RA Community Projects
We believe in the power of music to unite and inspire people to take action in their communities. This is a chronological overview of our community projects and fundraising to date. If you would like to discuss a community project, please email us here: [email protected].
Running total: £610,841
2024
RA Community Fund Pledge
In 2021 RA made an annual pledge of £50,000 to support free, not-for-profit projects benefiting the electronic music community, prioritising those which help underserved communities. This commitment was renewed in 2022, 2023 and will continue in 2024. All community projects are added to this page throughout the year. Projects funded directly by the Community Fund are labelled for transparency. If you would like to suggest, pitch or discuss a community project, please email us here: [email protected] to discuss our focus areas for 2024.
(£50,000 community fund)
Dig Deep for War Child
RA will host its pop-up charity record store, Dig Deep at ADE. All proceeds from the October 18th event in Amsterdam will go to War Child.
RA x Harm Reduction workshop CDMX
In September, RA hosted a free CDMX harm-reduction workshop. Partnering with Instituto RIA, the event took place at Studio Berlin.
(Funded via the Community Fund)
RA x UMA workshop
In September, RA and UMA announced free workshops hosted by Ricky Tinez. The classes focused on studio production and live performance.
(Funded via the Community Fund)
RA x Dekmantel Conference
In August, RA hosted a free day of panels, workshops and screenings at Dekmantel Festival 2024.
RA x RSO
In August, RA hosted a day of talks and workshops at Berlin club RSO’s Wall to Wall festival.
RA x Dimensions workshops
In July and August 2024, RA and Dimensions announced three workshops taking place in East London. DjRUM, James Andrew and Saoirse led a mix of production and DJ sessions.
RA x Dekmantel Festival football tournament
RA in partnership with Dekmantel Festival hosted a charity football tournament at Skatecafe raising funds for War Child.
RA x Doors Open: Unlocked with Mutual Friends
In June, Doors Open and creative content agency Mutual Friends launched a four-week online series for aspiring freelance content creators.
(This project was funded by Doors Open, RA’s not-for-profit opportunities platform)
RA x BASEMENT x Wire Festival: The Artist Visa Guide
RA in partnership with BASEMENT and Wire Festival created a website to help overseas acts apply for a long-term US artist visa. The free online handbook features essential information, FAQs and best practices.
RA x Building Beats LA
In June 2024, RA partnered with the LA arm of the non-profit Building Beats. This organisation provides DJ and music programs teaching entrepreneurial, leadership and life skills to underserved youth in the city. The partnership took 15 students to Serato Studios and Dublab Radio, where they interviewed guest speakers and were shown how to use radio production equipment.
($1740 donated to the project via the Community Fund)
Mickey Zoggs
In May 2024, RA made a donation to Noods Radio’s crowdfunder to help save the home of the station, Mickey Zoggs.
(£550 donated to the project via the Community Fund)
RA x AVA with Bitter Babe
In May, RA hosted a free DJ workshop with Bitter Babe as part of Belfast’s AVA Festival.
RA x Underground Music Academy
In May, RA, Detroit Techno Foundation & Underground Music Academy (UMA) returned to Movement Festival to present an exhibition exploring some of the Detroit electronic music community’s most impactful heroes.
($5,000 donated to UMA via the Community Fund)
RA x Doors Open: Unlocked Berlin
In May, RA and Doors Open launched the Berlin edition of Unlocked in partnership with Refuge Worldwide. Unlocked is Doors Open’s free music careers development event, formerly known as Access All Areas.
(This project was funded by Doors Open, RA’s not-for-profit opportunities platform)
RA B Corp Certified
As of April 2024, we are B Corp certified, furthering our commitment to being a force for good and advocating for a more inclusive and equitable electronic music community. Our commitment to sustainability, environmental and social impact shapes our approach to our work and company culture.
RA x Listen Festival
In March 2024, RA hosted a sound design workshop led by aya at Listen Festival in Brussels.
Forward in Sound
In March 2024, RA and Doors Open launched the second edition of the collaborative project, Forward in Sound, along with an online webinar and Q&A demystifying the role of the sound engineer for prospective applicants and anyone interested in learning more about the profession. Forward in Sound will see 6 participants undertake Saffron’s live sound engineering course and work experience placements at The Shacklewell Arms and 93 Feet East.
(£7,242 projected costs, funded by Doors Open)
RA x Santuri
In March 2024, RA partnered with Santuri for East Africa's first music summit Kilele. Kilele was a 7-day event that combined music tech workshops with presentations on the future of music, avant-garde showcases and installations, and afterparties. The event featured both international and local talent with artists such as KMRU, Nyokabi Kariũki, MC Yallah, Coco Em, Kampire and many more making appearances.
(£2,500 donated to the project via the Community Fund)
RA x Sable Studios
In February and March, RA partnered with Sable Studios in Leeds to produce a free workshop series aimed at Black and PoC young people in West Yorkshire. Topics included: Making it as a DJ; Documenting the Dance, which centred on nightlife photography; Cultivating Community; and two DJ workshops with Iyesha and Kessie.
(£4,000 donated to the project via the Community Fund)
RA x The Loop
On 21st February 2024, RA and The Loop ran a free online workshop for promoters focusing on drugs used in the nighttime economy and harm reduction responses.
(£300 donated to The Loop via the Community Fund)
RA x NTIA
On February 8th 2024, RA editor Katie Thomas interviewed Keith Reilly, cofounder of fabric, for the RA Exchange. The conversation celebrated fabric's longevity and told the origin story of the club.
RA x AVA
In February 2024, RA hosted three workshops at AVA London: a label workshop with TraTraTrax and a radio and two radio workshops in collaboration with Foundation FM.
Reprezent Radio
In February 2024, RA made a donation to Reprezent Radio’s crowdfunder.
