Remembering John Prine
John Prine wrote the song, Hello In There, while walking his mail route in Maywood, IL. He was not yet 22 years old but he had the compassion and kindness even then to understand that sometimes just a simple “Hello,” or a random act of kindness can make a difference.
John’s family created the Hello In There Foundation to honor his legacy, generosity of spirit, and commitment to community.
John would have celebrated his 50th Anniversary as a Recording Artist in Fall of 2021. His debut album was released in September 1971 with - the now classics - Hello In There, addressing the issue of elder isolation; Sam Stone, the story of a returned Vietnam veteran, a husband and father who isolated and drug addicted; Paradise, a bluegrass lament about the loss of community and the environmental impact of strip mining; and Donald and Lydia, who are two lonely and emotionally sensitive people who despair at ever finding love and community.
John went on to write hundreds of songs, many of which spoke about those who are marginalized and often forgotten, like the lonely prisoner in Christmas In Prison (1973 ), the struggle of a young pregnant girl who leaves home alone in Unwed Fathers (1984), or Summer’s End (2018), with a plea to a loved one struggling with addiction to ‘Come on Home.’
These songs show the empathy John felt for people and causes where he saw the greatest and often critical need - unhoused veterans, elders in isolation, those struggling with addiction, the incarcerated, teenage pregnancy, and the shining need for early childhood education. We are committed to following his example by offering compassion and meaningful support to communities and organizations working to make a difference to those in need.
Photo courtesy of Jim McGuire and nashvilleportraits.com
The Hello in There Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization established by the family of John Prine as a way for his fan network, friends, and family to celebrate his memory and generous spirit through a philanthropic commitment to community care.
Established in 2021 by the family after John’s death, the work of the foundation is inspired and guided by John’s simple song title, Hello In There. The foundation mobilizes John’s intensely devoted community of supporters in order to raise resources through tax-deductible donations, event revenue, and sponsorships. In turn, the foundation, often with matching funds from the Prine Family and Oh Boy Records, gives grants to nonprofit organizations that align with John’s ethos, with a particular priority for supporting community nonprofits dedicated to caring for those who are marginalized, discriminated against or, for any reason, are otherwise forgotten.
Since its founding, the Hello in There Foundation has supported organizations working to aid women survivors of trafficking, unhoused people, disaster relief organizations, and nonprofits that assist immigrant and refugee populations.
The Hello in There Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funding.
If you’re interested in joining this dedicated community of fan-philanthropists (fanlanthropists?!), please consider making a tax-deductible donation.
Hello in There is a registered 501(c)3, nonprofit public charity, registered in the State of Tennessee.
View our most recent 990 filing here.
View our Charity Navigator profile here.
View our most recent list of grantees here.
Board of Directors
Fiona Whelan Prine, President
Jody Whelan, Treasurer
Jack Prine, Secretary
Kelly McCartney, Board Member
Ruby Amanfu, Board Member
Executive Leadership
Fiona Whelan Prine, Founder and President
Fiona Whelan Prine is Founder and President of the Hello In There Foundation. She is owner and president of Oh Boy Records and oversees all aspects of her late husband’s intellectual property and legacy. Previously, Fiona managed John’s career, traveling with him to his sold out shows all over the world. She is a devoted mother and grandmother and has been a long time supporter of community initiatives that support those in need. Fiona lives in Nashville and enjoys spending time with her family.
Celine Thackston, Executive Director
Celine Thackston serves as Executive Director for the Hello in There Foundation. A skilled fundraiser and nonprofit administrator with more than a decade of experience in infrastructure and capacity building, she has helped to raise millions of dollars each year for a range of nonprofit organizations and individual artists. Celine has worked for major cultural organizations, human services nonprofits, social justice institutions, and grassroots initiatives across a range of disciplines and issue areas. She gratefully married into John Prine fandom almost 20 years ago and lives in Nashville with her husband, daughter, and a menagerie of animal companions.
Interested in learning more about the Foundation? Please send us an email!