Winners of this year’s R&B Foundation Pioneer Awards didn’t get the cash awards that have accompanied the prizes in the past. “In the past individual acts have received $15,000 and groups $20,000. But this year the R&B Foundation has significantly altered the size of the awards and the way they are paid because of lagging fund-raising and a decrease in donations from record companies and individuals. Donations from our music industry sponsors are down about 60 percent.”