(£2,500 donated to the project via the Community Fund)
Pitch workshops
On January 31st, February 28th and March 13th RA and Pitch Music & Arts hosted three DJ workshops led by Moopie, Kia and Sally C respectively. The sessions were aimed at beginner and intermediate level DJs and took place at High Note and Hope St Radio.
2023
RA Booking Fees
RA booking fees donated to charity events run by local promoters in 2023.
(£19,706 donated to multiple charities from RA Tickets)
Choose Love Fundraiser
In December 2023, RA partnered with Choose Love and Dance for Gaza to organise a fundraiser at The Cause for Medical Aid Palestine and Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. A huge thanks to all of the DJs that performed on the night: Ahadadream, Angel D'lite back-to-back Corporeal Face, Benjamin D, Blackeye MC, Chloé Robinson, Elle Andrews back-to-back Jon K, Dan Shake, Jeneen back-to-back Taymour, Kasra V, Leon Vynehall, Mantra back-to-back Double O, Martelo, Michelle Manetti, Parris back-to-back re:ni, Rohan Rakhit, Sammy Herzella, Shivum Sharma, Soho, Tasha back-to-back MJK, Tim Reaper and TSVI.
(£4,200 donated to Medical Aid Palestine and PCRF from ticket sales)
Staff Donations
In December 2023, RA matched staff donations to Medical Aid Palestine and Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.
(£1,000 donated to Medical Aid Palestine and PCRF)
RUDA
RUDA was an initiative supported by RA and developed by Échele Cabeza and ECO in Bogotá. The aim of the project was to build a shared understanding of gender-based violence in electronic music communities in Bogotá. Gathering people from diverse backgrounds, it consisted of a focus group session to share experiences and develop a solutions based approach for safer spaces for the LGBTIQ+ community within electronic music communities in the city. The Spanish report published with the findings from the focus group can be read here (a translation will follow in 2024).
(This project was supported by the Community Fund)
RA Community Connections Miami
In December, RA held a Community Connections event in Miami. The event featured a free vinyl DJ workshop led by Hilltronix along with a free panel discussion on Miami’s place in dance music history with speakers: Danny Daze, Jubilee, Nick León and Romulo Del Castillo, moderated by Nyshka Chandran.
Dig Deep
RA and The Right To Dance hosted a free pop-up charity record shop ‘Dig Deep’ in London on the 25th and 26th of November at East London venue All My Friends. All proceeds went to War Child with 2023 marking the charity's 30th anniversary.
(£12,207 raised for War Child)
Clubs and venues in Mexico City unite
Clubs and venues in Mexico City united to help those affected by Hurricane Otis in October. A charity event was hosted in Mexico City to gather vital resources for the people of Guerrero. RA was involved alongside several local collectives such as Ext., Por Detroit, Terminal CDMX, Algo Bien, Lapi and Tumulto.
($1,000 donated to the project via the Community Fund)
RA x C2C Talks
In November, RA and C2C Festival hosted co-presented an afternoon of talks. The free-to-attend programme included a journalism workshop, a Playing Favourites with Sangre Nueva and a Live RA Exchange with Crystallmess.
RA x Bridges for Music
Bridges For Music's ADE Cycle, a 500-KM charity voyage from London to Amsterdam, returned in October to raise money for the Bridges for Music Academy in South Africa’s Langa township which supports 200 students annually. Launched in 2014 by RA, the ADE Cycle is now run by Bridges For Music, previous editions have raised more than £250,000.
(This project was supported by the Community Fund)
SaveTheNight Fund
In October, RA collaborated with fabric to connect people all over the world with Jägermeister’s SaveTheNight fund in a bid to find people with innovative ideas for improving the nightlife landscape and grant them the necessary cash to bring them to life.
RA x Mutek MX
In October, RA hosted a free, Spanish-language music journalism workshop.
RA Community Connections Toronto
In October, RA travelled to Toronto for Community Connections. The free event took place at Standard Time and featured a harm-reduction workshop hosted by Pieces to Pathway, a peer-led harm-reduction initiative and substance use support programme housed by Breakaway Community Services. The workshop was followed by a mixer curated by local station ISO Radio.
RA x Doors Open: Access All Areas
In October, RA hosted the second edition of Access All Areas, a free music and career development project which took place at the Rose Lipman Community Centre. The sessions were geared towards helping attendees better understand the music industry ecosystem and identify possible career paths.
(This project was supported by Doors Open)
RA x Unsound
In October, RA hosted a free broadcast journalism workshop, a panel on the economic dynamics of dance music culture and a live RA Exchange with SHERELLE as part of Unsounds’ 2023 edition. There was also additional journalism workshops in collaboration with Borshch Magazine’s Mariana Berezovska.
RA Community Connections Glasgow
In September, RA travelled to Glasgow for Community Connections. The free event hosted a beginner-friendly DJ workshop with Miss Cabbage at queer venue Bonjour, and presented a live podcast recording of The Dolls Discuss by TAAHLIAH and Lourdes at Stereo.
(This project was supported by the Community Fund)
RA x Circle of Live
In September, RA partnered with Circle of Live “In Bloom” to offer two artist mentorship scholarships. The programme is taught by award-winning composer, producer and live artist Sebastian Mullaert.
(This project was supported by the Community Fund)
RA x Dekmantel Conference
In August, RA and Dekmantel Festival hosted the sixth edition of the conference at the EYE Film Institute. The free event included a broadcast journalism workshop, two production workshops with Martyn and Ikonika, followed by a label workshop led by Bitter Babe and Verraco of Tratratrax.
RA x Martyn 3024
In August, RA and Martyn hosted a work-in-progress production workshop at the Berlin office. Taking place on August 9th, the free-to-attend session accommodated 15 participants and was open to producers of all skill levels.
