CORE, or Community Organized Relief Effort, held its fourth fundraiser during Art Basel Miami on Thursday, December 5. The star-studded guest list included Leonardo DiCaprio, Diplo, and many more. The emergency response nonprofit, co-founded by Sean Penn and Ann Lee, reportedly raised over $1 million for future and ongoing emergency response efforts.

CORE’s Ongoing Emergency Response Efforts

Some of CORE’s current emergency response initiatives are focused on addressing the needs of Ukrainian and Sudanese refugees and those struggling in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The nonprofit has delivered immediate response and long-term recovery solutions to marginalized populations in 27 regions worldwide, helping 11.8 million people to date. The CORE event on Thursday is a celebration of these achievements and an initiative to continue making a difference on a global scale.

Emergency Response, Climate Change Mitigation, and Health

The $1 million raised during the event is intended to support CORE’s emergency response efforts, the nonprofit’s mission to mitigate the impact of climate change, and the expansion of healthcare access to vulnerable communities. These are essential initiatives for empowering the underserved in and outside crises, ensuring forward progress through charity.

From Cocktails to Auctions

As stated by The Hollywood Reporter, which served as the event’s official media partner, the night began with cocktails by the beach and a set by DJ Mia Moretti. The event then transitioned into a sit-down dinner and live auction featuring work from various artists, including Astro and Max Hooper Schneider. 

According to The Hollywood Reporter, “British contemporary artist Chris Levine’s custom ‘Equanimity (CORE Gala), 2024’ portrait of Queen Elizabeth adorned in real diamonds was auctioned for $100,000.”

A Performance By Jewel

Since Penn could not attend, Diplo opened the program with an introduction to Lee. American singer-songwriter Jewel also performed at the event, sharing a series of songs beginning with “Over the Rainbow” and continuing with her hits “Who Will Save Your Soul” and “Hands.” After her set was concluded, she joined the auction by offering the guitar she used in the performance. 

“I’ve been a big fan of Sean’s work for a long time,” Jewel told The Hollywood Reporter. “I’ve been following it since his first experience in Haiti, and gotten very close with Ann over the years. You don’t meet many organizations that have to do a different job every single time; every disaster is different, everyone’s unique, and they go in and solve those problems. I’m just very impressed with the organization.”

CORE Honors Mathew Rosengart

Aside from the CORE nonprofit’s founders, the Art Basel Miami gala honored Mathew Rosengart, a Hollywood lawyer and partner at Greenberg Traurig who serves as CORE’s litigation counsel. Famed for freeing Britney Spears from a 13-year conservatorship, Rosengart has undoubtedly had an impressive career thus far.

“I am deeply honored to represent and be recognized by CORE,” Rosengart said, “an organization of passionate humanitarians whose impact has been an inspiration to me. This is an organization that bravely heads into crises to support communities who need it most, particularly groups of people who are overlooked or underserved. I have witnessed CORE’s work firsthand—both in Haiti in 2018 and during the pandemic when they rapidly expanded to provide urgently needed free COVID-19 vaccinations and tests. My team at Greenberg Traurig and I proudly work to ensure CORE can fulfill its global mission, grounded in building strong local communities.”

Supporting CORE’s Future Work

Overall, the gala was a remarkable success in furthering CORE’s humanitarian efforts. With the $1 million raised, the nonprofit can continue its emergency response efforts.