Taiko Community Alliance

What Taiko Community Alliance does

Taiko Community Alliance (TCA) is a California-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2013 to empower people and advance the art of taiko, positioned as the first non-profit outside Japan dedicated to serving taiko practitioners. TCA serves the North American taiko community through a portfolio of interconnected programs: the biennial North American Taiko Conference (NATC) running since 1997, the regional NATC-R format launched in 2023, educational webinars, the Taiko Source resource library, fiscal sponsorship for taiko projects, and the TCA Marketplace connecting practitioners with artisans and vendors. Donor and member engagement is anchored by the Drummer's Circle tiered giving program (donoations $250-$5,000+) and an annual membership drive processed through NeonCRM.

TCA's business model is a community-led non-profit revenue mix: recurring membership dues, donations (including Drummer's Circle), conference/registration fees for NATC and NATC-R events, merchandise sales through the TCA Store, and affiliate-style member discounts via the TCA Marketplace. Distribution occurs through regional host committees for conferences, an e-commerce storefront, the marketplace partner network, and direct member sales through the CRM. The organization is governed by a volunteer board of directors and operates with 1-10 employees plus broad community volunteer support, with no disclosed revenue figures and no parent, private equity, or venture capital ownership.

Name

Taiko Community Alliance

Legal name

Taiko Community Alliance

Website

https://taikocommunityalliance.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Taiko Community Alliance is a California-based non-profit organization that supports North American taiko practitioners through the biennial NATC conference, the regional NATC-R format, educational webinars, fiscal sponsorship, the Drummer's Circle donor program, and a marketplace connecting taiko artisans with the community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arts & Cultural Non-Profit Community Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Cultural Centers & Community Cultural Organizations (BPAGAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Performing Arts Camps (Theater, Musical Theater, Dance) (EDAMALAI)

Keywords

• Arts non-profit services
• Community cultural programs
• Membership organization services
• Performing arts conferences
• Cultural arts advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

San Jose

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees providing priority registration to TCA events and programs, discounts on TCA Marketplace vendors, and recognition benefits.
2. Donations and Drummer's Circle: The Drummer's Circle is a group of special donors providing critical seed funding for TCA's in-person taiko gatherings such as NATC. Donors receive recognition at various tier levels ($250+ gets charitable donation letter, $500+ social media shoutout, $1,000+ website recognition, $2,500+ newsletter spotlight, $5,000+ webinar spotlight).
3. TCA Store Merchandise: The TCA Store sells conference merchandise, vintage shirts, regional pride apparel, and branded merchandise. All purchases support TCA's conferences, programming, and collegiate taiko programs.
4. TCA Marketplace Partner Discounts: TCA Marketplace connects taiko artisans and businesses with the community, providing TCA member discounts. Several vendors (kaDON, Taikoza, Taiko Colorado, Taiko with Toni) offer TCA member discounts.
5. Fiscal Sponsorship: TCA offers fiscal sponsorship to taiko projects, providing organizational support and financial administration for taiko-related initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Taiko Community Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports and advances the art of taiko in North America through community programs and events. Its primary offerings include the biennial North American Taiko Conference (NATC), the regional NATC-R sub-program, a membership program, the Drummer's Circle donor recognition program, the TCA Store merchandise outlet, the TCA Marketplace directory, fiscal sponsorship for taiko projects, and educational webinars. All programs are intended to connect, educate, and resource taiko groups and individual practitioners across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Product overview

Taiko Community Alliance is a California-based non-profit organization dedicated to empowering people and advancing the art of taiko. TCA operates a portfolio of interconnected programs centered around community gatherings and support services. The core offerings include the North American Taiko Conference (NATC) and its regional variant NATC-R for local communities, complemented by the TCA Store for merchandise and TCA Marketplace connecting practitioners with vendors. Additional programs include the Drummer's Circle donor program, Educational Webinars, Fiscal Sponsorship, Taikothon, and Congra-CHU-Lations. The organization also coordinates Taiko Ten and Taiko Jam as featured performance events at conferences. TCA's product suite is built around community-building rather than technology platforms, serving taiko practitioners across North America.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NATC (North American Taiko Conference): Biennial conference hosted by TCA to advance the art of taiko in North America
• NATC-R (North American Taiko Conference, Regional)
• Drummer's Circle
• TCA Marketplace
• TCA Store

Products and services

• North American Taiko Conference (NATC) A biennial conference hosted by TCA featuring workshops, discussion sessions for players of all levels, and public performances featuring taiko groups from around the world. Started in 1997 and held in odd-numbered years, with NATC 2025 held in Phoenix, AZ.
• NATC-R (North American Taiko Conference, Regional) A regional sub-program of NATC that supports local taiko communities by bringing the benefits of taiko gatherings to their backyard, produced through bottom-up consultation with local organizers; first held in Hilo, Hawaii (2023), with subsequent editions in Seattle (2024) and Phoenix (2025).
• TCA Store Online merchandise store selling NATC conference goods, regional pride apparel, vintage conference shirts, branded TCA merchandise, and accessories such as t-shirts ($19–$37), tenugui ($12), mugs ($18), stickers ($10), drawstring bags ($30), headbands ($10), and cards ($14). All purchases support conferences, programming, and collegiate taiko programs.
• TCA Marketplace A directory connecting taiko community members with artisans and businesses offering taiko accessories, lessons, classes, recording services, and custom bachi bags. Vendors include kaDON, Taikoza, Asano Taiko U.S., Kaiser Drums, Taiko Colorado, Taiko with Toni, and others, offering TCA member discounts.
• Drummer's Circle A donor recognition program for individuals who provide seed funding for TCA's in-person taiko gatherings such as NATC. Includes tiered recognition from Shinobue to Odaiko levels, with perks starting at $250+ (charitable donation letter) up to $5,000+ (spotlight webinar with TCA).
• Educational Webinars Webinar series providing educational content to the taiko community on various topics related to taiko arts, history, and culture, delivered via Zoom and promoted through TCA's newsletter and social channels.
• Fiscal Sponsorship Program offering organizational support and financial oversight for taiko projects and groups, allowing them to receive tax-deductible donations through TCA's non-profit status.
• TCA Membership Annual membership program providing priority registration to TCA events and programs, discounts on TCA Marketplace vendors, and recognition benefits. Memberships are processed through TCA's NeonCRM platform.
• Taikothon A program featured in the Participate section of TCA's offerings, functioning as a taiko-related event or fundraising activity supporting TCA programming.
• Congra-CHU-Lations A recognition or celebration program within TCA's Participate section, designed for the taiko community.

