Music Mends Minds
Music Mends Minds is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that creates free musical support groups (bands, drum circles, sing-alongs) for individuals with Alzheimer's, dementia, Parkinson's, and other neurological disorders, operating 50+ bands across 10+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Music Mends Minds does
Music Mends Minds is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2014 by Carol and Irwin Rosenstein and headquartered in Los Angeles, California. It creates and operates musical support groups — including bands, drum circles, and sing-alongs — for individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's, dementia, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and other neurological disorders. The organization operates 50+ in-person bands across more than 10 countries (California, New Jersey, Washington, New York, Connecticut in the US; Canada, the UK, India, Rwanda, Argentina, and the Philippines internationally), supplemented by free triweekly Zoom sing-along sessions led by board-certified music therapists supplied through a partnership with Harmonic Changes.
The core service is delivered at no cost to participants through venues including senior centers, VA campuses, memory care facilities, and community centers. Beyond direct programming, MMM operates an education platform offering a six-step curriculum and free resources for individuals to start new groups, a podcast series ("Ask the Expert") featuring music therapy researchers, and a feature documentary ("The 5th Dementia") distributed across Amazon, Apple TV, YouTube, and other major platforms. Programmatic differentiation rests on the domain specialization in neurodegenerative disease populations, integration of evidence-based music therapy with community building, and a self-replicating franchise model enabled by Rotary International club partnerships.
The business model is entirely donation-based: MMM is funded through individual donations, foundation grants, corporate sponsors, LA City Council grants, Rotary club sponsorships, and planned bequests. There is no fee structure for participants, and the organization does not generate commercial revenue. Distribution leverages a strategic partnership with Rotary International (including ADRAG and IFRM) that provides access to a global network of 40,000+ Rotarians, enabling low-cost geographic replication. With 11–50 employees and no disclosed equity funding rounds, the organization operates as a lean, founder-anchored nonprofit reliant on charitable contributions and volunteer mobilization.
Music Mends Minds firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Music Mends Minds
- Legal name
- Music Mends Minds, Inc.
- Website
- https://musicmendsminds.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Music Mends Minds is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that creates free musical support groups (bands, drum circles, sing-alongs) for individuals with Alzheimer's, dementia, Parkinson's, and other neurological disorders, operating 50+ bands across 10+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Music Mends Minds industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Music Therapy and Community Wellness Services for Neurodegenerative Diseases
- NAICS
- Musical Groups and Artists (71113), Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Music Therapy (Educational/Developmental Programs) (EDAMANAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cognitive Stimulation & Reminiscence Therapy (Non-Clinical) (HSABAEAH), Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC)
Keywords
Where Music Mends Minds is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Music Mends Minds business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Contributions: Music Mends Minds operates as a nonprofit organization that relies on donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors. Donations support instruments, songbooks, music therapists, venue rental fees, A/V equipment, research surveys, community concerts, and band leader training.
- Bequests and Legacy Gifts: The organization receives planned gifts and bequests from supporters, such as the generous bequest from Diana Davidow’s estate.
- Grants: Funded by grants from organizations such as LA City Council members in the 11th and 4th council districts, and Rotary clubs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free Services - No Cost to Participants |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Music Mends Minds product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Music Mends Minds is a nonprofit that creates and operates free musical support groups—including in-person bands, drum circles, and sing-alongs—for individuals with Alzheimer's, dementia, Parkinson's, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and other neurological disorders. It runs 50 bands across 10+ countries, hosts free triweekly Zoom sing-along sessions led by board-certified music therapists from partner Harmonic Changes, and provides open educational resources and a 6-step curriculum for starting new community groups.
Product overview
Music Mends Minds is a nonprofit organization that creates musical support groups for individuals with Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and other neurological disorders. The core offering consists of in-person and virtual musical groups including bands (5th Dementia, Band of Heroes, Jazzanova, Treble Makers), drum circles, and sing-along sessions. The organization operates a Zoom-based tri-weekly online sing-a-long program led by board-certified music therapists. Additionally, MMM provides an Education Platform with curriculum and resources for starting new music groups, produces the “Ask the Expert” podcast featuring music therapy researchers, and released “The 5th Dementia” documentary available on major streaming platforms. The organization has grown to 50 bands across over 10 countries globally.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- 5th Dementia: The flagship band of Music Mends Minds, featuring individuals with neurodegenerative diseases performing music from their generation.
