named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
Instruments Into Prisons
Initiative that donates musical instruments and recording equipment to incarcerated artists, enabling them to create professional-quality music within prison facilities
Studio C209
Album and multimedia project created entirely within a Colorado prison cell, showcasing the artistic potential of incarcerated individuals through music and visual art
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Criminal Justice Policy Advocacy 1 activity
- Advocacy through public education and community engagementEngages in activist efforts including attending parole hearings, conducting speaking engagements, and performing at colleges to educate the public about women's incarceration and the prison experience.
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Artist Residencies and Studio Programs 1 activity
- Capacity building through organizational leadership and executive productionProvides executive production support for prison-impacted artists and holds quarterly board meetings to guide organizational operations. Co-founded and is led by a Co-Executive Director who oversees strategic direction.
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Music Education Support 1 activity
- Distributing musical instruments and recording equipment to correctional facilitiesDelivers musical instruments and production gear to incarcerated musicians, enabling them to create music within prisons. The organization has delivered over 150 pieces of equipment valued at over $20,000 to 13 correctional facilities.
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Distribution of PPE and Crisis Supplies 1 activity
- Emergency relief distribution during public health crisesRaised $25,000 through a virtual concert series to distribute 30,285 masks to 26 prisons and jails across 16 states during the pandemic.
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Digital Music and Performance Archiving 1 activity
- Producing multimedia art by incarcerated and formerly incarcerated artistsProvides a platform for currently and formerly incarcerated artists to produce high-quality multimedia art, including albums, album art, videos, literature, and performances. The organization has released 3 LPs, 4 EPs, and 18 singles by prison-impacted musicians, generating over 100,000 streams.
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Annual Impact and Evaluation Reporting 1 activity
- Research and reporting on prison conditions and organizational impactPublished a report on the distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) to prisons during 2020 and has published annual reports summarizing organizational activities and outcomes from 2020 through 2024.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Recording music inside correctional facilitiesSupports the recording of music by incarcerated individuals within prison cells, including the production of full-length albums. The organization has recorded music with 65 currently incarcerated and 18 formerly incarcerated musicians across 17 prisons in 10 U.S. states.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$185K
Contributions & grants$174K94%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$11K
expenses
Total expenses$247K
Program expenses100%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$138K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$167K
Cash$167K
Investments$0
Liabilities$7K
Net assets$160K
Liquid reserves8.1 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2023 · YoY revenue -24.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MONIQUE MULL | CO EXEC DIRE | 40 | $46K |
| FURY YOUNG | PRESIDENT | 40 | $44K |
board members · 5
- AMY HOLMES — BOARD MEMBER
- AYANA EVANS — BOARD MEMBER
- EDDIE BERG — BOARD MEMBER
- ERIC BORSUK — BOARD MEMBER
- MICHAEL LAWRENCE — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 14
Who they work with
- B. Alexis Partner — Artist signed to or affiliated with FREER Records whose work is promoted and analyzed by the organization.
- BL Shirelle Partner — Collaborated with FREER Records on an interview with Tenneson about his album and journey.
- Bear-One Partner — Regular mixing collaborator for FREER RECORDS INC.
- Board of Directors Partner — Volunteer board provides governance and financial oversight for FREER Records.
- Dan Millice Partner — Regular mastering collaborator for FREER RECORDS INC.
- Fury Partner — Worked with FREER Records on the production and release of the album recorded in prison.
- Matthew Cullen Partner — Regular mixing collaborator for FREER RECORDS INC.
- P.C. Coleman Partner — Member of the FREER Records supergroup The Masses and contributor to the organization's content on prison and spiritual themes.
- Suspect Partner — Produced a podcast season focused on EL BENTLY 448's wrongful conviction and exoneration
- Ted Jamison Partner — Collaborated with FREER Records to donate music equipment and support the recording initiative in prison.
- The Detroit Metro Times Partner — Featured coverage of EL BENTLY 448's story and music
- The Flint Courier Partner — Published story on EL BENTLY 448's journey from incarceration to artistic expression
- Trvp Lvne Partner — Regular production and beats collaborator for FREER RECORDS INC.
- Union of Musicians and Allied Workers Partner — Collaborated on the Instruments Into Prisons campaign to deliver musical equipment to incarcerated musicians.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Amplifying Incarcerated Voices Through Artmethodology: art-as-activismBy producing and releasing music and multimedia created by incarcerated and formerly incarcerated artists, the organization amplifies their voices and advances social change, because centering authentic narratives challenges dehumanizing stereotypes and fosters public empathy, leading to systemic advocacy.
- Artistic Expression as Transformative Practicemethodology: art-as-redemptionBy supporting creative expression through music, storytelling, and collaborative production, the organization enables emotional and spiritual transformation, because engaging in art fosters personal growth, self-reckoning, and a sense of freedom—even within confinement—thereby promoting redemption and resilience.
- Leadership and Collaboration with Impacted Communitiesmethodology: leadership-by-impacted-communitiesBy centering leadership and creative collaboration with prison-impacted individuals, the organization drives inclusive change and strengthens advocacy, because lived experience ensures authenticity, builds trust, and empowers communities to lead their own narratives.