“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
- Margaret Mead
Our Story
Renee Pfefer
Founder, Volunteer Louder
With over 35 years of experience in the music industry -- developing and facilitating tour publicity campaigns for artists like Aerosmith, Beyonce, Celtic Woman, Lyle Lovett, Pink Floyd, Tedeschi Trucks Band, and music festival Gathering of the Vibes -- Renee Pfefer is expanding her professional services in support of activism and philanthropy with Volunteer Louder. The mission of the new organization is to mobilize music fans as a force for positive social change.
Following a 2019 service adventure trip to Thailand through GIVE, where Renee’s group worked in remote hill-tribe villages on organic farming, reforestation and English education projects, she was inspired to make a difference back in her own community.
“I came back from Thailand, and said, ‘I can do more in my everyday life,’’ says Pfefer, who started with little, but impactful, steps, like signing up to volunteer locally and composting at home.
Combining her professional and personal passions, Pfefer has now organized more than 87 successful events energizing music fans to volunteer together.
Whether it’s restoring parks, cleaning up waterfronts, stocking food banks or distributing supplies for children, the opportunity for music fans to unite through her Volunteer Louder initiative are limitless.
Philanthropy and activism often intersect with Pfefer’s day job, from her 16 years with Columbia Records to her own boutique firm, On Tour PR, which she founded in 2005. Over the years, On Tour PR has secured signed items, concert tickets and meet-and-greet experiences to benefit such non-profits as Furniture Sharehouse, Sweet Relief, Music Cares, True Colors Fund, Conscious Alliance, and Afya Foundation among others.
She worked with her longtime On Tour PR client Tedeschi Trucks Band to develop a commemorative pin to honor their late band member Kofi Burbridge, which was sold to fans and raised money for Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation; helped grant concert wishes for people with life-threatening illnesses for Michael Franti’s foundation Do It For The Love; and acquired a signed keyboard from Billy Joel, a former client at Columbia, to raise money for Doors of Change, a nonprofit that helps homeless youth in San Diego.
Now, since founding Volunteer Louder in 2021, she has organized over 115 events across the country including a day of service to honor musician Kofi Burbridge and has been responsible for over 3700 hours of volunteer service.
“I believe our deep passion for music is what connects us and also has the ability to open our eyes, hearts and ears to new things,” she says. “It reminds us of what we share as humans and our place in the world. The power of one person, united with tens, hundreds of others, has never been stronger and holds the key to moving forward towards a better, more connected world. And I can’t think of a better way to do that than through our shared love of music.”