FAQ:

Who is the owner of EarthSTARS.earth and a History of our work?

sponsorKIDS Charities is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2000 to empower youth globally through storytelling, travel experiences, cultural exchanges, and arts-based peacebuilding programs. For 20+ years, the organization has created hands-on experiences that help young people understand each other, collaborate, and become global citizens.

Jeannette Kravitz is the Founder and Executive Director. 

You can find out more here at: https://www.earthstars.earth/about-2

 

Where is sponsorKIDS Charities located?

United States. Chicago, Illinois 

Thanks for the feedback! We will pass it on to the creator of EarthSTARS SongLab 2026: GRAMMY Nominated Artists + Rising Creators Making Music for the Planet!.

 

Who is Jeannette Barcelos Kracitz?

Jeannette is a Telly Award–winning producer, photographer, documentarian, and youth advocate. For 20+ years, she has created global youth storytelling programs through sponsorKIDS Charities and PeaceJourney.com.

 

Why is she leading EarthSTARS.earth?

Her career has focused on peace, culture, climate storytelling, and empowering youth voices. EarthSTARS is the culmination of decades of global work — now expanded into music, film, and climate action.

 

What motivates Jeannette's work?

Young people she’s met across 15+ countries consistently say they want hope, community, and purpose in the face of climate anxiety. EarthSTARS exists to give them that.

 

Who is Chad Richardson?

A Los Angeles–based Canadian creator with 30+ international song cuts, a Broadway career (5 years in RENT), and decades of experience signing, mentoring, and supporting top artists including Drake, The Weeknd, and Jessie Reyez.

 

What does Chad bring to the EarthSTARS.Earth SongLab?

Experience! Chad has curated over 30 song camps. Chad is one of L.A.’s most respected songwriting camp curators (Rihanna, Kesha, Julia Michaels, Tayla Parx). His gift is creating the safest, most inspiring rooms for artists to bring their best work.

 

Why is Chad joining EarthSTARS.Earth SongLab as Currator?

He believes songs matter most when they come from real stories — and that this project may be the most important SongLab he has ever led.

 

Why is sponsorKIDS moving into climate-focused work?

Because young people everywhere are saying the same thing:

“We’re scared of the planet — and we don’t know where to start.”

Climate stress is now a peace issue. sponsorKIDS is evolving to meet what young people are asking for: creativity, support, and a chance to be heard.

 

What is EarthSTARS,Earth?

EarthSTARS.Earth is a global eco-media movement powered by youth storytellers, artists, and creatives across 130+ countries. We mix music, film, storytelling, and climate action to help young people turn fear into creative power.

 

What inspired the creation of EarthSTARS.earth?

Young people kept telling us they felt alone in climate anxiety. EarthSTARS was created to give them community, creative outlets, and a global stage for their voices and solutions.

 

Why focus on music and storytelling?

Because statistics don’t move people — stories and songs do.

Music reaches people emotionally, crosses cultures, and spreads faster than any report. It’s the most powerful tool we have to shift culture toward climate action.

 

What is the EarthSTARS.Earth SongLab?

5-day songwriting retreat where GRAMMY-level and nominated artists and rising creatives turn real global climate stories into original songs — and into a documentary launching Earth Day 2026.

 

This is the first in a series of EarthSTARS.Earth SongLabs in the planning stages to build a portfolio of meaningful songwriting adventures for writers, musicians leading to an EarthSTARS.Earth Award shows and more in the future.

 

Why launch EarthSTARS.Earth SongLab in Vancouver?

The SongLab will be held at The Farm, a legendary studio on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast — a creative sanctuary surrounded by forest and ocean. It is private, inspiring, and designed for deep artistic collaboration.

 

How many people participate in EarthSTARS.Earth SongLab?

Up to 18 songwriters, a production team, filmmakers, youth climate storytellers, and mentors, although some song labs may vary in size and participants depending on availability, funding and region.

Was this information helpful?

 

How we hope to use the music:

Our plans for song usage (individually negotiated with songwriters and their business managers) includes:

• A global documentary film
• Social media micro-episodes
• Youth climate storytelling campaigns
• School + NGO climate programs
• Live performance showcases

 

Who owns the songs?

Artists retain creative authorship; EarthSTARS can partner on usage for the documentary, youth education, and climate campaigns. No one’s rights get exploited — fairness is core to our ethics.

 

What is The Farm in Vancouver?

The Farm is a world-renowned creative retreat and recording studio run by GGGarth Richardson (producer for Rage Against the Machine, Nickelback, and dozens more). It has hosted iconic artists and songwriting camps for decades.

 

Why is The Farm perfect for a climate-focused SongLab initial launch?

It’s surrounded by old-growth forests, nature, and quiet — exactly the environment needed for grounded, emotional, honest art-making. Nearly every attendee who visits leaves transformed.

 

How does my contribution help?

Your support directly funds the songwriters, youth storytellers, lodging, studio time, meals, travel, and the documentary team who will bring their stories to life.

 

Is my contribution tax-deductible?

Yes. sponsorKIDS Charities is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the United States. Backers will receive a tax-deductible receipt for contributions above perk value.

Was this information helpful?

 

How will the $104,650  be used?

Every dollar supports the creators and production team who bring the SongLab to life.

SongLab Production 

Documentary Shoot + Editing 

Venue & Lodging 

Travel 

Camera + Creative Team 

Food (375 meals) 

Studio Music Space 

Crowdfunding Platform Fees 

Contingency 

 We also welcome non-greenwashing sponsors and

in-kind support like donated Travel Points to reduce costs and expand impact.

Reach out to jkravitz@earthstars.earth to Donate Goods, Gifts and Services

 

What does the EarthSTARS SongLab help to support?

