For Darfur

For Darfur Inc. emerged from a group of seven students at Saint Andrew's School in Boca Raton, Florida. The organization was formally founded on January 31, 2007, with the purpose of giving teenagers a practical way to respond to the humanitarian conflict in Darfur, Sudan. Rather than functioning mainly as a policy organization, it used fundraising, concerts, social events, and other public activities to make the crisis more visible to young audiences and to collect money for medical relief. The founders were Gabriel Schillinger, Kayle Gishen, Grant Dubler, Matthew Teper, George Merck, Clea Stone, and Jimmy Sunshine. The group developed a chapter-based structure and later expanded from its original student membership to more than 25 chapters in states across the United States. Its activities were aimed particularly at teenagers and young adults, with many events organized around music, nightlife, and celebrity or fashion partnerships. The organization reported staging more than 35 events after its creation. For Darfur worked with Doctors Without Borders as its principal relief partner. Its stated mission was to help address the immediate medical needs of civilians affected by the conflict, including refugees, children, and older people. The organization reported that 80 percent of its fundraising was donated to Doctors Without Borders and described itself at one point as the charity's largest contributor. The available reference material does not provide a complete audited financial history, so these statements are presented as reported organizational claims. Its 2007 activities included participation in United Nations sessions, a promotional event at SunFest in West Palm Beach, the Jammin' For Darfur concert in Delray Beach, a Palm Beach fundraising event involving Jimmy Buffett, and co-sponsorship of a Youssou N'Dour concert in Miami. Members also officially opened NASDAQ on December 26, 2007. In November of that year, the organization partnered with fashion designer Lilly Pulitzer on a Palm Beach cocktail party and auction, reportedly raising more than $100,000. The organization's most prominent documented event was the May 6, 2008 Miami performance associated with Kanye West's Glow in the Dark Tour. For Darfur produced and promoted the show at AmericanAirlines Arena, framing it as an awareness and fundraising event. According to the reference material, the concert sold out with an audience exceeding 12,000 and raised more than $500,000 for Doctors Without Borders. By August 2008, For Darfur reported that cumulative private fundraising and awareness events had generated more than $1 million. For Darfur was run entirely by students from high school, college, and university backgrounds, with an executive and functional leadership structure. Listed roles included executive director, legal director, marketing and promotional director, funds director, creative director, South Florida director, and financial director. An advisory board included Kenny Laguna, Adele Merck, Dr. Brent Schillinger, Mark Sunshine, Michael Epstein, and Rev. George Andrews II. The group received the 2007–2008 Heroes in Medicine Award for its contribution to efforts bringing medical assistance to people affected by the Darfur conflict. Public reference material documents its formation and activities through approximately 2008, but does not establish a later operating history, a formal dissolution date, or a current leadership team. Its present status is therefore unknown.

• 2008

  Kanye West concert fundraiser

  [1]For Darfuren.wikipedia.org

  For Darfur produced and promoted a May 6 Glow in the Dark Tour concert in Miami that reportedly raised more than $500,000 for Doctors Without Borders.

• 2008

  Reported cumulative fundraising exceeds $1 million

  [1]For Darfuren.wikipedia.org

  By August, For Darfur reported raising more than $1 million through private fundraising and awareness events.

• 2007

  Organization founded

  [1]For Darfuren.wikipedia.org

  Seven students from Saint Andrew's School in Boca Raton, Florida founded For Darfur on January 31 to raise awareness and funds for people affected by the Darfur conflict.

• 2007

  Expansion through student chapters

  [1]For Darfuren.wikipedia.org

  The organization expanded from its original seven members to more than 25 chapters in states across the United States.

• 2007

  Lilly Pulitzer fundraising event

  [1]For Darfuren.wikipedia.org

  A Palm Beach cocktail party and auction organized with Lilly Pulitzer raised more than $100,000.

• 2007

  NASDAQ opening participation

  [1]For Darfuren.wikipedia.org

  For Darfur members officially opened NASDAQ on December 26.

A student-led humanitarian advocacy and fundraising organization using concerts, entertainment partnerships, and youth networks to connect public awareness of the Darfur crisis with medical relief.

• 2008Glow in the Dark Tour Miami fundraiser

  Miami, Florida

  For Darfur produced and promoted Kanye West's Glow in the Dark Tour concert at AmericanAirlines Arena as a combined public-awareness and fundraising event.

  Outcome. The concert reportedly drew more than 12,000 people and generated over $500,000 for Doctors Without Borders.

  Source
• 2007Youth awareness and event program

  United States

  For Darfur organized more than 35 concerts, club events, promotional appearances, and other activities intended to engage teenagers and increase awareness of the Darfur humanitarian crisis.

  Outcome. The organization expanded to more than 25 United States chapters and reported substantial fundraising for Doctors Without Borders.

  Source
• 2007Lilly Pulitzer Palm Beach cocktail party and auction

  Palm Beach, Florida

  For Darfur partnered with Lilly Pulitzer on a fundraising cocktail party and auction supporting relief for people affected by the Darfur conflict.

  Outcome. The event reportedly raised more than $100,000.

  Source

• 2008

  Produce and promote the Miami Glow in the Dark Tour concertProduct launch

  Background

  For Darfur used a major music event to reach a large audience while raising money for medical relief.

  Action taken

  It produced and promoted Kanye West's May 6 Glow in the Dark Tour concert at AmericanAirlines Arena.

  Aftermath

  The event reportedly sold out with more than 12,000 attendees and raised over $500,000 for Doctors Without Borders.

  Reported funds raised. More than $500,000 (May 6, 2008 event)

  Source

• 2007

  Adopt an entertainment-led youth activism modelStrategy

  Background

  The organization was created by students seeking to engage teenagers with the Darfur crisis and differed from broader advocacy groups by emphasizing concert production and public events.

  Action taken

  For Darfur built its activities around concerts, club events, celebrity-linked fundraisers, promotional appearances, and student chapters.

  Aftermath

  The organization reported expanding to more than 25 chapters and staging more than 35 events.

  Source

• 2007

  Direct fundraising through Doctors Without BordersStrategy

  Background

  For Darfur sought to connect awareness of the conflict with immediate medical assistance for affected civilians.

  Action taken

  The organization directed its fundraising to Doctors Without Borders and reported donating 80 percent of funds raised.

  Aftermath

  For Darfur stated that it became, at one point, Doctors Without Borders' largest contributor; the available material does not provide independent verification or a defined measurement period.

  Source

1. 1For Darfuren.wikipedia.org