American Idol fans vote for philanthropy.

If money's been said to talk, then for two nights in April it sang--to the tune of nearly $70 million earmarked for charity.

FOX, "American Idol" (AI) and the Charity Projects Entertainment Fund (CPEF), a Beverly Hills, Calif.-based nonprofit, teamed up on April 24 and 25 to present "Idol Gives Back," a two-part fundraising special to benefit children and young people living in poverty in the United States and Africa. The charity beneficiaries included America's Second Harvest, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Children's Health Fund, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Nothing But Nets, Malaria No More, Save the Children and UNICEF.

"Idol Gives Back" was in a sense a test-run of a much broader initiative CPEF plans to launch in the United States. The initiative will be based on a successful charity event that's been a hallmark in the United Kingdom for two decades, "Red Nose Day." It would likewise marry entertainment with hard-hitting messages about vulnerable and impoverished people around the world, according to CPEF spokeswoman Kristina Kyriacou.

"It was basically, let's see if the American public embraces this and wants this type of thing," Kyriacou said of "Idol Gives Back." According to Kyriacou, CPEF anticipated the $19 million raised from corporate sponsors, but the charity did not predict the overwhelming response by the American public. As of May 4, donations by individuals had reached $50 million. Donations were still being accepted through May 31, after The NonProfit Times went to press for this issue.

With the test-run considered an overwhelming success, Kyriacou said there are discussions regarding what's next for the initiative. "Definitely, the vision is that eventually, or very shortly, we will be able to launch an ongoing event in America," said Kyriacou, who said the goal is for the event to become a standalone, hallmark charitable event in the states, as it is overseas. "Red Nose Day" raised more than 63 million pounds [pounds sterling] this past March, the equivalent of about $126 million.

The first "Red Nose Day" was launched on February 5, 1988, as the main fundraising event for Comic Relief U.K., a London-based charity co-founded by comedy filmmaker Richard Curtis (Love Actually, Four Weddings and a Funeral). "Red Nose Day" has since grown beyond the main event--a live television extravaganza presented on the BBC--into a six-week-long fundraising and education initiative that encompasses all primary and secondary schools in the U.K. The initiative has become so expansive, it's held once every two years.

According to Kyriacou, the plan is for CPEF to work in the same way as Comic Relief U.K. provide grants to credible and established charities that assist vulnerable young people in the U.S. and Africa. Likewise, CPEF will utilize the power of entertainment and comedy to draw dollars and awareness for the cause.

A longtime supporter of Comic Relief U.K., Simon Fuller, the creator of "American Idol," approached fellow CPEF board member Curtis with the charitable concept. Fuller offered up his number one show--and its 26 to 37 million faithful viewers--as a platform for Curtis to launch the U.S. version, aptly named, "Idol Gives Back."

The two-part special kicked off on April 24 with a performance show. The six finalists--Melinda Doolittle, Blake Lewis, Phil Stacey, Lakisha Jones, Chris Richardson and Jordin Sparks--performed songs in keeping with the night's theme of compassion and hope. Directly after the show, a record 70 million viewers cast their votes for the contestants via toll-free numbers and text messages.

For each of the first 50 million votes received, 10 cents was pledged by FOX parent company News Corporation, resulting in a $5-million donation. Additional sponsors pledged matching contributions to participating charities, and viewers phoned in donations on both nights. Talk show personality Ellen DeGeneres, who joined regular AI host Ryan Seacrest for hosting duties that night, personally contributed $100,000.

The extended two-hour results show the following night was a star-studded event. Appearing on the AI stage, singer Celine Dion revived a 1968 Elvis Presley tune, and additional celebrities made cameos throughout the evening. Earth, Wind & Fire, Rascal Flatts, the original American Idol Kelly Clarkson and Annie Lennox all gave live performances from Walt Disney Concert Hall, in Los Angeles. And in a taped appearance, President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush thanked the American public and all those who contributed to the event. The president also noted the significance of the day: Malaria Day, 2007.

According to Kyriacou, aside from a "tiny, tiny glitch" where about 0.75 percent of donors were charged twice (it was immediately rectified), the two-night event went smoothly. Kyriacou, FOX and News Corporation declined to discuss promotion and production cost details. Kyriacou said FOX and News Corporation absorbed the normal production costs.

At press time, only the corporate sponsorship portion of the more than $69 million--and counting--has been distributed to the charity beneficiaries. Kyriacou said regular updates about the process of distribution will be posted on the CPEF Web site.