named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
Make Music Champions
Spotlight series highlighting diverse musicians participating in Make Music Day, showcasing their stories and musical backgrounds to promote inclusivity and inspiration.
Make Music Day
Annual nationwide event on June 21 featuring free public music performances by amateur and professional musicians in cities across the U.S. and globally.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
-
Music Education and Training Programs 2 activities
- Facilitating participatory music-making programsRuns inclusive music projects such as Mass Appeal, Sousapalooza, Flowerpot Music, and bucket drumming that provide instruments and structured group performances for people of all ages and skill levels. Supplies materials including Balter mallets, Boomwhacker kits, drumsticks, harmonicas, and free guitar strings through partnerships with music product companies.
- Supporting school and youth music engagementProvides free sheet music, printable scores, and access to practice tools in MakeMusic Cloud for school ensembles preparing for Make Music Day. Facilitates global video exchanges of musical performances among children aged 7–13 and supports educational participation through instrument donations and performance resources.
-
-
Community Music Performances & Education 2 activities
- Hosting musician mentorship and collaboration programsOrganizes initiatives that pair professional musicians with amateur and emerging artists for mentorship and joint public performances. Hosts an annual global song swap enabling songwriters and bands to perform others’ works and receive covers of their own compositions in return.
- Providing community event support and resourcesEnables individuals and communities to create local Make Music events by offering free access to musical pieces, instrument support, and logistical tools. Hosts free guitar events providing string changes and lessons to improve playing skills.
-
-
Corporate Sponsorship Programs 1 activity
- Coordinating national programs and sponsorshipsManages national sponsorship arrangements with music product companies to deliver benefits to member cities and organizes signature national programs such as Mass Appeal and Sousapalooza.
-
-
Flexible Grants to Grassroots Organizations 1 activity
- Expanding local organizing capacity globallyProvides tools, coordination support, mentorship, and fiscal sponsorship to help establish new Make Music organizations, including one-year fiscal sponsorship for U.S.-based groups awaiting 501(c)(3) status. Supports the creation of local chapters to expand the celebration into new communities.
-
-
Public Awareness and Educational Outreach 1 activity
- Leading public relations and geographic expansionConducts public relations campaigns to promote Make Music Day nationally and drives efforts to expand the celebration into new geographic markets.
-
-
Free Outdoor Music Concerts 1 activity
- Organizing global Make Music Day celebrationsCoordinates an annual worldwide music celebration on June 21, involving over 2,000 cities across dozens of countries, featuring free public concerts and participatory music events open to musicians of all types, ages, and skill levels. In 2025, organized 5,471 concerts in 147 U.S. cities and supported 88,000 performances with 2.5 million participants through Make Music China.
-
-
Uncategorized 1 activity
- Developing and providing digital coordination toolsOperates a matchmaking platform that connects musicians with venues and enables concert registration for Make Music Day. Generates interactive maps, searchable performance listings, and digital marketing materials for member cities through customized software.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$328K
Contributions & grants$250K76%
Program service revenue$68K21%
Investment income$10K3%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$327K
Program expenses81%
Admin / overhead18%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$133K
Grants paid out$33K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$406K
Cash$112K
Investments$225K
Liabilities$311K
Net assets$95K
Liquid reserves12.4 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -25.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Friedman | Executive Director | 35 | $10K |
board members · 10
- Aish Sinha — Director
- Andrea Berman — Chairperson
- Andrew Horwitz — Director
- Anne Katz — Director
- James Shackelford — Director
- Joe Carroll — Director
- Mark Green — Vice-Chairperson
- Max Lester — Secretary
- Mike Rosenthal — Treasurer
- Victor Pineiro — Director
relationships · 50
Who they work with
- Alfred Music Partner — Co-provides free sheet music and resources for school and community ensembles to perform on Make Music Day.
- Alfred Music Partner — National sponsor that provides benefits to Make Music cities through sponsorship arrangements brokered by the Alliance.
