Freshgrass Foundation

Overview

The Freshgrass Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States, dedicated to creating and celebrating innovative grassroots music. It aims to spread joy and improve communities through music by supporting new and authentic creations.

Mission and Activities

• Festivals: The foundation produces FreshGrass Festivals in North Adams, Massachusetts, and Bentonville, Arkansas. These events showcase a diverse range of musical talents and foster a vibrant community around roots music.
• Grants and Commissions: Freshgrass offers grants, commissions, and awards to musicians and writers for new works. These programs include the Composition Commission, FreshScores, and Concertos, providing artists with opportunities to take artistic risks outside commercial pressures.
• Publications and Media:
  • No Depression: The foundation produces and publishes this quarterly journal of roots music, serving as a platform for stories and insights into the genre.
  • Folk Alley: Freshgrass operates Folk Alley, a 24-hour online listening platform dedicated to roots music.
• Additional Initiatives:
  • Steve Martin Banjo Prize: The foundation administers this prestigious award, recognizing outstanding banjo achievements.
  • Artists At Work Program: As a founding partner, Freshgrass supports this initiative to provide living wages for living artists.
  • Studio 9: Located in North Adams, MA, Studio 9 is a state-of-the-art recording studio and venue managed by the foundation.

Sustainability Goals

Freshgrass is committed to making its organization sustainable and carbon neutral, as outlined in its FreshGrass Manifesto.

Financials and Governance

As a nonprofit organization, the Freshgrass Foundation relies on tax-deductible donations and revenue from its activities to fund its projects. It operates with a governance structure that includes a board of directors and key employees overseeing its various initiatives.