Giving Tuesday 2019

 

A little less than three years ago, in January of 2017, a movement was born. We didn’t realize it at the time; we just thought that we were starting a new project -- doing some outreach for our local bluegrass association, getting the word out about banjos and mandolins. Little did we know.

That year, we won the top prize in the San Francisco Pride Parade. We also shed light onto an international conversation around diversity and acceptance in bluegrass --  bringing to the fore a long-overdue reckoning in the scene. 

It’s been a rollercoaster of a few years, and we have grown so much from where we began. To go from dreaming up a float around a kitchen table to winning SF Pride to releasing a single to becoming a stand-alone non-profit, it’s hard to fathom it’s only been three years.

It begs the question: where will we be three years from now?

Our growth so far has been completely organic -- our volunteers have followed their hearts and the energy of our supporters to see where we’re going next. But now, we want to build something with purpose. We’re looking clear-eyed into the horizon and thinking about how Bluegrass Pride can be most effective in pursuing our mission of equal opportunity for everybody in bluegrass and old-time music.

And we can't do it without you.

Today, we are announcing the foundation of a new fund to support new celebrations of Bluegrass Pride all across the country. If you have the energy and the people power to start your own branch of Bluegrass Pride -- whether that means starting jam circles, hosting diverse LGBT artists to play shows in your area, marching in your local Pride parade, or even building your own float and showcasing bluegrass music at Pride in your town -- we want to help you get there! 

With this money, we will both support the continued work of our four existing chapters, while also creating an opportunity for new community leaders to apply and receive up to $1,000 of matching funds to be used in establishing new celebrations of Bluegrass Pride. We will also be creating how-to guides for some of the existing programs, so new leaders can hit the ground running with the support of a national organization in their corner.

Bluegrass is for everybody. And that means Bluegrass Pride is for everybody too. Help us spread our message across the country. Help us to grow: in music, in new communities, in artistry, in strength. We’re taking this movement to the next level. We need your help to pave the way.

Bluegrass Pride is a Section 501(c)(3) charitable organization, EIN 83-3224672. All donations are deemed tax-deductible absent any limitations on deductibility applicable to a particular taxpayer. No goods or services were provided in exchange for your contribution.