A Season of Music, Community, and Care

JWF's Year-End Campaign Begins

Jeremy Wilson with his dog Dexter

By Jeremy Wilson

Hi – it's Jeremy.

I want to tell you about something that keeps me up at night, and something that gives me hope. It turns out they're the same thing: our music community, and how we take care of each other when the stage lights go down.

Today marks the launch of our End of Year Campaign, and our goal is to raise $50,000 by December 31st to keep the Musician Health & Services Program running strong for the musicians and music workers of Oregon and Clark County, Washington.

Here's why this year feels different: 

Most of the musicians we serve are independent contractors — no employer, no benefits package, often making less than minimum wage for the hours they pour into their craft. That's always been a precarious situation. 

But as federal changes to Medicaid and other safety-net programs take effect heading into the new year, that insecurity is about to get sharper for a lot of people we love. A canceled gig is one thing. A canceled gig and a medical challenge they can't absorb is another. That's the gap JWF exists to close.

The Next Waltz 2025 by Norm Eder 
Jen Conlee, Norman Sylvester, Ned Failing, Greg Hyatt, and David Lipkind

Over the next few weeks, you'll be hearing from us more than usual – and I promise, it's not just asking for money. We're using this campaign to tell you real stories about the people who make up our music scene: the working musicians, the songwriters, the sound engineers and stagehands who keep Portland's music alive. And keep an eye out in our newsletter for Melanie's Monthly Update, a new regular column from our Lead Navigator, Melanie Bobbett, giving you a real, on-the-ground look at how the Musician Health & Services Program is changing lives and serves the community.

We're also growing. Please join us in welcoming Veronica Mork, our new Marketing & Communications Coordinator – a nine-year fixture of Portland's DIY music scene, a Portland State grad in graphic design, and someone who's already bringing a fresh, community-rooted eye to how we tell JWF's story. Keep an eye out for her new blog series, Veronica on the Beat, where she'll be sharing what she's learning about this community and the people in it. 

We also try to stay ahead of the need, not just respond to themit. Together with Kyleen King — a longtime Portland musician now completing her path to becoming a licensed therapist, and chair of Musicians Union Local 99 Mental Health Committee – we launched our Music Makers Support Group. It’s a free, safe space where musicians and industry workers can talk openly about the pressures of this life, from economic worries to isolation to "hustle" culture. It's been a real success and continues every other Wednesday, 7–8:30pm PST. If that sounds like something you or someone you love can benefit from, sign up here. 

We've also got a genuinely great fall lined up — music, art, and community, all in service of this work:

FXFO
October 8-11, Starday Tavern

Small Circle Series - Wonderly
October 18, 6:00 - 8:00pm
An exclusive evening of live music with Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly in an intimate house concert in NE Portland — only 20 tickets available, with 100% of your ticket cost supporting the JWF Musician Health & Services Program.

PEOPLE BEHIND THE MUSIC: Selections from the JWF Artist Portrait Project
October 18 – November 30 · The Old Church
Opening Reception: October 21, 6:00–8:00pm

The Gram Jam: A Tribute to Gram Parsons
November 7, 8:00pm · The Showdown

Sundown: A Salute to Gordon Lightfoot
November 17, 7:00pm · Alberta Rose Theatre

The Next Waltz — our biggest event of the year, celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Last Waltz with four shows this time around:
November 20 & 21, and November 28 & 29 - Alberta Rose Theatre

For more event info and tickets visit thejwf.org/events

Whether you come out to one of these, share a post, forward this newsletter to a friend, or make a gift today — you're part of how this program stays possible. Musicians give us so much. This is our chance to give something back.
Thank you for being in this with us.

With gratitude,

Jeremy Wilson

Founder & Executive Director
Jeremy Wilson Foundation

P.S. Ready to help right now? Make a one-time or monthly gift at thejwf.org/donate — every dollar keeps a musician covered when they need it most.