We have raised $1 million in commitments that shall be paid out over 8-10 years. 

 

Mission Statement

In founding the Music Home Project we seek to present, support and promote traditional musicians and the music they preserve, create and share—with a focus on the local community and their networks. Berkeley and the broader Bay Area is home to some of the finest musicians in the country in folk, bluegrass, Celtic, old-time, country and related and evolving forms.

We seek to nurture the creative process and turn the prevailing financial model upside down—that is, respectfully and financially support the musicians first in the belief that with ingenious outreach and over time, students of the music will grow and continue the traditions and the audience will follow.

And if a full-paying audience does not materialize in this culture of getting music for free—we place the music and musicians at the center of our priorities in the belief that they are a cultural treasure worth preserving. That’s why this is a non-profit venture with secured charitable gifts and grants.

2017-2021 GRANTS

  • East Bay Queer Arts Center | Oakland CA - Youth Digital Storytelling Project

  • East Bay Queer Arts Center | Oakland CA - “Essential Being” Community Digital Storytelling Project

  • Bluegrass Pride | San Francisco CA

  • Manning School of Music | Berkeley CA - Instructor Awards and Retreat

  • California Jazz Conservatory | Berkeley CA - New Marquee and Fire Relief Fund

  • San Francisco Live Arts | San Francisco, CA - Grant for Concert Underwriting, in Honor of Marlene Aron

  • KZFR | Chico, CA - Grants to Musician Camp Fire survivors

  • California Bluegrass Association - Support for Musician Camp Fire survivors

  • KRCB | Santa Rosa CA - Grants to Musician and DJ Fire-Survivors

  • Ashkenaz | Berkeley CA - East Bay Arts Round Table Webpage and Music Passport Series

  • Ashkenaz | Berkeley CA - Audience Development

  • California Jazz Conservatory | Berkeley CA - New Venue Capital Support

  • Los Cenzontles | El Cerrito, CA - Venue Improvement

  • Arhoolie Foundation | El Cerrito, CA - Website Development and Archiving

  • People in Plazas | San Francisco, CA - Audience Development

  • Aurora Theatre | Berkeley, CA - 25th Anniversary Gift Challenge

About The Founders

Jim Nunally and Hilary Perkins (aka Nell Robinson)

Hilary Perkins (aka Nell Robinson) was a non-profit executive for 20 years as well, as both an Executive Director and a Director of Development. Her last non-profit position was with Mother Jones magazine (it’s a non-profit) as their Chief Philanthropy Officer. Her career expertise was in Board development, fundraising strategy, staff recruitment, major donor, capital and annual fund campaigns. In addition, she is a Fellow of the Global Leadership Network at the Aspen Institute. Hilary is a member of the Musicians Union Local 6. She has been deeply involved in the development and support of the Berkeley Arts District for 20 years as Board member, volunteer, donor and friend to the non-profits in the district.

Jim Nunally, was born in Richmond, California. He has been an active member of the Bay Area music community since 1975 and a member in good standing of Musicians Local 424 since 1986. For 13 years, Jim was a Board member of the Crockett Improvement Association, the community voice of the town of Crockett. He was a member of the Boilermakers and Blacksmiths Union for 5 years before he became a full-time professional musician. He has also been involved in the production and funding of free community concerts in Crockett and founded and produced many workshops, classes and shows over the past 40 years.