Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and multiple Grammy Award-winning guitarist Tom Morello is using the hype around his two upcoming Toronto shows to raise funds for Covenant House, Canada's largest agency housing homeless youth.

Known globally over the past three decades for his unique playing style and captivating performances in legendary rock bands Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave and Prophets of Rage, Morello has partnered with Covenant House Toronto and Fandiem — a fan-powered fundraising platform — to raffle off two tickets to his show at Toronto’s Danforth Music Hall on July 17. 

Fans are able to donate to Covenant House Toronto through Fandiem, with options ranging from $10 to $500. Donations automatically enter you for the chance to win the ultimate Tom Morello experience, with each price point equating to more entries in the draw.

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Ultimately, the winner will score round-trip travel to the city, a three-night hotel stay, a gift card for local ground transportation on top of two tickets to Morello's show, backstage access to meet him in person, a Morello–signed guitar, poster and an exclusive merch pack to remember the night. 

Mark Aston, Covenant House Toronto's executive director, says Morello’s choosing to support Covenant House is extremely welcome and much needed.

“We were delighted to learn that Tom Morello chose Covenant House Toronto as a local charity to support through this raffle-style fan-based fundraising effort. The partnership was initiated by his team, and we are so thankful that they are helping to raise funds and awareness about the urgent issue of youth homelessness in our city,” he said. 

A representative from Morello’s management team said the prospect of giving back to communities and homeless or at-risk youth is something the artist cares about deeply. With his show taking place in Toronto, his team looked for a local charity to support the cause on a more local level directly.  

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The sweepstake opportunity could not have come at a better time. Aston highlighted just how urgent the need to support at-risk youth has become in Toronto.

“Every night, roughly 1,300 13- to 24-year-olds experience homelessness in Toronto as part of the city’s shelter system. Many more experience what is known as hidden homelessness, staying in informal, temporary and unstable living arrangements. It continues to be a difficult time with post-pandemic inflation and soaring rents making daily living more challenging than ever,” he told The Catholic Register. 

He said Covenant House Toronto is seeing demand for its services continue to increase. Last year alone, over 2,000 youth turned to the shelter for support, and every day more than 100 youth come to its drop-in centre for a hot meal, clean clothes and a safe place to rest. More youth are staying with the shelter longer, and the demand for services often exceeds the available supply.

“Donations from this fundraiser will help Covenant House provide young people with a stable place to stay, along with access to on-site health care, counselling services, education, employment services and the skill development opportunities that can help break the cycle of homelessness and pave a path to a bright future,” Aston said. 

Combined with Morello’s sustained popularity and knack for activism, cemented by his discography’s unapologetic and socially charged themes, and as the 2023 Music Will Humanitarian of the Year award recipient, sizable donation figures should be expected. 

“The promotion of the raffle reaches thousands of people with our message that we would perhaps not be able to reach — the complex realities of youth homelessness,” Aston said.

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At this point, there are no similar initiatives with other artists. However, Aston says the shelter always welcomes opportunities to raise funds and awareness through partnerships and hopes this unique offering inspires other artists, communities and supporters to join Covenant House Toronto in creating an impact and supporting youth experiencing homelessness. 

The raffle remains open until July 3 at 11:59 pm PT, with the draw taking place on July 7.