The Lowell Festival Foundation, producer of the nation’s largest free folk festival, has announced an urgent fundraising appeal following notification from the National Endowment for the Arts that a $20,000 grant earmarked for the 38th annual Lowell Folk Festival has been withdrawn.
The unexpected decision arrives as production costs for the three-day celebration—scheduled to return to downtown Lowell this July—continue to climb. Each year, the not-for-profit festival requires roughly $1.5 million to cover artist fees, staging, sound, sanitation, security, and other essential services. Approximately 75 percent of that budget is normally met through a combination of grants, business sponsorships, and individual gifts.
“Federal support is never a guarantee, but the timing underscores how fragile arts funding can be,” said Arthur Sutcliffe, board chairman of the Lowell Festival Foundation. “Even without this grant, the festival remains committed to presenting a world-class, free event. Now more than ever, we are asking our community to stand with us.”
Despite the funding setback, organizers reaffirm that the Lowell Folk Festival will go on as planned, delivering the vibrant music, dance, crafts, and culinary traditions that draw more than 150,000 visitors annually. Executive Director Lee Viliesis emphasized that small gifts can have outsized impact: “If every attendee contributed just ten dollars, the festival’s entire operating cost would be secured. That’s the power of collective action.”
How to Help
Donate: Tax-deductible contributions of any size can be made at lowellfolkfestival.org/pages/donate.
Sponsor: Businesses seeking visibility while supporting the arts are invited to inquire about sponsorship packages.
Share: Spreading the word through social media and community networks multiplies the campaign’s reach.
The Lowell Festival Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating folk traditions. Contributions directly sustain the festival’s mission to keep the event free and welcoming to all.
Grateful Web encourages music lovers everywhere to lend their support and help ensure that the sounds of heritage and community spirit continue to echo through Lowell’s streets this summer and for years to come.
