Welcome

The foundation honors the memory and charitable deeds of Jonathan Krist. He was a talented musician, conscientious about his politics and helping the underserved. He died in a car accident in 2006, the night before he planned to hike the Appalachian Trail.

What We Do

Music with a Mission Programs

Many people described Jonathan as a bridge, bringing together students, different generations and opposing ideas. As a student leader he worked on two causes; collecting band instruments for underserved schools and building wells in Africa. In this spirit, Jazz Academy at Solebury School, the Water Heroes concert and the Stand Partners program were created, to give students a shared purpose in music. Read more…

The James McBride Teaching Award

This unrestricted $1000 award recognizes excellent teachers serving under-resourced communities and inspires others to make the same commitment. Read more…

The Jonny Scholars

Jonathan was a student activist and a freshman at Oberlin College. The foundation awards college scholarships and apprenticeships to students who exhibit creativity and originality in both thought and action.  Recipients exhibit the spirit of Jonathan, a bit of a contrarian, a bit  of a dreamer, but always inspired by the possibilities. Read more…


Grief to Generosity

Honor Your Child by Helping Others

Grief to Generosity Book CoverA new book by Peggy Krist

ONE PART MEMOIR and two parts “how to,” Grief to Generosity shows how you can channel despair into action by publicly memorializing your child. The lessons in this book help you navigate the challenges you’ll face. Step by step, the author leads you through your grief and into something positive. And while helping others, you’ll realize that your child can become the inspiration, not the necessity in your grief. Learn more…