Music4everybody

What Music4everybody does

music4everybody! e.V. is a registered German nonprofit association (eingetragener Verein), founded in 2008 and headquartered in Frechen near Cologne, that delivers free, integrative and inclusive music theater and media arts education to children, adolescents, and young adults. Its core program portfolio comprises annual projects (Jahresprojekte) such as Be Awesome (media/film), Voices of Change (queer-focused), Kultur?Klasse! (rural inclusion), Gemeinsam stark (hearing-impaired children), and the three-year Youth4Change initiative; week-long intensive workshops on social themes (discrimination, violence, tolerance, digital media literacy); free holiday camps (Feriencamps) at Haus Burggraben; and the annual Move As One festival. The organization reaches approximately 1,500 participants per year across 22 projects in the Cologne, Rhein-Erft-Kreis, and (since 2025) Kreis Euskirchen areas, delivered through direct partnerships with schools, vocational colleges, youth welfare organizations, and counseling centers. All services are free to participants; participants learn to use generative AI tools for media campaigns and stage design, and engage in media literacy workshops on deepfakes and algorithm-driven content.

The business model is a hybrid public-funder/donation model rather than a commercial operation. Approximately 85% of operating costs are covered by public funding — primarily from the Ministry for Children, Youth, Family, Equality, Flight and Integration of North Rhine-Westphalia (MKJFGFI), federal ministries including BAMF, and the city of Cologne — supplemented by grants from more than 20 German foundations (Aktion Mensch, Deutsche Fernsehlotterie/Deutsches Hilfswerk, Beisheim Stiftung, Rheinergie Stiftung, Stiftung Mercator, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, among others). The remainder is bridged via individual and corporate donations (suggested ~50 EUR per child), corporate sponsorship (Quarzwerke Frechen, KOCH Immobilien, Greven Medien), and membership fees (20 EUR active, 5-50 EUR passive monthly). The association holds tax-exempt gemeinnützig status under §§ 51 ff AO (valid through 2028), recognition as anerkannter Träger der freien Jugendhilfe, Jugendkunstschule accreditation by LKD NRW (2022), and membership in the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband NRW.

The technology stack is deliberately lightweight and non-proprietary, reflecting the organization's role as a cultural education provider rather than a software company. Core digital infrastructure includes a WordPress-based website (music4everybody.com), YouTube hosting for documentary content (the multi-award-winning 'ONLY HUMAN' series), Brevo for newsletter distribution, Tickettailor for event ticketing, WhatsApp for participant communication under GDPR consent, and Borlabs Cookie for consent management. The three-person volunteer board (Vorstand) — Peter Siebert, Fritz Scheyhing (since 2011), and Patrick Jung — oversees a small team of project managers, project assistants, an artistic-pedagogical director (Stephi Siebert), and a network of freelance lecturers (Honorarkräfte) who deliver the program.

Name

Music4everybody

Legal name

music4everybody! e.V.

Website

https://music4everybody.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

music4everybody! e.V. is a Frechen/Cologne-based nonprofit (founded 2008) providing free, integrative music theater and media arts education to ~1,500 children and youth annually across 22 projects in NRW, funded primarily by German government grants and foundations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Cultural Education Services

NAICS

Other Performing Arts Companies (711190), Musical Groups and Artists (711130), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Music Camps (Band, Choir, Instrument Intensive) (EDAMALAJ), Music Production & Composition (Songwriting, Recording, DJing) (EDAMAAAF)