What is PeaceJourney?

PeaceJourney is sponsorKIDS’ flagship youth travel and storytelling program. It brings young people together across borders — from the U.S., Kenya, India, Mexico, and beyond — to share stories, develop empathy, and work on community impact projects. Many youth featured in EarthSTARS have roots in PeaceJourney programming.

More info here: https://www.earthstars.earth/about-2

 

How will you ensure transparency? 

We will:

• Publish updates during the SongLab
• Release behind-the-scenes footage
• Share production progress
• Post a final financial summary after the project completes

 

What if fundraising fails?

EarthSTARS will scale to what we can responsibly fund. No money is wasted; every dollar still goes toward youth creators, travel, and the documentary. sponsorKIDS relies heavily on our tremendous college interns and professional volunteers 

 

When will the documentary be released?

Filming leads up to and includes the songLab Vancouver events over Earth Day 2026 — with early previews for donors at specific perk levels. Final editing is scheduled for June 2026 with release dates coming around the International Day of Peace 2026 or sooner.

 

When will songs be available?

After the SongLab concludes. Previews will be shared from the artists and announcements from our team at EarthSTARS on release dates, sent to all donors and also announced via our website and social media links.

 

How do you choose the youth songwriters?

• Donors here at this campaign who choose the Reward Levels related to youth involvement as well as<

Through EarthSTARS’ global network:

• Climate youth leaders
• PeaceJourney alumni
• Youth-led climate orgs

All storytellers are vetted for safety, leadership, and impact.

 

How do young artists gain?

They gain:

• Mentorship from world-class creators
• A global platform
• Major industry exposure
• Professional development
• Community + emotional support

 

How does this actually help the planet?

We are building a national and global network of EarthSTARS led by Gen Z youth and multi-generational mentorship.

The biggest barrier to climate action now is hopelessness.

These songs, stories, Gen Z community and films rebuild hope, unity, creativity, and community — the emotional foundation needed for real climate action.

 

sponsorKIDS Charities EarthSTARS SongLab 2026 is produced by sponsorKIDS Charities, a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2000. As with all creative, international, and youth-centered initiatives, there are some inherent risks and variables. We believe in transparency, so here’s what we’re preparing for — and how we will manage each one.

• Scheduling & Travel Logistics

Bringing together up to 18 music professionals, including 12  young songwriters, mentors, and a production team from multiple regions involves complex travel coordination.

Mitigation:

We work with experienced travel coordinators, maintain backup travel windows, and have already confirmed availability with our core team and studio partners. If adjustments are required, we will communicate immediately with all backers.

• Studio or Location Changes

The Farm Studios in Vancouver is our confirmed partner location. In rare cases, weather, availability, or safety conditions could require shifting dates or creative spaces.

Mitigation:

The Farm has a long history of hosting professional productions. If circumstances require a pivot, we have secondary recording and lodging partners available in Vancouver. The SongLab will be delivered.

•  Documentary Production Variables

Filming a multi-day creative process always involves performance, weather, and equipment considerations.

Mitigation:

Our film team has produced dozens of international documentaries and are prepared with backup equipment, secondary shooting plans, and the ability to complete post-production even if timelines shift.

•  Youth Participation & Safeguarding

As a youth-focused nonprofit, we take participant well-being seriously.

Mitigation:

Participants are supported by trained nonprofit staff, professional mentors, and community coordinators. sponsorKIDS Charities follows strict safeguarding, emergency, and communications protocols.

•  Delivery of Perks & Credits

Physical perks and digital credits require coordination with artists, editors, and our production timeline.

Mitigation:

All perks are designed to be deliverable regardless of small production shifts. Documentary credits, messages to musicians, and sponsor recognition will be included exactly as described, even if the documentary release date adjusts.

• Funding Dependencies

As a nonprofit project, the scale of the SongLab depends on community support.

Mitigation:

If we exceed our goal, we expand the program (more storytellers, more songs, more post-production).

If we fall short, we scale responsibly — but the SongLab will occur. We commit to delivering a meaningful retreat, songs, and a documentary using the funds raised.

 

Refunds & Cancellations

Because EarthSTARS SongLab is operated by a registered nonprofit and all contributions directly support charitable programming:

• Contributions are tax-deductible where applicable
• Contributions cannot be refunded
• Perks will be fulfilled as promised, even if timelines adjust

If extraordinary circumstances emerge, we will communicate openly with all supporters.

 

Summary: Why You Can Trust This Project

• sponsorKIDS Charities has 25 years of successful global youth programming
• Chad Richardson has run 31 songwriting campsfor major artists (Rihanna, Drake, Kesha, Steven Tyler, Timbaland, and more)
• Jeannette Kravitz has produced award-winning international youth cultural programs
• The Farm Studios is a world-class, established recording environment

We have the team, expertise, and infrastructure to deliver SongLab 2026 with excellence

 

LEGAL DISCLOSURE

EarthSTARS SongLab 2026 is a charitable initiative of sponsorKIDS Charities, a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 36-4331557).

All contributions made through this Indiegogo campaign are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law and are used to support our youth empowerment, arts, climate storytelling, and educational programming.

By contributing to this campaign, you acknowledge that:

• Donations are non-refundable. Funds are applied immediately to project expenses and mission-related work.
• Perks are not products and have no monetary value; they serve only as acknowledgments of your support.
• sponsorKIDS Charities retains all rights to the EarthSTARS SongLab, Climate Songbook, documentary film, and all related creative content.
• Project timelines may change due to production schedules or logistical circumstances. Updates will be shared transparently.

For more information, please visit:  https://www.earthstars.earth  Email: jkravitz@earthstars.earth