(This project was supported by the Community Fund)
RA x Bodymovements
In July, RA and London queer festival Body Movements collaborated on a series of free workshops and discussions including a beginners introduction to DJing with Adonis resident J. Aria, a masterclass from Body Movements cofounder Saoirse and an introduction to impact play from sex-positive event series Slut Social.
(£500 donated to London Trans+ Pride)
RA x Refuge Worldwide
In July, RA and community radio station Refuge Worldwide announced four, free music industry workshops in Berlin taking place in July and August.
(This project was supported by the Community Fund)
RA x Krake Festival
In June 2023, RA supported Krake Festival’s panel on disability and club culture at the festival’s 2023 opening party at House of Music in Berlin. The free panel discussed principles of inclusion and diversity, with the aim of developing perspectives for a subcultural industry in which people with disabilities are afforded better opportunities to develop a career in the arts.
(This project was supported by the Community Fund)
RA x Honcho Campout Queer Fam Fund
In June, RA donated to Honcho Campout’s Queer Fam Fund (QFF). The fund allows Honcho to extend the Campout experience to members of marginalised and underrepresented communities free of charge - covering all costs including camping fees, on-site meals, camping gear, and travel, and so providing the freedom to enjoy the festival free of financial strain. This project was supported by the Community Fund.
($2,500 donated via the Community Fund)
RA x Black Minds Matter UK
In June, RA relaunched our 4-part editorial partnership with UK-based charity Black Minds Matter UK for 2023. This project was supported by the Community Fund.
(£4,000 donated via the Community Fund)
Estado de Reggaetón with Rosa Pistola
Produced by Rosa Pistola and Leo Oloffson, this RA film offers an intimate look at the Mexico City-based, Colombia-born artist’s career. The free-to-attend premieres took place in LA, London and Mexico City.
RA x Underground Music Academy
In May, RA, Detroit Techno Foundation & Underground Music Academy returned to Movement Festival to present an exhibition exploring some of the Detroit electronic music community’s most impactful heroes. This project was supported by the Community Fund.
($2,000 donated via the Community Fund)
Playing Favourites with Moodymann hosted by DJ Stingray 303
In May, RA hosted a live edition of ‘Playing Favourites’ with Moodymann. The free event took place at Red Door in Detroit.
RA x Wire Festival, NYC
In partnership with RA, Wire Festival hosted two free panels at its second edition in May.
Make Space
In May, RA Pro launched Make Space, a pilot development programme for aspiring promoters. Designed as an introduction to promoting and community building, Make Space is open to anyone interested in putting on parties but unsure about where to start. The scheme will offer paid, real-world experience at some of the UK’s best venues.
RA Film screenings ‘Ukraine: Nightlife in Resistance’
A new RA documentary exploring how Ukraine’s one-thriving electronic scene has been affected by the Russian invasion premiered in Berlin, London and Kyiv. The events were free to attend.
RA x End Overdose
In collaboration with drug safety non-profit End Overdose, RA hosted three, free harm reduction workshops in LA.
(This project was supported by the Community Fund)
Delano Smith
In March, RA made a donation to Delano Smith’s crowdfunder. This project was supported by the Community Fund.
($1,000 donated via the Community Fund)
Saffron
RA donated to the Saffron fundraising appeal. Saffron and its sister program Mix Nights have been working to advance gender equality in music tech. This project was supported by the Community Fund.
(£2,000 donated via the Community Fund)
RA x Pitch Music & Arts
In collaboration with Pitch Music & Arts, RA hosted a free DJ workshop led by Call Super.
RA x Technomate
In March, RA donated its space and a speaker budget to London-based queer collective, Technomate to continue its free educational programme. This project was supported by the Community Fund.
(£400 donated via the Community Fund)
RA x fabric: Ukraine fundraiser
In March, RA partnered with fabric to host a fundraiser event for Ukrainian charities supporting those affected by the war. All money raised was distributed between LGBTQI+ organisation Insight NGO and World Central Kitchen which supports frontline communities in eastern and southern Ukraine.
(£7,346 donated via ticket sales)
Forward In Sound
In February, in collaboration with Doors Open, Saffron and Sound Services, RA launched a new sound engineering career development project. Open to women, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people, Forward in Sound funded a bespoke sound engineering course for six successful applicants.
(This project was funded by Doors Open, RA’s not-for-profit jobs and opportunities platform)
RA Staff Donations
In February, RA doubled staff donations for the earthquake appeal, donations were split between Choose Love and AHBAP.
(£1,000 donated)
RA x Refuge Worldwide x arkaoda
In February, Refuge Worldwide and Berlin club arkaoda hosted a Turkey-Syria fundraiser supported by RA. The event raised money for three organisations - AHBAP, The White Helmets and Heyva Sor. This project was supported by the Community Fund.
(€12,000 donated via ticket sales)
Amp Fiddler
In January, RA made a donation to Amp Fiddler’s crowdfunder. This was supported by the Community Fund.
($1,000 donated via the Community Fund)
RA Community Fund Pledge
In 2021 RA made an annual pledge of £50,000 to support not-for-profit projects benefiting the electronic music community, with priority given to those which help underserved communities. This commitment was renewed in 2022, and will continue in 2023. All projects are added to this page. If you would like to suggest, pitch or discuss a community project, please email us here: [email protected].
(£50,000 community fund)
2022
RA Booking Fees
A portion of booking fees were donated to charity events run by local promoters in 2022.
(£21,652.86 donated to multiple charities)
RA x Young Urban Arts Foundation
In November, RA teamed up with Young Urban Arts Foundation supporting the charity to run 3 workshops on its outreach media bus for an existing group of local young creatives in Hackney. Taking place on November 28th, December 5th and December 12th, the workshops will offer music production and lyric writing for teenagers. The sessions will be supported by music industry experts and lyric tutors. The workshops will take place on YUAF's outreach media bus, which will be stationed at Hackney youth centre The Crib. The young participants can also make use of the bus's podcasting space, isolated vocal booth, one-to-one area and seven computers equipped with Logic. This project was supported by the Community Fund.
