named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Community Coworking
Virtual coworking sessions exclusively for AIR members to foster community, collaboration, and productivity among independent producers
Find Talent
Directory platform that connects employers and producers by allowing users to search for independent audio talent by location, type of work, skills, and availability
New Voices AMPLIFY
Marketing accelerator program for independent creators with existing podcasts who are ready to grow their audience and impact
SoundPath
Digital training platform offering courses, webinars, mentorship, and a video library to help independent audio producers develop skills in podcasting, storytelling, and production
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Mentorship and Professional Development Programs 2 activities
- Delivering mentorship and one-on-one professional supportProvides one-on-one mentoring sessions with audio professionals and industry leaders to support independent creators in career development and transitioning from solo work to team-based production.
- Running New Voices AMPLIFY marketing accelerator programAdministers New Voices AMPLIFY, a program designed to support independent podcasters with existing shows through training, mentorship, and marketing development to grow their impact.
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Professional Membership and Association Benefits 2 activities
- Facilitating member networking and community forumsOffers access to Community Forums and dedicated Slack channels, hosts member-only networking events such as orientations and virtual co-working, and sends automated alerts about paid opportunities to support professional connections.
- Providing member benefits including event access and resource librariesGrants members free admission to the annual Spring Gala, unlimited access to past webinar recordings, and a public-facing profile in the AIR Talent Directory to showcase their work and experience.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Distributing a weekly newsletter with news, advice, and opportunitiesProduces and distributes a weekly newsletter featuring job opportunities, news, and professional advice for independent audio producers to support their careers and connect them with resources.
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Artist Support Grants 1 activity
- Funding capacity-building programs for independent audio creatorsReceives and utilizes multi-year funding from the Ford Foundation to expand staff capacity, enhance training and mentorship programs, and deepen impact for independent audio creators.
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Professional Networking Events 1 activity
- Hosting community engagement and peer support platformsOperates a Slack community and facilitates community events, including skillshare sessions and networking opportunities, to support peer engagement, collaboration, and practical strategies for independent audio producers.
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Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
- Operating SoundPath digital training platformRuns SoundPath, a peer-inspired digital learning platform offering training in audio production, with free access for members and additional discounted educational offerings.
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Professional Job Board & Career Placement Services 1 activity
- Operating talent directories and job boards for independent audio producersProvides an online directory searchable by name, keyword, or ZIP code radius to help users find independent radio talent, along with a platform for posting and distributing job opportunities for independent audio professionals through a job board and weekly newsletter.
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Professional Certification and Continuing Education 1 activity
- Providing training and professional development through webinars and live classesOffers free and fee-based webinars, live hands-on classes with small groups, and recorded educational content on essential audio production topics led by industry professionals to build skills for independent creators.
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Musician Advocacy and Labor Representation 1 activity
- Supporting fair practice and equitable compensation in audio productionDevelops and shares resources including the Guide to Fair Practice, rate research, and contract templates to promote transparent and equitable business practices for independent audio creators.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.37M
Contributions & grants$1.13M83%
Program service revenue$236K17%
Investment income$1130%
Other revenue$1K
expenses
Total expenses$742K
Program expenses55%
Admin / overhead36%
Fundraising9%
Salaries & benefits$463K
Grants paid out$54K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.32M
Cash$711K
Investments$0
Liabilities$98K
Net assets$1.22M
Liquid reserves11.5 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +367.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEISHA SALMON | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $173K |
board members · 12
- CHIOKE I'ANSON — DIRECTOR
- COREY GUMBS — DIRECTOR
- ELAINE APPLETON GRANT — DIRECTOR
- EMILY KWONG — CO-PRESIDENT
- ERNESTO AGUILAR — TREASURER
- KEISHA DUTES — DIRECTOR
- KIM FOX — CO-PRESIDENT
- KRISTEN WESLOH — DIRECTOR
- MIA LOBEL — DIRECTOR
- PETER ROSS — DIRECTOR
- ROB BYERS — SECRETARY
- WILL COLEY — DIRECTOR
relationships · 26
Who they work with
- AIR | AirMedia.org Partner — SoundPath is a project of AIR | AirMedia.org
- Ana De Almeida Amaral Partner — Independent radio professional listed in AIR's talent directory
- Association of Independents in Radio Network — SoundPath is a project of AIR Media, operated by the Association of Independents in Radio.
