Our Mission Statement

New England Musicians Resource Fund is committed to furthering high quality music performance in New England by investing in and advocating for the professionals whose talents bring the music alive.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:

NEMRF is committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all of our business and charity work. We acknowledge the racist and unjust past and present practices within the music industry and believe the New England music community will be a stronger, more creative, and welcoming artistic ecosystem if we are a more diverse and honest reflection of our community at large. NEMRF will provide resources to help freelance musicians in need, regardless of race, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, physical ability, and gender, and we are committed to building resources for musicians of historically-excluded groups.

Our Origin Story

Founded in 2020 as the New England Musicians Relief Fund by a host of Boston-area musicians, union leaders, executives, and music supporters, NEMRF was established to address the acute crisis created by the global pandemic. In March of 2020, thousands of freelance musicians who make their living playing live music across New England were suddenly without work. Because of the nature of freelance musicians’ work, many do not fit neatly into either the traditional economy or the gig economy. As a result, when venues shut down musicians fell through the cracks and were left without regular income, few benefits, and, for many, little or no qualified unemployment insurance.  It was quickly clear that the scope of the crisis required help beyond the resources of the local musicians union and that no meaningful government support was materializing.

Initially NEMRF focused its relief efforts on sustaining musicians through the pandemic shutdown and the slow and stuttering reopening.

By 2023 it was clear that the road to recovery for live music and professional musicians will be long and that a long-term safety net was needed before the pandemic and will be needed for years to come. NEMRF remains committed to providing critical resources to musicians. With your continued support, we aim to provide five pillars of support: direct financial grants, professional development, education, advocacy, and wellness. To reflect our expanding mission to help musicians beyond the pandemic, we rebranded as the New England Musicians Resource Fund in 2023.

NEMRF is creating a long lasting safety net for professional musicians in New England so that they can continue to make the music that we love.