From early in his career Paul Simon has been a very philanthropic man. He has made important donations of money for charity, he has performed in many concerts to raise funds for charity, he has been organiser of concerts for the same purpose, he has made record collaborations for different charity organizations and he has been co-founder of The Children´s Health Fund. Unlike some of his contemporaries, Paul Simon does not advertise his charity works though having been very active over the years. He has received many awards for his philantropic contributions. Check them in our section AWARDS & HONORS on this website.
Here are a few of best known Simon’s philanthropic acts:
1967
MONTEREY POP FESTIVAL
Paul Simon was one of the organisers of MONTEREY POP FESTIVAL and Simon & Garfunkel performed there. The festival purpose was to raise money for charities. Paul Simon managed 50.000 $ of the festival funds which he gave for a guitar programme in Harlem.
1970
SCHOLARSHIP FUND AT NEW YORK´S CITY COLLEGE
Donation of 25.000 $ to set up a new scholarship fund at New York´s City College established by the Educational School for worthy students enrolled in experimental pilot programs in teacher education. The Scholarship was named as Mrs ROBINSON SCHOLARSHIP in honour of its benefactor Paul Simon
1971
NO NUKES FESTIVAL
Paul guest perfomance at NO NUKES FESTIVAL. Shea Stadium, New York. An antinuclear and anti-war concert celebrated on 25th anniversary of Hiroshima´s bomb to fundraising for antinuclear organizations.
1976
NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY BENEFIT
Paul performs in two concerts at Madison Square Garden for the NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY BENEFIT.
1981
Perfomance at BREAD & ROSES FESTIVAL
1986
Paul Simon appears in THE AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL MESSAGE and in the FARM AID II MESSAGE
1987-89
DONATION FOR SOUTHAFRICAN PEOPLE
Paul Simon donates 1.5 millions of dollars from his earnings of Graceland Tour for homeless and and indigent children in South Africa.
Donations to THE FUND FOR DETAINED AND IMPRISIONED CHILDREN in South Africa
Funds raising for THE UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND
Donations to organizations dedicated to help battered women
1987
FOUNDATION OF THE CHILDREN´S HEALTH FUND
Co-founder, with Doctir Irwin Redlener, of THE CHILDREN´S HEALTH FUND, a US mobile medical-outreach program that provides free care for homeless and indigent children. To date The Children´s Health Fund´s national network of 16 pediatric programs have treated over 300.000 children. The first mobile medical unit of this Fund was donated by Paul Simon himself (over 100.00 $)
1987
THE HOMELESS CHILDREN´S MEDICAL BENEFIT CONCERT
Paul Simon was the organiser of THE HOMELESS CILDREN´S MEDICAL BENEFIT CONCERT at Madison Square Garden, New York to raise funds for The Children´s Health Fund. Alongside Paul many other artists performed: Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reeed, Dion, Ruben Blades, Billy Joel, James Taylor and others.
1990
Paul plays at the RAINFOREST FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER CONCERT. Beverly Hills, CA
1990
Paul Simon perfomance in THE PRAHA SOS RACISME BENEFIT CONCERT
1990
NOBODY´S CHILD-ROMANIAN ANGEL
In the NOBODY´S CHILD-ROMANIAN ANGEL CD released to help romanian children appears the track Homeward Bound played by Paul Simon and George Harrison, which was taken from their perfomance at SNL in 1976
1990
BILL BRADLEY BENEFIT CONCERT
Paul perfomance at BILL BRADLEY BENEFIT CONCERT. Meadowlands. Clifton, NJ
1991
KURDISH REFUGEES CONCERT
While playing at Manchester´s G-Mex venue Simon appeared by satellite during a benefit gig that was going at London´s Wembley Arena in aid of Kurdish refugees.
1992
FARM AID CONCERT
Guest perfomance at FARM AID CONCERT
1992
THE FRIENDS IN DEED: BENEFIT WITH NICOLAS & MAY
Simon & Garfunkel perfomance during two days in THE FRIENDS IN DEED: BENEFIT WITH NICOLAS & MAY. Brooks Atkinson Theatre, NY. This is an organization to provide non-medical needs fof AIDS sufferers and their families
1992
Paul plays at CARNAHAN BENEFIT CONCERT
1993
THE L.A. CHILDREN´S HEALTH FUND BENEFIT CONCERT
Simon & Garfunkel star perfomance IN THE L.A. CHILDREN´S HEALTH FUND BENEFIT CONCERT. Dorothy Chandler Pavillion. L.A. Also featuring Steve Martin and Neil Young.
