Leah Woods ’18 Merges Arts and Philanthropy

When Leah Woods ’18 (studio composition and arts management) came to the Conservatory of Music, she brought with her a desire to make a difference in the world.

“Though there are things in life we can’t control, we can make a beneficial difference within our community, no matter how big or small,” she says.

Having worked bake sales and neighborhood carnivals in her hometown of Saratoga Springs, NY, as she matured, so did her fundraising skills.

Generocksity Rocks Purchase

She learned of the Canada-based fundraising organization Generocksity from a friend and resolved to start a New York chapter right here on campus—the first based in the US.

According to their website, “Generocksity is a completely student-run, nonprofit organization dedicated to educating young adults on the importance of philanthropy and how easily it can be integrated into their daily lives to help develop life-long habits of effective giving.”

Dubbed Generocksity NYC, the Purchase group of roughly 15 members organizes events that college students tend toward anyway—concerts and parties in bars, restaurants, and clubs—but with 100% of proceeds benefiting local charities.

This semester, they also began organizing volunteer fields trips, such as an Earth Day beach clean-up in Rye, and Galarocksity, a gala-like event in a campus gallery where Purchase musicians performed and students donated art to auction.

Funds Stay Local

The group decides together which charities will benefit from their activities. They consider the interests of Purchase first—those organizations students are most likely to support—as well as the impact of their donation. The beneficiaries are always local.

So far, they’ve raised about $2,500 for the Hudson Valley Community Coalition, which offers support services to immigrants, and My Sister’s Place, a women’s shelter committed to ending domestic violence and human trafficking.

Next semester, they hope to reach out to other schools and expand the types of events they produce.

The Philanthropic Arts

For her arts management internship at Hands 4 Others, Woods is working on a project, Melodies 4 Water, a compilation album of musicians from around the country. Hands 4 Others brings clean water to people around the world as they empower students to become global leaders.

Post-Purchase

She hopes to continue to her philanthropic efforts after she graduates.

“I will see where the projects I’m working on now take me. I would like to work for other organizations that combine music and the arts with making a difference in the world, while also working on my own side projects.”

A musician and songwriter, she’ll also be releasing new music in the coming year.

As for Generocksity, she’ll pass the baton after graduation. “It’s a college-run organization, so if they need me I’ll be there, but those involved will have total control.”