End Overdose has partnered with the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) to provide training and resources. The nonprofit has also launched its first-ever Giving Tuesday silent auction.
End Overdose has continued to make headway in its fight against the opiod epidemic in the US with each passing year. The nonprofit has become a frequent face at Insomniac-hosted events and festivals, while it has also seen a presence at others throughout the country at an increasing pace. Now, End Overdose is expanding its reach even further by announcing an official partnership with the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA).
This partnership will see End Overdose provide opioid overdose response training to NIVA members on a quarterly basis. Additionally, naloxone and fentanyl test strips will be provided to NIVA members for free so that they can help keep attendees safe while enjoying live entertainment. Once venue staff has been trained, this will expand the reach of End Overdose’s mission as they can now help tens of millions of attendees annually.
End Overdose has created a national certification program to equip venues and individuals with the skills to save lives. It’s available online and in person, streamlining states’ education from boots on the ground training, sourcing, to distribution. We’re proud to be funded and supported by the community that shares our mission. The independent venue ecosystem is vital to the health of live entertainment across the country, making this partnership a perfect fit to ensure lifesaving tools are available where they’re needed most.
End Overdose founder and CEO Theo Krzywicki
NIVA is composed of over 3,000 independent venues, promoters, and festivals across the US. Founded in 2020 in response to the global pandemic closures, it introduced the Save Our Stages Act and, inevitably, the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG), which passed Congress and resulted in $16.5 billion in relief for the independent live entertainment sector. Venues that have been certified by NIVA include 1015 Folsom, EOS Lounge, Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom, Music Box, The Independent, Apollo Theater, Catch One, Belly Up Aspen, and more.
“Live shows are built on connection, and connection means looking out for one another. Through this new partnership, End Overdose is making it possible for all NIVA venues and festivals to have free naloxone on site and for staff to receive real, hands-on overdose response training,” said NIVA Executive Director Stephen Parker.
The partnership between End Overdose and NIVA wasn’t the only news to surface lately, as the nonprofit also launched its first-ever Giving Tuesday Silent Auction. From November 14 to December 2, those who want to give back can do so by placing their bids on donated items from electronic artists and promoters, film and TV stars, athletes, and more.
In the dance music space, notable items include a framed Nocturnal Wonderland poster signed by artist Cody Diodate, a $500 iHeartRaves gift card, a week of VIP access to Iris Presents’ NYE events in Atlanta, two weekend VIP passes to a Breakaway Music Festival of your choice, a SILO ticket package to various shows. Additionally, artists like Deorro, LSDREAM, and William Black have donated signed jerseys, while longtime End Overdose support HVDES has a signed poster in the silent auction.
Head to End Overdose’s official website for more information on the new partnership with NIVA. To place your bid on silent auction items, head to partnered platform Zeffy.