Santa Monica, CA. (Top40 Charts/ Recording Academy) - Multi-GRAMMY-nominees Death Cab for Cutie have joined the GRAMMY Foundation (www.grammyfoundation.com) and Do Something (www.DoSomething.org) to launch Key Change Grants, a program created by students attending the 2008 GRAMMY Camp that encourages young people to create and promote social change through music.
Key Change Grants join the forces of the GRAMMY Foundation - a nonprofit institution that influences the lives of young people by opening the windows of opportunity that music can provide - with Do Something - a nonprofit organization that inspires, empowers and celebrates young people to take action in their communities.
"We know firsthand about music's power to help transform important issues," said Death Cab's bassist Nick Harmer. "When we heard about Key Change Grants, we wanted to be part of this unique partnership that will put the power for change directly in the hands of young people."
The program will award a total of $25,000 to young people across North America for grassroots projects in their communities that use music to foster social change. Twenty finalists will each receive a $500 community action grant to further develop their projects and ideas. Five grand prize winners will be chosen by a panel of music industry professionals. They will take home grants of $3,000 for their projects and be flown to Los Angeles for three nights where they will attend the 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. Grant applications are currently online at www.DoSomething.org and are open to all U.S. and Canadian citizens age nineteen and under. The deadline to apply is December 15, 2008 and winners will be announced on Jan. 9, 2009.
"Music has long been a powerful tool of revolutions for change," said the GRAMMY Foundation's Sr. Vice President Kristen Madsen. "Key Change Grants encourage young people to use something they love - music - to improve their communities. Do Something is a natural partner for us on this project, given its successful history of working with artists to inspire youth to make a difference. And we are very pleased that Death Cab is helping us draw attention to this exciting new program."
"Young people aren't just tomorrow's leaders; many of them are doing amazing things right now. All they need are the resources to make it happen," said Nancy Lublin, CEO of Do Something.
