Windy City Blues Society

WHO WE ARE
The Windy City Blues Society (WCBS) is an all-volunteer not-for-profit 501(c)3 public charity registered and based in the City of Chicago, and a proud affiliate member of the Blues Foundation.  Our mission is to preserve, promote and enhance blues music and the blues community, support blues education, and promote the Chicago area blues scene and its musicians.  We are in our 6th year as a public charity and file all required state and federal reports.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
The City of Chicago has once again honored WCBS with the opportunity to showcase some of the biggest names and best local talent in Chicago blues on our Street Stage at the 2015 Chicago Blues Festival, the world's largest free blues festival, and our most important fundraising event of the year.  Last year, 30% of the music at the festival was performed on our stage.  To do it again this year, we need your help.  Donate any amount before our campaign ends on June 30, 2015, to help us achieve our goal of $15,000 and provide invaluable support to the musicians, the festival and the Chicago blues community.

WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES
70% of every dollar you donate will go straight to the musicians who perform on our Chicago Blues Festival Street Stage.  

9.5% will cover the fees associated with the authenticating and fundraising company. 

20.5% will help cover some of the operational costs of running the Street Stage (such as insurance, sound crew, food and water for our musicians and volunteers). 

Musicians Assistance Fund
If we exceed our $15,000 goal, any additional donations will go to this fund, which supports qualifying musicians with specific hardship needs, and also helps cover funeral expenses and memorial funds, such as those for Eric "Guitar" Davis, Nick Charles, Pinetop Perkins and Koko Taylor.

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT
As the largest free blues festival in the world, the Chicago Blues Festival allows us to showcase this important part of our cultural heritage in front of more than 500,000 local and international blues fans who gather on Chicago's lakefront for three days every year in June.  When you make a free-will contribution of any amount, you help ensure the continuation of this Chicago institution.

Any money WCBS raises from merchandise sales at the Chicago Blues Festival also supports our mission. The musicians who perform on our Street Stage volunteer their time.  The only pay they receive for their efforts comes from your donations.  By making a contribution, you will help us continue to bring back top talent year after year to perform for you on our Street Stage.

Please visit us June 12-14 at the 2015 Chicago Blues Festival to witness first-hand what your generosity supports (our 2015 Street Stage Lineup is below).