Rock To The Future

Name

Rock To The Future

Legal name

Rock to the Future

Website

https://rocktothefuture.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Music Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Instruction (Instrumental & Vocal) (EDAMAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC), Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

Keywords

• Youth music education
• After-school programs
• Community music workshops
• Juvenile justice programming
• College readiness support

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting youth music education. Includes monthly recurring giving program called BANDmates, one-time donations, and cryptocurrency donations through Engiven.
2. Corporate Giving: Corporate sponsorships and donations, including Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program which provides 75-90% tax credits for qualifying donations.
3. Foundation Grants: Support from private foundations including William Penn Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Lewis Prize for Music, and numerous family foundations.
4. Government Contracts: Government funding including PCCD (Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency), Philadelphia Youth Network WorkReady, and other public funding sources.
5. Fee-for-Service Programming: Partnership with JEVS for Career Connected Learning (C2L-PHL) summer program where students earn stipends ($1,320 for 5-week program) through workforce development programming.
6. Special Events: Annual Music for All Ball fundraiser generating approximately $100,000+ per event. Other fundraising events include workplace giving campaigns (United Way, AmazonSmile).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Rock to the Future is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides free, student-driven music education programs to Philadelphia youth ages 5-19 in under-resourced communities. Programs include after-school music instruction, band collaboration, music production, songwriting/rap, summer workforce development, college/trade readiness, and trauma-informed programming for justice-involved youth, delivered at schools, community centers, and juvenile justice facilities at no cost to participants.

Product overview

Rock to the Future is a nonprofit music education organization offering multiple free programs for Philadelphia youth in under-resourced areas. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected programs: MusiCore After School provides after-school music instruction at partner schools; MusiCommunity offers year-round community-based music classes for teens; MobileMusic delivers weekly workshops at schools and partner sites; Justice Programs serves youth in the juvenile justice system; Ready for the Future Club provides college and trade school readiness; Career Connected Learning PHL combines summer music instruction with professional development; Lyric Lab offers rap and songwriting instruction; and the Youth Action Council develops youth leadership and advocacy skills. All programs are provided at no cost to participants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MusiCore: After school music program combining instrumental instruction, band collaboration, and live performance with academic support for grades 6-12
• MusiCommunity
• MobileMusic
• BANDmates
• Ready for the Future Club
• Lyric Lab
• Pathways to Success Campaign

Products and services

• MusiCore After School Flagship after-school program for Philadelphia youth in grades 6-12 that combines music instruction (guitar, bass, piano, drums, choir), band collaboration, live performances, and academic support.
• MusiCommunity Year-round music programming at accessible community locations for teens ages 13-19, offering piano, music production, songwriting, and event production classes.
• MobileMusic Weekly music classes during school, after school, and summer at partner school and community locations, serving K-12 students with instruction on guitar, ukulele, piano, drums, choral ensemble, and music production.
• Justice Programs Music programs for youth currently incarcerated and in intervention programs, using trauma-informed music to support healing, peer relationships, and re-entry into community.
• Ready for the Future Club College and trade school readiness support for middle and high school students, including campus visits, career exploration, scholarship assistance ($250-$1,500), and laptop distribution for graduating seniors.
• Career Connected Learning PHL (C2L-PHL) Summer program combining music instruction with professional development workshops for students ages 12-18, where participants earn up to $1,320 over 5 weeks while learning instruments, collaborating in bands, and exploring career pathways.
• Lyric Lab Rap and songwriting program at One Art Community Center that empowers young artists to write powerful lyrics, find their flow, perform with confidence, and build real songs with other young creators, culminating in a live showcase.
• Youth Action Council Leadership opportunity for Rock to the Future students to address community issues through music, advocacy, and civic engagement, meeting twice monthly on social justice and service topics.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of MusiCore graduates pursue post-secondary education (college or trades)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Philadelphia District Attorney's OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership for youth diversion programs supporting justice-involved youth through music education and intervention programming.
• Philadelphia EaglescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEagles Care program and social justice fund supporter. Eagles players have visited programs, participated in community cleanups, and the organization received a $270,000 grant from Eagles' social justice fund in 2024.
• Fender Musical InstrumentssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMusical instrument manufacturer supporter providing equipment for youth programs.
• School District of PhiladelphiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary educational partner hosting MusiCore and MobileMusic programs in schools throughout Philadelphia.
• JEVScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for Career Connected Learning (C2L-PHL) summer program. JEVS handles youth enrollment and stipends while Rock to the Future delivers music and professional development programming. Students can earn up to $1,320 for the 5-week program.
• Hungry for MusicsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic education nonprofit that accepts donated instruments for distribution. Rock to the Future directs instrument donations to them when appropriate.
• Arts and Business Council PhiladelphiasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization connecting arts and business communities, recognizing leadership through awards program.
• Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary partner for justice programs. Rock to the Future provides music programming for incarcerated youth including newly dedicated 'Ruth's Room' music studio. Served 250+ residents since March 2022.
• NOMO FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner providing holistic support and resources for youth development alongside music programming.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Berklee City Music Network: Berklee's nonprofit arm serves urban youth through free music education programs across a network of partner organizations. Comparable in delivering free, high-quality music instruction to under-resourced youth.
• The People's Music School: The People's Music School is Chicago's only free, nonsectarian, independent music school, providing tuition-free music education to youth regardless of background. Comparable as a free-music-school model serving under-resourced communities.
• Music Will: Music Will (formerly Little Kids Rock) is the largest US nonprofit providing free, culturally responsive music programs to under-resourced public schools. Highly comparable to Rock to the Future's MusiCore and MobileMusic programs in mission, target population, and delivery model.
• VH1 Save The Music Foundation: VH1 Save The Music Foundation provides grants, instruments, and support to schools for music education programs. Directly comparable as a nonprofit dedicated to restoring music education in under-resourced schools.
• Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation: Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation donates musical instruments and equipment to under-funded school music programs nationwide. Comparable focus on building music education capacity in under-resourced schools.
• The Harmony Project: The Harmony Project provides free intensive music education to youth from low-income communities in Los Angeles, with a focus on social-emotional and academic outcomes. Comparable in free-music-for-under-resourced-youth model and similar outcomes focus.

Emerging players

• Sing for Hope: Sing for Hope leverages the arts to bridge divides and serves under-resourced communities through free arts programming and public art installations. Comparable as an arts-education nonprofit reaching under-resourced populations, though broader than just music instruction.
• Notes in Motion: Notes in Motion is a NYC-based nonprofit that brings original music composition and dance to underserved NYC public schools. Comparable in delivering accessible arts/music programming to under-resourced K-12 students through school partnerships.

Broad incumbents

• Kaufman Music Center: Kaufman Music Center operates music education programs and Special Music School in NYC, including free initiatives for students from low-income backgrounds. Comparable as a comprehensive music education institution serving diverse learners.
• Carnegie Hall Music Education Programs: Carnegie Hall's education programs serve young musicians across NYC and beyond with free instruction, ensembles, and performance opportunities. Comparable as a major music education provider focused on access and youth development.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/rock2future
• Facebookfacebook.com/Rock2Future
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rock2future
• Instagraminstagram.com/rock2future

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rock To The Future