RA x Consentis
In November, RA and Consentis will host a free online workshop (in French) to help venues and promoters tackle sexual violence.
RA x In Place of War
In Place of War is a global organisation that uses artistic and music creativity in places of conflict as a tool for positive change. The charity has supported the development of over 50 grassroots music organisations across conflict zones; co-created new music-cultural spaces in Uganda, Palestine, Colombia and South Africa and mobilised over £750,000 of free music equipment. With the funds provided by RA in November, we will support 20 young people through their creative and social entrepreneurial programme providing the tools to set up their own creative businesses. This project was supported by the Community Fund.
(£1,800 donated)
RA x Free the Night
In November, RA funded new research from the non-profit campaign group Free The Night which outlined 13 recommendations for improving nightlife in Northern Ireland. Titled "Transforming Nightlife in Northern Ireland" the research is the first in a series of papers focused on improving local nightlife. This project was supported by the Community Fund.
RA x Circle of Live
In November, RA and educational platform Circle Of Live "In Bloom" announced free scholarships for an online course with legendary booking agent Alma Ernst. The course—which is aimed at emerging artists and artists who want to better understand the value their manager or agent should be providing—will cover topics such as career planning, agencies, promoters, pitching, the festival circuit, performance, creative output and building a sustainable career. Ernst will also host a free Q&A session online at 7 PM CET on Tuesday, November 8th open to anyone. This project was supported by the Community Fund.
RA x Doors Open: Access All Areas
A new music and careers development project from Doors Open and Resident Advisor aims to democratise knowledge and tackle a lack of representation in the music industry. Taking place at RA's London office on Saturday, December 10th, Access All Areas will consist of sessions, panels and masterclasses focused on understanding the industry ecosystem, identifying possible career paths, networking and how to apply for roles.
RA2122
As part of RA's 21st birthday programme in Manchester and New York across two weekends in November, we're hosting free educational workshops, masterclasses and panels with the likes of Mala, Aurora Halal and ZULI. The profits from the RA Sacred Spaces book were distributed to three charities.
Donation breakdown:
- £1,564.38 donated to Choose Love
- £1,564.38 donated to Bridges for Music
- £1,564.38 donated to Museum of Youth Culture
RA x Unsound
As part of this year's non-musical schedule, RA is returning to host a music journalism workshop on Wednesday, October 12th. Entry is free but participants must register beforehand.
RA x Bridges for Music
Bridges For Music's ADE Cycle, a 500-KM charity voyage from London to Amsterdam, is returning for its sixth edition this October. Run in partnership with Choose Love, this year's edition will raise money for both Ukrainian refugees displaced by the ongoing war with Russia and underserved communities in South Africa. Previously, the cycle has raised more than €200,000 to help Bridges For Music set up a learning centre in Langa, a township in Cape Town. Launched in 2014 by RA, the ADE Cycle is now run by Bridges For Music. The RA rider team for 2022 is made up of; Amy Van-Baaren Head of Community, Caro Losa our Milan City Manager and Barry Davies cofounder of One House Artists. This project was supported by the Community Fund.
RA x Classic Album Sundays
In September, RA and Classic Album Sundays announced a new mini-event series for producers at London’s Colour Factory. Producer Pioneers invited four revered producers—Honey Dijon, Flava D, Emma-Jean Thackray and Lucinda Chua—to go deep on their approach to writing music. They will be interviewed and asked to discuss seven of their tracks in detail, as well as provide general tips and equipment advice.
RA x The Warehouse Project x Brighter Sound
In September, RA announced a four-week programme in collaboration with The Warehouse Project and music charity Brighter Sound aiming to help underrepresented people in Greater Manchester access the music industry. The pilot initiative will give participants hands-on experience in the roles of artist liaison, sound engineer, lighting designer, and visuals operator, and participants will be paid for their time, with travel expenses also covered.
RA x Good Night Out Campaign
In September, RA announced a queer safer spaces workshop for event promoters and venues in partnership with Good Night Out Campaign. The training, run by two specialist sexual violence prevention facilitators, takes place in an interactive Zoom workshop and covers topics such as: queer spaces as spaces of community building, myth-busting and realities of sexual harassment and assault in queer spaces, and building support systems after/during harassment or abuse.
RA x Oroko Radio
In September, RA announced a partnership with Oroko Radio and WATWOMXN to host a one-day event in Accra on how to build a DJ career. The event features two DJ workshops, including one intermediate session for FLINTA+ participants only along with a panel titled "Becoming a DJ 101," which will include tips, tricks, technical knowledge and more, followed by a community networking event with Oroko Radio resident DJ sets. This project was supported by the Community Fund.
RA x Refuge Worldwide
In August, RA announced the next iteration of its partnership with Refuge Worldwide - a free intermediate DJ workshop series. The workshops, led by Juba, Nick Höppner and Mor Elian, will focus on mixing techniques, Rekordbox organisation and the differences between performing for video and radio. The series will also include a talk which will cover artistic development & navigating the music industry. This project was supported by the Community Fund.
RA x Sonar x Jokkoo Collective
In partnership with local Barcelona-based Jokkoo Collective and MBODJ, RA and Sónar held a free beginners DJ workshop at Bridge_48 studios. This aspect of the partnership was announced with a news piece on RA and a dedicated social campaign across RA’s channels, with a Google form set up to collect submissions. Priority was given to people who experience marginalisation and face barriers to access the music industry.
RA x Honcho Campout Queer Fam Fund
In May, RA donated $1,000 to Honcho Campout’s Queer Fam Fund (QFF). The fund allows Honcho to extend the Campout experience to members of marginalised and underrepresented communities free of charge - covering all costs including camping fees, on site meals, camping gear, and travel, and so providing the freedom to enjoy the festival free of financial strain. This project was supported by the Community Fund.