1993
THE CONCERT EVENT OF A LIFETIME
Paul Simon solo and Simon & Garfunkel series of 21 concerts at Paramount Theatre, NY with extension to Japan and Singapour. All proceeds were donated to The Children´s Health Fund.
1993
THE BRIDGE SCHOOL BENEFIT CONCERT
Simon & Garfunkel guest perfomance in THE BRIDGE SCHOOL BENEFIT CONCERT. Mountain View, CA
1993
THE UNITED WAY BENEFIT CONCERT
Simon & Garfunkel play in THE UNITED WAY BENEFIT CONCERT. Toronto Skydome. Canada.
1994
THE AMFAR CONCERT
Paul Simon plays a special concert for The AMFAR, an organization dedicated to help AIDS patients and AIDS research. Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas. Texas
1994
EARTHRISE BEBENEFIT CD
The song Under African Skies by Paul Simon is included in the EARTHRISE BEBENEFIT CD released by EARTH LOVE FUND for fundraising
1995
THE CHILDREN´S HEALTH FUND BENEFIT CONCERT
Paul Plays in THE CHILDREN´S HEALTH FUND BENEFIT CONCERT which took place at Paramount Theatre in NY. Also featuring Pete Townshed and Annie Lennox.
1995
THE RAINFOREST BENEFIT CONCERT
Paul guest perfomance at THE RAINFOREST BENEFIT CONCERT. Carnegie Hall, NY. Also featuring Elton John, James Taylor, Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi and many others.
1997
CARNIVAL! / THE RAINFOREST FOUNDATION
A new song by Paul Simon named Ten Years is included in the CD CARNIVAL! which was released by The RAINFOREST FOUNDATION for fund raising. This foundation is dedicated to preserve the nature of Amazonia and to help its inhabitants. The song was actually intended in an early version for the Oprah Show 10th anniversary.
1997
THE ACADEMY OF AMERICAN POETS CONCERT
Paul plays a special concert to benefit THE ACADEMY OF AMERICAN POETS where he offered a special one time only preview of The Capeman.
1999
THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE CURE OF CANCER OF THE PROSTATE BENEFIT CONCERT
Paul Simon guest perfomance at THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE CURE OF CANCER OF THE PROSTATE BENEFIT CONCERT. Waldorf Astoria, NY. Also featuring Sting.
1999
THE TELEFOOD `99
Paul plays at THE TELEFOOD `99 which took place at James Bond Beach, Jamaica. A concert for benefit to The Food & Agriculture Organization of The United Nations. Also featuring U2, Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, Simply Red, Whitney Houston and others.
1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1999
BACK AT THE RANCH CONCERTS
Concert series at Deep Hollow Ranch, Montauk, NY to raise funds to protect this last remnant of a formerly extensive grassland and to restore and maintain the health of maritime grasslands in Montauk and to protect Montauk lighthouse and its environment. Alongside with Paul also featuring during these years Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, Mary Chapman Carpenter, Allman Brothers, Eddie Brickel, Phoebe Snow, Jose Feliciano, James Taylor and Chris Botti among many others. In 1994 funds from these concerts were used to purchase 45 acres of Montauk Moorlands.
2000
Guest performer at ROCK AND RACE CANCER RESEARCH CHARITY SHOW
2000
Perfomance at THE CHILDREN´S HEALTH FUND GALA
2001
THE ADOPT A MINEFIELD BENEFIT CONCERT
Guest performer alongside Paul McCartney at THE ADOPT A MINEFIELD BENEFIT CONCERT
2001
HEALING AMERICA
Guest performer at HEALING AMERICA in Riverside Church. Manhattan, N.Y. A tribute to the victims from towers attack
2001
AMERICA: A TRIBUTE TO HEROES
Perfomance at AMERICA: A TRIBUTE TO HEROES. A multi-network fundraiser for fallen NYC public servants
2001
CHILDREN'S HEALTH FUND BENEFIT CONCERT
Perfomance in a benefit concert FOR THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH FUND at NEW YORK, during the celebration of the release of the book Good Life, Good Death by Rimpoche Nawang Gehlek.
2001
ALL FOR THE SEA
The Paul Simon & Brian Wilson Tour play a benefit concert for ALL FOR THE SEA at Southampton College of Long Island University. All proceeds were for benefiting students in Southampton College´s marine and enviromental science programs.
