Music Is Unity Foundation

What Music Is Unity Foundation does

Music Is Unity Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation headquartered in Los Angeles, California, founded in 2007 by Philip Bailey (lead singer of Earth, Wind & Fire) and artist manager Trinity Bailey. The foundation's stated mission is to uplift and empower foster youth as they transition into adulthood by allocating funds to non-profit foster care agencies and delivering direct experiential programs. Its core programs include the Backstage Soundcheck (backstage concert access during national tours), the DW Drums Program (corporate facility tours covering drum manufacturing, R&D, and 3D technology, plus C-suite mentorship at DW Drums' Oxnard, CA headquarters), and the Level Up Experience (a free interactive conference co-developed with the Felix Organization and Purple Project featuring Ted-Talk style workshops on future planning, careers, safety, health, and self-care). A 2026 product extension, the Backstage Soundcheck Internship Contest, will select one Massachusetts-based foster youth to shadow touring production professionals in Lighting and Audio Engineering at Earth, Wind & Fire's July 8, 2026 TD Garden Boston stop.

The foundation's business model is donation-based. It raises funds through individual contributions processed via an integrated GoFundMe/Classy portal, time-limited fundraising campaigns (e.g., the 75-Day Giving Challenge with a $75,000 goal and up to $2,500 per-charity match), and corporate partnerships. Grantee agencies include Kids In The Spotlight (KITS) in Los Angeles, Rise Above Foundation in Massachusetts, Beyond Emancipation in Oakland, and Elevating Connections (sibling reunification). Flagship corporate partners include DW Drums, the Felix Organization, and Purple Project, with minor partners comprising Venetian Resort Las Vegas and MARC Global. The foundation's grants facilitate essential supportive services for over 23,000 youth aging out of the U.S. Foster Care system annually, positioning the foundation as a grant-making intermediary plus direct-program operator rather than a technology-driven service provider.

The foundation has no proprietary technology, no AI/ML capabilities, and no software products; its technology stack consists of a WordPress-based website, GoFundMe/Classy donation infrastructure, and standard social media channels (Instagram, Facebook). Distribution of programs occurs via in-person live events at music venues and corporate headquarters, supplemented by a virtual/conference format. Marketing is community-led and event-driven, anchored by the monthly Instagram Live series "The Bailey Connection" hosted by the founders, alongside press coverage and partner cross-promotion.

Name

Music Is Unity Foundation

Legal name

Music Is Unity Foundation

Website

https://musicisunity.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Music Is Unity Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that channels grants to foster care agencies and runs experiential music-industry programs (Backstage Soundcheck, DW Drums tours, Level Up Experience) to empower foster youth transitioning into adulthood, founded by Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-Profit Foster Youth Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Professional Organizations (81392), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

Keywords

• Foster youth services
• Nonprofit foundation
• Youth transition support
• Experiential youth programs
• Music industry mentorship

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Program delivery (experiential program costs: dining, transportation, concert tickets for foster youth), Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting foster youth causes, facilitated through the GoFundMe/Classy platform.
2. Corporate Matching: Corporate matching programs where MIU matches donations up to $2,500 per charity during fundraising campaigns.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with corporate sponsors (e.g., DW Drums, Venetian Resort Las Vegas, MARC Global) who provide support, venue access, and career pathway opportunities for foster youth programs.
4. Grants to Foster Care Agencies: Foundation allocates funds to non-profit, community-based organizations and agencies providing essential supportive services for youth emancipating from the U.S. Foster Care system.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Music Is Unity Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that raises funds and allocates grants to non-profit foster care agencies supporting youth aging out of the U.S. foster care system. It delivers experiential programs (Backstage Soundcheck, DW Drums tours, Level Up Experience conferences) that provide foster youth with music-industry immersion, career exploration, and life-skills workshops.