($1,000 donated)
RA x Afrorack, Chicago
In May, RA and audio arts organisation AFRORACK hosted an additional two modular synth workshops for young people ages 13-18, focusing on sound design and multi-genre beat-making techniques using Moog modular synths and Akai hardware. The first session took place in Haggerston in collaboration with Young Urban Arts Foundation, and the second took place in Newham in collaboration with Music Producer Club (MPC). This project was supported by the Community Fund.
RA x Movement Detroit
In May 2022, RA collaborated with Detroit Techno Foundation to put together an exhibition at Movement Festival entitled Respect The Architects, celebrating historically overlooked techno artists from the city. The exhibition, curated by Underground Music Academy (UMA), paired text by Tajh Morris AKA Turtle Bugg with illustrations by Tony Whlgn which were displayed at the festival’s former Underground Stage.
($1,000 donated to UMA)
RA x Technomate
In May 2022, for Mental Health Month, RA donated it’s space and gifted a speaker budget to London-based queer collective, Technomate, for a panel discussion. The session brought together panelists: Āliyah Husna, Babetheory, Sophia Kearney, and Niamh to discuss the tumultuous experience of being an artist in 2022 - covering topics such as: sobriety, performance anxiety, imposter syndrome, burn-out, and jealousy. This project was supported by the Community Fund.
RA x The Crave Festival
In May 2022, RA hosted free production workshops in The Hague in partnership with The Crave Festival. The workshops were open to beginners as well as those already familiar with production software, and a beginners workshop for under 19s was held in partnership with Wijkz, a local youth services centre.
RA x Building Beats
In April 2022,RA launched a partnership with New York non-profit Building Beats, an organisation that provides DJ and music programs teaching entrepreneurial, leadership and life skills to underserved youth in the city. The partnership launched with two sessions which took place at Nowadays and Elsewhere, giving attendees DJ tips along with a workshop on the ins and outs of running a New York nightclub. This project was supported by the Community Fund.
Ukraine emergency fundraiser
In March, RA partnered with Secretsundaze and fabric to produce a livestream to support humanitarian charities and organisations working in Ukraine. Huge thanks to Craig Richards, Fabio & Grooverider, Daniel Avery, Jane Fitz b2b Carl H, Gilles Peterson b2b Jamz Supernova, Shannen SP b2b Ikonika, Danielle b2b Parris and partners secretsundaze for DJing on the live stream and to every single person that donated to the fundraiser. The funds were split evenly between the Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal, Choose Love’s Ukraine Crisis Fundraiser, Sunflower of Peace and Black is Polish, a grassroots Black and brown led organisation that is distributing funds for transport and shelter to Black, brown and LGBTQI+ refugees that do not have Ukrainian passports.
(£11,808 donated)
RA x shesaid.so
In March, RA joined the ALLIES programme for shesaid.co - a collective working to break down gender stereotypes within the music industry - helping to support them in their aims to create a diverse pool of role models for future generations, raise awareness of the gender gap, and lobby for policy change that promotes gender equality, diversity and inclusion.
RA x RE-TEXTURED
In March 2022, RA and London’s RE-TEXTURED hosted a free workshop and forum for audiovisual artists. Held at Somerset House Studios as part of RE-TEXTURED’s programming, the session was led by Berlin-based visual artist Theresa Baumgartner, who unpacked her approach and methods for producing visuals. Participants were also encouraged to bring examples of their ongoing work for feedback from the ground within a closed environment.
RA x Pitch Music & Arts x Drummond Street Services
In March 2022, RA hosted a series of free beginner DJ workshops in Naarm (Melbourne), ahead of our stage at Pitch Music & Arts festival. Held at community radio station Hope Street Radio in conjunction with Pitch and Drummond Street Services, one workshop was focused on CDJs and was hosted by local DJ Jennifer Loveless alongside part-time RA staffer Ayebatonye, with the second focused on vinyl and hosted by Eris Drew & Octo Octa.
Bossa Nova
In February, RA made a donation to Bossa Nova Civic Club in NYC after it suffered a devastating fire.
($1,000 donated to the gofundme page)
RA x Ecology of Care
In January 2022, as part of Wellness month RA organised a panel discussion with Ecology of Care entitled "Winter Of Care: Alternative Tools And Strategies To Support Ourselves And Each Other.” The discussion, which was free to attend via zoom, sought to “look at how to organize outside of traditional therapeutic structures, putting both self and collective care, communication and harm reduction at the forefront.”
Laughing Yoga with Laraaji
In January 2022, RA organised a laughter workshop as part of the Wellness month takeover. Hosted by Laraaji from his home in New York via Zoom, the 60-minute session was available to the first 200 people to get free tickets via the RA event. Laughter meditation is a simple way to relieve stress, connect with others and be present. With no visual or aural stimulation other than the sound of people laughing, the aim of the session was to focus solely on this powerful emotional release.
User Survey
In January, RA conducted a small user survey, wherein donations were made by RA for every survey response. Users could choose between the following charities:
Donation breakdown:
- £3,413.75 donated to Choose Love
- £2,688.75 donated to War Child
- £2,458.75 donated to Black Minds Matter UK
- £1,388.75 donated to In Place of War
RA x Black Minds Matter
In 2021 RA made a pledge to make an ongoing financial commitment to organisations benefiting Black and other minority communities. This commitment has been renewed for 2022. As part of this pledge, we launched our partnership with Black Minds Matter in January 2021. This editorial partnership will also continue into 2022. This project was supported by the Community Fund.
Donation breakdown:
- £4,000 to Black Minds Matter UK
- £4,000 donation split equally to the creative projects
2021
RA Booking Fees
Booking fees were donated to charity events run by local promoters in 2021.
