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General Donations

Folk Alliance International needs your involvement to develop and flourish. Our organization and conference are special because it is truly a community event as a result of the concerted effort of hundreds of volunteers, the music of hundreds of talented musicians, and the loyalty and passion of the thousands of people who make the journey to the conference each year.  All of this combines to create four great days and years of lasting friendships, fond memories, new business opportunities, and incredible music. The Organization’s year-round events, too, need the support of the community to remain vibrant and accessible to all.

Your Tax Deductable donation to Folk Alliance allows us to provide conference scholarships to enhance our ongoing youth and diversity development.

Mike Seeger Scholarship

Created in memory of Mike Seeger, who as a founding member of the New Lost City Ramblers received a 2004 Folk Alliance Lifetime Achievement Award, this fund will pay for transportation and an honorarium to bring a traditional musician or other tradition bearer to attend the FAI Conference each year to participate in panels and performances; the artist's conference registration fee and hotel accommodation will be donated by Folk Alliance International.

Mike Seeger spent his entire life tracking down many strands of Old Time Music tradition, including singers, dancers and instrumentalists from many corners of the United States and from dozens of cultural and racial groups. He collected material wherever he went, and taught the music in person and on a succession of vinyl records, cassette tapes, VHS and DVD recordings. As much as anyone could, Mike got people to learn to play, and gave exposure to the old music and musicians at the same time.

We propose to continue that practice within Folk Alliance, for the same reasons and in the same ways. There have been two recipients of the first Mike Seeger Scholarship: 93 year old Violet Hensley of Yellville, Arkansas (2009), fiddle player/fiddle maker; and legendary fiddler Paul David Smith (2010).

Those wishing to contribute to the Mike Seeger Scholarship Fund to support bringing these and other traditional artists to future conferences can make a donation at any time to Folk Alliance in any amount, via credit card, PayPal, or check made payable to Folk Alliance; please indicate "Mike Seeger Scholarship Fund." 

Scholarships

Since 2005, Folk Alliance has provided scholarships to over 100 conference attendees per year. The FAI scholarship program also provides a way for us to honor our longtime members that are no longer with us.  In 2012, scholarships will be awarded in the names of Elaine Weissman, Utah Phillips, Victor Heyman, Phillip Davidoff, Sean LaRoche, and others. FAI scholarships cover full registration only.  Scholarship request forms are available under the 2012 conference information button.

TN Arts Commission

If you are a Tennessee resident, please read this.  Folk Alliance International is extremely grateful for the financial support of the TN Arts Commission.  Their donations and consultation is made possible by a variety of factors.  One of the largest is the sale of specialty license plates.  Please consider looking into this program when you purchase new tags for your vehicle.  FAI is in full support of the arts assistance program.  For non TN residents, please look into these programs in your state.  Arts funding is vital to continuing our work.