Fusion Foundation
The Fusion Foundation is FMMF’s philanthropy program designed to aid young and creative individuals and groups who support young people pursuing their creative dreams. The Foundation’s mission is to provide time, talent, networking, and financial support to those who are working to transform their ideas into reality.
There are many ways to contribute to The Fusion Foundation. All participating sponsors, vendors, designers, musicians, volunteers, and attendees are welcomed and encouraged to donate to The Fusion Foundation. FMMF is also hosting The Fusion Foundation Gala raising resources and celebrating up-and-coming artists, designers, musicians, and small business owners.
The Fusion Foundation Gala is set to take place at The Bluestone on the eve of the festival, Thursday, August 28 at 6:00 PM. The event will be hosted by Michelle Williams (of Destiny’s Child) and will feature an acoustic performance by O.A.R., a fashion show with designs by Althea Harper, Celester Malvar Steward and Horacio Nieto, and a performance from a Columbus Jazz Academy trio. Guests of the Gala will enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks as they mingle and learn about the Fusion Foundation and bid on the silent auction. Dress is black and blue attire. Tickets are available online for $100.
Note: The Fusion Foundation Gala O.A.R. performance is in addition to O.A.R.’s free show on Friday, August 29.
In addition to partner and Gala donations, $10 of every Fusion Foundation t-shirt sale will directly support The Foundation. Shirt sales are occurring on a pre-sale basis. The sale closes August 27. All shirts will be available via will call during the Festival. The shirts were designed and created by Outfit Good, who will be on hand at the Gala and Festival.
The Fusion Foundation is just the beginning of FMMF’s charitable components. For Festival-goers who are unable to make it to the Gala and want to contribute, the Festival is also partnering with the following philanthropic organizations throughout Labor Day Weekend: Karma52, Unchained, Pack H2O, and Outfit Good.
The Fusion Foundation Gala
It’s a party. You’re invited. Let’s get intimate.
Fashion Meets Music Festival is proud to announce the first Fusion Foundation Gala! Kick off our inaugural weekend with the FMMF team as we wine, dine, and give back to our community.
Dust off the suit, dry-clean the cocktail dress. Start your Labor Day Weekend in style.
The FMMF Fusion Foundation Gala will be hosted by Michelle Williams at The Bluestone on August 28th beginning at 6pm. The event will feature an acoustic performance by OAR and a fashion show with designs by Althea Harper, Celester Malvar Steward and Horacio Nieto.
Guests of the Gala will enjoy hor’s d’oeuvres and drinks as they mingle and learn about the Fusion Foundation. Dress is black and blue attire.
Please come celebrate the kickoff of Fashion Meets Music Festival with the rest of Columbus!
Karma 52
Fashion Meets Music Festival and The Fusion Foundation have partnered with Karma52 to create Fashion For A Cause. This collaborative clothing and lifestyle product capsule aims to create a positive change in communities across the United States. For every eco-friendly clothing, jewelry, pet, or hobby product sold, Karma52 will donate $7.52 to their featured non-profit organization of the week.
We at FMMF are proud to support this charitable venture and hope you will too! To wear your karma in support of Fashion Meets Music Festival and The Fusion Foundation, please visit (www.Karma52.org) August 25th – 31st.
For more information check out Karma52 on (twitter:@wearyourkarma) (Facebook: /wearyourkarma) and (Instagram: #wearyourkarma).
UNCHAINED Fashion
Human trafficking is a heinous crime. The topic can be difficult for individuals to learn about because of its’ dark nature. UNCHAINED’s goal is to bring awareness to people about human trafficking, however the fashion alone awes guests simply for the beauty of the immaculately constructed dresses. Together it is a winning combination to ignite abolitionists and experience a gorgeous night of fashion.
First, the collection was shown in Liberia by Amani Africa as a means of sharing the story of Celebration to Liberian women after the civil war. Amani Africa invited Project Runway designer Korto Momolu to design the collection. The show was called Sankofa, which means “looking back but moving forward”. Sankofa’s purpose was also to announce Amani’s fifth African location, in rural Yekepa, Liberia. Amani is a sewing and training program for marginalized women.
Amani Africa graciously allows UNCHAINED to use the collection. For UNCHAINED’S purpose, a narration has been written so that each garment shares the journey of a female human trafficked survivor, from Innocence, Violation, to full Restoration.
UNCHAINED is a proud partner of The Fusion Foundation. Together we can make a difference.
PackH20
More than one billion people lack access to clean water in their homes, leading to 3 million deaths annually. Women in water-stressed regions walk on average 3.5 miles everyday to get water to bring home. It’s a life and death struggle for them and their families.
The 2010 earthquake in Haiti sparked an “aha” moment: Even when clean water was available, women were struggling to carry the water home in old cans and buckets, many originally used to hold fuel and pesticides. This moment led to the innovative design of the PackH2O water backpack.
The problem of getting water from access point to home isn’t confined to Haiti; nor is limited to the aftermath due to a disaster.
This is the Achilles’ heel of the Global Water Crisis – safely transporting water from access point to home.
While in Haiti just after the 2010 earthquake, Greif CEO David Fischer realized that dirty, heavy jerry cans and buckets being used to carry water represented the Achilles’ heel of the effort to provide safe, clean water in the developing world. He knew that Grief, a global leader in industrial packaging with 16,000 employees in 250 locations worldwide, had the expertise to devise a better alternative.
Such an effort also fit the company’s corporate culture, including its long-term commitment to sustainability and its belief that business cannot thrive in a society which fails. Grief also had sustainable business experience working with groups like the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and RIO+ 20 and with humanitarian partners.
Responding to Fischer’s challenge, a Greif team created and tested PackH2O. Along the way, they worked closely with NGOs to consult with women in Haiti, who were using the water backpack, and with the Clinton Global Initiative and Habitat for Humanity International – until the best possible product was ready for distribution.
Since that time, numerous relief agencies and nonprofits have partnered with PackH2O and Greif to distribute PackH2O globally.
