Manor Records Foundation

What Manor Records Foundation does

Manor Records Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, founded in 2019 (evolving from the grassroots Shawnee Manor basement venue that had hosted early shows from bands including Glass Animals and Hinds). Its stated mission is to sustain and develop Kansas City's local music community through direct artist funding, development programs, and community events. The organization serves emerging independent musicians, local music venues and businesses, and Kansas City music community supporters. Its core offering is the Record Label Program, which provides $2,000 in direct project funding plus hands-on development support to 10 Kansas City independent artists annually, supporting physical releases, music videos, and touring. This is complemented by Manor Fest, an annual 8-night multi-venue festival featuring 60+ bands across 20 venues, and a year-round slate of community programming including Songbird Sessions (weekly Sunday shows at Arts KC), Industry Nights (bi-monthly networking at Zhou B. Arts Center), Local Thursdays at J. Rieger & Co., Streetcar Sounds at KC Streetcar stops, Music Makers Happy Hour at Brewery Emperial, and a Rolling Record Store pop-up with all-vinyl DJ sets.

The foundation has no proprietary technology platform; its digital footprint is built on Squarespace, and its distribution model relies on mainstream streaming services (Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp) plus physical retail through the Rolling Record Store. To date, the organization has supported more than 60 digital releases and over 30 physical albums from Kansas City musicians. The organization is led by Founder/Executive Director Shaun Crowley with a core team of five (Record Label Lead Skylar Rochelle plus Physical & Digital Distribution, Booking, Social Media, Press/PR, Blog, Design, and festival Sound/Photo leads), supplemented by dedicated volunteers, with a stated long-term goal of converting roles into paid part-time positions.

Manor Records Foundation's revenue model is donation- and event-driven rather than commercial. It raises funds through one-time donations, a 2026 Annual Funding Drive with a $10,000 goal, and tiered monthly sustaining donor programs at $5/month (target 50 donors) and $20/month (target 15 donors, each funding one local release). Festival revenue is generated through Manor Fest 8 wristbands ($50 for two-weekend, $30 single-weekend) and per-venue $15 door charges. Distribution and booking partnerships with organizations such as J. Rieger & Co., Kemper Museum, VML, KC Streetcar, and Arts KC provide in-kind venue access and brand reach rather than disclosed cash flow. The foundation operates exclusively in the Midwest USA market and is not backed by private equity or a parent entity.

Name

Manor Records Foundation

Legal name

Manor Records Foundation

Website

https://manorrecords.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Manor Records Foundation is a Kansas City 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds and develops emerging independent musicians via a $2,000-per-artist Record Label Program, an annual 8-night multi-venue Manor Fest, and year-round live music and networking events across roughly 20 partner venues.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Independent Record Label

NAICS

Record Production and Distribution (51225)

SIC

Phonograph Records & Prerecorded Audio Tapes & Disks (3652)

akta.pro primary industry

Master Rights Ownership & Catalog Management (MPAIAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Music Rights Administration & Royalty Processing (Admin, Accounting, Statements) (MPAIAKAD)

Keywords

• Nonprofit record label
• Artist development programs
• Local music festivals
• Community music events
• Independent music funding

Headquarters

HQ city

Kansas City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: 501(c)3 nonprofit receives donations through annual funding drives and monthly sustaining donor programs. 2026 Annual Funding Drive targets $10,000.
2. Festival Revenue: Manor Fest generates revenue through wristband sales and venue tickets. Wristbands range from $30-$50, with $15 door charges at individual venues.
3. Artist Program Funding: Provides $2,000 in direct project funding plus hands-on development support to 10 Kansas City artists annually through record label program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Manor Records Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit record label that supports emerging Kansas City independent artists through direct project funding ($2,000 per artist annually for 10 artists) plus hands-on development support, physical and digital release production, and touring assistance. It operates Manor Fest, an annual multi-venue local music festival spanning 8 nights, 20 venues, and 60+ bands, alongside recurring weekly and monthly community music programming (Songbird Sessions, Industry Nights, Local Thursdays, Streetcar Sounds, Music Makers Happy Hour) and a mobile Rolling Record Store pop-up retail and vinyl DJ experience.

Product overview

Manor Records Foundation is a nonprofit record label offering a unified portfolio of artist development and community music programs. The core offering is the Record Label Program, providing $2,000 annual funding plus development support to 10 Kansas City artists. This is complemented by Manor Fest, an annual 8-night multi-venue festival featuring 60+ bands, and year-round programming including Songbird Sessions (weekly Sunday shows), Industry Nights (bi-monthly networking), Local Thursdays, Streetcar Sounds, and Music Makers Happy Hour. Additional offerings include the Rolling Record Store pop-up and booking partnership services connecting artists with venues. The organization operates as a 501(c)3 nonprofit, not a technology platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Manor Fest: Annual music festival celebrating Kansas City's independent music scene, spanning 2 weekends, 8 nights, in 20 venues featuring over 60 bands.
• Songbird Sessions
• Industry Nights
• Rolling Record Store

