The “Hope for Haiti Now" telethon has raised more than $66 million as of Wednesday for Haiti relief and recovery efforts.
That figure includes proceeds from sales of the “Hope for Haiti Now” album, a collection of live performances from Friday’s global telethon. The collection on Wednesday became the first digital-only album to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
Nielsen SoundScan says “Hope for Haiti Now” was purchased for download more than 171,000 times in the U.S. through Sunday, in addition to 60,000 copies outside the U.S.
“Hope for Haiti Now” is the first project to simultaneously reach the No. 1 spot on the U.S. iTunes album, song (“Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)” by Jay-Z, Bono, the Edge and Rihanna) and television charts. The album has hit No. 1 on iTunes in 18 countries.
All retail partners, the record labels and the artists involved will donate their share of the proceeds to Haiti relief and recovery funds managed by “Hope for Haiti Now” charities.
Also, “Hope for Haiti Now” has formed an advisory committee to oversee the distribution of funds donated through the global telethon. The Entertainment Industry Foundation and the coommittee are advising “Hope for Haiti Now” to ensure that the donated funds are quickly and effectively put to use in Haiti. The first installment of donated funds is due for distribution next week.
Committee members are Diana Aviv, president-CEO, Independent Sector; Brian Concannon Jr., director of the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti; William Foster, co-partner, the Bridgespan Group; Steven Gunderson, president-CEO, the Council on Foundations; Nancy Lindborg, president, Mercy Corps; Jacques-Philippe Piverger, PineBridge Investments; Judith Rodin, president, Rockefeller Foundation; David Saltzman, executive director, Robin Hood Foundation.
“Our top priority is ensuring that proceeds from the telethon are distributed as quickly, responsibly and effectively as possible. We are pleased to have individuals with such extraordinary expertise on our advisory committee to help facilitate the process,” said Lisa Paulsen, president-CEO of the Entertainment Industry Foundation.
“Hope for Haiti Now” will continue accepting donations for six months online via www.hopeforhaitinow.org, via phone at 877-99-HAITI, via texting "GIVE" to 50555, or via mail to Hope for Haiti Now, FILE 1372, 1801 W. Olympic Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91199-1372.