2002
GALA FOR WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM
Guest performer at the GALA FOR WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM. Waldorf Astoria, New York
2002
CHILDREN´S HEALTH FUND BENEFIT CONCERT
Perfomance at THE CHILDREN´S HEALTH FUND BENEFIT CONCERT. Marriott Marquis. New York
2002
THE BENEFIT CONCERT FOR DENIS CRAINE
Paul plays in THE BENEFIT CONCERT FOR DENIS CRAINE. East Hampton University. New York. Denis Craine is an activist very friend of Paul Simon who is suffering of a strange desease, the concert is managed to pay his medical cares.
2003
THREE SISTERS: SEARCHING FOR A CURE
''Three Sisters: Searching for a Cure'' is an enormously moving film by Jenifer Estess a 35-year-old a theater and film producer who was diagnosed with lateral sclerosis amyotrophic in 1997. With her sisters, Valerie and Meredith, to fight the disease they created Project A.L.S. (www.projectals.org), a nonprofit organization that has raised $18 million and catalyzed ALS research. These three sisters are witty, defiant and exhilarating to behold. Just one of the memorable moments from this terrific film: Paul Simon serenading Jenifer, by then in a wheelchair, with ''Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes'' during his performance at a Project A.L.S. fund-raiser
2003
SONGS FOR LIFE
Created to raise funds for the fight against HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa, Songs for Life is an album of songs with uplifting messages performed by prominent recording artists who have dedicated their time and talents to this effort. Some of the participating artists have recorded new tracks inspired by the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa while others have chosen previously recorded tracks that fit within the theme of unity, hope and brotherhood. Proceeds from the sale of the CD go to the Royal Initiative to Combat AIDS (RICA), a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa, where thousands of people are dying of the disease every day.
With songs both new and old from some of the world’s best-known recording artists, Songs for Life promises to be an amazing listening experience created to bring attention – and critical funding – to a life-and-death cause in Africa.
Distributed by EMI-Capitol Records, coordinated by The Marshall Firm and promoted internationally by JAM Entertainment and Music Group, Songs for Life was produced under the guidance of the legendary Phil Ramone, who over the last three decades has produced some of the world’s most successful recording artists, including Chicago, Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel, Elton John, Liza Minelli, Paul Simon, Ringo Starr, Barbra Streisand and U2, to name just a few.
The track 2 in this CD is a new mix of Paul Simon’s “Under African Skies”
2004
S&G DONATE 1 MILLION FOR CHF
On May 29, 2004 Simon & Garfunkel donated 1 million dollars from their 2003 Tour
profits to Children´s Health Fund
2004
PAUL SIMON SPECIAL GUEST AT AN IMPROMPTU AMAGANSETT CHARITY CONCERT FOR LOCAL CHEF SEAN RAFFERTY
Paul Simon appeared as the special guest on August 29, 2004 at an impromptu Amagansett charity concert for local chef Sean Rafferty, who was diagnosed with a bladder tumor two weeks ago. Simon joined two local bands, Little Head Thinks and The Nancy Atlas Project, at the Stephen Talkhouse, wearing a Yale baseball cap, black T-shirt and jeans. He said he was there to help out a "friend of the family," while confiding to staffers he wanted to give back to the East End community, which has treated him so well.
For a suggested donation of $25, hundreds of guests packed the bar in support of Rafferty and wound up hearing an acoustic quartet of Simon classics: "Homeward Bound", "America," "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" and "The Boxer." The enthusiastic crowd caught Simon off guard when they began singing in unison the "lie-la-lie" chorus of "The Boxer," his last song of the evening.
The singer grinned and then pointed to the bartenders and declared, "Literally, everyone can have a beer on me." Before wrapping up his act, Simon looked at the audience and quipped, "I have to figure out how to pay for the beers now." He walked off stage and immediately offered up his credit card.
Simon showed up at the request of Sean's older brother, Ron Rafferty, who was the former caretaker of Simon's Montauk estate and is now leading the charge to help his sibling, who's already facing bills of $20,000 and has no medical coverage.
When the concert finished, Sean, 37, a chef at Nichol's, summed up the evening: "It was really wonderful - I have a lot more friends than I realized."
As Simon was leaving the building, Sean's wife, Kathryn, rushed out to thank him for playing at the event, which raised about $10,000 through donations and the evening's bar profits, which the Talkhouse gave to the cause.
