Harmony Project
Harmony Project is a Columbus, Ohio-based nonprofit founded in 2009 that operates the nation's largest community chorus and delivers arts and volunteer programming to New American students, incarcerated adults, adults with disabilities, and the broader Central Ohio community.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersColumbus, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Harmony Project does
Harmony Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community arts and volunteer services organization headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 2009 by David Brown, the organization operates the nation's largest community chorus — over 1,000 people sing weekly with no auditions required — and delivers a portfolio of programs serving distinct populations: New American students (via Columbus City Schools), incarcerated men and women across three Ohio correctional facilities, adults with disabilities, and community members at large. Core programs include the Harmony Community Chorus, Prison Arts, Student Arts, Community Arts for adults with disabilities, and Volunteer Service, supplemented by a more recent Encore free store launched in November 2023. Operations are anchored at the Franklin County Harmony Center (4411 Tamarack Blvd), a 51–100 person staff hub that also serves as rehearsal, performance, and community gathering space.
There is no proprietary technology platform; the organization's product is human-delivered choral and performing arts programming, with video storytelling produced in partnership with Emmy-winning local producers such as Mills James Productions distributed via the YouTube channel. Revenue is generated almost entirely from philanthropic sources rather than user fees: FY2022 total revenue was $1,617,045.12, with individual donations representing 52.4%, government grants 19.7%, foundation grants 17.2%, corporate donations 7.5%, and merchandise/ticket sales 3.0%. The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven — large-scale concerts at major Columbus venues (Lincoln Theater, Ohio Theatre, Mershon Auditorium, Schottenstein Center, Nationwide Arena) drive visibility, donor acquisition, and earned media, while community partner referrals and word-of-mouth recruit chorus members and volunteers. Harmony Project also runs a paid Special Events & Bookings line selling inspirational programming to corporations and nonprofits such as The Women's Fund of Central Ohio and OhioHealth.
Harmony Project firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Harmony Project
- Legal name
- Harmony Project
- Website
- https://harmonyproject.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Harmony Project is a Columbus, Ohio-based nonprofit founded in 2009 that operates the nation's largest community chorus and delivers arts and volunteer programming to New American students, incarcerated adults, adults with disabilities, and the broader Central Ohio community.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Harmony Project industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Arts & Social Services
- NAICS
- Musical Groups and Artists (71113), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC), Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB), Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)
Keywords
Where Harmony Project is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Columbus
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Harmony Project business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Primary revenue stream representing 52.4% of income. Donations from individuals supporting the organization's community arts mission.
- Government Grants: Federal and state government funding representing 19.7% of income. Includes funding from Franklin County Board of Commissioners and other government sources.
- Foundation/Grants: Foundation grants representing 17.2% of income. Support from organizations including The Columbus Foundation, Wolfe Family Foundation, Wexner Family Fund, and others.
- Corporate Donations: Corporate sponsorships and donations representing 7.5% of income from companies including M/I Homes, Donatos, State Auto, and others.
- Merchandise/Ticket Sales: Merchandise and ticket sales representing 3% of income from concerts and events.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Harmony Project product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Harmony Project runs community-arts programs anchored by the Harmony Community Chorus (the nation's largest, 1,000+ weekly singers with no auditions) and complementary programs serving New American students (Student Arts), incarcerated men and women (Prison Arts), and adults with disabilities (Community Arts), paired with mandated volunteer service. Productions (concerts, Harmony Sessions, Special Events & Bookings, Videos) and the Encore Free Store support the mission. Programs are free to participants and funded through donations, grants, and sponsorships.
Product overview
Harmony Project is a community arts organization offering a unified portfolio of programs centered around music, arts, and volunteer service. The core offerings include the Harmony Community Chorus (the nation's largest community chorus), Prison Arts Program, Student Arts Program, Community Arts Program (for adults with disabilities), and Volunteer Service initiatives. Supporting offerings include the Encore Free Store for clothing/household essentials, and production offerings including Concerts, Harmony Sessions, Special Events & Bookings, and Videos. These programs work together to build community belonging through arts engagement, serving diverse populations including New Americans, incarcerated individuals, people with disabilities, students, and general community members.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Encore: A boutique-style free store providing quality clothing and household essentials at no cost to those served. Launched November 3 as part of Harmony Center.
Products and services
- Harmony Community Chorus The nation's largest community chorus, bringing together people from all walks of life through weekly rehearsals and required volunteer service. No auditions are required; members commit to weekly rehearsals and community service and perform at major venues while reaching large audiences on social media.
- Prison Arts Program
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1,000 people sing weekly in the chorus
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Harmony Project
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Harmony Project technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Harmony Project partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.
- Wardrobe TherapysupportingColumbus-based fashion company partnering with Encore free store to elevate the donation and shopping experience.
- PursuitsupportingColumbus-based lifestyle company partnering with Encore free store to support community giving and receiving.
- ALVIS, Inc.coreSocial services organization providing programming support for Harmony's community arts initiatives serving formerly incarcerated individuals and those with disabilities.
- Columbus City SchoolscoreEducational partner for Student Arts program, providing site access at Columbus Global Academy and Columbus International High School for New American student programming.