- Band of Heroes
- Jazzanovas
- Ask the Expert
Products and services
- Musical Support Groups In-person and virtual musical support groups (bands, drum circles, sing-alongs) for individuals with Alzheimer's, dementia, Parkinson's, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and other neurological disorders; 50 bands operate across the globe with no prior musical experience required.
- 5th Dementia Band The flagship band of Music Mends Minds, featuring individuals with neurodegenerative diseases performing music from their generation, and the subject of a feature documentary available on major streaming platforms.
- Band of Heroes Musical support band for veterans meeting at the West Los Angeles VA Campus, with weekly performances drawing 150 veterans and a permanent gazebo stage built by the VA for the program.
- Jazzanova Band Jazz band in Studio City, California, meeting weekly at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Studio City and featuring public concerts including debut duets.
- Zoom Sing-A-Long Sessions Free online sing-along sessions offered every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, led by a board-certified music therapist from Harmonic Changes, with recordings available on Golden Network TV.
- Education Platform / Starter Curriculum Comprehensive educational resources and modules for starting music groups, including getting-started guides, venue working guides, drum circle facilitation, free music resources, virtual session hosting, and research documents, available in in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats.
- "Ask the Expert" Podcast Educational podcast series featuring interviews with 20+ music and research experts discussing the effects of music therapy on neurodegenerative diseases and the brain.
- "The 5th Dementia" Documentary Feature documentary following members of The 5th Dementia band, showing the transformative impact of music on individuals with neurodegenerative diseases and available to rent on major streaming platforms.
- Drum Circles Rhythm-based music sessions requiring no musical training, providing accessible percussion instruments and facilitated sessions for full self-expression and community connection, designed to stimulate up to 12 areas of the brain and benefit Parkinson's patients.
- Treble Makers (Beverly Hills) Music group meeting at Roxbury Community Center in Beverly Hills, supported by the Beverly Hills Rotary Club.
- UCLA Student Chapter Student organization at UCLA that gives students space to interact with seniors and use their musical talents while building empathy for neurodegenerative diseases.
Quantifiable outcome
- 50+ bands and music groups operating across 10+ countries
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Music Mends Minds
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Music Mends Minds technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature4 records
Music Mends Minds partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Rotary InternationalcoreStrategic global partnership with Rotary International to spread music therapy through Rotary clubs worldwide. MMM participates in annual conventions reaching 40,000+ Rotarians, and has established a Global Initiative to educate Rotary clubs on best practices for helping those with neurodegenerative diseases through music-making.
- Alzheimer's/Dementia Rotary Action Group (ADRAG)coreADRAG leverages Rotary members' experience and network to support and promote Alzheimer’s and dementia-related projects at local, district, and international levels through a global platform for collaboration, education, and support.
- International Fellowship of Rotarian Musicians (IFRM)minorIFRM promotes Rotary fellowship by encouraging clubs to sing, organizing musical activities for performance at all levels of Rotary functions, and supporting community musical organization and school music programs.
- Harmonic ChangescoreHarmonic Changes provides board-certified music therapists who lead MMM’s triweekly free online sing-a-long Zoom sessions. Sessions are professionally facilitated by trained music therapy experts.
- Golden Network TVminorGolden Network TV streams recordings of MMM’s music therapy sessions on Zoom. Available on computers, tablets, mobile phones, and Roku. Premier destination for timeless entertainment tailored for seniors.
- Vashon Island Rotary ClubcoreVashon Island Rotary Club made Music Mends Minds a Community Service Project in 2015. Has inspired other Rotary clubs including Mercer Island, Puyallup, Olympia, Des Moines/Normandy Park, Maple Valley, and Kirkland to establish MMM programs.
- Rotary Club of Westwood VillagecoreRotary Club of Westwood Village provides generous support that makes Band of Heroes’ weekly performances at the West LA VA Campus possible.
- Studio City/Sherman Oaks Rotary ClubcoreStudio City/Sherman Oaks Rotary Club provides sponsorship for the Studio City Jazzanovas’ Summer Sounds Concert and ongoing band support.
- Brentwood Presbyterian ChurchminorProvides venue for 5th Dementia flagship band rehearsals on Thursdays and hosts annual holiday concerts.
