Otis Redding Foundation
The Otis Redding Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2007 in Macon, Georgia that delivers music education, arts programming, and youth training to children ages 5–18 through camps, private lessons, choir, and community-based partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersMacon, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Otis Redding Foundation does
The Otis Redding Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 58-2435617) founded in 2007 by Zelma Redding and headquartered at 436 Cotton Avenue in Macon, Georgia, inside the Otis Redding Center for the Arts building. Its mission is to empower, enrich, and motivate young people through programs involving music, writing, and instrumentation. The foundation primarily serves youth ages 5–18 across two age-segregated tracks — Camp DREAM for ages 5–11 and Otis Music Camp (OMC) for ages 12–18 — alongside the DREAM Team choir, an after-school program (Beyond The Notes), private lessons, and the Otis Redding Museum. Additional stakeholder groups include individual donors, corporate sponsors, and institutional grant providers that fund scholarships and operations.
Core offerings center on the Otis Redding Center for Creative Arts (ORCA), which delivers private lessons in voice, piano, guitar, and engineering, supplemented by the O3 Recording Studio and Otis Redding Museum. The foundation does not operate proprietary technology systems; instead, it layers third-party platforms onto its programs — BlueJeans with Dolby Voice for virtual conferencing, and Soundtrap for collaborative music creation — most visibly through OMC 2.0, the virtual camp launched in June 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The foundation has also extended into publishing via Akashic Books' LyricPop series, producing two children's lyric books ("Respect" in October 2020 and "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" in March 2021), and into audio content through the student-led DREAMcast podcast launched in August 2020.
Revenue is generated across five streams: individual donations and corporate sponsorships, branded merchandise sales through the foundation's online store and Merch Mountain, program registration fees for camps and private lessons, grant funding from foundations including the Knight Foundation, South Arts, the Alice L. Walton Foundation, the Community Foundation for Central Georgia, the Georgia Council for the Arts, and the Griffith Family Foundation, and event revenue from benefit concerts such as "O'Tis The Season" and the King of Soul Music Festival. Pricing for donations and sponsorships is quote-based, merchandise is unit-priced (e.g., signed children's books at $35, regular copies at $18), and camp registration fees are not publicly disclosed. Programs are delivered regionally across Georgia via direct camp delivery, school-district partnerships (Bibb County, Jones County), and community-organization channels such as the Boys and Girls Club of Albany and the Macon Housing Authority.
Otis Redding Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Otis Redding Foundation
- Legal name
- Otis Redding Foundation
- Website
- https://otisreddingfoundation.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Otis Redding Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2007 in Macon, Georgia that delivers music education, arts programming, and youth training to children ages 5–18 through camps, private lessons, choir, and community-based partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Otis Redding Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Music and Arts Education
- NAICS
- Fine Arts Schools (61161), Fine Arts Schools (611610)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Music Instruction (Instrumental & Vocal) (EDAMAAAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Music Camps (Band, Choir, Instrument Intensive) (EDAMALAJ), Early Childhood Music Education (Ages 0–7) (EDAMANAD), Private Music Lessons (Instrumental) (EDAMANAA), Performing Arts Camps (Theater, Musical Theater, Dance) (EDAMALAI)
Keywords
Where Otis Redding Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Macon
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Otis Redding Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Contributions: Individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and stock transfers from donors. The foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 58-2435617).
- Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including apparel, music, collectibles, and the King of Soul Collection through the online store and Merch Mountain.
- Program Registration Fees: Fees for music camps (Otis Music Camp and Camp DREAM) and private music lessons at the Otis Redding Center for Creative Arts.
- Grant Funding: Grants from foundations including Knight Foundation, Georgia Council for the Arts, Griffith Family Foundation, Community Foundation for Central Georgia, South Arts Southern Cultural Treasures Initiative, and others.
- Event Revenue: Benefit concerts and events such as the annual 'O'Tis The Season' holiday concert and the King of Soul Music Festival.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Children's lyric books sold through foundation store |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay children's book |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Otis Redding Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Otis Redding Foundation delivers music and arts education programs to youth, including the annual Otis Music Camp (ages 12-18), Camp DREAM (ages 5-11), private music lessons, the DREAM Choir, and after-school programs. Programs are offered at the Otis Redding Center for the Arts in Macon, GA and through partnerships with schools, Boys & Girls Clubs, and community organizations. The foundation also operates the Otis Redding Museum, publishes children's lyric books, and sells branded merchandise to support programming.
Product overview
The Otis Redding Foundation operates a multi-faceted portfolio of music and arts education programs centered around the legacy of soul legend Otis Redding. The core offerings include the Otis Redding Center for the Arts (ORCA) providing private music lessons, the annual Otis Music Camp for ages 12-18, and Camp DREAM for ages 5-11. Additional programs include the DREAM Team choir, the DREAMcast podcast series, the O3 Recording Studio, and the Otis Redding Museum. The foundation also publishes children's lyric books through Akashic Books' LyricPop series and operates merchandise through the King of Soul Collection. Programs are supported through donations, sponsorships, and scholarships, with the foundation recognized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Otis Music Camp: Annual music songwriter's camp for aspiring musicians ages 12-18, teaching songwriting, production, and music industry skills.