- Brandon Gates Partner — Independent radio professional listed in AIR's talent directory
- Briana Brady Partner — Independent radio professional listed in AIR's talent directory
- California Historical Radio Society Partner — Provides AIR members with a 20% discount on summer camps related to broadcast, podcasting, electronics, and wireless communications.
- Certified Crucial Partner — Provides AIR members with discounts on merchandising and fulfillment services for podcasts and media companies.
- Chandra Thomas Whitfield Partner — Independent radio professional listed in AIR's talent directory
- Chris Battaglia Partner — Independent radio professional listed in AIR's talent directory
- Duke University Center for Documentary Studies Partner — Offers AIR members a 10% discount on select classes.
- Follow AIR Partner — Social media presence for community outreach and engagement.
- Ford Foundation Partner — Multi-year funding and strategic partnership to grow staff capacity, enhance programs, and deepen impact for independent creators.
- Headliner Partner — Offers AIR members a 1-month free trial of Headliner Pro for creating promotional videos.
- Hindenburg Partner — Offers AIR members a 3-month trial of Hindenburg PRO 2 and a 30% discount on annual subscriptions.
- Libsyn Partner — Offers AIR members up to four months of free podcast hosting service, a 25% discount on custom podcast websites, and access to additional savings on equipment and services.
- Muckrock Partner — Collaborates with Muckrock to provide training on filing FOIA requests for independent audio producers.
- My Friend's Basement Partner — Offers AIR members a 10% discount on their first booking at its East Williamsburg, Brooklyn studio.
- National Gay Lesbian Journalists Association Partner — Offers AIR members a 50% discount on membership fees.
- Ngoc Bui Partner — Independent radio professional listed in AIR's talent directory
- Notetracks Partner — Provides AIR members with a 25% discount on all annual plans for its audio feedback platform.
- PodInvite Partner — Provides AIR members with a 25% discount on all annual plans for its Google Workspace Add-on that integrates calendar systems with recording platforms.
- Podstream Studios Partner — Provides AIR members with a 10% discount on their first booking at its NYC studio.
- Sweetwater, Inc. Partner — Offers AIR members between 5% and 15% off music and audio gear depending on the product.
- The Podcast Academy Partner — Provides AIR members with a 50% discount on membership.
- Thrumm Partner — Provides AIR members with a 25% discount and a 30-day free trial of its narrative-driven music library for podcast production.
- Vanessa Handy Partner — Independent radio professional listed in AIR's talent directory
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.
- Ecosystem Expansion Through Networked Talent Matchingmethodology: ecosystem_expansion_through_network_cultivationBy cultivating and connecting independent audio producers through a searchable, location-aware directory and strategic network cultivation, the organization expands opportunities for decentralized production and collaboration, because access to distributed talent and relationships strengthens the resilience and reach of the independent media ecosystem.
- Equitable Industry Standards as Foundational Infrastructuremethodology: equitable_industry_standardsBy advocating for fair compensation, transparent practices, and equitable access, the organization strengthens the sustainability of independent audio work because systemic equity enables long-term participation, especially among underrepresented creators, and raises the baseline for the entire ecosystem.
- Peer-Led Capacity Building and Professional Sustainabilitymethodology: peer_powered_learningBy leveraging peer-led skillshares, mentorship, and peer-supported networks, the organization builds practical knowledge, resilience, and long-term professional sustainability among independent audio producers because peer-driven learning fosters engagement, reduces isolation, and models real-world collaboration.