(£19,367.20 donated to multiple charities)
RA Afghanistan Emergency Fundraiser
In October 2021, RA organised an emergency Afghanistan fundraiser with The Right to Dance (War Child) and R3 Soundsystem. Over £21,000 was raised for Choose Love, War Child and the National Institute of Music in Kabul. We couldn't be more thankful to all of the incredible artists who donated their time and energy for free, to the amazing team at The Cause, London and of course everyone who donated and danced. Because of you, we are able to make this contribution to the vital work these organisations are doing to support Afghans at home and around the world.
(£21,000 donated to War Child, Choose Love and the National Institute of Music in Kabul)
RA x In Place of War
In October 2021, RA supported the launch of 'Around the World in 80 Raves' by hosting an Ellen Allien stream. The month-long global fundraiser for In Place of War is to raise money for music studio developments in São Paulo and Lavender Hill in South Africa.
(£500 donated to In Place of War)
RA x No Bounds Festival
In October 2021, RA hosted a free, virtual journalism workshop ahead of No Bounds Festival in Sheffield, UK. In the workshop, Resident Advisor's managing editor, Chloe Lula, and news editor, Carlos Hawthorn, shared their experiences and answered participants' questions on the craft of writing, pitching ideas to publications and and how to conduct interviews.
RA x Spiela
In October 2021, RA launched their partnership with Spiela. Spiela is a London based online platform aimed at young people, created by individuals from diverse and under-represented backgrounds with first-hand experience and a full understanding of the requirements for equality in the modern world.
RA x AFRORACK
In September 2021, RA announced two modular synth workshops at youth centres in London in collaboration with AFRORACK. Both sessions will feature Moog synths shipped over from the US. Running from 6 PM through 8 PM, the first is on Monday, September 27th, at The Dome Youth Club near Kentish Town. The second is on Wednesday the 29th at The Halley in Haggerston with the Young Urban Arts Foundation.
RA x Intervention
In September 2021, RA launched a series of roadshows in collaboration with Intervention. Aimed at beginners and prioritising people from marginalised communities, the 12 sessions will take place in Cardiff, Liverpool, Leicester and beyond.
RA x Hogarth Youth & Community Centre
In September 2021, ahead of RA's stage at London's Waterworks Festival, we hosted a free beginner DJ workshop at Chiswick's Hogarth Youth & Community Centre in partnership with the festival. The workshop, which was hosted by OK Williams, was open to young people aged 14-17 and covered the basics of DJing with an opportunity to practice firsthand on professional equipment.
RA x 24 Kitchen Street, Liverpool
In September, Liverpool venue 24 Kitchen Street announced that they would be commemorating World AIDS Day on December 1st by becoming the first nightclub to exhibit the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt. In addition to the exhibition, the venue is hosting an AIDS arts and education programme in the lead up to December 1st.
(£1,500 donated to the project)
RA x Drumz of the South
In September, RA donated to support Georgina Cook's kickstarter for 'Drumz of the South: The Dubstep Years.
(£403 donated to the project to hit the £25,000 target)
RA x Refuge Worldwide
In July, RA launched free beginner DJ workshops at Refuge Worldwide's studio and community space on Weserstraße in Neukölln, Berlin. The courses, which have been developed as part of Refuge Worldwide's ongoing partnership with Open Music Lab, are now open to applicants. The first class will take place on August 9th, and they will follow on selected Mondays each month. The sessions will consist of a workshop hosted by an established DJ, followed by open deck slots for the students to practice. The first six mentors will be CCL, rRoxymore, Call Super, Sally C, Nick Höppner and Sky Deep.
RA Tickets x Mexican events
In 2020-21 RA ticketed 26 events selling 521 tickets in Mexico. This was within our worldwide policy, which is to only ticket events that adhere to local COVID-19 safety guidance and laws. It subsequently transpired that a number of these events in Mexico were not adhering to local guidance and as a result, RA made the decision to pause all ticketing in Mexico until further notice. 100% of the booking fees from these events were donated to two LGBTQi+ Shelters in Mexico City, Casa La Banda and Casa Frida.
($2,800 split equally between Casa La Banda and Refugio Casa Frida)
RA x Point Blank Music School
In July, RA launched the third edition of the Young Producers scholarship programme in expanded form. In addition to the in-person sessions at Point Blank's London school, there will be an online edition open to applicants worldwide, and one taking place at the Los Angeles school. All the courses will be delivered in English.
Doors Open x Small Green Shoots
In July 2021, RA donated 100% of the 2019 and 2020 revenue generated from Doors Open to Small Green Shoots. Small Green Shoots is a London based youth-led charity that helps young people facing difficult life circumstances gain access to the entertainment and creative industries. As the Doors Open platform grows we are committed to donating 100% of profits to charitable organisations that help people who may be at a disadvantage find work. This page will be updated with further contributions.
(£2,371 donated to Small Green Shoots)
RA x Tbilisi Pride
In July, RA donated £1,000 to Pride organisers in Georgia's capital following recent anti-LGBTQ attacks.
(£1,000 donated to Tbilisi Pride)
RA x Underground Music Academy
In June, RA donated $1,000 to support the build of Waajeed's Underground Music Academy in Detroit.
($1,000 donated to the Underground Music Academy)
RA x ORIGINS
In May, RA supported a fundraising effort by UK promoter ORIGINS on behalf of the charity Fare Share through hosting a stream and donating directly. Fare Share fights hunger and food waste by saving good quality, in-date surplus food and redistributing it to charities across the UK.
(£1,000 donated to Fare Share)
RA x Good Night Out
In April, RA partnered with nightlife campaigners Good Night Out to host a free online workshop to help venues tackle sexual violence.
