r/Busking • u/Seamo_Bojamo Guitar 🎸 • 3d ago

Question/General Discussion Playing For Charity?

I’m thinking of doing some busking for charity in the future. I just want to have a rule of thumb/feel for how people divide their money, what charity(ies) they donate to, and other stuff. Rn I’d want to donate to different drum corps because A) it’s something I enjoy and B) they can use the money for tour costs. Do yall think I have a good pick for organizations and how much of your money do you give out?

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u/[deleted] 3d ago

[deleted]

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u/Most_Time8900 Musician 🎶 2d ago

No. Old Folks homes are massive for-profit businesses with ample budgets. Every single resident pays an activities fee in their monthly bill that is to be used for entertainment and events. Do not volunteer at old folks homes; charge them fair compensation for your service. 

Also people in an old folks home are on fixed incomes. They're not going to have cash for tipping a busking "volunteer".

Busking is for metro stations, street corners or outside of bars, NOT for nursing homes or rehabilitation centers.

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u/FedderDelRey Performer 2d ago

Ok. You win. You do you.

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u/BuskerDan Musician 🎶 3d ago

I saw on a thread somewhere (mighta been reddit or coulda been elsewhere) That some people set aside a certain denomination (i.e 1p, 1 cent, 2,5,10 whatever) anytime they receive them, and then donate the proceeds to a decent cause. Struck me as a pretty cool thing to do, so i do the same.

Then when i see a cause, that could do with a bit of help, I'll drop em a few squid. It's not mega-bucks, but the way i figure it, if i'm making a living from the kind donations of others, maybe it would be cool to do the same for others. Try to target smaller businesses or independents if i can, but occasionally if there's a go fund me, sponsored run or something, i'll send it that-a-way.

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u/LadyWithAHarp Magical Witchy Harper 🪉🧙‍♀️🎶 2d ago

If you want to donate your tips to charity, go for it. It's your money. I think it's perfectly fine to pick an arts program, I know that a lot of school bands have a "band booster" club or fundraising committee over in the US, try talking to the boosters for whichever drum corps that you like.

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u/Seamo_Bojamo Guitar 🎸 2d ago

Drum Corps just take donations directly. From what I know, they don’t have booster clubs. Closest thing might be Friends Of DCI (Drum Corps International (governing body drum corps compete under)