When Rick and Krysi were facing a tough time battling both cancer and complications from two heart surgeries, Comedy Gives Back helped create a fundraising campaign to help alleviate mounting medical bills.

Please consider donating now so Comedy Gives Back can continue to be the safety net for the comedy community

Comedy Gives Back Mission Statement:

Being alone onstage is part of the job of the stand up comedian. Feeling alone offstage is unacceptable. Comedy Gives Back was created so that comedians have resources to turn to when times get tough. Comedy Gives Back is the safety net for the comedy community by providing financial crisis relief, mental health and chemical dependency treatment sponsorship and continued community support.

“Rick Newman was a great guy, always very nice to me. The romance of Catch a Rising Star was something I still, when I talk to [Chris] Rock and [Colin] Quinn and [Mario] Joyner and guys who were there, George Wallace, we’re still waxing about the romance of Catch a Rising Star. There was nothing like it, so exciting.” - Jerry Seinfeld

The story of Rick Newman’s Catch A Rising Star is so much more than the history of a comedy club and more than the legion of big name comedians, writers, and producers that it can rightfully claim as alumni. Nor is it merely nostalgic homage to a place that was to its time what the Stork Club and Toots Shor’s and the Copacabana were to theirs. Those accounts, though valid in their own rights, short shrift its broader scope. Because when looked at in context, the phenomenon that was Rick Newman’s Catch A Rising Star is emblematic of a time in 20th century Americana, where the confluence of governmental upheaval, social change, and a rebellious generation found a receptive audience in an upper Eastside night spot. - Alan Zweibel

Comedy Gives Back is a non-profit founded by Jodi Lieberman, Amber J Lawson and Zoe Friedman (aka JAZ) that solely benefits stand-up comedians in times of need.

WE'VE CREATED A SAFETY NET.

For comedians, being on stage alone is the job. Feeling alone offstage is unacceptable. Our mission is to create a safety net for stand-up comedians. We're here to help provide the comedy community with financial crisis relief, mental health and chemical dependency treatment sponsorship and continued community support. And we need your help. Donate today. Donate generously. We thank you!

OUR IMPACT

Financial Crisis Relief - S#$t happens sometimes. When comedians are in need due to unforeseen circumstances, we're here to help. We provide grants to cover treatments, surgery, and hospital stays when stand-ups need it most.
Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Treatment Sponsorship - Mental health issues and substance abuse are two of comedy's biggest challenges. We're here to help comedians find and pay for treatment.

Community Support - bi-monthly Comedy Gives Back Connects (Virtual and IRL) bringing comedians and industry leaders together. FB community and resource private group.

Comedy Gives Back is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity based in Venice, CA. (EIN 84-1886550) Contributions are tax-deductible for income, gift, and estate taxes to the fullest extent of the law.

Comedy Gives Back helped support Rick Newman

If you would like to make a donation in Rick's memory and support Comedy Gives Back