THE RHYTHM AND BLUES FOUNDATION

The Rhythm and Blues Foundation is an independent non-profit service organization with a worldwide reputation for meeting the needs of former rhythm and blues artists.

A year round endeavor, The Rhythm and Blues Foundation produces the popular Annual Pioneer Awards and administers significant medical and financial assistance endowments including The Motown/Universal Music Group Fund, Gwendolyn B. Gordy Fuqua Fund and The Doc Pomus Financial Assistance Program.

The Rhythm and Blues Foundation had its beginnings in 1987 during discussions about royalty issues between entertainer Ruth Brown, prominent entertainment attorney Howell Begle, and the head of Atlantic Records, Ahmet Ertegun. Recognizing the needs of the artists who brought the rhythm and blues art form into prominence, Mr. Ertegun provided a $1.5 million donation and the Foundation was born. The Rhythm and Blues Foundation was established in 1988 to promote recognition, financial support, educational outreach and historic and cultural preservation of rhythm and blues music through various grants and programs in support of R&B and Motown artists from the 1940s through the 1970s.

The Foundation’s Annual Pioneer Awards Program has recognized more than 150 legendary artists from the 40s through the 70s, whose lifelong contributions have been instrumental in the development of rhythm and blues music. The Doc Pomus Financial Assistance Program, named in memory of one of the Foundation’s founding directors, provides emergency financial assistance to rhythm and blues artists for health care, musical instruments and funeral expenses. The Foundation also administers The Motown/Universal Music Group Fund (established by Universal Music Group to provide grants for health, welfare and medical purposes in the form of monetary assistance to former rhythm and blues recording artists affiliated with Universal Music Group or affiliated labels) and the Gwendolyn B. Gordy Fuqua Fund which assists Motown artists of the 60's and 70's. It was established by Berry Gordy to honor the memory of his sister, who was a talented producer, songwriter, entrepreneur and pioneering music executive with Motown records.

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