- Americans for the Arts Partner — Partner organization in the Make Music Network that collaborates with Make Music Alliance on June 21 and year-round music initiatives.
- Anaheim Packing District Partner — Partner organization hosting Make Music events in Anaheim, CA
- Bertie Arts Partner — Hosts Make Music Day events in Bertie County, NC
- Cheswatyr Foundation Funder — Provides support for the nationwide Circle Singing program.
- Cheswatyr Foundation Partner — Supports Circle Singing programs and #Pulsations, an international music program linked to the Paris 2024 Games.
- China Musical Instruments Association Partner — Led Make Music China in collaboration with Make Music Alliance Inc.
- City of Hastings, MN Partner — Hosts Make Music Day events in Hastings, MN through its city government website
- Day of Music Fullerton Partner — Partner organization hosting Make Music events in Fullerton, CA
- Drum Corps International Partner — Partner organization in the Make Music Network that collaborates with Make Music Alliance on June 21 and promotes the marching arts globally.
- Easttop Partner — Harmonica manufacturer supporting festivals, educational initiatives, and international events to grow the harmonica community.
- Elixir Strings Partner — National sponsor that provides benefits to Make Music cities through sponsorship arrangements brokered by the Alliance.
- Elixir Strings Partner — Provides free guitar strings for the String Together initiative at over 100 music stores globally.
- Elixir Strings Partner — Provides free string change services at String Together events to support guitar players.
- FJH Music Partner — Co-provides free sheet music and resources for school and community ensembles to perform on Make Music Day.
- Guitars for Vets Partner — Partner organization in the Make Music Network that collaborates with Make Music Alliance on June 21 and provides free guitars and music instruction to wounded veterans.
- Hohner Partner — National sponsor that provides benefits to Make Music cities through sponsorship arrangements brokered by the Alliance.
- Improv Everywhere Partner — Collaborates on the development and execution of the Conduct Us participatory performance experience.
- Levitt AMP Music Festival Partner — Collaborates on a family music activity table during Make Music Day in Green Bay, WI.
- Levitt Family Foundation Funder — Leverages free live music to strengthen community social fabric and revitalize public spaces through grantmaking and research.
- MPTF Partner — National sponsor that provides benefits to Make Music cities through sponsorship arrangements brokered by the Alliance.
- Make Music Alliance Network — Founded by Make Music organizers across North America in 2014 to coordinate and expand Make Music celebrations.
- Make Music Alliance Inc Network — Organizes and supports a global network of local music celebrations on June 21.
- Make Music Day Network — Participates in Make Music Day as a featured band.
- Make Music Los Angeles Partner — Collaborates on organizing and hosting public music events in Los Angeles.
- MakeMusic Inc Partner — Supports the nationwide Sound of School initiative with free access to musical pieces and practice tools in MakeMusic Cloud.
- MakeMusic, Inc. Partner — Co-provides free sheet music and resources for school and community ensembles to perform on Make Music Day.
- Mike Risko Music School Partner — Hosts Make Music Day events in Ossining-Briarcliff, NY
- Music Performance Trust Fund Partner — Provides free live music performed by professional musicians and supports mentorship between professionals and emerging musicians.
+ 20 more
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.
- Open-Access Participatory Music Modelmethodology: inclusive_participatory_musicBy removing barriers to entry and inviting anyone to perform or host in public spaces, the organization produces citywide musical engagement because inclusivity and accessibility democratize music-making and foster community connection through shared creative expression.
- Peer-to-Peer Matchmaking for Event Coordinationmethodology: matchmaking_modelBy using a matchmaking model inspired by digital platforms, the organization enables decentralized coordination of live music events because connecting musicians directly with venues fosters autonomy, scalability, and community-led participation without centralized control.
- Public Space Activation for Civic Engagementmethodology: public-space-activationBy transforming urban environments into impromptu performance venues, the organization integrates music into everyday community life and strengthens civic ties because activated public spaces reveal local creativity, encourage collective ownership, and enable residents to engage municipal leaders around cultural value.