The good-hearted Simon replied, "Your husband's going to be fine . . . When he's fine, I'll come sing again."
2004
THE ACLU FREEDOM CONCERT
Paul Simon, Lou Reed, Sarah Jones, Robin Williams, and many others gave it up to benefit the American Civil Liberties Union. Last October 4 night at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall. Simon opened the concert with a solo rendition of his classic "America," a fitting way to begin the show. Simon then brought out two band members as well as the legendary gospel vocal group The Dixie Hummingbirds to perform his 1973 hit "Loves Me Like a Rock."
2004
THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE PARALYSIS FOUNDATION´S (CRPF) GALA
Paul Simon performed at The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation´s (CRPF) gala, ´A Magical Evening,´ on November 18th at the Marriott Marquis. The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation (CRPF) is committed to funding research that develops treatments and cures for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury and other central nervous system disorders. The Foundation also vigorously works to improve the quality of life for people living with disabilities through its grants program, paralysis resource center, and advocacy efforts.
2005
THE SECOND ANNUAL CHEVY CHASE EARTH DAY AUCTION
One of the auctions was for a leisurely NYC lunch with Paul Simon. Proceeds of the Second Annual Chevy Chase Auction benefit the Center for Environmental Education Online. The auction closed on May 10, 2005. Last bids we know for a lunch with Paul Simon were over 6.000 dollars.
2005
ANNUAL CHF GALA
On June 1, 2005 it took place the annual The Children's Health Fund's Gala, one of New York City's most important corporate events. The 2005 Gala raised nearly $1.2 million and honored Jean-Pierre Garnier, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Glaxo Smith Kline, and the company for its ten years of supporting CHF through the Referral Management Initiative (RMI). There were more than 600 supporters and corporate leaders in attendance at the Hilton New York, and the event was hosted by Jane Pauley and featured a very special performance by CHF co-founder Paul Simon who played Mrs Robinson, Graceland, Slip Slidin Away, Me & Julio and The Boxer, backed by Steve Gadd, Mark Stewart, Jamie Haddad, Bakiti Khumalo and Vincent Nguini. Robert Essner, Chairman, President and CEO of Wyeth, was the 2005 Gala Chair.
2005
PAUL SIMON TOURED STORM DAMAGE TO AID KATRINA VICTIMS
Simon travelled to the Gulf Coast to announce the formation of ´Operation Assist,´ which will provide emergency medical care, food and clothing to Katrina´s victims in and around Biloxi, Mississippi. Two mobile medical clinics from the Mississippi Children´s Health Fund program in Clarksdale, as well as another from New York City, are already on-hand to help victims. Simon promised that the clinics aren´t just a temporary solution but that, quote, ´They are going to stay here for a long time”.
Simon, who is the co-founder of The Children´s Health Fund, which provides health care to medically underserved communities around the US, said that, ´I´m not down here as a songwriter, but as someone to call attention to it, particularly in the smallest communities´. Simon described damage to the coast as ´suffering, on a Biblical scale.´ He went on to say that he has relatives from New Orleans who ´lost everything´ and are now staying in a hotel in the town of Pearl, located in central Mississippi, because that´s as far as the gas in their car would take them. Paul walked around the area and talked to some victims.
2005
SHELTER FROM THE STORM: A CONCERT FOR THE GULF COAST
This benefit program spread across dozens of television networks on September 9, 2005. The hour-long appeal was an echo of a somber event held four years ago to benefit victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack, with the same producer. This time, the telethon had more determination than shock and featured native jazz, gospel and swamp-rock sounds. ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, UPN and the WB — the six biggest broadcast networks — aired it along with several cable networks. Viewers in nearly 100 countries were able to tune in. Contributions were being solicited for the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army.
The performers were West, Chris Rock, John Fogerty, Mariah Carey and Neil Young, Alicia Keys, Patti LaBelle, Jay-Z and Diddy and Garth Brooks, among others. Paul Simon did a touching and quiet acoustic rendition of “Take Me To The Mardi Gras” with an extended coda from a jazz band.
2005
HIGHER GROUND
Norah Jones, Paul Simon, Elvis Costello, James Taylor, Dianne Reeves, Robin Williams and Bill Cosby, to name but a few, performed in the "Higher Ground" concert that held on September 17 at New York's Rose Theatre for Hurricane relief.
Paul Simon played the Zydeco-influenced 'That Was Your Mother” backed up by Buckwheat Zydeco and his own usual band. Blue Note Records will produce a CD of the event with all profits going to hurricane relief.
