JSEF announces recipient of its 2025 Excellence Award: DC’s Different Drummers

DC’s Different Drummers was awarded the Jon Sims Endowment Fund’s second annual “Jon Sims Excellence Award” at the Pride Bands Alliance conference in Ft Lauderdale, FL, on October 25, 2025, for their amazing accomplishments during 2024. A crystal trophy and a check for $2,500 were presented to long-time DCDD member, David McBee. Presenting the award were JSEF Treasurer Joel Shapiro, JSEF Board member Judy Ames, and JSEF Secretary Dencil White. Regarding the selection of DC’s Different Drummers, White said, “We had a terrific level of participation in these second Excellence Awards. Twelve of our investing organizations completed Accomplishments forms delineating their

December 22, 2025

Minnesota Freedom Band “Jazzed” about its recent JSEF Grant

Jazz Ensemble drum set on the left and two electric bass players using their new guitar amps. Jon Sims Endowment Fund was proud to award a $3,000 grant to the Minnesota Freedom Band in January 2025. These funds were used to help the Jazz Band purchase their own bass and guitar amplifiers, plus a full drum set, complete with accessories. Before this grant was approved, the Jazz Band had to rely on borrowed equipment from various sources. The uncertainty involved with this made it difficult for the Minnesota Freedom Band to commit to several gigs. From the VP of the

August 18, 2025

Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus Receives A Third Grant From JSEF

Photo: PSGMC using the risers funded in part by JSEF. On July 31, 2025, JSEF Board member Dencil White proudly presented a grant check for $1,950 to the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus. Accepting the check was Alan McPhail, Chorus President, and Sergio Peña, Chair, Community Outreach and Music Advisory Committee. These funds will be used to purchase new music stands, storage racks, and covers for the racks. Said President McPhail “I am thrilled that JSEF is able to work with us once again. The chorus members will thank you each week as we won’t need to hoist our folders

August 8, 2025