Share your cloud is my favorite non-profit. They take fun and music and activism and roll it all into one donating to and supporting many other nonprofits as well. Couldn't recommend them more.
Hi! I'm a founder and director of Advocates of Change, formerly known as Share Your Cloud.
Advocates of Change (name change from SYC pending approval) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization mobilizing and empowering the music community to positively impact our communities through art and activism. Our mission is to nurture our society and environment by empowering our peers through education, inclusive action, music, and the arts. By utilizing the passion and creativity of the music and arts community, we raise funds, goods, and awareness for humanitarian causes, while encouraging the arts and community activism. From our perspective, there are so many individuals that want to help, that want to create change, that want to impact their communities in a positive way; we are a platform for these inspired individuals. We want to inspire individuals just as individuals have inspired us.
We began as Share Your Cloud in the fall of 2014. Share Your Cloud was a result of conversations between friends and music enthusiasts about how to cultivate an atmosphere of activism within the music community. The first action was a clothing drive, and then a book drive, both hosted before Papadosio concerts. The response was incredible. The art raffle aspect was added for the Papadosio show in Cincinnati over Thanksgiving weekend of 2014. Friends graciously donated artwork for the raffle, we encouraged monetary donations in exchange for art giveaway tickets, and we kept it rolling from there…
After two years of sharing clouds, in fall of 2016, we decided to change our name to Advocates of Change. We feel that this name more accurately and directly portrays our mission and vision, while still holding on to our Papadosio roots.
In early 2017 we launched the Dream Out Loud grant program that will semi-annually award artists with funds to further their development and career as artists, especially as relates to inspiring and activating the community. A portion of proceeds from every fundraiser we host is allocated toward DOL. In July we awarded four applicants with grants totaling $2,100 for musical equipment, painting supplies, and education.
When we started this project three years ago, we had no idea it would develop as it has but believed strongly in our community’s power and desire to make a difference together. Our project has become a platform for real social change, powered entirely by the passion and creativity of this music and arts community. We’ve helped heal and protect the environment, given hope to medical patients through tangible community support, given children the opportunity to develop through art and music, clothed and fed thousands of people, and have given our community an accessible means to make a positive impact. Thousands of hours given by hundreds of people have taught us and so many others that we can do anything with love and determination.
Learn more about us at www.theadvocatesofchange.com!