Quantifiable outcome

• Biennial NATC conferences since 1997
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• kaDONcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorkaDON is a TCA Partner offering online subscription-based instructional and repertoire courses on taiko, fue, and narimono taught by world-renowned taiko artists. They offer instruments by Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten of Asakusa, Tokyo. TCA members receive a 10% discount.
• Taikoza (Marco Lienhard)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTaikoza offers professional-grade well-tuned flutes (Shinobue and Shakuhachi), taiko and flute instruction, workshops, instructional books, CDs, and Bachi. They have 40 years of experience. TCA members receive a 10% discount.
• ASANO TAIKO U.S., Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAsano Taiko U.S. is a full-service taiko facility in Torrance, CA offering a walk-in store, on-site taiko maintenance and repair, and hands-on taiko classes. They are a TCA Partner offering member discounts upon email inquiry.
• KAISER DRUMSminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKAISER DRUMS specializes in Taiko drums, taiko accessories, and International Taiko Concert nights in Germany. They deliver worldwide.
• Taiko ColoradocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Colorado Springs, Taiko Colorado makes several types of Taiko from wine barrel stave to custom creations, repairs and re-heads taiko, and supplies taiko group apparel and accessories. TCA members receive a 10% discount.
• Taiko with ToniminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Denver, Colorado, Taiko with Toni offers custom bags/totes for everything 'taiko'. They also offer taiko performances, workshops, and classes. TCA members receive a 5% discount.
• Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJACCC hosted the first NATC in 1997 in Los Angeles, marking the beginning of TCA's flagship conference program.
• Japanese Arts Network (JA-NE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJA-NE is a national resource for artistic collaboration and connection, providing access to resources and developing programs that support Japanese and Japanese-American artists in America.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC): Los Angeles-based cultural center that hosted the first NATC in 1997. JACCC serves the Japanese American community through arts, cultural, and community programs — directly comparable to TCA's mission of advancing Japanese arts and providing community gathering infrastructure.
• Kinnara Taiko: The oldest Buddhist Taiko Group in North America, founded in 1969. Co-Chair Kate Meigneux is a performing member. Kinnara Taiko represents the historical roots of the North American taiko community that TCA's programs support.
• Asano Taiko U.S., Inc. Full-service taiko facility in Torrance, CA offering instruments, repair, and classes. A TCA Marketplace partner offering member discounts, Asano Taiko serves as both a vendor and ecosystem participant aligned with TCA's community-support mission.
• Makoto Taiko: Arizona-based performing taiko group and Ohira Tier Drummer's Circle donor. Treasurer Karen Koyano is Makoto Taiko's Executive Director who grew it from 25 to 140 members — making Makoto Taiko a TCA-affiliated peer serving a similar community mission.
• Soh Daiko: New York-based taiko group and TCA partner organization where Board Member HanBin Baik performs. Soh Daiko advances taiko in the East Coast community and serves as a regional counterpart to TCA's West Coast focus.
• Japanese Arts Network (JA-NE): A national resource for artistic collaboration supporting Japanese and Japanese-American artists in America. Listed as a TCA strategic partner, JA-NE has overlapping mission scope (Japanese arts advocacy) and operates a similar member/community-support model.

Broad incumbents

• San Jose Taiko: A pioneering North American taiko group and TCA community member that 'creates innovative performances and comprehensive educational programs.' As one of the most established taiko organizations, it represents an incumbent that TCA serves and supports through fiscal sponsorship.

Emerging players

• Taiko Drums International: A nonprofit dedicated to promoting taiko internationally, with overlapping mission around advancing the art form globally. Comparable to TCA in mission but with a different geographic focus, providing context for international expansion opportunities.
• Fushicho Daiko Dojo: Arizona's longest-running professional taiko group and NATC 2025 Phoenix performer. Secretary Lyndsey Hoffman is a performing member — making Fushicho Daiko a TCA partner group serving the regional taiko community.

Regional players

• East Coast Taiko Community (ECTC): Regional taiko conference for the East Coast community (referenced as 'ECTC 2020 hosted by Kodama Taiko'). ECTC functions as a regional analog to TCA's NATC, serving similar audiences in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/MarcoLienhard
• Facebookfacebook.com/Taiko.Kaiser.Drums
• Instagraminstagram.com/shaku8taikoza
• Xx.com/taikocommunity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Taiko Community Alliance