Toyota and World Up Join Forces to Empower Youth Through Hip-Hop, Technology and Education

#ToyotaGiving tagged tweets trigger $2 donations

NEW YORK--Nov. 12, 2012:  Toyota and New York City's World Up have come together in a new fundraising effort to empower youth in New York City and beyond through the power of hip-hop, technology and education. From November 12 through November 18, World Up and Toyota invite everyone to take to Twitter and Instagram to lend their voice to the #ToyotaGiving movement and help raise funds to support World Up's programs.

How to help:

1. Post to Twitter or Instagram how you have been inspired by music to make a difference in the world or your community, using the hashtag #ToyotaGiving .
2. For every tagged #ToyotaGiving tweet or Instagram photo, Toyota will donate $2 to World Up, up to $5,000.

The goal of  #ToyotaGiving is more than raising funds, it's sharing the stories of those making a difference and inspiring others to follow their lead. With the help of the community, World Up's goal isto generate 2,500 posts, enough to raise $5,000 which will be used to help expand World Up's educational programs and work towards establishing a World Up school.

World Up uses hip-hop as a way to talk to youth about global issues, bringing hip-hop artists, such as Lupe Fiasco and Young Guru, into the classroom to tell their stories. Over the past eight years World Up has developed a curriculum that goes beyond global issues to teach youth literacy, leadership and music production skills.

#ToyotaGiving at Unique NYC
To round out the nearly week-long campaign, #ToyotaGiving and World Up will be at the First Annual Unique NYC Holiday Show November 17 and 18 at Center 548 in the Art Gallery District in Chelsea. Attendees are invited to stop by the Toyota Retreat where they can pose for a photo and tweet on the spot.

In 2012, the #ToyotaGiving program has partnered with nine non-profit organizations across the country, donating a total of $30,000 along the way. To learn more visit Toyota Giving.

About World Up
World Up is a non-profit organization founded in 2004 that aims to foster cross-cultural understanding and empower youth through hip hop, education, and technology. United by a deep love for music, and a faith in its power as a tool for social change, World Up partners with international artists and local musicians to explore global issues, technology and literacy and teach skills such as music production and leadership.

For more information visit World Up.