Band Together - YMCA Partnership Raises $1.3 Million

Concert marks nearly $8 Million raised for community through live musicRaleigh, N.C., May 8, 2016 — With one of its largest events to date, Band Together wrapped up its 2017 YMCA of the Triangle partnership on Saturday with a concert featuring Ben Folds before more than 3,500 concertgoers – and the presentation of a check to the YMCA.Band Together NC, a Triangle-based organization that uses live music as a platform for social change, has become the largest charitable music event in the Southeast since its inception in 2001. Including this weekend’s event, the organization has raised nearly $8 million for the Triangle community with our partners to date.North Carolina’s own Ben Folds headlined the show, which featured the classic rock-influenced The London Souls and winner of the 2017 Last Band Standing event, The Travers Brothership, as concert openers.“Saturday’s exciting event – and the money we raised – is a testament to the power of partnership philanthropy,” said Matt Strickland, executive director for Band Together. “Our original goal of $1 million was surpassed, thanks to a successful partnership with the YMCA of the Triangle, our dedicated fundraisers and a generous Triangle Community. We had a great night of friends, fun and music, as well as a celebration of our community and this partnership.”Proceeds raised this year will help develop a beacon campus that will include a YMCA wellness center, gym and an outdoor aquatics center. The facility will serve as a community hub to facilitate partnerships that will provide a variety of services, including wellness, nutrition, education, healthcare, affordable housing and more for families in Southeast Raleigh.“The Main Event, and our year-long partnership with Band Together NC, have exceeded our expectations,” said Doug McMillan CEO for the YMCA of the Triangle. “Thanks to Band Together, we’ve made significant strides in our efforts to raise support for a new Y facility and a range of services that will be offered on our YMCA Beacon Site in Southeast Raleigh. We are grateful to area music fans and generous donors who made this event a success.”Band Together and the YMCA of the Triangle are grateful for the generous support of corporate partners in the community such as Presenting Sponsors Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC and Cargill, and Title Sponsor Delta. Included as VIP Party Sponsors among the hundreds of additional sponsors are: Duke Raleigh Hospital; UNC Rex Healthcare; WakeMed Health & Hospitals; First Tennessee; Sonitrol; Medical Mutual Holdings; the Ann C. & C. Hamilton Sloan Family Foundation; SoftPro; the Starling Marine/Summer Rest Foundation; and, Eschelon Experiences. For a full sponsor list, visit our 2016-17 sponsor listing. (http://a10.05e.myftpupload.com/ways-to-give/current-years-sponsor/)“In addition to our sponsors and concertgoers, we owe a round of thanks to our dedicated Band Together volunteers and leaders,” said Strickland, “especially our two long-time volunteers and event co-chairs Seth Palmer and Aimee Foskie. And we could not meet our fundraising goal or organize such a successful event without the leadership of our board of directors and advisory board.”In 2018, Band Together will partner with Triangle Family Services on several signature live music events in the Triangle, to raise funds to close the mental health services and funding gap in our community and address family safety. To learn more about Band Together’s previous nonprofit partners or their events, visit www.bandtogethernc.org, become a fan on Facebook, join their LinkedIn group or follow @bandtogethernc on Twitter.###About Band Together NCBand Together NC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates under one mission: using live music as a platform for social change. Since its inception in 2001, the organization has grown to become the largest annual charitable music event in the Southeast, donating nearly $8 million to philanthropic organizations. Band Together’s annual concert event is organized and led by a team of more than 500 volunteers from across the Triangle.About YMCA of the TriangleFor more than 150 years, the YMCA of the Triangle has strengthened our community through programs for healthy living, youth development and social responsibility. The YMCA's Annual Campaign makes it possible for everyone to participate in Y programs regardless of their ability to pay. Learn more at www.YMCATriangle.org. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest.