Band Together NC, a Triangle-based organization that uses live music as a platform for social change, has announced the YMCA of the Triangle’s Southeast Raleigh project as its 2017 nonprofit partner. The organizations will partner on a number of events, including Last Band Standing and the Main Event, Band Together’s annual spring concert. In 2015, the Band Together – StepUp Ministry partnership resulted in $2 million in net proceeds for the community.

“We are fortunate to have many impressive, worthy nonprofits apply for our partnership each year, and this year was no exception,” said Matthew Strickland, executive director of Band Together. “Our work with the YMCA of the Triangle will have a lasting and positive impact on the Southeast Raleigh community.”

Band Together will work with the YMCA of the Triangle in 2017 on its capital campaign to make healthy living more accessible through the development of a broad, collaborative and community-based service model in Southeast Raleigh. As a result of community input and data, the YMCA of the Triangle made a significant investment in the community by purchasing property on the Rock Quarry Road corridor that will serve as the home, or beacon site. The site will include a YMCA facility, affordable housing, a school, health care options and access to healthy food.

“The YMCA is proud to be the partner for Band Together in 2017,” said Doug McMillan, YMCA of the Triangle CEO. “Together, we can provide services to more families and make a larger impact in our community. We are excited to see what 2017 brings to our community through this relationship.”

“Each year it is more challenging to choose only one partner,” said Strickland. “We appreciate the time and energy all the nonprofits devote to applying. We especially recognize the work of the Triangle Literacy Council, one of this year’s finalists.”

With the success of its 2015 concert, Band Together has donated more than $5.5 million to local nonprofits since its inception in 2001. Since 2013 alone, along with partners StepUp Ministry, Tammy Lynn Center for Developmental Disabilities, Communities In Schools of Wake County and Communities In Schools of Durham County, Band Together has raised over $3.5 million.

Other past nonprofit partners have included Urban Ministries of Wake County, Alliance Medical Ministry, StepUp Ministry, The Lucy Daniels Center for Early Childhood, SAFEChild, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle, and more. Band Together’s 2016 nonprofit partner is Kidznotes.

For more information about Band Together, visit www.bandtogethernc.org, become a fan on Facebook, join their LinkedIn group or follow @bandtogethernc on Twitter. To learn more about its 2017 nonprofit partner visit, www.YMCATriangle.org.