The Folk Musicians Relief Fund, under the umbrella of FAR-West, provides assistance to all types of career musicians associated with FAR-West who are struggling to make ends meet while facing illness, disability, or age-related problems. Applicants must be affiliated with the FAR-West region, be a member in good standing with Folk Alliance International, or have attended at least one (1) FAR-West conference. The FMRF is able to help with living expenses, insurance premiums, prescriptions, medical treatment (for acute or long-term illness), housing costs, food costs, utilities and other basic necessities. We can also be a temporary stopgap when applying for a more extensive medical grant from another source. In addition, we assist elderly musicians, regardless of medical condition, who are experiencing financial hardship. Grants range from $200 to $1500 per qualifying individual. Artists applying for assistance must represent a significant professional music history and demonstrate financial hardship with accompanying documentation
If you are in need of financial assistance as described above, you are welcome to fill out the FAR-West Folk Musician’s Relief Fund Application Form. Download The Folk Musicians Relief Fund application. Completed applications should be emailed to fwrelief@gmail.com. You will be notified of receipt of your application within one week. Applications are reviewed in the order in which they are received. Please allow up to 4 weeks for a response from the FMRF. Any questions about eligibility or the application process can be emailed to: fwrelief@gmail.com. We will make every effort to fulfill as many of the qualifying grant requests as possible. However, fulfillment depends upon the number of applications received, and the level of the FMRF fund at any given time. Therefore, we regret in advance if we are unable to completely fulfill your grant request. Persons may apply only once every two calendar years. If your grant is denied due to lack of FMRF funds, you may reapply the following calendar year.
A little history about the FAR-West Folk Musicians Relief Fund
The FAR-West Folk Musicians Relief Fund was established in 2017 with a generous donation from the Sylvia and David Weisz Foundation, at the request of Carey Appel and Tracy Albert. After attending their first Folk Alliance conference in 2011, Carey and Tracy began to witness the change in the music industry. Many artists who previously enjoyed full careers had found themselves struggling to make ends meet in a new music economy. Wanting to give back to the folk community they enjoyed being a part of, Carey became actively involved locally in FAR-West, attending conferences, hosting PGS Rooms, and serving on the FAR-West Board of Directors. Music has always been their passion, and it is with great honor and privilege that they are able to assist, in a small way, those who have given so much to the folk community in the western Folk Alliance region and to the music industry worldwide.
It’s easy to Donate to the Musicians Relief Fund.
(Donations to FAR-West are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.)
As you finalize making your donation, there is a place to specify where you want your money to go. The line says “Add special instructions to the seller” and it has a box where you can indicate Musicians Relief Fund.