Chris Stapleton Behind Unexpected Charitable Donation
Massive country stars making charitable donations are nothing new. In fact it can feel like a daily occurrence as they work to polish up their public personas while also making their accountants smile with tax deductible write-offs. But it’s very rare that a country artist makes a donation without some big check exchanging hands at a public ceremony, while flashbulbs from the press going off, followed up by a big public relations blast. But that’s what happened with the Lexington Habitat for Humanity last week when a check arrived for $10,000 for the organization completely unannounced, and the signatory was Chris Stapleton.
“We were thrilled when the check came in the mail. It was completely unexpected,” said Rachel Childress, CEO of the Lexington Habitat for Humanity chapter that helps build safe, affordable housing for low income individuals, of which Kentucky has plenty of in the dismantling of the coal mining industry. “It is beautiful when people use their resources to help others. Every dollar makes a difference and we know this gift will make a big impact on Lexington families. We are so grateful.”
Chris Stapleton also operates an organization called Outlaw State of Kind, a play on his song “Outlaw State of Mind” from his breakout record Traveller. The organization is administrated in part by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, which identifies needs in the area and helps divert resources to them. In 2015, Chris Stapleton also made an under-the-radar donation to the United Mine Workers of America right after fellow Kentucky native Sturgill Simpson did the same thing.
Chris Stapleton was born in Lexington, Kentucky, but grew up in the tiny town of Staffordsville, which is near Paintsville where Stapleton went to high school. Stapleton has also made donations to his former school, including $57,000 in musical instruments, and pitched in to help the school build an outdoor stage. Stapleton’s father was a Kentucky coal miner, and his death is partly what inspired Stapleton to record and release the now certified triple platinum Traveller, and to do it his own way, cutting the tracks live with producer Dave Cobb.
Chris Stapleton is currently on his extended All-American Roadshow Tour.
Lone Wolf
June 30, 2019 @ 1:18 pm
I can totally see Chris Stapleton doing something like this on the down low. No need for him to make a huge ordeal out of it and make sure everybody knows he made a donation. Class act through and through.
Psykoskitzo
June 30, 2019 @ 9:01 pm
Exactly, why would anyone want to take on publicity in the eyes of critiques and a judgemental society for an act of kindness? I’ll tell ya why, Chris is a man of integrity and a long line of morals that brought him to where he is today, and he don’t wear make-up…
Kelly
June 30, 2019 @ 1:50 pm
I totally disagree with your remark that a major country star would only make a major donation like this if it were in front of cameras for publicity. That is so not true.
Trigger
June 30, 2019 @ 1:55 pm
“Only” is a strong word, and one I didn’t use. I agree it does and can happen. But unfortunately it’s very rare, and I can say that as someone who fields reams of press releases every week about these things.
Nate
July 1, 2019 @ 6:23 pm
Carrie Underwood made a $10,000 donation yesterday to the gofundme for her former guitarist’s mother-in-law who was diagnosed with cancer. No flare, no press, just a kind heart.
Zuma
July 7, 2019 @ 8:57 am
If it’s an anonymous donor, how could you possibly know? There is no way for you to know how rare anonymous charitable donations from country stars are, regardless of your press releases.
Lisa Smith
July 1, 2019 @ 7:54 am
Exactly! Many give back and we never know. It should be that way!
Brenda Overstrom
June 30, 2019 @ 2:30 pm
Chris is a man that’s down to earth, will help out at a blink of a eye.
You give in places where others may not. You are doing a great job.
Thank you for all your hard work. You have beautiful music. And for that I thank you so very much.
Keep up the good work and
MAY GOD BE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY’S. THANK YOU FOR BEING WHO YOU ARE.
Robert's Country Blog
June 30, 2019 @ 3:51 pm
Chris Stapleton is my very favorite, so I’m glad to see this. I am usually impressed by the country music community for charity. In 2011, a tornado hit my town in Alabama, and country music people (traditional and pop alike) were extremely generous to help the area recover. Jon Pardi opened for Alabama at one of the benefits, and that was the first time I ever heard of him. As a side note, Jedd Hughes has an album coming out August 30th. I haven’t seen a track list, but when I looked him up on ASCAP, I noticed that he has written songs with Chris Stapleton.
Linda Carney-Covington
June 30, 2019 @ 4:41 pm
Not surprised, he and Jimmy Carter are good friends. Love Chris Stapleton đź’ś
Linda Chaffins
June 30, 2019 @ 7:06 pm
I believe that he is doing all of this to pay it forward and give back to the people who have loved his music all of these years he knows that we were there for him and he is there for those who need it and not for publicly or wants the to be in the spotlight. He doesn’t need to be out in public for this. He has a big heart and soul and I got say right on to him and I love him
Lisa Dempsey
June 30, 2019 @ 7:23 pm
I love his music he and his wife can sing people do this that still have a heart to help people and thank the father in heaven one day i will be blessed with a new roof. Lol he has the most soulful voice i love it may our father bless him
Judy dickens
June 30, 2019 @ 7:42 pm
Way to go Chris !!! I wish there was people like you I know you made.a lot of kids happy and the other people who needs places to live you’re o e of a kind
Gloria
June 30, 2019 @ 7:51 pm
I think it’s great to give to charity. I also know it’s a tax write off . Still, a nice gesture. BUT ,what would be a surprising charity would be LGBTQ, not this. Not making it any less nice, but NOT shocking. And 10,000 IS NOT that much when ur loaded. FACTS.
