named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Artists Resources Forum
Informational forums connecting artists with grant opportunities, financial literacy resources, and organizational support through partnerships with local arts and community organizations.
JAMS Funk Fest
Annual large-scale music festival held at the New York State Fair featuring national and regional funk, R&B, and soul artists, with free access facilitated through complimentary gate passes distributed to the community.
JAMS Musician's Cookout
Annual outdoor gathering that fosters fellowship among artists of all generations, providing networking opportunities and performances that connect musicians with new audiences and gigs.
JAMS World Beat
Cultural music event showcasing diverse global sounds and artists, though specific details are not elaborated on the website.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Regional Arts Advocacy & Promotion 2 activities
- Enhancing access to culturally diverse arts in Central New YorkIncreases public exposure to and access to culturally diverse artists and art forms in Central New York through curated performances, festivals, and community events that support artistic exchange and community engagement.
- Hosting forums and resource events for artistsHosts forums and resource events for artists, musicians, and singers, such as the Artists Resources Forum at the South Side Innovation Center in collaboration with Creators Lounge and JL Income Tax and Bookkeeping Services, to support knowledge exchange and sustainability in Central New York's arts ecosystem.
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Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
- Creating paid performance opportunities for diverse artistsGenerates paid performance opportunities for diverse artists through annual events, having facilitated nearly 1,000 such opportunities since 2014. These include youth and young adult soloists and group performers, as well as gospel music groups and local bands.
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Free Outdoor Music Concerts 1 activity
- Hosting music jam events and community gatheringsHosts recurring music jam events such as the Musician's Cookout, which began in 2014 at Clark Reservation State Park and later moved to Jamesville Beach and Long Branch Park in Liverpool, NY due to growing attendance. Also organizes documented jam events accessible via the organization’s website.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Organizing annual music festivals at the New York State FairOrganizes large-scale annual music festivals at the New York State Fair featuring nationally recognized recording artists and local or regional performers, including events with 10-piece horn bands and 7-piece funk bands. The festivals include complimentary gate pass distribution to churches and community organizations to ensure access for low-income attendees.
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Music Awards and Honors Programs 1 activity
- Presenting awards and recognition for contributions to the local arts sceneRecognizes individuals and musical groups for excellence and impact in the Syracuse music and arts scene through the JAMS' Award and Musical Impact Awards, including honors presented at the inaugural fundraising gala in October 2023 to local bands Soft Spoken and Trump Tight 315.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$74K
Contributions & grants$21K28%
Program service revenue$42K56%
Investment income——
Other revenue$12K
expenses
Total expenses$70K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$82K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$82K
4 years on record · 2020–2023 · YoY revenue +24.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
board members · 2
- BENJAMIN TERRY — BOARD MEMBER
- ISSAC WYNN — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 28
Who they work with
- Bobby Green Partner — Recipient of JAMS' Award as legendary blues and R&B guitarist
- CJack Run Partner — Presenting partner for youth performer segment at JAMS Funk Fest
- CNY Arts Partner — Collaborated with JAMS to share information about available grants for artists at the Artists Resources Forum.
- Creators Lounge Partner — Co-hosted the Artists Resources Forum with JAMS.
- Ernest Ringo Partner — Recipient of JAMS' Award as drummer and keyboardist in 60s and 70s R&B bands
- Facebook Partner — Hosts a Facebook group platform for artists to exchange information.
- Family of Bobby Green Partner — Honored posthumously for Bobby Green's influence on the Syracuse music scene
- Frank Malfitano Partner — Recipient of JAMS' Award as founder and executive director of the Syracuse Jazz Fest
- Gifford Foundation Partner — Represented at the Artists Resources Forum, where its Executive Director presented information about the foundation's 'What if Grants'.
- Helen Hudson Partner — Recipient of JAMS' Award as President of Syracuse Common Council
- JL Income Tax and Bookkeeping Services Partner — Participated in the Artists Resources Forum by providing information on the entrepreneurial side of being an artist.
- James "Gator" Boutwell Partner — Recipient of JAMS' Award for contributions to 60s and 70s R&B bands
- John Bowens Partner — Recipient of JAMS' Award as singer of 70's band Future Shock
- Kenny Dees Partner — Recipient of JAMS' Award as radio host
- Marcus Curry Partner — Recipient of JAMS' Award as legendary jazz guitarist active from the 60s onward
- NY State Fair Partner — Co-hosted a musical event at Chevy Court during the NYS Fair.
- NY State Fair Partner — Collaborates with the NY State Fair to host performances at Chevy Court.
- NY State Fair Partner — Performed at the Chevy Court stage during the NY State Fair.
- New York State Fair Partner — Collaborates to present musical performances at the Chevy Court venue during the fair.
- New York State Fair Partner — Hosts JAMS Funk Fest at its venue, providing a large-scale public platform for the event.
- Pamela Hunter Partner — Recipient of JAMS' Award as NY State Assemblywoman
- Sharon Owens Partner — Recipient of JAMS' Award as Deputy Mayor of Syracuse
- Sheena Solomon Partner — Recipient of JAMS' Award as Executive Director of the Gifford Foundation
- Stand Newspaper Partner — Published a review of the Musician's Cookout event.
- Stephen Butler Partner — Recipient of JAMS' Award as Executive Director of CNY Arts
- Syracuse City Government Partner — Syracuse's Deputy Mayor, Sharon Owens, hosted JAMS' inaugural gala in 2023.
- Troy Waffner Partner — Recipient of JAMS' Award as Director of the NY State Fair
- Walter Dixie Partner — Recipient of JAMS' Award as Executive Director of Jubilee Homes
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Artist-Led Collaborative Developmentmethodology: artist_led_collaborative_developmentBy creating forums for idea exchange among artists, musicians, and singers, the organization strengthens the health and sustainability of the regional arts ecosystem, because peer-driven collaboration fosters innovation, resilience, and collective capacity.
- Community Engagement Through Recurring Music Eventsmethodology: community_engagement_through_musicBy using recurring music jams, live performances, and festivals as engagement vehicles, the organization fosters sustained community involvement, because shared musical experiences build social connection, audience loyalty, and participatory culture.
- Cultural Representation and Economic Inclusionmethodology: cultural_representation_and_economic_inclusionBy creating a major local music festival platform, the organization addresses underrepresentation of Black cultural expression and advances artist economic opportunity, because public visibility and paid performance opportunities jointly increase access to the creative economy and affirm cultural value.