Today we’d like to introduce you to Rhonda Lyne.
Hi Rhonda, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I met Abigail Henderson in 2006. Her band, the Gaslights, played in Manhattan, KS where I lived at the time.
Soon after moving to Kansas City, Abby was diagnosed with breast cancer. Along with a group of friends, we organized the first Apocalypse Meow, a benefit for Abby.
Abby had wanted to start a nonprofit to assist musicians and her diagnosis made it clear this was needed. So often, musicians don’t have insurance or have catastrophic policies with large deductibles.
The Midwest Music Foundation formed and Abby swore to give back to the music community that rallied to help her. We started a fund to help other musicians with their health care needs.
Abby sadly passed in 2013 and I made her a promise to keep the MMF going.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Running a nonprofit on a volunteer basis has definitely been a challenge and a labor of love. I also work full time as a Scientist and all of our other Staff/Board have other jobs as well. I don’t really have a background in nonprofit management. I had always been active volunteering for various causes but have had to learn most everything as we go.
I am proud that we have steadily grown over the years however.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
The Midwest Music Foundation is a Kansas City, MO based nonprofit that supports musicians in the area.
Our main focus is health care for musicians. Through Abby’s Fund for Musician’s Health Care, we provide financial assistance to musicians suffering medical emergencies. We also have partnered with local health providers to provide preventative care, such as custom earplugs for musicians, mammograms, and health screenings.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, the music industry was devastated and musicians were out of work. We immediately sprung into action to provide financial assistance to musicians and music industry workers.
We also provide performance and educational opportunities for musicians.
I’m most proud that we have been able to provide assistance to musicians that has allowed them to continue to create when faced with hardships.
Our organization is run almost entirely on volunteer hours so that almost all funds raised go directly to those we serve.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us the importance of being able to adapt. We had to learn how to do virtual fundraising and musicians had to adapt to online performances.
It has shown me how resilient our music community is and how generous our donors are. The support of the community has allowed us to keep going even with all music venues and our typical fundraising events were canceled.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: midwestmusicfoundation.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwestmusicfoundation/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MidwestMusicFoundation
- Twitter: @midwestmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWjXCRAjpiIEJZpV4FxXHTQ
Image Credits
Photos by Todd Zimmer -Rhonda Lyne on stage at Apocalypse Meow 13 (2020) -Nathan Corsi Band at Apocalypse Meow 13 (2020) -Kadesh Flow at Apocalypse Meow 13 (2020) MMF Heart Logo by Joseph Wheeler
