Exclaim! Holiday Gift Guide: Give Back with Presents Supporting Great Causes

BY Exclaim! StaffPublished Dec 13, 2022

Many of us love giving and receiving gifts at the holidays, but those presents can be extra special when the proceeds go towards charitable causes. In the spirit of giving, we've collected some gift ideas where the money you spend contributes purposefully — from donations to Canadian music charities to merch items that support various organizations, and an art print benefitting the family of late Shallow North Dakota drummer Tony Jacome.

Canadian Music Therapy Fund


THE CMTF promotes, develops and supports music therapy services and research in an effort to make music therapy available to more people in more communities across Canada.

Collective Arts Indigenous Print Series


Curated by by Luke Swinson, Collective Arts' Indigenous Prints Series features stunning art from four different Indigenous artists, including Kyle Joedicke and Summer Twenish. Proceeds go to Indspire, which invests in the education of Indigenous people.

Tony Jacome (Shallow North Dakota) Risograph print by Matthew Daley


Illustrator and comic artist Matthew Daley pays tribute to Tony Jacome, drummer for legendary Hamilton noise rockers Shallow North Dakota, who died last fall after a battle with cancer. All proceeds from sales of this 8.5 x 11-inch four-colour Risograph print go to his family.

Music Heals Music Therapy


Music Heals raises awareness and funds to increase access to music therapy for vulnerable Canadians, including patients in children's hospitals, seniors' centres, palliative care, AIDS and HIV programs, at-risk youth, habilitation, and bereavement support.

MusicCounts music education


For 25 years MusicCounts has helped breakdown barriers to fund kids' musical education through granting programs, scholarships, mentorship and education.

Ouri shirt for Black Youth Helpline


Proceeds from this shirt, inspired by Ouri's acclaimed album Frame of a Fauna, go to the Black Youth Helpline, which aims to help individuals and communities through a focus on education, health and community development.

Tegan and Sara Foundation


The Tegan and Sara Foundation looks to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ women through scholarships, summer camps and more. They accept direct donations as well as selling special merch, from which 100 percent of the proceeds go to the Foundation.

Unison Fund


Unison provides counselling and emergency relief services to the Canadian music community. Its financial assistance programs cover music industry professionals (including independent, self-employed live music performance workers) and offer mental health solutions, as well as industry resources to assist with the financial and emotional burden of an unforeseen crisis or illness.

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