Play It Forward has named the 11 winners of its 2026 Emerging Artist Spotlight, connecting independent music discovery with fundraising for artist-selected nonprofit organizations.
Each participating musician has contributed an original song tied to a personal experience, relationship, or cause. Fans can hear the music, learn the story behind it, and make a donation to download the track. According to Play It Forward, 100% of each donation goes to the artist’s chosen charity.
The causes represented this year include mental health advocacy, gun violence prevention, cancer and diabetes research, environmental protection, community development, and support for survivors of sexual violence. Play It Forward founder Steve Mazza said:
“These artists are sharing much more than their music. They are sharing the experiences that shaped them and using those experiences to help someone else.”
The 2026 Emerging Artist Spotlight winners
The artists and their selected organizations are:
- Marirose Rueth — Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois
- Jake Cassman — Jail Guitar Doors
- Samaera — National Alliance on Mental Illness
- Syante — Jubilee Oikos
- Page Montgomery — Take Back The Night Foundation
- BRAY SMIZZI — Everytown for Gun Safety
- Lorelei — Cool Earth
- Jae Cabrera — Spread The Cheer USA
- Gruve Collective — Diabetes Research Institute Foundation
- Caliban Strange — United Way Worldwide
- Daniel Saighe, aka Unstoppable — American Cancer Society
The Emerging Artist Spotlight was created to give developing musicians another way to reach listeners while supporting organizations meaningful to them. In addition to a dedicated fundraiser and artist page, each winner receives promotional support from Play It Forward.
The format asks listeners to do more than passively stream a track. Each song becomes an entry point into the experience behind it—and an invitation to support people facing similar circumstances.
For independent artists, it is also an example of how music can build community around a shared purpose. A release can serve simultaneously as creative expression, personal storytelling, audience development, and direct support for a cause.
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Play It Forward is a nonprofit music platform that helps artists raise money for causes they care about through original music. Artists share their songs, fans donate to download them, and 100 percent of donations benefit the participating charities.
