The Troy Andrews Foundation

What The Troy Andrews Foundation does

The Troy Andrews Foundation, operating publicly as the Trombone Shorty Foundation, is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit founded in 2012 by Grammy-recognized New Orleans musician Troy 'Trombone Shorty' Andrews. The foundation delivers free music education, instruction, mentorship, and performance programming to underserved youth in New Orleans, with the stated mission of inspiring the next generation of talented youth while preserving and perpetuating New Orleans musical traditions including brass-band, traditional jazz, blues, gospel, Mardi Gras Indian funk, hip-hop, and SupaFunkRock.

The foundation operates a portfolio of programs anchored by the Trombone Shorty Academy (a free after-school program for youth aged 12-18), the Fredman Music Business Institute and Masterclass Series (a music industry apprenticeship program for ages 14-24 covering beatmaking, DJing, event production, branding, marketing, tax preparation, and career development), a Cultural Experiences Program featuring the annual 'Getting Funky in Havana' Cuba exchange (a sixth-year cohort of roughly 230 musicians plus students in 2025), and the 2025-launched Alumni Federation and Leadership Council for graduates up to age 29 with monthly stipends and gig referrals. Programming is delivered at three New Orleans sites: a mailing/operations address at 5500 Prytania St #338, masterclass space at the George & Joyce Wein Jazz and Heritage Center (1225 N. Rampart St), and Fredman Institute courses at the New Orleans Career Center (1331 N. Kerlerec St). Two annual events — Shorty Fest (13 consecutive years during Jazz & Heritage Festival) and Tunes for Toys — anchor fundraising and student showcase activity. Out-the-door outcomes include over $655,000 in scholarships to 270-plus Louisiana students via the George Rodrigue Foundation partnership and over 7,500 cumulative applications to the annual Scholarship Art & Songwriting Contest.

The foundation's revenue model is a multi-stream nonprofit funding mix with no pricing mechanism for program participants (all programs are free). Revenue is sourced from individual tax-deductible donations, corporate sponsorships (Acura as presenting Shorty Fest sponsor, plus Emeril Lagasse Foundation, Folgers/Smuckers, AEG Foundation, Goldring Foundation, Murphy Foundation, and others), foundation grants (AEG Community Foundation, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation via the Aspen Institute Pathways to Careers Fund, Rex Foundation, George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts), and event-based fundraising through Shorty Fest and Tunes for Toys. Notable recognition includes a 2020 Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Award for the founder's children's book, the 2022 Ralph J. Gleason Award from the Rex Foundation, and a 2025 AEG Community Foundation grant as part of a $400,000, 20-nonprofit cohort. Distribution is direct, application-based, and free to participants; the foundation has no subsidiaries, no parent entity, and operates as a single Louisiana-domiciled charitable organization.

Name

The Troy Andrews Foundation

Legal name

Trombone Shorty Foundation

Website

https://tromboneshortyfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Troy Andrews Foundation (operating as the Trombone Shorty Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2012 that delivers free music education, mentorship, and performance programming to underserved New Orleans youth aged 12-24.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Music Education and Youth Development Services

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Educational Services (611), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ), Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD), Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC)

Keywords

• Music education programs
• Youth music mentorship
• Music business training
• Cultural exchange programs
• Nonprofit youth development

Headquarters

HQ city

New Orleans

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 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 music education and youth development programs
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Funding from corporate sponsors including Acura, Emeril Lagasse Foundation, Folgers/Smuckers, AEG Foundation, Goldring Foundation, and others for programming and operations
3. Foundation Grants: Grants from foundations including AEG Community Foundation, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Aspen Institute, Rex Foundation, and George Rodrigue Foundation
4. Shorty Fest Fundraiser: Annual benefit concert during New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival featuring student performances and live entertainment

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Trombone Shorty Foundation provides free music education, instruction, mentorship, and performance programs to underserved youth in New Orleans, centered on the Trombone Shorty Academy (ages 12-18) and Fredman Music Business Institute (ages 14-24). The foundation also delivers masterclasses, international cultural exchange trips to Cuba, and ongoing alumni support through the Alumni Federation and Leadership Council. All programs are offered at no cost to participating students and are funded through donations, sponsorships, foundation grants, and annual fundraiser events.

Product overview

The Trombone Shorty Foundation is a non-profit music education organization offering a multi-faceted portfolio of programs. The core offerings include the Trombone Shorty Academy (free after-school music education for youth 12-18), the Fredman Music Business Institute (music industry professional development), and the Music Industry Apprenticeship Program. Supporting programs include Masterclasses, the Cultural Experiences Program (including Cuba exchanges), and the Alumni Federation for graduates. The foundation also organizes annual events including Shorty Fest (benefit concert) and Tunes for Toys (toy drive). A partnership with the George Rodrigue Foundation provides annual songwriting contests with college scholarships. The foundation operates as a unified suite of music education and youth development programs, not a technology product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Trombone Shorty Academy: Free after-school music education program for students aged 12-18 providing mentorship and instruction in New Orleans musical traditions including brass-band, traditional Jazz, Blues, gospel, Mardi Gras Indian funk, Hip-Hop, and SupaFunkRock.
• Fredman Music Business Institute
• Cultural Experiences Program
• Alumni Federation