Keywords

• Cultural education programs
• Music theater projects
• Youth media arts
• Inclusive arts education
• Community cultural initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Frechen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Funding from Ministry for Children, Youth, Family, Equality, Flight and Integration of North Rhine-Westphalia (MKJFGFI), federal ministries, and municipal governments
2. Foundation Grants: Major funding from foundations including Stiftung Aktion Mensch, Deutsche Fernsehlotterie/Deutsches Hilfswerk, Beisheim Stiftung, Rheinergie Stiftung, and numerous other German foundations
3. Donations: Individual and corporate donations to support projects, with a suggested contribution of approximately 50 EUR per child to supplement public funding
4. Membership Fees: Active membership with annual fee of 20 EUR, and passive/supporting membership at self-chosen monthly amounts (5, 10, or 50 EUR)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

music4everybody! e.V. is a registered nonprofit association providing free integrative and inclusive music theater and media projects for children, adolescents, and young adults aged 6-27. The organization delivers annual projects, week-long workshops, and free vacation camps in music, theater, dance, and media arts, reaching approximately 1,500 participants annually across Cologne and the Rhein-Erft-Kreis area. All programs are offered free of charge to participants and combine artistic education with social-emotional learning.

Product overview

Music4everybody! e.V. is a non-profit organization providing free cultural education through integrative and inclusive music theater and media projects. The organization operates a portfolio of programs including annual/year-round projects (Jahresprojekte) such as Be Awesome (media/film project), Move As One (festival), Voices of Change (queer-themed theater), Kultur?Klasse! (inclusive rural theater), Gemeinsam stark (inclusive theater for hearing-impaired children), and Youth 4 Change (diversity media project); week-long intensive workshops addressing social themes like discrimination, violence, and tolerance; and vacation camps (Feriencamps) offering free summer programs. All offerings are free for participants and reach approximately 1,500 young people annually across Cologne and Rhein-Erft-Kreis area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Be Awesome Weekly media project in which participants develop their own short films and stage performances on topics relevant to them, such as mental health, Catcalling, and Toxic Masculinity. Participants work with professional instructors in acting, singing, dance, and film. For youth aged roughly 6-27.
• Move As One Festival Annual interactive festival celebrating diversity and tolerance with music, art, and interactive activities. Features performances from project participants, speakers on social justice topics, and hands-on workshops. Held at venues such as Odonien Köln and IN VIA Köln. Free admission.
• Voices of Change Annual music theater project focused on queer topics for youth aged 16-27. Includes weekly workshops in acting, dance, songwriting, singing, and social media, culminating in performances in Cologne. Connected to a counseling network for queer youth.
• Kultur?Klasse! Zülpich Inclusive music theater project for children and youth in rural areas combining dance, acting, singing, and stage design with AI-supported creative formats. Collaboration between multiple schools, including KGS Ulpenich and Hauptschule Zülpich, culminating in public performances.
• Gemeinsam stark Inclusive music theater project bringing together children with and without hearing disabilities. Participants learn sign language basics and work with professional artists in weekly workshops. Targets children aged 8-12 with and without hearing impairments.
• Youth 4 Change – Celebrating Diversity Three-year youth media project engaging approximately 280 students from six secondary schools in topics of flight, migration, justice, and diversity through creative media work and stage performances.
• KreativKollektiv Inclusive music theater project for 30-40 children aged 6-11, with special focus on children with immigration or refugee experience. Combines music, theater, and dance pedagogy in weekly sessions.
• Too Close Workshop Week-long workshop for youth addressing violence topics including sexualized violence and bullying. Participants create films and performances to process experiences and raise awareness.
• Wir für Toleranz Workshop Workshop series against discrimination and racism. Participants engage with topics of racism, exclusion, diversity, and tolerance through music theater, developing creative performances and media campaigns, including AI-supported content.
• Stark gegen Gewalt Workshop Workshop against sexualized violence. Participants process traumatic experiences through music, art, and theater in a protected space, with connections to counseling services.
• CTRL FAKE Feriencamp Free one-week summer camp at Haus Burggraben for youth aged 10-14, focused critically on digital media and social media topics including AI-generated content and deepfakes. Participants develop their own musical in just one week.
• Sommerferiencamp (August 2026) Free one-week summer camp at Haus Burggraben for children aged 6-12. Participants develop their own musical including courses in acting, stage design, dance, and singing.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reaches approximately 1500 participants annually across 22 integrative projects
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability6 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• HennaMond e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounseling center providing support for LGBTQ+ youth, offering advice and qualification for civic engagement. Part of project network for queer-focused workshops.
• Lobby für MädchensupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvocacy organization for girls included in project network.
• Jugendzentrum AnywaysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLGBTQ+ youth center part of project network.
• RubiconsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounseling center for diversity and anti-discrimination included in network.
• Kölner FlüchtlingsratsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRefugee council part of project network.
• ADA - Aktionsbündnis für Demokratiestärkung und AntirassismussupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition for democracy strengthening and anti-racism supporting moderated discussion rounds.
• 180 Grad WendesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth organization included in project network.
• Haus BurggrabencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner hosting summer holiday camps. Provides facilities for week-long free vacation programs.
• CJD JugendhilfesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth welfare organization as cooperation partner.
• Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband NRWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of major German welfare association. Contributes to organizational credibility and network.
• Landesarbeitsgemeinschaft Kulturpädagogische Dienste (LKD) NRWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecognized as Jugendkunstschule (youth art school) by this association. Accredited member status.
• kjhv Rheinland / KJSH StiftungsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation supporting hearing-impaired children, partner in inclusive 'Gemeinsam stark' project.
• IN VIA KölnsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatholic association for girls and women social work, OGS provider for inclusive projects.
• Odonien (Köln)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue host for 'Move as One' 2024 festival.
• IN VIA KölnsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue host for 'Move as One' 2025 festival at Stolzestraße location.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Bundesvereinigung Kulturelle Kinder- und Jugendbildung (BKJ): National umbrella association for cultural education of children and youth in Germany. Comparable as the sector's central coordinating body that Music4everybody operates within and benefits from via policy and funding advocacy.
• Aktion Mensch: Major German social lottery funding inclusion projects for people with disabilities and disadvantaged youth. Already a major funder of Music4everybody (~159K EUR) and representative of the foundation ecosystem the organization depends on.