2005
FROM THE BIG APPLE TO THE BIG EASY
On September 20, 2005 Simon & Garfunkel, along Elvis Costello, Dave Mathews, Elton John, Lenny Kravitz, Jimmy Buffet and Bette Midler, among others, performed in “FROM THE BIG APPLE TO THE BIG EASY. NYC´s Concerts for the Gulf Coast” that held at Madison Square Garden. S&G performed Mrs. Robinson, Homeward Bound and Aaron Neville, from the Neville Brothers, joined Simon and Garfunkel for “Bridge Over Troubled Water. Paul (solo) also sat in on Sea Cruise with Jimmy Buffet.
2005
“AUTISM SPEAKS” BENEFIT CONCERT
The event named “One Night Only: A Concert for Autism Speaks” was a benefit concert hosted by Brokaw at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on September 24, 2005. Autism Speaks was launched earlier this year by NBC Universal chairman and CEO Bob Wright and his wife Suzanne, after their grandson was diagnosed with autism.
Before the show a press meeting took place where Bob Wright, Paul Simon, Suzanne Wright, comedian Jerry Seinfeld, and journalist Tom Brokaw participated.
In the show Simon performed the first one backed by his seven-piece band. He executed a masterful nine song set consisting almost entirely of standards like "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard," "Graceland," "Mrs. Robinson,' and "The Boxer" among them. Simon remains in fine voice, strategically reaching high notes when called upon and making frequent use of his graceful hands as if conducting a symphony of his own. Simon toned the beat down only in the opening song and during the opening strains of "The Boxer.
2005
KEEP A CHILD ALIVE
Alicia Keys hosted and performed on Nov. 3, 2005 a fundraiser for the AIDS charity ´Keep a child alive´ at New York’s Jazz at Lincoln Center. She teamed up with Paul Simon and the Agape Children’s Choir for an unforgettable rendition of “Homeless”. ´Keep a child alive´ works to make medicine more readily available to AIDS-afflicted families in Africa and other countries in need.
2006
ANNUAL CHF GALA
Doctor Irwin Redlener and Paul Simon hosted the 2006 Children’s Health Fund Gala Dinner that took place last Monday June 5 at New York City. There were special performances by Jerry Seinfeld and Paul Simon. Paul played: Diamonds, Outrageous, Loves me Like a Rock, Father and Daughter and Me and Julio.
2006
ROBERT C. MEADOWS BENEFIT CONCERT
Paul Simon and his wife Edie Brickell performed together on August 26, 2006 at Music Hall, Fair Park, Texas, trying to raise money for Edie’s childhood friend Robert C. Meadows, 43, a Dallas actor who suffered severe brain injuries last October after being attacked during a robbery in a parking lot near Bachman Lake. His assailants, who remain at large, left Mr. Meadows unable to walk or communicate and in need of more than $1.5 million in medical care and rehabilitation.
Paul & Edie did together a perfect opener: the Conway Twitty-Loretta Lynn classic "You're the Reason Our Kids Are Ugly." Later Paul Simon played acoustically "Bridge Over Troubled Water", “Slip Slidin' Away," "Me and Julio Down by the School Yard," "The Boxer" “Mrs. Robinson” and "Wartime Prayers," after that Edie with The New Bohemians played 10 songs.
2007
MICHAEL BRECKER MEMORIAL
On February 20, 2006 Simon performed a touching rendition of “Still Crazy”, with Herbie Hancock on piano, in the late Michael Brecker Memorial, that took place at New York Town Hall.
2007
WE ARE FAMILY FOUNDATION CONCERT
On April 24 Paul Simon accepted an award from the We Are Family Foundation which was started in September 2001 by Nile Rodgers, the famous music producer and leader of Chic, and Nancy Hunt. Since then, they have raised millions of dollars and built schools in South Africa and South America. It´s pretty impressive stuff. Last night, they raised more than $1 million. Of course, the annual fundraiser is all about music.
2007
CHF GALA
On May 30, 2007 Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony have lent their support to Paul Simon´s Children´s Health Fund in New York City. Marc performed in front of a packed house at the 20th anniversary gala, which also featured an appearance from President Bill Clinton.
© Jose Maria Escudero 2007
If you would like to make donations to THE CHILDREN´S HEALTH FUND or to get involved you can do it on its official website: http://www.childrenshealthfund.org