Psykoskitzo
June 30, 2019 @ 8:53 pm
There was no reason for this proverbial opinion Miss Gloria. Kindness can reach a universe beyond anyone’s control. As for your said charitable organization, why would Mr. Stapleton want to face a judgement in our creators eyes when that day comes to pass?
Sherle Smith
July 1, 2019 @ 1:41 am
First off Chris Stapleton and his wife and family,They are so generous,with their time ,money and most of all heart….that’s what we all need more of…love.They are loving there neighbor…WOW.and now 5 young children too.
Our family went to see them last summer in Idaho…we could not get tickets in Portland Oregon it was a 15 hr truck but,well worth it we were not disappointed. As far as his donations go he’s doing a great job giving back,and you feel the love.Thank you Mr.and Mrs for sharing your life with us!!
Bryan
July 1, 2019 @ 7:34 am
Maybe 10K isn’t all that much when you are loaded, or reasonably well off. However, that same 10K in the hands of the correct people can go a really long way in making sure that the hungry are fed or the homeless have a roof.
I’m sure that the people this money helped are sure glad you’re behind your keyboard looking out for all of their well beings.
TilBillyHill
July 1, 2019 @ 11:28 am
[DISCLAIMER: this is replying specifically to a comment downplaying the laudability of the donation. It is not an opening salvo for or an indication of any interest in a debate about politics or which causes are worthy of support.]
Gloria,
Poverty rates for LGBTQ individuals and families show that many are within the population for which Habitat for Humanity provides assistance in obtaining housing and building an economic foundation through home ownership.
The “sweat equity” model also gives those who volunteer with Habitat, including those becoming homeowners through Habitat, an opportunity to interact with and work alongside people they might not encounter in their personal lives, allowing people to get to know each other as humans working toward a common goal, instead of “us” and “them.”
I first encountered this data in a humanities course a long time ago, so I ran a quick search to see if the data reported then still stands. This article is from 2009, but demonstrates that supporting people living in poverty and supporting LGBTQ people are not mutually exclusive. I also checked Habitat’s policy statements on non-discrimination.
Downplaying a charitable act for not being to a different organization or for a larger amount likely is counterproductive. And, in this case, risks indirectly reflecting poorly on LGBTQ charities just by your reference to them in a comment demeaning an act of charity. (I have to wonder if the comment was sincere or was trolling or even trying to drum up resentment toward LGBTQ charities). For all we know, Stapleton might have made unannounced contributions to organizations specifically working on employment non-discrimination and other LGBTQ-related causes.
We do know from public reports and press releases that Stapleton has spoken out about mental health in general, depression, and suicide. He is openly involved with https://www.changedirection.org
Again, data suggests that support for those that organization likely provides critical support to LGBTQ individuals and families.
Gloria, I hope this helps your appreciation for the Stapleton family contributions to charitable causes, especially as an artist who is relatively new to (and in some aspects, fighting for) commercial success. Count me among those who appreciates and respects the publicly-reported support Stapleton has provided.
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/lgbt/reports/2009/07/01/6430/poverty-in-the-lgbt-community/
https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/LGBTQ
Dennis Ryans
July 2, 2019 @ 4:34 am
Thank you for the information… And thanks again for the way that you approached it
hoptowntiger94
June 30, 2019 @ 9:21 pm
Good Guy.
In concert, does his fans sit or stand?
Irene Jewel Willson
July 1, 2019 @ 7:26 am
Love Chris Stapleton…ever since I first heard him on the radio singing “what are you listening to” then he is so nice, he once just walked over to me when I called his name while at the Old Sugar Mill in the Sacramento area. Though it is now hard to get a meet n greet because he is so famous, I will never forget how nice he is.
Robert Whitaker
July 1, 2019 @ 10:43 am
Awesome! Seems like that kind of guy. God bless him.
Diamond Girl
July 1, 2019 @ 2:31 pm
Chris Stapleton and his wife are good people. You can just feel how grateful and kind they are. I am sure they help with many great causes. I enjoy Chris music and it was a fun surprise to hear his song in the movie ‘Toy Story 4’ If you go, stay til the credits, it is a good one 🙂
Sandra Mayers
July 1, 2019 @ 3:48 pm
Chris Stapleton is my dream.When I seen him on The Voice I knew right at the beginning he was going to be the the winner.My favorite song is Tennessee Whiskey I can listen to that song over and over.I have trying to find that CD the Traveler and I can’t find it anywhere but I will avengeley get it.Chris you are the greatest. Sincerely yours Sandra Mayers
Tessa
July 2, 2019 @ 8:13 am
I love your songs