Rex Foundation completes 2007 grant cycle

The Rex Foundation is Furthering a Tradition of Grassroots Giving by completing the 2007 grant cycle designating recipients for its three major foundation awards and grants.

Rex is proud to announce the Jerry Garcia Award to Jazz Masters Workshop. In memory of Grateful Dead guitarist and founding Rex board member Jerry Garcia, this award is designed to honor and support individuals and groups that work to encourage creativity in young people. Since 2000, JazzMasters Workshop has held 2,000 workshops for children of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. The program has a host of accomplishments, from assisting with admittance to schools, conservatories and summer camps, helping find scholarship assistance for needy students, acquiring musical instruments for talented young people without the resources to procure one and providing numerous performance opportunities.

Rex awards the Ralph Gleason Award to Allen Toussaint. This award is in memory of music journalist Ralph J. Gleason, a major figure in the advancement of music in America in the 1960s, whose openness to new music and ideas transcended differences between generations and styles. Allen Toussaint's work and art have never gone out of style and he has continued to mentor musicians and represent New Orleans in the finest fashion. Producer, songwriter, arranger, session pianist and solo artist, Allen Toussaint represents artistic excellence. His music crosses multiple generations and inspires new generations.


The Rex Foundation's Bill Graham Award has been designated to The Cambodian Children's Fund. In memory of pioneering producer and founding Rex board member Bill Graham, himself a refugee, this award is for those working to assist children who are victims of political oppression and human rights violations.The Cambodian Children's Fund (CCF) services Cambodia's poorest, undereducated and most vulnerable children by providing them with the care, education and training they need to reach their full potential. CCF seeks to create a safe, open place for children to thrive, learn and grow and to provide protection and support needed to overcome the barriers that prevent human development.

In addition to the three major awards, the Rex Foundation provided grants to thirty-two non-profit organizations. The list and description of grantees is at the web site linked at Rex 2007 beneficiaries.

The Grateful Dead was always known for generosity and the performance of numerous benefits. In the fall of 1983, the Rex Foundation was established as a non-profit charitable organization by members of the Grateful Dead and friends to further this tradition. The Rex Foundation enabled the Grateful Dead to go beyond responding to multiple requests for contributions, and proactively provide extensive community support to creative endeavors in the arts, sciences, and education. The first benefit concerts for the Rex Foundation were held in the spring of 1984 at the Marin Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium. Since 1984 the Rex Foundation has granted $8.2 million to some 1,000 recipients.

Continuing to embody the spirit of generosity and concern that evolved in the culture surrounding Grateful Dead concerts, the Rex Foundation is on a new path that seeks to include and engage many people. With activities that honor the spirit of community, service and creativity, Rex is building the funding necessary to carry out our mission. Thanks to the resounding response of so many generous supporters, since December 2001 we have granted $911,000 to 171 programs, across the United States and internationally. We plan to multiply our grant making each year so that we can once again support many grassroots programs across the United States and beyond that might otherwise be overlooked by mainstream funders, yet work in innovative and bold ways to bring about helpful solutions to challenging situations.

Freddy Hahne
Rex Foundation Board President