Spotify Launches Fundraising Feature for Artists

April 23, 2020 3 min read

This story originally appeared on PCMag

Spotify is making good on its promise to help connect creators with fans by launching the Artist Fundraising Pick. Musicians can raise money for themselves, their band/crew or another entertainer in need by simply adding a charity link to their Spotify profile.

“Just like artists can select any piece of music to highlight on their profile as an Artist’s Pick, they can now highlight a fundraising destination,” a company blog announcement said, boasting initial partners GoFundMe, PayPal.me and Cash App.

The latter, according to Spotify, “generously” established a $1 million relief effort during the global pandemic: U.S.- and UK-based artists who submit a “$cashtag” username as their fundraising pick — and secure at least one contribution of any size — can earn an extra $100 from Cash App, up to a collective total of $1 million.

“I’ve been using Cash App to raise money for a while, but now that listeners can contribute through Spotify, it’s going to make a big difference,” musician Tyrese Pope said in a statement. “With touring now impossible, it’s never been harder for artists to make ends meet, so the extra contributions … will really help when we need it most.”

Last month, the streaming platform introduced its Music Relief project, which recommends verified organizations that offer financial relief — including Help Musicians, MusiCares and the PRS Foundation. Listeners can click the donate button below the organization of their choice to give directly; Spotify will match public contributions dollar-for-dollar, up to $10 million.

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“I’ve seen lots of my fellow musicians lose work due to the current situation. Most of us don’t know when we will be able to go back to work,” Swedish singer Benjamin Ingrosso, canvassing for Musikerförbundet, said. “Music is something that always helps us in rough times like these, as well as being there with us to celebrate all the happy moments. I’m hoping that this fundraising … can help us get through this and get us back up on the stage, when all of this is over, to bring happiness to people with live music again.”

Spotify for Artists admin users can select “Get Started” on the banner at the top of their dashboard to submit their Fundraising Pick. Listeners, meanwhile, can visit a participating musician’s page to make a contribution.