irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $1.26MThe Gig Fund /Provide Jazz and Blues Music Free to the Public. The Gig Fund produces free, pop-up performances for underserved audiences. The shows take place in public spaces as opposed to traditional and costly venues, and engage new audiences who would not otherwise have the chance to hear these accomplished players. Our dream is for this program to return us to the days when a band would just start playing during lunch hour or after-work, and people would gather to listen, dance, and sing, and there would be this shared experience, reminding us that We Are All In This Together. In 2024 the JFA provide 530 work opportunities for musicians through the Gig Fund Program.
- #2 $1.10MMusicians' Emergency Fund/Housing and Emergency Assistance: Preventing homelessness and evictions for musicians in need and assisting with rent, mortgages, transportation, utilities and other essential living expenses. Most musicians have no savings, they rarely get paid properly, and they live gig to gig. For example, if someone cant work because theyve had an accident and are now behind in their rent, we pay their rent and/or utilities to keep them from eviction. We also make sure there is enough food on the table and] even go to the hospital with them for treatment if they are alone. In other crisis situations, we are needed to repair or replace instruments so that musicians can keep working. Whatever the situation calls for, we address the need through compassion and counseling from our social work team. JFA looks at the whole person and sees the long- and short-term challenges. This can include making home visits to an elderly person who is alone and even connecting them with younger musicians they can mentor who check in and help care for them. We also make calls after business hours to let them know they are not forgotten. Sometimes we uncover the root of someones depression or help reconnect them with estranged family members. Every case is special and needs more than what it first presents. Whatever the situation, we heal it as best we can with love, a helping hand, and some creativity. JFA assisted in 1,180 unique cases through the Musicians' Emergency Fund in 2024.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Disaster Relief
Offers emergency support to musicians affected by natural disasters and pandemics, including housing, supplies, instrument replacement, and mental health services.
Jazz and Blues in the Schools (JITS)
Places veteran jazz and blues musicians in schools to perform and educate students, creating dignified work and fostering new audiences for the music.
Musicians' Emergency Fund
Provides emergency assistance for housing, utilities, medical needs, and instrument repair to prevent homelessness and support recovery for jazz and blues musicians.
The Gig Fund
Produces free, pop-up performances in public spaces, providing work opportunities for jazz and blues musicians while bringing live music to underserved audiences.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Member Hardship Assistance Programs 2 activities
- Comprehensive case support for musician families in crisisProvides holistic emergency assistance to musician families, including food, clothing, emotional support, instrument repair or replacement, car repairs, home decontamination, and family reunification services. Assisted approximately 7,000–9,000 cases annually nationwide.
- Emergency financial and housing assistance for musiciansProvides emergency financial support to prevent homelessness, including assistance with rent, mortgage, utilities, transportation, and other essential living expenses for jazz, blues, and roots musicians in crisis. Supported over 1,200 families annually in recent years through this program.
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Benefit Events for Arts and Culture 1 activity
- Benefit concerts and fundraising eventsProduces high-profile benefit concerts such as “A Great Night in Harlem” at the Apollo Theater, featuring legendary musicians and raising significant funds—over $1 million in a single year—to support emergency assistance for jazz and blues musicians.
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Disaster Relief and Recovery Services 1 activity
- Disaster relief for musicians affected by natural catastrophesDelivers comprehensive disaster relief to musicians impacted by hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters, including home rebuilding, instrument replacement, mold remediation, temporary housing, and emotional support. Provided aid to thousands of musicians after Hurricane Katrina, Superstorm Sandy, Harvey, and Louisiana floods.
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Community Music Performances & Education 1 activity
- Employment generation through performance programsCreates paid performance opportunities for jazz and blues musicians through school concerts, nursing home visits, pop-up public gigs, and community outreach. Produced over 2,500 paid gigs annually in recent years across 17 states, employing hundreds of musicians each year.
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Pro Bono Legal Representation and Support 1 activity
- Legal and administrative support servicesSecures pro bono legal services for musicians on issues including tenancy, copyright, royalty disputes, and estate planning, delivering over $250,000 in annual legal support through partnerships with law firms and volunteer attorneys.
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Live Music Performances & Concerts 1 activity
- Live performance production and artist presentationHosts and presents live jazz and blues performances by professional musicians at venues across the U.S., including regular concert series and special events, providing exposure and performance income for artists.
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Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
- Mentorship and intergenerational music education programsSupports music education and knowledge transfer by funding individual lessons and mentoring sessions between emerging musicians and established legends in jazz, blues, and roots music. Also facilitates peer connections through structured visitation programs for isolated elderly musicians.
