Sony Foundation reveals first grants, Fire Fight album hits $450k

The chart-topping Fire Fight charity album, released by Sony Music Australia on March 13, has now raised $450,000, TMN can reveal.

The Sony Foundation Australia has today also confirmed grants totalling $200,000 – in addition to the funds raised from album sales – for two youth-focused projects.

The Mallacoota Youth Group in Victoria and Ulladulla High School in New South Wales plan to roll-out Sanctuary spaces for young people to contribute to their community.

The money will also provide access to mentoring and support for recovery and resilience.

The grants announced today come from the $200,000 cheque presented in February to the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal by Sony Foundation ambassador Guy Sebastian.

Sony Music Australia boss and the foundation’s founding board director, Denis Handlin, and its CEO, Sophie Ryan, said they are “overwhelmed and humbled” with the generosity.

“We are continually reminded that the path to recovery in communities affected by the unprecedented bushfires is a long and challenging journey,” they said.

“Thank you also to the FRRR and its Board for the incredible work to enable us to contribute to the lives of so many young Australians.

“We hope these communities see the success of this funding and the special album as Australia’s way of saying we are standing by your side.”

The 23-track Artists Unite For Fire Fight features unique live recordings from every artist who performed at the historic Fire Fight concert for Australia’s bushfire-affected communities.

Major retailers JB Hi-Fi and Sanity also donated their margins from album sales.

Initial figures indicated the Fire Fight Australia concert raised $9.5 million, but promoters TEG Dainty and TEG Live have a final count. And it’s better than projected.

Organisers told TMN in May that $10.7 million has since been shared among a number of rescue, relief, recovery, rehabilitation and rebuilding efforts.

The final number means another $1.2 million was raised since the event on February 16.