PRS Emergency Relief Fund raises over £2.1 million for songwriters and composers
Over 3000 songwriters and composers helped so far
PRS for Music, the organisation which represents the rights of songwriters and composers in the UK and across the globe, announced today that the PRS Emergency Relief Fund has raised over £2.1 million to help its members severely financially impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Since its launch in March, the PRS Emergency Relief Fund, formed in collaboration with PRS for Music’s charity partners PRS Foundation and PRS Members’ Fund, has helped over 3000 songwriters and composers, with more than £1.2 million paid out so far.
To further fundraising efforts and raise awareness of the PRS Emergency Relief Fund, PRS Presents LCKDWN, a 24-hour virtual gig featuring over 50 artists took place online from midday (BST) on Friday 24 April. Viewers from more than 60 countries tuned in to see the likes of Tom Walker, Big Narstie, Alfie Boe, Nadia Rose, Joy Crookes, Katie Melua, Nitin Sawhney, Roachford, Linda Perry, Black Futures, KT Tunstall, D.J S.K.T, Oscar Jerome, Yizzy, Tim Wheeler (Ash) and Shadow Child perform.
Throughout the virtual gig, music royalty including Melanie C, Nick Mason CBE (Pink Floyd), Joan Armatrading, Anastacia, Chris Difford (Squeeze), Rick Wakeman (Yes), Gary Numan, Peter Gabriel, Imelda May, Muff Winwood, actor and comedian Matt Lucas, and classical composer Howard Goodall CBE all sent through video messages in support for the cause and those performing as part of PRS Presents LCKDWN.
We have seen first-hand the difference the PRS Emergency Relief Fund has made and I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has donated so far. Our members are under threat as many parts of the music scene grind to a halt. They need to eat, support their families and pay rent – without industry support the future is challenging during this terrible time. Together we can get through this.
It has been inspiring to see so many people in our industry and beyond getting behind the PRS Emergency Relief Fund. The PRS Members’ Fund has provided support to songwriters and composers for over 80 years and we’re proud that we can continue to do so throughout this incredibly trying time for all.
The PRS Emergency Relief Fund has helped thousands of music creators since the pandemic began. Thank you, PRS, for helping to keep music alive.
More than £38,000 has generously been raised and donated to the PRS Emergency Relief Fund by the general public and PRS for Music staff, with other substantial donations coming from companies across the music industry.
Over half of all money raised for the PRS Emergency Relief Fund has been donated by PRS for Music’s charity partner, PRS Members' Fund.
Originally formed in 1934 to support songwriters and composers during the Great Depression, PRS Members’ Fund has served PRS for Music members in times of crisis for over 80 years. Thanks to its supporters, the charity helps those in need with financial, physical and emotional support, through emergency grants and immediate assistance with sheltered housing, health checks, and counselling.
You can watch performances from PRS Presents LCKDWN again for a limited time here.
Applications for the PRS Emergency Relief Fund will open again soon.
About PRS for Music
Here for music since 1914, PRS for Music is a world-leading music collective management organisation representing the rights of more than 175,000 talented songwriters, composers and music publishers. Redefining the global standard for music royalties, PRS for Music ensures songwriters and composers are paid whenever their musical compositions and songs are streamed, downloaded, broadcast, performed and played in public.
For 110 years it has grown and protected the rights of the music creator community, paying out royalties with more accuracy, transparency and speed. In 2023, PRS for Music paid out £943.6m in royalties and collected a record £1.08 billion in revenues. prsformusic.com
About PRS Foundation
Since 2000 PRS Foundation has given more than £44 million to over 8,500 new music initiatives. 9 out of 12 Mercury Prize 2022 nominees had received PRS Foundation support (including the winner Little Simz) and the charity has supported BRITS, RPS, AIM and Ivors Award-winners.
PRS Foundation supports outstanding talent from all backgrounds, covering the whole of the UK and all genres, with grantee success stories including Little Simz, Wolf Alice, Dave, Sam Fender, Years & Years, AJ Tracey, Anna Meredith, Yola, Glass Animals, Ezra Collective, Jade Bird, Ghetts, Shiva Feshareki, Sarathy Korwar, Floating Points, Nadine Shah, The Fanatix, Imogen Heap, IDLES, Kae Tempest, Kojey Radical and Emily Burns.
Widely respected as an inclusive, collaborative and proactive funding body, PRS Foundation supports an exceptional range of new music activity through direct grants to music creators and through support for pioneering organisations, including venues, festivals, promoters and other talent development organisations. PRS Foundation founded the Women Make Music fund, co-founded global gender equality initiative, Keychange and most recently launched the POWER UP initiative to tackle anti-Black racism in music. www.prsfoundation.com
About PRS Members’ Fund
The PRS Members’ Fund supports songwriters, composers and their families in times of need. For over 80 years, thanks to the generosity of supporters, it has been able to provide help to songwriters and composers who are struggling financially, physically or emotionally– whether it be immediate assistance with finances, housing, mental or physical health issues, career advice, counselling, or coaching. In 2019, PRS Members’ Fund awarded 1,198 grants totalling £440,380 to beneficiaries in the UK and beyond. Over the last ten years, the registered charity has awarded £5.1 million in grants and loans. Originally formed in 1934 to support songwriters and composers during the Great Depression, PRS Members’ Fund continues to work closely with its founder, PRS for Music to empower its creative community in times of crisis. Find out more at www.prsmembersfund.com