Direct peers

• Haus der Kulturen der Welt: Berlin-based institution for contemporary arts and cultural education with strong youth programming. Comparable as a cultural education organization producing theatrical, musical, and media programs with social inclusion themes.
• CJD (Christliches Jugenddorfwerk) Deutschland: Major German youth welfare organization running educational, integration, and cultural programs — already a partner of Music4everybody. Comparable as a Träger der freien Jugendhilfe with similar youth welfare accreditation and cultural education offerings.
• Jeunesses Musicales Deutschland: National German network promoting music education and access for young people through concerts, workshops, and educational programs. Highly comparable as a music-focused youth cultural education nonprofit operating in similar institutional and funding environments.
• Yehudi Menuhin 'Live Music Now' Deutschland: Brings live music experiences to people with limited access, including children and youth in social institutions. Directly comparable in mission of using music as a tool for inclusion and outreach to disadvantaged groups.
• START-Stiftung gGmbH: Supports young people with migration backgrounds through education and cultural engagement programs in Germany. Directly comparable mission around integration, education access, and youth empowerment through creative programming.
• TONALi Hamburg: Hamburg-based nonprofit that connects young musicians with audiences and provides music education opportunities. Comparable as a music-focused youth cultural education organization operating at similar scale with grant-supported programming.

Broad incumbents

• Kultur macht Stark (Bündnisse für Bildung): Federal government program funding extracurricular cultural education for children and youth in Germany. Highly relevant as a major funder and ecosystem enabler that supports organizations like Music4everybody.

Regional players

• LAG Soziokultur NRW: North Rhine-Westphalia state association for sociocultural centers and cultural education providers. Comparable as a regional peer network relevant to Music4everybody's NRW-focused operations and funding relationships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/VFSchueler
• Facebookfacebook.com/m4e.ev
• Instagraminstagram.com/m4e.ev
• Xx.com/m4e_eV

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Music4everybody