za.
We’re calling on all the brands and sponsors who have helped us to build this amazing industry. Engage with SAFE here: [email protected]
We’re calling on Government and corporates to step up and match donations. Commit to SAFE here: [email protected]
And, if you’re a business that has been affected or crippled by COVID-19 and you have many affected workers please apply on our website for support. Register on http://safefund.org.za to find out how SAFE can help you.
SAFE is an industry-wide initiative and proudly administered by E.L.E NPO IT021941/2014(6).
