The TIP Jar Fund distributes $47,505 to 100 area musicians

The TIP Jar, a fund for local musicians negatively affected by the global pandemic, has distributed almost $50,000 in two rounds of grants to 100 musicians, WTIP Radio announced Monday, March 1. The effort was made possible by generous donations from music fans in our community.

A partnership between the Cook County Chamber of Commerce and WTIP North Shore Community Radio, the TIP Jar was created to help bridge the financial gap for area musicians who have suffered lost income and limited opportunities to perform live at local venues because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The assistance grants were distributed to 100 musicians, including both full-time and part-time solo performers, duos and musical groups who live in our community, or perform in Cook County on a regular basis. The total amount of assistance included $21,655 for round one in December of 2020, and $25,850 for round two in February of 2021.

The TIP Jar fund is housed at the Cook County Chamber of Commerce and will be an ongoing program throughout the winter and spring. As part of the effort, WTIP Radio hosted a series of Friday TIP Jar Minifests in January, featuring three virtual performances. All of the TIP Jar performances aired live, and are archived under “Music Programs” at www.wtip.org. We’re happy to announce that the TIP Jar Minifests will continue through May of 2021, and air on the last Friday of each month from 4 to 7 p.m. Stay tuned to WTIP Radio for announcements about the March Minifest, or visit www.wtip.org for details about who is scheduled to perform.

If you would like to contribute to the TIP Jar, donations can still be made at www.cookcountychamber.org. The Cook County Chamber TIP Jar is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, and donations to the fund are tax deductible.

The Cook County Chamber of Commerce and WTIP would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the fund so far, and extend a special thanks to the founding group of very generous contributors for leading this great effort. We’d also like to thank our wonderful community of musicians, who add richness to the culture and quality of life on the North Shore.