RA x Lady of the House
In April, RA became an official sponsor of Lady of the House, a coffee table book celebrating 150+ inspirational women's stories and the part they have played in Dance Music.
(£1,000 pledged to the project)
#stopasianhate
RA stands against the unacceptable rise in Anti-Asian racism, and in solidarity with its victims. In March 2021 we made a donation to the following organisations working to end Anti-Asian discrimination:
Donation breakdown:
- £1,000 donated to Stop AAPI Hate
- £1,000 donated to NAPAWF
- £1,000 donated to Butterfly
- £1,000 donated to Red Canary Song
- £1,000 donated to End the Virus of Racism
RA x CALM
In March, RA published the audio-visual film VOID by Tom Andrew and Sam Davis. The project aimed to reflect on a year without clubbing and human connection and raise money and awareness for CALM, a charity leading the movement against suicide in the UK.
(£2,000 donated to CALM)
RA x Sable Radio
In March, the Leeds-based radio station announced its ReSound programme, a scheme supporting four Black participants aged 18-25 who'll receive 15 days of mentorship and training on-site. Resident Advisor will partner with ReSound to provide masterclasses and make a financial contribution.
RA x PRODUCERGIRLS
In March, RA and PRODUCERGIRLS hosted an online community meet-up for beginner women and gender minorities in music production.
RA x Bridges For Music
In March, RA hosted an online journalism workshop for 25 students at the Bridges for Music school in Langa, South Africa.
User Survey
In January, RA conducted a small user survey, wherein donations were made by RA for every survey response to either Black Minds Matter UK or In Place of War.
Donation breakdown:
- £740 donated to Black Minds Matter UK
- £270 donated to In Place of War
Advertising Solidarity Causes
Since June 2020, RA has been running advertising campaigns on the platform supporting organizations connected to the Black Lives Matter movement. In March 2021, we launched additional campaigns for groups working to #stopasianhate. Reach figures will be updated throughout the year.
Featured organizations (as of the time of publication):
- Stop AAPI Hate
- NAPAWF
- Butterfly
- Red Canary Song
- End the Virus of Racism
RA x Black Minds Matter
As part of our pledge to make an ongoing financial commitment to organizations benefiting Black and other minority communities, in 2021 RA will commit to at least £50,000 through various partnerships. The first of these, launched in January, is in collaboration with Black Minds Matter, which includes a year-long editorial series.
Donation breakdown:
- £12,000 to Black Minds Matter UK
- £12,000 donation split equally to the creative projects as of December 16th, 2021
2020
RA x BLM Company Pledge
In June RA made a pledge of US$15,000 to a range of foundations supporting Black communities and protests in the US. This was split between Black Lives Matter Global Network ($5,000), Donation For Bail Funds For Protestors ($2,500), The Okra Project ($2,500), LGBTQ Freedom Fund ($2,500) and The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust ($2,500).
(Total donated: US$15,000)
RA Staff x BLM
RA staff made personal contributions of £4,500 to organisations of their choice. This amount was matched by RA and donations were made to the following organisations:
Jordan Smyth / Black Trans Freedom Fund, Solidarity Funds for Refugee Women Group in Berlin-Brandenburg, Black Lives Matter Global Network, Official George Floyd Mem Fund, Anti-Police Terror Project, Brooklyn Community Bail Fund, Black Visions Collection, Reclaim the Block, Equal Justice Initiative, BLM UK, Community Justice Exchange, Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, Justice for David, Dungay Junior, Emergency Relief Fund, Access UK, Detroit Justice Centre, Portiamo il cibo a tavola ma abbiamo fame, French Kiss, Black Minds Matter, Amos Bursary, NCAACP, National Bail Out, Louisville Community Bail Fund, LGBTQ Fund, Stand up Sundays, MPD150, Justice for Breonna Taylor, CTUL, ACLU Minnesota, Emmanuel Gomes crowdfunder, AccessUK, Change.org, Homeless Black Trans Women Fund, Unicorn Riot, Black-Fem Inc, Black Owned Business Relief Fund
(Total donated: £9,000)
RA Advertising x BLM solidarity causes
We have dedicated on-site advertising campaigns directing our readers to a number of funds supporting BLM solidarity causes, As of June 2020, more than 11 million impressions have been donated (figure accurate as of 24.11.2020). This will continue for the foreseeable future.
2019
RA x ICRC
In December 2019, RA accepted money to run an advertising campaign for MDL Beast Festival. The full amount was donated to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
(£30,000 donated to the ICRC).
RA x Reach LA
In 2019, RA launched the ravelove series in LA and London, with 100 percent of proceeds (including booking fees) from each event raising money for two local charities. The LA edition at El Cid was in support of Reach LA, a long-running non-profit that works with young LGBT people of colour, aged 16-29, providing artistic, social and sexual health services.
($2,158.75 donated to Reach LA)
RA x Young Urban Arts Foundation
The second instalment of ravelove took place in London at Tottenham club Five Miles with donations made to the Young Urban Arts Foundation. This local Hackney charity helps to keep young people safe in London by empowering and improving mental health through their creative, music and artistic outreach programmes, such as their mobile multimedia studio, the Outreach Media Bus.
(£3,009 donated to Young Urban Arts Foundation)
RA x Extinction Rebellion
2019 saw the 4th edition of the annual RA industry football tournament taking place in Amsterdam during ADE. 100 percent of proceeds and funds raised from the event were donated to the local Dutch branch of Extinction Rebellion.
(£5,878 donated to Extinction Rebellion)
RA x Choose Love
Staff volunteering and RA in-store at the Choose Love Christmas gift shops in London and New York. RA launched Christmas playlists with Robyn, Mr G, Fred P, The Black Madonna, Call Super & Palms Trax to support the opening of the Christmas pop-up shops and to drive traffic to the online stores.
