The Seattle World Tour Foundation was formed in 2017 with the goal of building a more equitable and healthy community by helping to provide funds and programs to underserved communities.

The foundation brings together artists, businesses and community members through events, programs and concerts such as the annual Seattle World Tour concert series. The annual concert series has raised more than $ 10,000 for Mary’s Place, which helps women and families escape homelessness.

The foundation also raised thousands of dollars for the Rainier Valley Food Bank and the South King / Eastside County COVID Mutual Aid.

According to executive director Seth McDonald, the foundation just wanted to be able to provide financial assistance in times of crisis. The musicians-based foundation never expected to be in dire need of its own.

The music industry has been devastated by the COVID-19 closures. Although they were successful in raising funds to save local stages and concert halls, the artists themselves were mostly left in limbo without any financial assistance.

“Not only did the complete closure of the concert halls cut off earning a living, but for all of the artists we support with this project, it also interrupted their career trajectory to some extent,” McDonald said.

Rain City Relief is a new fundraising effort to provide financial assistance to 10 emerging Seattle artists and establish a long-term relief fund for Washington State musicians in need. Rain City Relief is producing a vinyl compilation featuring the selected artists, as well as 10 video performances that were filmed one year to the day when the concert halls were closed.

Thanks to a substantial investment from the Seattle-based Reef Company, all proceeds from the vinyl collection will go to the artists; 75% percent will go to supporting musicians on record and 25% of the profits will be set aside for the newly created Artist Relief Fund which will be a permanent fund for which artists can apply from January 2022.

The 10 artists selected for the vinyl collection are Chong the Nomad, Parisalexa, The Black Tones, Smokey Brights, Shaina Shepherd, Perry Porter, Ariana DeBoo, High Pulp, Beverly Crusher & All Star Opera. The pre-sale of the Vinyl compilation started on September 27 and will be available in December. Details and ordering information are available at www.RainCityRelief.com.