Taylor Swift Donates $1 Million To Nashville Tornado Relief Efforts

After tornadoes heavily damaged parts of Middle Tennessee earlier this week, leaving at least 25 people dead, Taylor Swift has responded to the disaster by donating $1 million to the Middle Tennessee Emergency Response Fund, a rep for Swift has confirmed to MusicRow Magazine.

“Nashville is my home. And the fact that so many people have lost their homes and so much more in Middle Tennessee is devastating to me,” Swift said via her Instagram story on March 5.

This is far from the first time Swift has pitched in to help those in Nashville, where the country artist-turned-pop star got her start at Nashville-based Big Machine Records (she signed with Universal Music Group’s Republic Records in 2018).

In 2013, she pledged $4 million to the Country Music hall of Fame and Museum to fund the Taylor Swift Education Center. After the 2010 floods devastated Nashville, Swift donated $500,000 to the relief efforts. She also donated $100,000 to the Nashville Symphony for her 24th birthday in 2013.

Leading up to the release of her album 1989, she donated proceeds from her song “Welcome To New York” to NYC Public Schools.

In 2016, she donated $250,000 to fellow singer-songwriter Kesha to help with legal fees during Kesha’s lawsuit against producer Dr. Luke. She has also made various donations to music fans to help with everything from paying off student loans to aiding fans who are battling cancer.

Swift is one of many artists who have donated funds to help tornado relief efforts around Nashville in recent days. Dan+Shay, who will launch their Dan+Shay The (Arena) Tour on Friday with the first of two shows at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, have donated $100,000 to relief efforts. Additionally, the country duo’s team, including AEG Presents, Sandbox Entertainment, CAA and Bridgestone Arena are also donating a portion of each ticket sold for both of Dan+Shay’s Nashville shows to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

“We are heartbroken by the devastation the tornadoes left upon Tennessee earlier this week. Our love goes out to everyone affected by this tragedy,” the duo said via a statement. “We are so proud to call Nashville our home, and have seen first hand that this community is strong, resilient, and compassionate. What this town does best in times of need, is come together, so it is only fitting that our tour starts tomorrow in Nashville at Bridgestone Arena. Friday and Saturday, through the power of music, we will all unite to celebrate the spirit of our incredible city. On behalf of Dan + Shay, we will be making a $100,000 donation to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. We are looking forward to two unforgettable shows, in the town we hold dearest to our hearts.”

Fellow country artist Chris Young also recently announced a $50,000 donation to the Music City Inc. Foundation, while Kacey Musgraves pledged to donate proceeds from a fashion sale to aid those affected by the storms.

Sheryl Crow will hold a yard sale on Friday (March 6) and Saturday (March 7) at 2809 12th Ave. S. in Nashville; the sale will run Friday from 3-6 p.m., and on Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., with a brief acoustic set at 2 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from the sale will benefit the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, and Gideon’s Army United, to aid those affected by the tornadoes.

Nashville’s sports community has also responded, with The Nashville Sounds donating $100,000 to relief efforts. The Titans Foundation, including controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk, have announced a $1 million donation to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.