JSEF Presents first ever EXCELLENCE AWARD to South Florida Pride Bands, Inc.
On July 18, during the 2024 Pride Bands Alliance conference in Columbus, Ohio, JSEF presented the first ever EXCELLENCE AWARD to South Florida Pride Bands, Inc. This award was based on their amazing accomplishments from 2023. The award consisted of a glass trophy, a certificate, and a check for $2,500 and was presented to Band […]
Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida rises to “New Heights” with JSEF grant
The Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida, one of the newest of the JSEF investing organizations, proudly showed off their new risers during a June 2024 Pride concert in Ft. Lauderdale. JSEF was the lead sponsor of the effort to acquire these risers, thanks to a grant funded a few months earlier. This was part […]
Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida Joins JSEF
In early April, 2024, the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida (GMCSF) became the first nonprofit LGBTQ+ arts organization to endow funds with JSEF under the “Drive For 35” campaign. They will be receiving a 35% cash bonus on top of their invested funds. Welcome to Jon Sims Endowment Fund. GMCSF is the second choral […]
Philadelphia Freedom Band Thriving With JSEF Grant
The Philadelphia Freedom Band has secured several grants from JSEF over the years. Most of these have been for the purchase of new concert and marching instruments for their growing membership. They also needed new storage racks for the expanded inventory of these instruments. JSEF was proud to support this thriving band. To document the […]
“Drive for 35” Offer!
Announcing an exciting short-term incentive for organizations new to the Jon Sims Endowment Fund. In honor of the 35th Anniversary of the Jon Sims Endowment Fund for the Performing Arts, an exciting limited-time offer will help your organization increase its wealth and secure its future for the long term! Here’s how it works: Frequently asked […]
Jon Sims’ Historic Piano Comes Home
In 1984, a talented, young musician died. He was an early and tragic loss of the AIDS pandemic that was only in its infancy. One of his prized possessions was a beautiful ebony grand piano. Normally, especially in those days, things left behind were sold or donated. Thanks to his friends and supporters, not this […]
Passing of JSEF President Loren McGlade
It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of JSEF President Loren D. McGlade. He led this organization as President for 20 years and supported it for much longer. If you knew Loren, you know what a large presence he commanded. He will be greatly missed. His obituary is below. Loren D. McGlade […]
JSEF Adopts New Identity
In June, 2019, the Board of the Jon Sims Endowment Fund for the Performing Arts adopted the new logo you will see on this web site. The logo was designed by acclaimed graphic designer Wesley Kashiwagi of San Jose, California. A number of designs were developed and reviewed before the current one was adopted. It […]
30 For 30 Pearl-A-Palooza!
Announcing the 30 for 30 Pearl-A-Palooza! In honor of the 30th Anniversary of the Jon Sims Endowment Fund for the Performing Arts, an exciting limited-time offer will help your organization increase its wealth for the long term! Here’s how it works: Your LGBT non-profit performing arts group makes an investment of at least $1,000 The […]
Endow-A-Thon a Huge Success!
As of December 31, 2015, the “$200,000 Endow-A-Thon” launched 14 months earlier by the JSEF came to an end. The campaign was an unprecedented effort by the JSEF Board to incentivize LGBT performing arts organizations to invest in their long-term futures. The primary focus of the campaign was on the member organizations of the Lesbian […]