Edge: U2 always planned music scheme donation

By Fiach Kelly


Wednesday July 22 2009

U2 had been thinking about making a substantial donation to a music programme for the past five years, the Edge said yesterday.

The band announced earlier this week that it will co-finance a national scheme to offer young people the chance to learn an instrument or improve their singing skills.

Revenue guidelines mean U2's €5m donation to Music Network, a non-profit organisation, can be deducted from their taxable income. However, the band has no plans to avail of the tax break.

"It is something that really is lacking and something music networks recognised a good few years ago," the Edge told the 'Gerry Ryan Show'.

"Our money will go a very long way," the Edge said. "We don't normally go public with any of our philanthropy but in this case we need people to know about it, we need people to make application(s) to become partners."

- Fiach Kelly
independent