- West Los Angeles VA Medical CentercoreVA Campus hosts Band of Heroes, a music group for veteran musicians. The VA constructed a permanent gazebo stage with sound system for performances. Monday performances regularly draw 150 vets.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Music Mends Minds competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Music & Memory: Nonprofit that personalizes music playlists for individuals with dementia and other cognitive challenges in care settings. Directly comparable to Music Mends Minds in mission (music intervention for neurodegenerative disease), nonprofit funding model, and reliance on donations and volunteer networks.
- Encore Creativity for Older Adults: Nonprofit offering choral singing programs and arts education for older adults (55+), including dedicated choruses for individuals with dementia and their care partners. Comparable to Music Mends Minds in using group singing/music-making for senior populations with cognitive conditions, nonprofit model, and free participation.
- Institute for Music and Neurologic Function: Nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing research and clinical application of music therapy for individuals with neurological conditions including dementia, TBI, and stroke. Directly comparable in therapeutic mission and target population to Music Mends Minds, with deeper clinical/research orientation.
- Songs by Heart Foundation: Nonprofit that brings live, interactive singing programs to individuals with dementia and other cognitive challenges in care facilities. Comparable to Music Mends Minds in providing group music-making experiences for dementia patients at no cost to participants, with a focus on memory-care facilities.
Others
- Golden Network TV: Senior-focused streaming service and existing MMM distribution partner that broadcasts recordings of MMM music therapy sessions via Roku, mobile, and web. Adjacent to MMM as a media infrastructure provider for senior entertainment programming and a channel for MMM session content.
- American Music Therapy Association: Professional association representing board-certified music therapists, whose members MMM relies upon (e.g., Harmonic Changes). Comparable as the credentialing and advocacy body for the music-therapy profession that underpins MMM's service delivery model.
Broad incumbents
- AARP Foundation: Major nonprofit serving older adults 50+ with programming on brain health, caregiving, and social isolation. Overlaps with MMM in target beneficiary population (older adults with dementia and their caregivers) and competes in the same donor and grant funding landscape for senior-focused intervention programs.
- National Center for Creative Aging: Nonprofit advancing the understanding of the vital relationship between creative expression and healthy aging. Comparable to MMM as a broader umbrella organization promoting arts-based engagement for older adults, including those with neurodegenerative conditions, and competing for similar arts-and-aging grant funding.
- Alzheimer's Association: Largest nonprofit dedicated to Alzheimer's care, support, and research, with national reach and broad programming including early-stage engagement initiatives. Overlaps with MMM in donor pool, beneficiary population (Alzheimer's/dementia patients and caregivers), and nonprofit fundraising competition.
Emerging players
- Chorus America: National service organization for the choral field, supporting choruses serving older adults and memory-loss communities. Comparable to MMM as an infrastructure/ecosystem organization that supports group singing programs, though not exclusively focused on neurodegenerative disease.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Music Mends Minds social profiles
Digital presenceMusic Mends Minds financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Music Mends Minds leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Music Mends Minds funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Music Mends Minds 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 Music Mends Minds
What does Music Mends Minds do?
Music Mends Minds is a nonprofit that creates and operates free musical support groups—including in-person bands, drum circles, and sing-alongs—for individuals with Alzheimer's, dementia, Parkinson's, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and other neurological disorders. It runs 50 bands across 10+ countries, hosts free triweekly Zoom sing-along sessions led by board-certified music therapists from partner Harmonic Changes, and provides open educational resources and a 6-step curriculum for starting new community groups.
Is Music Mends Minds a public or private company?
Music Mends Minds is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Music Mends Minds founded?
Music Mends Minds was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Music Mends Minds based?
Music Mends Minds is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does Music Mends Minds make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are bequests and Legacy Gifts and grants.
Who are Music Mends Minds's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Music & Memory, Encore Creativity for Older Adults, Institute for Music and Neurologic Function and Songs by Heart Foundation. Others are Golden Network TV and American Music Therapy Association. Broad incumbents are AARP Foundation, National Center for Creative Aging and Alzheimer's Association. Chorus America is listed as an emerging player.
Does Music Mends Minds have an API?
No public API is recorded for Music Mends Minds.
What industry is Music Mends Minds in?
Music Mends Minds's product category is Music Therapy and Community Wellness Services for Neurodegenerative Diseases. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMANAK, Music Therapy (Educational/Developmental Programs), with a secondary code of HSABAEAH, Cognitive Stimulation & Reminiscence Therapy (Non-Clinical). Its NAICS code is 71113 and its SIC code is 8600.