The LOWENSTEIN TRUST recognizes those who are making a difference for the underserved.

Each year, the Lowenstein Trustees solicit community members to identify an individual whose contribution to people in need within Portland upholds the spirit of Steve Lowenstein's memory. In his will, Steve specified that the recipient of the annual Lowenstein Trust Award "shall be that person who demonstrated (in the opinion of the Trustees) the greatest contribution to assisting the poor and underprivileged in the City of Portland, Oregon. "

The Lowenstein Trust look for someone who has dedicated themselves to a particular cause that benefits others. Often this person has been working for years behind the scenes in a volunteer capacity or receiving low compensation. The recipient must be in need of these funds to help carry on his or her work and must use the award to further the type of work for which it was given. The $7,500 honorarium is typically given to the individual and funneled through the organization affiliated with the award recipient to strengthen and continue their work. A list of past recipients can be found here.

In his own right, Steve Lowenstein was a model of public service. Steve joined the Peace Corps after law school in the early 1960s and wrote a textbook on Ethiopian law. He worked in Washington DC for the Office of Economic Opportunity and in Chile for the Ford Foundation. He was founding Director of Oregon Legal Services, authored a groundbreaking history - The Jews of Oregon 1850-1950 - and at the time of his death in 1990, had served for six years as Executive Assistant to former Portland City Commissioner Mike Lindberg. Steve's sense of purpose, integrity and perseverance inspired many of us who have worked on human rights and social justice issues.

Here is a transcript of Jeremy’s testimonial to the Portland City Council Jan 27th, 2021 when he received the award:

Hello Mayor Wheeler and commissioners. My name is Jeremy Wilson. Founder and director of the Jeremy Wilson Foundation Musician Health & Services Program

Thank you so much for that kind introduction, Margie & Joe. I am truly humbled. And thanks to the Directors of the Lowenstein Trust for recognizing the work of the Jeremy Wilson Foundation. It’s an unbelievable honor to be recognized in the company of fantastic local organizations like P:ear, The Oregon Food Bank, Street Roots, Sisters of the Road, and the many others  honored by the Trust. 

The Lowenstein Trust Award will help so much to expand our support for musicians, their families, and the workers who support them in our wonderful Portland community.

And to the Portland City Council, thank you for inviting me to speak to you today.  I can only imagine that every level of government right now is facing a combination of overwhelming needs and scarce resources. I thank you all for taking on such a hard job this year.

During these intense and challenging times, I would guess that many of you find solace in listening to your favorite music. 

You may also find that a few measures of a melody will transport you back to your first sleepover, your first date, or your first cross-country adventure.

That’s why at the Jeremy Wilson Foundation, we like to say we support those who make the soundtracks of our lives.

Even in the best of times, people who dedicate their lives to music choose to forego steady incomes and good benefits to pursue their passion – and bring joy to their listeners and their communities.

Most musicians are generous with their time and live to share their talents – think of all the musicians you know who have performed for free for your favorite charity or at the bedside of someone who was ill or struggling.

And yet, most musicians – no matter how talented; no matter if they perform with the symphony or play blues in clubs – barely get by. 

And that’s in the best of years. Clearly, 2020 was not the best of years.

Typically, by March of each year, musicians have their schedules planned through October: performing in city parks and farmers markets; playing major events like the Blues Festival; entertaining at weddings; teaching at music camps and playing in local clubs.

But not last March, when musicians and the many other workers who support live music saw virtually every one of their gigs cancelled for the indefinite future.  

And when that happened, there was no safety net in sight for many musicians: no paid time off, no unemployment benefits for these independent contractors, just a total loss of income

But here in Portland, when the music ground to a halt, our foundation went into overdrive. 

For the 10 previous years, we had focused on helping musicians struggling with medical issues – from temporary problems like arm surgery to a devastating long-term illness like ALS.  We helped them and their families buy groceries and pay the rent, provided professional guidance to access other assistance programs, and checked in to see what else they needed.

Because if a musician isn’t working, chances are, the bills aren’t getting paid. 

Musician Bre Greg put it this way: "As a musician who understands the reality of the industry and has seen so many people I admire affected, I am so grateful for the support you give to musicians dealing with health issues. This career really only works financially when everything goes exactly right (and even then it's tough), but when health issues arise there just isn't any cushion to deal with it. THANK YOU!!!!!!!"

Last March, when all the gigs disappeared overnight, we realized that the JWF was the one organization in town  best situated to assist independent musicians – and we understood how perilous their situation was. So, we expanded our focus to provide COVID relief – and the community responded immediately.

By the end of last spring, we had raised more than $50,000 and were able to give grants to 106 musicians and music industry workers -- across every genre of music and every level of the industry.  

No one with demonstrated need was turned away. Our support was the first assistance many of these workers received – and for some, it was the only help they got, because their unemployment benefits never came through.

Our work continues to this day.We’ve helped at least 136 individuals and their families in the last 10 months and have distributed an additional $20,000.00 in grants since August. And our social services team has been busy helping others find additional resources. 

We’ve been supported by well over 1000 donors throughout the community in the last 9 months.  And we still receive requests for help on nearly a daily basis. 

Portland’s music community has been its lifeblood for decades. The city’s planning and sustainability focus may have put it on the map for livability. But, Portland’s reputation is strengthened by its thriving artistic community. Musicians have often been its most visible and celebrated representatives.

From the Kingsmen to The Decembrists to Pink Martini, from Paul deLay to Mel Brown and Lisa Mann, and from Elliott Smith and Obo Addy and Janice Scroggins to The Shins and Esperanza Spalding – our relatively small community has for years lit up the national music scene with its brilliance.

And yet, for all all they bring to this city and this state – there’s no support system for these artists when they hit obstacles, nor for the other independent people and small businesses that keep the music going.

Portlanders are generous when it comes to supporting the arts. But when you look at major donations and significant foundation grants, they almost exclusively go to established, well-resourced organizations and marquee events.  This support infrastructure does little to help these talented, independent community members.

I speak to you today knowing that so many in our community are struggling,and funding is in short supply.  I appreciate this is not the time for grand ideas and big investments in the arts.

But as the pandemic eases, as businesses open back up and we are once again at ease on the streets of the city we love, I’d ask you to think about this population that has helped to shape the vibrant, creative, and fun reputation that Portland has earned over the past several decades. 

Also, please know that the Jeremy Wilson Foundation is here to support the work of the City as a willing and enthusiastic partner.  We all love Portland and share the simple desire to keep it a thriving and creative community, where all residents can live full and healthy lives.

Thank you again for taking some time today to think about Portland’s musicians, their well-being and the contributions they make to our great city. And with that, I’m happy to take any questions you may have. Thank you.

For more information about The Lowenstein Trust and to read their article about Jeremy Wilson and the JWF please visit: https://www.lowensteintrust.org/