Phish’s WaterWheel Foundation Reveals Beneficiaries & Volunteer Events For Madison Square Garden New Year’s Eve Run 2025

Phish's WaterWheel Foundation will once again be at the heart of the band’s annual New Year’s Eve run at Madison Square Garden, continuing a nearly three-decade tradition of turning live music into local impact. During the four-night celebration, December 28 – 31, 2025, WaterWheel will spotlight and raise funds for a range of New York City–based nonprofit organizations, while also hosting community volunteer events for fans looking to give back between shows.

Formed by Phish in 1997, The WaterWheel Foundation channels the band’s philanthropic energy into hands-on support for communities across the country. What began as a way to manage proceeds from Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food quickly evolved into a nationwide network of partnerships focused on environmental, social and community causes. To date, WaterWheel has raised millions of dollars and supported hundreds of nonprofit groups through its on-site presence at Phish concerts.

Reflecting on the initiative’s lasting impact, drummer Jon Fishman once described WaterWheel as “the best idea we ever had,” noting its enduring role in connecting the band’s fans to meaningful local work.

Fans attending Phish’s 2025 New Year’s Run can visit The WaterWheel Table inside The Garden to support the local beneficiaries. Donations can also be made directly to the WaterWheel Foundation. Scroll down for details on this year’s nonprofit partners and community events surrounding Phish’s New Year’s Eve run.

New Year’s Eve Run Beneficiaries

December 28

• Organization: City Harvest

• Mission: City Harvest exists to end hunger in communities throughout NYC. They do this through food rescue and distribution, education, and other practical, innovative solutions. Over the past 4 decades, they have provided more than 1 billion pounds of nutritious food for free to New Yorkers in need.

---

December 29

• Organization: Farm School NYC

• Mission: Farm School NYC’s mission is to train NYC residents in urban agriculture, build self-reliant communities, and inspire positive local action around food sovereignty and social, economic, and racial justice.

---

December 30

• Organization: GrowNYC

• Mission: Founded in 1970, GrowNYC is one of the largest & most established environmental organizations in NYC – helping more than 3 million New Yorkers by providing essential services & taking action to make NYC a truly livable city, where every person can enjoy a healthier, more sustainable life.

---

Community Volunteer Events

December 29

• Organization: Encore Community Service

• Mission: Encore Community Services serves older adults who are vulnerable, frail, experiencing homelessness, homebound, or facing social isolation. Encore strives to meet their daily needs, enabling them to live independently with dignity in a safe, non-institutional, and compassionate environment. Through a commitment to nurturing, respect, and empowerment, Encore enhances the quality of life for older adults, ensuring they remain connected to the community and receive the care they deserve.

• Volunteer Activity: Help prep, serve and pack lunches for delivery to local homebound residents. There will be two shifts – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

---

December 30

• Organization: The Bowery Mission

• Mission: The Bowery Mission has served neighbors experiencing homelessness and hunger since the 1870s, when its neighborhood came to define the term “skid row.” Their children’s programs have served New York City youth since 1894. The Bowery Mission meets essential needs and creates transformative community with men, women, children and families in New York so that together they overcome homelessness and poverty.

• Volunteer Activity: Help prep their daily lunch service from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

---