Products and services

• Record Label Program Annual program partnering with 10 Kansas City independent artists, providing $2,000 in direct project funding plus hands-on development support, supporting physical releases, music videos, and touring.
• Manor Fest Annual local music festival spanning 2 weekends, 8 nights, 20 venues, and 60+ local bands across Kansas City neighborhoods, raising funds for local artists through wristband and ticket sales.
• Songbird Sessions Weekly all-ages live music series held Sundays at 6 PM at Arts KC in the Crossroads, showcasing emerging local artists in an intimate listening-room environment.
• Industry Nights Bi-monthly gathering for Kansas City's creative community hosted at Zhou B. Arts Center, featuring guest speakers, open mics, and casual networking.
• Rolling Record Store Pop-up + Vinyl DJ Sets Mobile record store and all-vinyl DJ experience for events, markets, breweries, and special occasions, featuring curated local music selections.
• Local Thursdays at Electric Park Weekly Thursday evening live music series at J. Rieger & Co., featuring rotating local artist lineups with free admission.
• Streetcar Sounds Free all-ages live music series at KC Streetcar stops featuring local artists performing at various downtown locations.
• Music Makers Happy Hour Monthly networking event for musicians of all types held at Brewery Emperial, building community across genres and experience levels with happy hour specials.
• Booking Partnerships Partnership program connecting local businesses and venues with Manor Records artists for live music experiences at their locations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supported 60+ digital releases and 30+ physical albums from Kansas City musicians
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Current Landing at KC Current StadiumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Manor Fest 8 venue partner at KC Current Stadium location, part of expanding festival reach across Kansas City neighborhoods.
• KC StreetcarcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership for Streetcar Sounds live music series transforming KC Streetcar stops into live music destinations during World Cup, with special final showcase date.
• J. Rieger & Co.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Long-standing partner hosting Local Thursdays series at Electric Park, major festival venue for Manor Fest. Partnership since 2025 for live music programming.
• The Kansas City Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Manor Fest 8 venue partner at Downtown location, bringing live music to community space.
• Kemper MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20252025 organization partner for live music experiences, venue partner for Manor Fest 8.
• VMLminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20252025 organization partner for creating live music experiences at business events.
• Arts KCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for Songbird Sessions weekly live music series held every Sunday at 6 PM in the Crossroads.
• Zhou B. Arts CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for Industry Nights bi-monthly creative community gathering, festival venue for Manor Fest 8.
• The Shawnee ManorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal basement venue that became launching pad for local and touring talent including Glass Animals and Hinds; foundation's grassroots origin.
• Brewery EmperialminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for Music Makers Happy Hour monthly networking event for musicians, festival venue.
• Vine Street Brewing Co.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFestival venue partner for Manor Fest 8 weekend two at 18th & Vine location.
• Ruby Jean's JuiceryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFestival venue partner for Manor Fest 8 at Troost Ave location.
• PH CoffeeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFestival venue partner for Manor Fest 8 at Lexington Ave location.
• Lifted Spirits DistilleryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFestival venue partner for Manor Fest 8 at Cherry St location.
• recordBarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFestival venue partner for Manor Fest 8 at Grand Blvd location.
• The ShipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFestival venue partner for Manor Fest 8 at Union Ave location.
• The Black BoxminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFestival venue partner for Manor Fest 8 at Union Ave location.
• Blip RoastersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFestival venue partner for Manor Fest 8 at Woodswether Rd location.
• HillsidersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFestival venue partner for Manor Fest 8 at Kansas City, KS location.
• Flagship BooksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFestival venue partner for Manor Fest 8 at Kansas City, KS location.
• Greenwood Social HallminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFestival venue partner for Manor Fest 8 opening night at Belleview Ave location.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Saddle Creek Records: Omaha-based independent record label supporting Midwest indie talent with both physical and digital releases. Comparable as a regional indie label with deep community ties to a Midwest city, but at significantly larger scale.
• ArtsKC: Kansas City's regional arts council providing grants, programming, and venue support. Comparable as a Kansas City arts funding backbone that Manor Records both receives venue support from and competes against for donor funding.
• Third Man Records: Vinyl-records-focused label and storefront launched by Jack White. Comparable as a label emphasizing physical format releases and live performance programming, though operating as a for-profit commercial venture at substantially larger scale.
• Sub Pop Records: Seattle-based independent record label widely considered a benchmark indie label. Comparable as an indie label with strong artist-development culture and a deep physical-release catalog, though operating at vastly larger scale than Manor Records Foundation.
• Secretly Canadian: Independent record label group with a roster of artist-friendly labels releasing indie, folk, and experimental music. Comparable as an indie label platform prioritizing artist development and long-tail catalog support.
• Merge Records: Durham, NC-based independent record label with a long track record of artist development and a celebrated indie catalog. Comparable as an indie label maintaining artist-first values and releasing physical formats, though at much greater commercial scale.

Direct peers

• Folk Alliance International: Kansas City-headquartered nonprofit that supports the folk music ecosystem through advocacy, conferences, and artist development. Comparable as a music-focused 501(c)(3) operating from Kansas City with similar community-building and event-driven engagement models.
• Midwest Music Foundation: Kansas City-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting the local independent music community through health, education, and resource programs. Directly comparable as a same-city, same-mission nonprofit serving KC musicians with grant and event programming.
• Polyvinyl Record Co. Independent record label with a community-focused ethos, releasing physical and digital music from indie artists. Comparable as an indie label emphasizing artist relationships, limited physical runs, and direct fan engagement paralleling Manor Records' model.
• Don Giovanni Records: Independent record label known for supporting emerging artists across punk, indie, and folk genres with a community-oriented ethos. Directly comparable as an indie label operating with artist-development values similar to Manor Records' roster approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ManorRecords
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCzk3OHVV5zLIQiL4_uzT3wg?view_as=subscriber
• Facebookfacebook.com/manorrecordskc
• Instagraminstagram.com/manorrecordskc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/manor-records-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Manor Records Foundation