Product overview

Music Is Unity Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering a portfolio of programs designed to support and empower foster youth transitioning into adulthood. The core programs include: Backstage Soundcheck (providing music industry behind-the-scenes experiences), the Level Up Experience (inspirational conferences with workshop content), and the DW Drums Program (corporate facility tours and career mentorship). The foundation also runs periodic fundraising campaigns such as the 75 Day Giving Challenge to support partner organizations serving foster youth.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Backstage Soundcheck Transformative program providing foster youth with exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences in the music industry, including backstage access during national music tours, pre-concert soundcheck viewing, and Q&A sessions with musical artists and touring staff.
• Backstage Soundcheck Internship Contest Career-building opportunity for foster youth interested in behind-the-scenes careers in live concert production; selects one foster youth to join Earth, Wind & Fire's professional touring production team at a tour stop, with hands-on shadowing in Lighting and Audio Engineering.
• Level Up Experience Inspirational and free interactive conference for foster youth featuring Ted-Talk style workshops covering future planning, careers, safety, health, self-care, and relationships. Co-created with The Felix Organization and The Purple Project.
• DW Drums Program Partnership with DW Drums that brings foster youth to DW Drums' corporate headquarters in Oxnard, CA for exclusive facility tours covering Drum Build, Molding, Custom Design, Concert Staging, R&D, and 3D Tech (STEM), plus one-on-one discussions with C-Suite Executives.
• 75 Day Giving Challenge Fundraiser Time-limited fundraising campaign honoring Philip Bailey's 75th birthday that raises $75,000 for organizations serving foster youth aging out of the system, with MIU matching donations up to $2,500 per charity.

Quantifiable outcome

• 23,000+ youth served annually through grant-funded agency support
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 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, flagship and minor.

• Kids In The Spotlight (KITS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLos Angeles based organization that helps foster youth grow from their trauma through the outlet of storytelling and filmmaking. Foster youth ages 12-24 are able to write, cast, and star in their own short films. MIU supports KITS through grant funding and program promotion.
• Rise Above FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDedicated to giving foster youth in Massachusetts activities, opportunities, and experiences that give them a sense of normalcy and build self-esteem. MIU provides grant support to expand their programming reach.
• Beyond EmancipationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOakland based organization offering opportunities to support current and former foster youth to help transition into living as independent adults. MIU funding supports their transition programs.
• Elevating ConnectionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReconnects siblings who have been separated by the foster care system so they can enjoy lifelong relationships. MIU supports their sibling reunification mission.
• DW DrumsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry leader partnership bringing youth to DW Drums corporate headquarters in Oxnard, CA for exclusive facility tours, one-on-one discussions with C-Suite executives, and potential career pathway opportunities. Youth learn about drum build, molding, custom design, concert staging, R&D, and 3D Tech (STEM).
• Felix OrganizationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founded by award-winning casting director Sheila Jaffe and RUN DMC's Darryl DMC Daniels. Collaborates on the Level Up Experience - an inspirational and free interactive conference for foster youth with Ted-Talk style workshops covering future planning, careers, safety, health, self-care, and relationships.
• Purple ProjectflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by former foster youth LaTasha Watts. Co-develops the Level Up Experience conference program, providing authentic perspective and peer mentorship for current and former foster youth participants.
• Venetian Resort Las VegasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner providing venue support and potentially hosting foundation events or programs. Contributes to foundation's hospitality industry connections for foster youth experiences.
• MARC GlobalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner supporting foundation initiatives through communications and marketing expertise.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• iFoster: National nonprofit providing resources, services, and support specifically to foster youth transitioning to adulthood — directly comparable in target population and transition-age focus.
• First Star: Nonprofit improving outcomes for foster youth through educational support and college-preparation programs — comparable in mission to empower transition-age foster youth.
• Think of Us: Nonprofit focused on improving outcomes for young people aging out of foster care through innovation, research, and direct programs — directly comparable in serving the same transition-age foster youth population.
• Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption: Corporate/founder-affiliated nonprofit foundation focused on finding permanent homes for children in foster care — comparable as a foundation supporting foster-youth outcomes through grantmaking and programs.
• National Foster Youth Institute: Advocacy and leadership nonprofit for current and former foster youth — comparable as a foster-youth-serving organization with overlapping program and donor constituencies.
• Together We Rise: A nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the foster care experience for youth through programs, events, and direct support — directly comparable to Music Is Unity Foundation's mission of uplifting foster youth transitioning out of the system.
• Foster Care to Success: Nonprofit providing scholarships and support services to former foster youth pursuing higher education — comparable in serving the same transition-age foster youth population with resource-based support.

Emerging players

• VH1 Save The Music Foundation: Music-industry-affiliated nonprofit foundation that uses music education as a vehicle to support youth development — directly comparable as a music-anchored nonprofit foundation serving youth.
• Ryan Seacrest Foundation: Celebrity-founded nonprofit leveraging entertainment industry assets (broadcast media studios in pediatric hospitals) to benefit youth — directly comparable as a celebrity-fronted nonprofit using music/entertainment industry partnerships to serve youth causes.

Broad incumbents

• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Large established nonprofit serving youth development broadly across the United States — comparable as a youth-serving nonprofit that competes for the same corporate and foundation donors, though with much broader mission scope.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MusicIsUnity.org
• Instagraminstagram.com/musicisunity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/music-is-unity-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Music Is Unity Foundation