Rebuild the Soul of America (RSOA) Charitable Trust

Overview
The Rebuild the Soul of America (RSOA) Charitable Trust will serve the public interest by providing information and resources to support projects that provide organizations and citizens with fact-based research and practical solutions for challenging issues.

The Trust will be formed as an independent not-for-profit entity with projected assets, by the end of September 2006, of $2 million. Among its founding trustees are two leaders in the jazz community – U.N. Messenger of Peace Wynton Marsalis and International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) Executive Director Bill McFarlin. Joining them will be two entertainment veterans – Chair Emeritus of The Recording Academy (GRAMMY® Awards) Daniel Carlin and Celebrate Jazz! founder Lisa Marie Hoggs. All after tax profits from ticket sales and related net profits from TV, DVD, and CD deals from the Rebuild The Soul of America concert at the New Orleans Arena will benefit the RSOA Charitable Trust.

Introduction
The Rebuild the Soul of America Trust is being formed as an independent nonprofit organization to be funded with the after-tax profits from cause-oriented jazz, branded entertainment and cultural events. The trust is being formed by Wynton Marsalis and will be directed by seven trustees.

Lemuel Daniels, First Vice President of Smith Barney will serve as financial advisor to the Trust. Through the review of grant proposals in the areas of cultural and integrated arts, the Trust will support projects in New Orleans in the fiscal years of 2007 and 2008.

The anticipated focus of the Trust is on four key areas specific to Rebuilding the Cultural Economy in America:

  • Supporting Civic Life – The Trust will support the arts, heritage, health, peace, humanity and well-being of our diverse citizenry and civic life, with particular emphasis on New Orleans.
  • Informing the Public – The Trust will inform the public on key issues regarding rebuilding and repairing the infrastructure of the American Cultural Community.
  • Supporting Musicians – The Trust will support programs that put musicians back to work and create housing for
    • displaced musicians.
  • Supporting Integrated Arts – The Trust will support the revival of architecture with an emphasis on integrated arts.

Most of the targeted areas for grant funding are in line with Wynton Marsalis' role as the Co-Chairman of the Cultural Committee of the Mayor's Bring New Orleans Back Commission.
Download Wynton's Bring New Orleans Back Plan (Requires Adobe Acrobat)

Board of Trustees*
  Wynton Marsalis, Founder & Artistic Director, Jazz at Lincoln Center
  Lisa Marie Hoggs, Founder, Celebrate Jazz!
  Michael Kazanjian, Kazanjian Bros., Inc. and the Kazanjian Foundation
  Bill McFarlin, Executive Director, International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE)
  Daniel Carlin, Chair Emeritus, The Recording Academy (GRAMMY® Awards)

Legal Counsel
  Alan S. Bergman
  Alan S. Bergman & Associates, P.C.
  New York, NY

  Douglas M. Lehman
  Pavia & Harcourt, LLP
  New York, NY

Accountant
  Yavonka G. Archaga, CPA
  New Orleans, LA


*Two additional trustees and 12 Advisory Brain Trust members will be named to the RSOA Board during the coming months.