Sweet Relief Musicians Fund auctions VIP Coachella tickets For every celebrated headliner or up-and-coming band gracing the Coachella stages this year in Indio, Calif., there's probably a small army of local musicians in the area suffering from debilitating illness or extreme poverty that you'll never hear about. For the last 18 years, the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund has carried on a mission to help these artists in need, and this year, it's using Indio's two-weekend uberfestival to do it. To aid its cause, the national nonprofit is offering generous music fans a chance to turn their kindness into VIP Coachella tickets when they contribute to the organization's fundraiser designed to help local artists in need in the Coachella Valley. That also includes the possibility of walking away with signed music equipment from the Black Keys, and a backstage meeting with Kaskade or the Shins. The auction runs through March 15. There's also a giveaway of two VIP passes for the first weekend of the event to anyone who registers with Sweet Relief and clicks the "LIKE" button on the organization's Facebook page through March 21. Sweet Relief is auctioning off several pairs of VIP Coachella tickets, donated by festival promoter Goldenvoice, for both weekends of the event, April 13-15 and April 20-22. Since the auction was announced Tuesday, the bidding for the coveted prizes ranges from $400 (two VIP passes for Weekend 2 with a meet-and-greet with DJ R3hab) to $1,750 (VIP passes for Weekend 2 with a meet-and-greet with Andrew Bird). Too rich for your blood? You can still bid on a number of signed gear that'll cost you far less (a signed ukulele from Merrill Garbus of tUnE-yArDs, anyone?). "We are extremely grateful to be able to assist musicians in need who reside and work in the Coachella Valley," said Rob Max, executive director of Sweet Relief. This ticket auction will raise much needed funds for musicians fighting cancer, MS, heart disease and other career-threatening challenges. Check out the Sweet Relief auction page here as well as the organization's Facebook page for additional details. Photo: 2011 Coachella. Credit: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times.