SEATTLE, Washington — When thinking of Sting, immediate thoughts arise of his famous music career with The Police rock band, but that’s only touching the surface of his global impact. Sting has been involved with over 40 charities and foundations throughout his career. From supporting Elton John’s AIDS Foundation to helping save rainforests, Sting is an admirably philanthropic musician. The world has seen half a century of Sting’s philanthropy so far and it seems his efforts will only continue.
Sting’s Philanthropic Efforts
- Lyrics with a Purpose: Being a world-famous musician, Sting has used lyrics and song to raise awareness for global issues. “Driven to Tears” was released in 1980, showing Sting’s commitment to addressing world hunger. The song explains how people can afford technology but not food for the hungry. Seven years later in his 1987 single, “They Dance Alone”, Sting raised awareness for the innocent victims of the Pinochet regime in Chile.
- The Rainforest Fund: It all started with Raoni, an Indigenous leader of the Kayapó tribe asking Sting to help him and his people obtain legal rights to their traditional lands. Eventually, this request birthed the Rainforest Foundation Fund in 1989, founded by Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler. With many contributions all over the world, the Rainforest Fund grew, and in 1992, Sting fulfilled his promise to Raoni. A whole 30 years later, the Rainforest Fund continues to help Indigenous tribes all over the world, from Brazil to Papua New Guinea. The focus of the Fund includes supporting on-the-ground projects initiated by indigenous groups, dealing with land rights, forest protection, legal support, human rights protection, campaigning and advocacy.
- Benefit Concerts: Amnesty International’s famous benefit concert the Secret Policeman’s Ball in 1979, inspired Sting to mix concerts and humanitarian work. Through the years he has performed at and organized many benefit concerts. His first performance was the Secret Policeman’s Other Ball in 1981. Just some of his benefit performances include Amnesty’s Conspiracy of Hope Tour, Don Henley’s Concert for Walden Woods and Live 8. And of course, every year, Sting hosts a benefit concert for his own organization, the Rainforest Fund.
- Hope is a Game-Changer Project: In 2010, Sting partnered with Grassroot Soccer. Grassroot Soccer (GRS) uses the influence soccer has on adolescents in developing countries to educate. The organization uses soccer as a motivation to learn about pressing health issues. GRS partnered with Sting for the “Hope is a Game-Changer” project, through which GRS and its partners in six countries receive 10,000 indestructible soccer balls for use in programs. These indestructible balls are a symbol of hope but there are no handouts in the project. Every child and coach who receives a ball must earn it by getting educated about HIV prevention and other life skills.
- UNICEF: On October 24, 2011, Sting and his wife received UNICEF’s annual Children’s Champion Award. The Award is presented to public figures who strive to help UNICEF reach the day when zero children die from preventable causes. Over the years, Sting’s philanthropy has involved supporting UNICEF by hosting various benefit concerts to raise funds and awareness for UNICEF’s programs. “Sting and Trudie Styler truly embody the spirit of the Children’s Champion Award”, said President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, Caryl Stern.
For years, Sting has used his influence to help the world’s vulnerable. Through his celebrity platform, Sting’s philanthropy efforts raised millions of dollars to address global issues. Sting serves as an inspiration for others with similar platforms to do the same.
– Bailey Sparks
Photo: Flickr