KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Organizers of the second annual Growth By Giving Music Fest gathered at Tempesta’s Restaurant at the Best Western Plus Keene Hotel to reflect on the September festival and celebrate its contributions to four local nonprofit organizations.

Co-organizers Joanna Zambella and Jennifer Paone joined attendees for the reception, which highlighted the community partnerships, local musicians and volunteers that helped make the Sept. 6 festival possible.

The event raised about $2,500 for each of its four beneficiaries: Kids Collaborative, Monadnock Habitat for Humanity, Honey Bee Hollow Children’s Center and Linda’s Closet.

The reception included a buffet dinner provided by Tempesta’s and a brief ceremony inviting attendees to share what they enjoyed about the festival and what the event meant to them. Guests also received commemorative buttons and T-shirts.

The second annual festival expanded on its inaugural year with two stages, continuous live music and more opportunities for participating nonprofits to introduce their work to the community. The event brought together local businesses, residents, performers and charitable organizations around a shared fundraising mission.

Zambella, owner of JZ Consulting Agency, previously described Growth by Giving as an effort to connect businesses with meaningful community involvement while creating an affordable entertainment experience for residents. Paone, of The Production House, also  organized the festival, alongside Guyer & Son Roofing.

Business sponsorships played a central role in the festival’s funding model. Sponsors at qualifying levels helped select the nonprofit beneficiaries, while sponsorship revenue supported the event’s production and performer costs. Organizers emphasized that everyone involved in the festival was paid, and ticket prices remained accessible to attendees.

For the participating nonprofits, the festival offered more than financial assistance. Display tables, presentations and stage recognition gave organizations opportunities to explain their services and connect with potential supporters.

Representatives of Linda’s Closet, for example, described the value of meeting community members and sharing information about the organization’s work. One account highlighted the lasting effect of that support, recalling a former client who remembered receiving assistance years earlier.

Local performers also contributed to the festival’s community-centered atmosphere. Attendees at the reception praised the lineup, family-friendly entertainment and opportunity to support charitable causes while enjoying live music. Volunteers described strong teamwork and positive interactions with festivalgoers, including enthusiastic participation in raffles benefiting the nonprofits.

The addition of a second stage helped maintain continuous music throughout the day, and local band Afterthought stepped in when another band arrived late, preventing a disruption to the schedule.

The reception also provided an opportunity to look ahead. Organizers discussed sharing a post-event video to remind the community of the festival and its impact, while attendees expressed interest in returning for future events.

The Growth by Giving Music Fest is built around the idea that local businesses, community members and nonprofit organizations can accomplish more by working together.