- Goodwill ColumbuscoreCollaborative performances and programming for adults with disabilities, combining Goodwill's workforce services with Harmony's arts programming.
- Ohio Reformatory for WomencorePrison Arts programming site where incarcerated women participate in music, writing workshops, and book clubs. Home of annual Sunflower Music & Arts Festival.
- Pickaway Correctional InstitutioncorePrison Arts programming site for incarcerated men, providing weekly arts activities and performance opportunities.
- Madison Correctional InstitutioncorePrison Arts programming site contributing to the tri-institutional Sunflower Music & Arts Festival.
- DonatossupportingCorporate sponsor providing financial support and event catering for Harmony programs and concerts.
- Mills James ProductionssupportingEmmy Award-winning video production partner creating documentary and promotional content.
- Columbus Pride BandssupportingMusical ensemble using Harmony Center for rehearsals and performances.
- Columbus Cultural OrchestrasupportingOrchestra using Harmony Center for rehearsals and performances.
- Adaptive Sports ConnectionsupportingOrganization using Harmony Center space to provide cycling programs for children with special needs.
- ABC6supportingMedia partner providing news coverage and broadcast exposure.
- WOSUsupportingPublic media partner covering Harmony's work and featuring performances.
- NBC4supportingTelevision station providing media coverage of events and performances.
- WBNS 10TVsupportingLocal television station covering Harmony events and stories.
- Dispatch Media GroupsupportingNewspaper and digital media coverage through Columbus Dispatch.
- BesasupportingColumbus-based nonprofit supporting volunteer engagement and community service.
- Lincoln Theatre AssociationsupportingVenue partner for performances at Lincoln Theatre.
- Nationwide Children's HospitalsupportingHealthcare partner for community programming and events.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Harmony Project competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- MasterVoices: NYC-based choral organization producing large-scale performances with community choruses. Comparable as an organization building community choral programming at scale and producing high-profile concerts.
- Sing for Hope: NYC-based nonprofit that places professional artists in underserved communities through music and arts programming. Directly comparable nonprofit mission of using the arts to serve diverse, underserved populations and large-scale community engagement.
- Young People's Chorus of New York City: A large community-based choral organization serving diverse youth and families through music education and performance. Directly comparable as a community chorus delivering music programming to a wide demographic, with a national profile.
- Sweet Honey in the Rock: A community-based vocal ensemble rooted in African-American traditions and social justice themes. Comparable as a performing arts group with explicit community-building and equity-focused mission, often appearing at major venues and festivals.
Emerging players
- Shakespeare in Prison: A nonprofit bringing Shakespeare programming and theater arts to incarcerated populations. Directly comparable to Harmony Project's Prison Arts program in terms of correctional-facility arts programming serving similar demographics.
Broad incumbents
- Carnegie Hall Music Programs: A major performing arts institution with broad community arts and music education programming. Comparable as a broader incumbent offering music access programs for underserved populations and large-scale community concerts.
- Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts: A major performing arts institution running large-scale community programming and education initiatives. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering performing arts access, education, and community programs at national scale.
Regional players
- Boys & Girls Club of Columbus: Columbus-based youth development nonprofit offering programming to underserved youth in Central Ohio. Comparable as a regional community services nonprofit in the same Columbus geography with analogous youth-targeted programs.
- United Way of Central Ohio: A regional nonprofit supporting community services through workplace giving, foundation partnerships, and grants. Comparable as a Central Ohio fundraising ecosystem leader with overlapping donor and foundation relationships.
Others
- The Columbus Foundation: Major Columbus-area community foundation that grants to nonprofits including Harmony Project. Comparable as a key funder and ecosystem partner rather than a direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Harmony Project social profiles
Digital presenceHarmony Project financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Harmony Project leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Harmony Project funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Harmony Project M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Harmony Project
What does Harmony Project do?
Harmony Project runs community-arts programs anchored by the Harmony Community Chorus (the nation's largest, 1,000+ weekly singers with no auditions) and complementary programs serving New American students (Student Arts), incarcerated men and women (Prison Arts), and adults with disabilities (Community Arts), paired with mandated volunteer service. Productions (concerts, Harmony Sessions, Special Events & Bookings, Videos) and the Encore Free Store support the mission. Programs are free to participants and funded through donations, grants, and sponsorships.
Is Harmony Project a public or private company?
Harmony Project is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Harmony Project founded?
Harmony Project was founded in 2009. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Harmony Project based?
Harmony Project is headquartered in Columbus, United States, in the North America region.
How does Harmony Project make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are government Grants, foundation/Grants, corporate Donations and merchandise/Ticket Sales.
Who are Harmony Project's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are MasterVoices, Sing for Hope, Young People's Chorus of New York City and Sweet Honey in the Rock. Shakespeare in Prison is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Carnegie Hall Music Programs and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Regional players are Boys & Girls Club of Columbus and United Way of Central Ohio. The Columbus Foundation is listed as an others.
Does Harmony Project have an API?
No public API is recorded for Harmony Project.
What industry is Harmony Project in?
Harmony Project's product category is Community Arts & Social Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAC, Arts Education & Community Arts Programs, with a secondary code of EDAMANAC, Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir). Its NAICS code is 71113 and its SIC code is 8300.