Products and services

• Trombone Shorty Academy Free after-school music education program for youth aged 12-18 providing mentorship and experience in music performance, reading, and writing while teaching New Orleans musical traditions including brass-band, traditional Jazz, Blues, gospel, Mardi Gras Indian funk, Hip-Hop, and SupaFunkRock.
• Fredman Music Business Institute Free program providing instruction in music industry skills including beatmaking, DJing, event production, branding, marketing, tax preparation, and professional development for aspiring musicians and industry professionals ages 14-24.
• Music Industry Apprenticeship Program Program providing professional opportunities in both music performance and business, launched in partnership with the Aspen Institute and Conrad N. Hilton Foundation to create career pathways for opportunity youth.
• Masterclasses Workshops with world-class musicians and industry professionals covering topics such as songwriting, beatmaking, DJing, branding, marketing, event production, and music business skills for youth ages 14-29.
• Cultural Experiences Program (Getting Funky in Havana) International cultural exchange program including the annual 'Getting Funky in Havana' trip to Cuba, providing students opportunities to perform, collaborate with international musicians, and explore musical connections between New Orleans and Havana.
• Alumni Federation and Leadership Council Community network for program graduates providing continuing education workshops, networking events, gig opportunities, mentorship, and professional development, with a Leadership Council for young adults up to age 29.
• George Rodrigue Foundation Songwriting Contest Partnership program with the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts offering $25,000 in annual college scholarships for Louisiana high school juniors and seniors through annual songwriting and visual arts competitions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $655,000 in college scholarships awarded to over 270 students across Louisiana
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered important, core and supporting.

• Loyola University College of Music and MediaimportantStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024New partnership providing songwriting contest finalists opportunity to record in Loyola's state-of-the-art Studio A, distribute songs through DSPs, and perform at Freret Fest.
• New Orleans Jazz & Heritage FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership on songwriting masterclasses and program operations at the George & Joyce Wein Jazz and Heritage Center.
• Gia Maione Prima FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Longstanding partnership supporting Getting Funky in Havana cultural exchange trips and annual Tunes for Toys toy drive event.
• George Rodrigue Foundation of the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Annual partnership on Scholarship Art & Songwriting Contest offering $25,000 in college scholarships to Louisiana high school students. Expanded to include songwriting competition in 2020.
• Cuba Educational TravelcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Leading organization in cultural travel to Cuba, partnered on Getting Funky in Havana cultural exchange trips for academy students.
• AcuracoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of Shorty Fest for multiple years. Long-time patron of New Orleans music and culture, with history of supporting GRAMMY's MusiCares Foundation.
• Horns to HavanaimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew York-based nonprofit dedicated to instrument donation, repair, training and education, and cultural exchanges supporting music schools in Havana.
• Emeril Lagasse FoundationsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerGenerous supporter providing programming and operational funding, including cookbook and gift card donations for auction.
• Tipit FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Tipitina's music venue for Shorty Fest annual fundraiser benefit concert.
• 2200 Studios (formerly The Record Plant)importantStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegendary Sausalito recording studio hosting alumni students for four days of skill-building including songwriting and production sessions with guest artists.
• Folgers/SmuckerssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsors providing programming and operational funding.
• New Orleans Children's HospitalsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner providing programming support.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• VH1 Save The Music Foundation: Celebrity-affiliated nonprofit funding music education in schools nationwide. Comparable nonprofit model using brand equity from a celebrity founder to drive donations and instrument/program grants for underserved youth.
• Music Will (formerly Little Kids Rock): National nonprofit providing free music instruction and instrument access to underserved K-12 students. Direct peer in the music-education nonprofit category serving opportunity youth, with a significantly larger multi-city footprint that frames both relevance and a scale gap.
• Berklee City Music Network: Berklee College of Music's pre-college music education program for underserved youth. Direct peer offering free ensemble-based instruction, college-pathway preparation, and scholarship pipelines — the same model architected by the Trombone Shorty Academy.
• Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation: Nonprofit providing musical instruments and music education support to underserved schools and students. Comparable youth-focused music education mission supported by entertainment-industry brand equity.

Emerging players

• National YoungArts Foundation: Nonprofit identifying and supporting young artists (ages 15-18) across disciplines including music. Comparable in providing recognition, scholarships, and mentorship pathways for emerging young musicians, though with a broader arts and national scope.
• Songs of Love Foundation: Nonprofit creating personalized songs for children facing medical or social challenges. Adjacent music nonprofit using songwriting for youth development — overlaps with Troy Andrews Foundation's songwriting contest and Cuba cultural exchange narrative.

Regional players

• New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation: Local cultural nonprofit in New Orleans supporting music education, cultural preservation, and Jazz Fest programming. Listed as a direct program partner of the Trombone Shorty Foundation, making it both a collaborator and the most natural regional peer for shared youth programs.

Broad incumbents

• Carnegie Hall Musical Connections: Established performing-arts institution's music education program for underserved communities. Broad incumbent providing similar youth music-education programming with substantially greater institutional resources and national visibility.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TromboneShortyFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/tromboneshortyfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/troy-andrews-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about The Troy Andrews Foundation