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Community Health Center Services 1 activity
- Pro bono medical and dental care network for uninsured musiciansOperates a national pro bono medical network connecting uninsured jazz, blues, and roots musicians with physicians, specialists, and hospitals for critical care, including surgeries and chronic disease management. Also maintains a specialized dental network for horn players and vocalists. Has provided over $9 million in free medical services since inception.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$7.99M
Contributions & grants$2.41M30%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$5.21M65%
Other revenue$375K
expenses
Total expenses$6.08M
Program expenses82%
Admin / overhead14%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$2.09M
Grants paid out$2.05M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$74.33M
Cash$5.97M
Investments$53.20M
Liabilities$193K
Net assets$74.14M
Liquid reserves116.7 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -79.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 8
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph Petrucelli | Executive Dir. | 40 | $211K |
| Daryl Dunbar | CFO | 40 | $176K |
| Steve Jordan | Artistic Dir. | 15 | $165K |
| Bridget Sullivan | Dir of Giving | 40 | $139K |
| Petr Verner | Dir. of Operations | 40 | $120K |
| Will Glass | Pgrm Director | 40 | $118K |
| Alisa Hafkin | Dir Social Svrs | 40 | $112K |
| Veronika Chatelain | Pgrm Dir. Jazz Leg | 40 | $112K |
board members · 17
- Abigail Scheuer — Board Member
- Ali McCartney — Board Member
- Ben Giordiano — Board Member
- Bill Wurtzel — Board Member
- Bonin Bough — Board Member
- Casey Lipscomb — Board Member
- Casey Patterson — Board Member
- Dakota Pippins — Board Member
- Danny Glover — Board Member
- Dr Daveed Frazier — President
- Dr Frank Forte — Board Member
- Dr Nimesh Nagarsheth — Board Member
- Geoffrey Menin — Board Member
- Hank O'Neal — Board Member
- Jarret Lilien — Chairman
- Jimmy Owens — Board Member
- Lee Richards — Board Member
relationships · 16
Who they work with
- 1000 Watts Partner — Partnership initiative aimed at amplifying the reach and impact of jazz musicians.
- Actors Fund Partner — Collaborates with the Jazz Foundation of America to deliver social, medical, and financial services to performing artists.
- Deb Partner — Provides pro bono legal services to JFA musicians on tenancy, copyright, royalty, and estate issues.
- Englewood Hospital Partner — Collaborates to provide a pro bono medical network for uninsured musicians in health crisis.
- Englewood Hospital Partner — Collaborates with the Jazz Foundation of America to connect musicians with medical and social services.
- Englewood Hospital Partner — Provides pro bono medical care and regular checkups for Jazz Foundation clients.
- Englewood Hospital and Medical Center Partner — Established a pro bono medical partnership to provide free care to veteran jazz and blues musicians, formalized through the “Dizzy Gillespie” memorial fund.
- Englewood Hospital and Medical Center Partner — Longstanding medical partner providing care to uninsured jazz musicians through the Dizzy Gillespie Memorial Fund.
- Gouverneur Medical Center Partner — Partners with the Jazz Foundation of America to support musician health and social service needs.
- Jazz Legacies Fellowship 2026 Partner — Collaborative project supporting jazz musicians through fellowships.
- Jazz at Lincoln Center Partner — Produced a benefit concert for JFA in honor of bassist Dennis Irwin, raising funds for medical care provided through JFA’s partner hospital.
- MusiCares Partner — Works with the Jazz Foundation of America in providing support services to musicians in need.
- Quincy Jones Partner — Publicly supports the Jazz Foundation of America as an advocate and endorser.
- Snug Harbor Partner — Collaborates with Snug Harbor as a venue for live jazz performances presented by the Jazz Foundation of America.
- The Last Note Partner — Collaborative project focused on preserving and sharing the legacy of jazz musicians.
- national and regional agencies Partner — Collaborates with national and regional agencies to deliver comprehensive care to musicians in crisis.
strategies · 2
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.
- Employment-First Support for Musiciansmethodology: employment_firstBy creating paid performance and educational opportunities for aging and underserved jazz and blues musicians, we sustain their livelihoods and promote housing stability, because ongoing employment is more effective than temporary aid in resolving crises and preserving dignity.
- Holistic, Dignity-Centered Crisis Interventionmethodology: whole_person_supportBy providing individualized, relationship-based support that combines financial aid, medical access, and emotional connection, we address the root causes of musician vulnerability, because treating the whole person—practical, social, and emotional needs—restores dignity and improves long-term outcomes.