Meet Our Musical Community of Support

Musicians and music industry workers: we’ve got you covered.

The JWF is able to help musicians effectively, because we’re part of the musical community we serve. In addition to being founded by a working musician, our work is made possible by the generosity and compassion of local musicians — who are the first to rally when other musicians need their help. We’re proud of our musical community of support! Meet some of our supporters & grant recipients.

Examples of JWF Musician Health & Services Program assistance:

Applicant #1* is a renowned Portland-area musician who was unable to perform due to extensive dental issues. JWF provided a substantial grant to assist with the cost of multiple expensive dental surgeries. Our trained Navigator offered to help them reapply for Medicaid and also guided them to additional food assistance.

Applicant #2 is a Portland-based musician whose young child has a serious medical condition which has caused the Applicant and their spouse to stop working to care for the child through treatments and surgeries. The family was behind on rent, and a substantial grant from JWF got them caught up and also covered some future rent. Our Navigator also guided them to food and utility assistance.

Applicant #3 approached JWF for assistance with a large health care bill. The provider had assured them upfront that they were in-network with the applicant's insurance, which they learned was wrong upon receiving the large out-of-network bill. A JWF Navigator provided guidance and resources on how to challenge this, resulting in the provider ultimately waiving the bill.

Applicant #4 approached us for assistance after an emergency surgery left him with a $20,000 hospital bill. Our volunteer navigator helped to identify medical coverage through Medicaid, which covered the entire hospital bill.

Applicant #5 experienced severe back issues caused by his job, which left him unable to work and without health insurance. Our navigator guided him to apply for Medicaid and food assistance, both of which were approved. We also suggested that he look into worker’s compensation; his claim was approved and covered $1,800 in out-of-pocket medical bills.

Applicant #6 approached the JWF in advance of a scheduled surgery for help with the out-of-pocket costs. Our navigator guided her to the hospital’s financial assistance program, which covered the entire $3,900 bill. The JWF also provided her with a grant to cover additional care related to her surgery for which there were no other available resources.

Application #7 came to the JWF for guidance after he lost his Medicaid coverage due to an increase in his income. Our navigator determined he was likely eligible for a Marketplace plan with tax credit assistance. We referred him to a local insurance agent who guided him through the enrollment process to successfully obtain new insurance, and also referred him to a local nonprofit program for potential assistance with his remaining monthly insurance premium.

*Applicant names are withheld to ensure privacy. Count Kellam and Seann McKeel gave us permission to disclose certain details of their health-related circumstances.

JWF Artist Portrait Project by photographer Norm Eder

The Jeremy Wilson Foundation (JWF) Artist Portrait Project was started in July 2020 and completed in October of 2021. During this period 166 artists, promoters, venue operators, stage crew, producers and friends of our region’s music scene were photographed in Covid-safe studios and pop-up locations. Many of the featured artists below were recipients of JWF Musician Health & Services Program grants.

The Jeremy Wilson Foundation Artist Portrait Project showcases the diversity, creativity and inspiration that local music-makers bring to Oregon and southwest Washington communities. It puts faces to the pandemic moment by showcasing one of the hardest hit groups; musicians and others who make live and recorded music possible. The JWF Artist Portrait Project reminds us how much our world is made better by music and those people who dedicate their lives to the craft.

The JWF Musician Health & Services Program has been dedicated to supporting the musicians and music industry workers of Oregon and Clark County, Washington since 2010. We are supported by your tax deductible donations.

(c) 2021 Photography by Norman Eder & Rob Layman for the JWF Artist Portrait Project. Make-up artist Natalie Olsen. Thank you Norman, Rob and Natalie for your amazing creativity and huge donation! Much thanks to PRO PHOTO SUPPLY for their generous in-kind donation of the photo studio, backdrops and lighting.