Since "American Idol" teamed up with FOX to present "Idol Gives Back" in April, the American public has donated more than $54 million, bringing the grand total raised, including corporate and matched funding, to $75.1 million.
The two-night star-studded event, masterminded by Simon Fuller, creator and executive producer of "American Idol," brought together musical performers, actors and comedians who donated their time to help raise money for children and vulnerable people living in extreme poverty in the United States and Africa.
The Charity Projects Entertainment Fund (CPEF), an organization established to raise money and awareness for people living in poverty and at risk in the United States and throughout the world -- and the charity behind "Idol Gives Back" -- has announced that after rigorous assessment, $62 million in grants have been awarded to the nominated beneficiaries. In addition, $7 million in matched funds was allocated at the end of April immediately after the "Idol Gives Back" broadcast. CPEF is in the process now of determining how the remaining $6 million will be allocated.
The grants will be used to fund projects identified by the beneficiary charities who were themselves pre-selected by the CPEF Board for their excellent track record on issues related to alleviating poverty. Half the funds have been allocated to Africa, where the money will be used to help support efforts to battle poverty through various health and education programs, and half have been allocated to the United States, where the chosen projects deliver support to children in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the country.
Richard Curtis, one of the executive producers of "Idol Gives Back," co-founder of the UK's Red Nose Day charity and renowned writer/director of such films as "Love Actually," "Notting Hill" and "Four Weddings and a Funeral," said "The generosity and support of viewers to this unique, ground-breaking event has been beyond our wildest dreams. I would like to thank everyone who worked on the TV show -- especially Simon Fuller and 19, FremantleMedia North America, and the fantastic team at "American Idol" -- for all their passion and support, and of course the American public for their amazing generosity. These grants will definitely change, and sometimes save, the lives of some of the poorest children and young people at home and abroad."
Kevin Cahill, President of CPEF, added "The vision and commitment of Peter Chernin and Rupert Murdoch at News Corp. were instrumental in ensuring that 'Idol Gives Back' became a reality, thus bringing the issue of extreme poverty to the attention of the 'American Idol' audience. We remain indebted to them for supporting us."
CPEF was established through Richard Curtis' and Simon Fuller's shared passion for tackling the problems of extreme poverty, and is supported by the team behind the Red Nose Day charity in the UK, who have over 20 years of experience in fundraising and grantmaking.
