STATE OF NEED: A Message from Jennifer Roe, FAI’s Executive Director

Jennifer

Roe

May 29, 2025

resource

Update

event

FAI 2024

NEWS

Partner

Region

Dear Friends,

I want to speak to you directly and candidly about where we are — and where we need to go — as a community. This fiscal year has brought unforeseen and compounding challenges to Folk Alliance International.

The sudden loss of a $50,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts was not just a financial blow, it was a stark warning about the shifting priorities at the federal level and the fragility of cultural support in this country.

In addition to the loss of public funding, we’ve experienced a significant reduction in income from our annual conference due to increased costs and a required shift to a new hotel venue for our 2025 conference in Montréal. These circumstances were outside our control, but they now require decisive action and support from those who believe in our mission.

To close the fiscal year in balance and protect the future of this organization, we need to raise over $70,000 by June 30.

Let me be clear: FAI is not at risk of shutting down. But if we do not act now — together — we are putting our future stability, our ability to innovate, and our power to serve artists, industry, and audiences year-round at serious risk.

This is more than a fundraising challenge. It is a moment to reaffirm the value of what we do — to preserve, present, and promote folk music as a living, evolving force for connection, justice, and cultural continuity.

In times of uncertainty, folk music has always been a source of truth-telling and resilience. At FAI, we are committed to being the home for that tradition — to bringing together voices from across the globe, uplifting underrepresented artists, and holding space for creativity, collaboration, and care.

We can’t do that without you.

If FAI has supported you, inspired you, or given you a place to belong, please consider making a gift today. Every dollar helps us meet this moment and move forward with strength. Additionally, we will continue to have a matching donation for any gift up to $10,000 and any first-time gift of up to $5,000 will be double-matched. So your support can be doubled or tripled.

Gifts can be made online here or sent by check to our address below. Thank you for being part of this work.

Our mailing address is: Folk Alliance International 601 Avenida Cesar E. Chavez Suite #100 Kansas City, MO 64108 USA

‍

In solidarity,

Jennifer Roe, Executive Director

Folk Alliance International

‍