RA x Bridges for Music
The Bridges for Music school opens in a township in Langa, South Africa. The Bridges Academy was initially funded by RA’s #Cycle2ADE, a 300-mile cycle to ADE in 2014. As a result, £101,866 was raised for the project, which helped it progress into the planning and construction phases.
RA Booking Fees
Booking fees were donated to charity events run by local promoters in 2019.
(£13,395 donated to multiple charities)
RA x MIND
All booking fees from advance tickets at The Cause in London were donated to MIND Haringey.
(Total donated included in booking fees above)
RA x Stonewall
RA x Alternate Cuts 3.0 event series in collaboration with Absolut. All ticket proceeds were donated to Stonewall.
(£4,270 donated to Stonewall)
RA x Stitchting Gaandeweg
Donation to Dekmantel Cycle.
(€500 donated to Stitchting Gaandeweg)
RA x Institute of Contemporary Arts
In 2018, RA partnered with the Institute Of Contemporary Arts (ICA) to run a competition for people aged 16-25 to submit film ideas focused on electronic music. Nearly 100 applications were whittled down to five finalists, who pitched their idea in front of a panel of industry judges. The winning idea, See What I Hear, is an experimental film by the Bristol-based filmmaker Lucy Werrett exploring the ways in which visuals can enhance both the experience and the production of music.
RA x Point Blank
RA and Point Blank announce a second music scholarship. The 12-month scholarship, which is free and open to anyone aged 18-25, provides a unique platform for a new generation of artists who might not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue their passion. Tailor Jae was selected as the winner in July 2018 of the first scholarship.
Full Circle
Full Circle, a series of talks celebrating womxn in music, launches at the London office and is later published as an Exchange. Free event open to anyone in the local community.
2018
RA x Mama Cash
The 3rd edition of the RA Cup, our annual football tournament taking place during ADE, was in aid of Mama Cash, a local dutch charity that supports and fights for the rights of women, girls, trans and intersex people. 100 percent of the proceeds including booking fees were donated to Mama Cash.
(£10,078.00 donated to Mama Cash)
RA x Young Urban Arts Foundation
In 2018, RA hosted the official After Party for London's Indie Music Cup. Funds raised were in aid of the Young Urban Arts Foundation, a local charity that helps to keep young people safe in London by empowering and improving mental health through their creative, music and artistic outreach programmes, such as their mobile multimedia studio, The Outreach Media Bus. 100% of the proceeds including booking fees were donated to the Young Urban Arts Foundation.
(£1,093.30 donated to Young Urban Arts Foundation)
RA x Choose Love
As part of the 18-month partnership, which raised £25k for Choose Love, RA hosted two Choose Love events in London and Berlin. RA London staff also volunteered at the Choose Love Christmas gift shop in London.
(£8,315.34 donated to Choose Love)
RA x Point Blank
RA and Point Blank launch a music scholarship. The 12-month scholarship, which is free and open to anyone aged 18-25, provides a unique platform for a new generation of artists who might not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue their passion.
RA Staff donations
Staff bake sales and donations in aid of Bubble Club and Bloody Good Period.
(£325 donated across both charities)
RA Booking Fees
Booking fees were donated to charity events run by local promoters in 2019.
(£5,000 donated to multiple charities)
RA x MIND
All booking fees from advance tickets at The Cause were donated to MIND Haringey.
(Total donated included in booking fees above)
RA x Absolut Vodka
RA x Alternate Cuts 2.0 event series in collaboration with Absolut. All ticket proceeds were donated to Stonewall.
(£4,819 donated to Stonewall)
RA x Institute of Contemporary Arts
RA partnered with the Institute Of Contemporary Arts (ICA) to run a competition for people aged 16-25 to submit film ideas focused on electronic music. Nearly 100 applications were whittled down to five finalists, who pitched their idea in front of a panel of industry judges. Pitching workshops photos.
2017
RA x Choose Love
As part of the RA x Choose Love partnership, vital funds were raised from two events: the second edition of the RA Cup at ADE and the inaugural RA Choose Love London party. 100 percent of proceeds, including booking fees from both events, were donated to Choose Love. RA London staff also volunteered at the Choose Love Christmas gift shop in London.
(£12,722 donated to Choose Love)
RA x Syria Relief
As part of the Indie Music Cup, RA hosted an afterparty in aid of Syria Relief. 100 percent of the proceeds, including booking fees, were donated to Syria Relief.
(£1,082.56 donated to the Syria Relief)
RA x War Child
RA hosted a charity evening at the Everyman Cinema in Baker Street, London, with talks and a film screening as part of the War Child Film Screening.
RA Booking Fees
Booking fees were donated to charity events run by local promoters in 2019.
(£5,935.13 donated to multiple charities)
2016
RA x Choose Love
Launch partnership with Help Refugees included staff volunteering and skills sharing and fundraising. The first RA Cup charity football fundraiser is hosted at ADE. 100 percent of proceeds raised, including booking fees, are donated to Choose Love.
(£4,809.44 donated to Choose Love)
RA Booking Fees
Booking fees were donated to charity events run by local promoters in 2016.
(£7,599.05 donated to multiple charities)
2015
RA x Choose Love
RA staff drove to Calais with staff donations of food and clothes. Staff volunteer at Islington donation sorting office.
RA x Bridges For Music
Planning gets underway for the Bridges For Music music and entrepreneurship school in Langa, South Africa.
2014
RA x Bridges For Music
RA staff, artists and industry friends cycled from London to Amsterdam for the inaugural #Cycle2ADE. RA covered all logistical costs associated with the cycle for all 35 riders to ensure that 100 percent of the proceeds raised were donated to Bridges For Music, which was fundraising to build a music and entrepreneurship school in Langa, South Africa. RA's #Cycle2ADE raised £101,866.00.
(£101,866.00 donated to Bridges For Music)