- Camp DREAM
- DREAM Choir
- Otis Redding Center for Creative Arts
- DREAMcast
Products and services
- Otis Redding Center for the Arts (ORCA) A creative arts center providing music lessons, camps, and programs for youth ages 5-18. Offers private lessons in voice, piano, guitar, and engineering, plus field trips and event rentals.
- Otis Music Camp Annual music songwriter's camp for aspiring musicians ages 12-18. Teaches songwriting, producing, music theory, and industry knowledge from professional musicians and industry experts.
- Camp DREAM Music and arts camp for children ages 5-11. Provides instruction in guitar, songwriting, singing, theater, dance, and art centered around thematic themes.
- DREAMcast Podcast Foundation's original podcast series featuring student journalists interviewing artists, foundation members, and exploring music industry topics and Otis Redding's legacy.
- OMC 2.0 Virtual Music Camp Virtual adaptation of the traditional Otis Music Camp, enabling remote participation through video conferencing and online music production platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- DREAM Team Choir Foundation's youth choir that performs at various events and has served as backup singers for artists like Andra Day and performed at the White House.
- Otis Redding Museum
Quantifiable outcome
- 74+ campers attended 2019 Otis Music Camp
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Otis Redding Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Otis Redding Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Otis Redding Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.
- BlueJeanscoreBlueJeans provided videoconferencing technology for OMC 2.0 virtual music camp, enabling campers to connect with industry professionals remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The platform's Dolby Voice technology provided crystal-clear audio.
- Dolby LaboratoriescoreDolby provided audio technology including Dolby Voice and Dolby Conference Phone for virtual programming, enhancing remote music education experiences.
- SoundtrapcoreSoundtrap provided collaborative music creation platform for OMC 2.0, allowing campers to create and record music virtually from home studios.
- Reverb GivesminorReverb Gives donated $5,000 worth of music gear to the foundation and hosted charity auction of Albert Hammond Jr. amps benefiting youth music programs.
- Mercer University Townsend School of MusiccoreAnnual Otis Music Camp hosted at Mercer University's Townsend School of Music facilities.
- FendermajorFender partnered with Black Pumas to donate 30 CD-60SCE Dreadnought acoustic guitars to OMC 2.0 campers.
- Black PumasmajorBlack Pumas (Grammy-nominated Best New Artist) partnered with Fender to donate guitars to campers. Lead singer Eric Burton conducted masterclass at OMC 2.0.
- Rolling Stone MagazineminorFeatured OMC 2.0 virtual camp in article about how music camps adapted during the pandemic.
- Akashic BooksminorCo-published children's lyric books 'Respect' and '(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay' as part of Akashic's LyricPop series.
- Georgia Music FoundationcorePartnership for Georgia On My Mind fundraiser at Ryman Auditorium. DREAM Choir performed. Supported OMC 2.0 at Boys and Girls Club of Albany.
- Loeb & LoebminorAttorney Derek Crownover provided entertainment law masterclass to OMC 2.0 campers.
- Concord Music GroupminorExecutives Tom DeSavia and Michele Smith presented masterclasses at OMC 2.0.
- Warner RecordsminorRecording artist Bren Joy (Warner Records) conducted masterclass at OMC 2.0.
- United Way of Central GeorgiaminorPartner in distribution of 'Respect' children's books to Middle Georgia youth.
- Macon Housing AuthorityminorPartner in distribution of 'Respect' books to Tindall Fields community where Otis Redding grew up.
- Akashic Books / LyricVerseminorCollaborated to publish 'Respect' and '(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay' children's lyric books.
- Jones County School DistrictminorPartnership to distribute children's lyric books to first graders and host art contests.
- Bibb County School DistrictcorePartner for 'Beyond The Notes' after-school program at local schools.
- Rhino EntertainmentminorReleased Dolby Atmos mixes and reissues of Otis Redding catalog; partnered for 80th birthday celebrations.
- DJ D-NicemajorHosted Club Quarantine virtual parties for Otis Redding's 80th birthday; conducted masterclass at OMC 2.0; received Award of RESPECT.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Otis Redding Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Harmony Project (Los Angeles): Community-based nonprofit providing free music instruction to youth in underserved neighborhoods. Comparable in mission, target demographic, and grant-funded delivery model, with documented long-term college/career outcomes.
- VH1 Save The Music Foundation: Music-industry-affiliated nonprofit that funds music education programs in schools. Directly comparable model of using an iconic music brand to drive youth music education grants and instrument access.
- Save the Music Foundation (S2M): Long-running nonprofit (originally VH1-affiliated) that supports music education in schools via grants and program development. Direct peer in funding instruments, school-district partnerships, and youth music education focus.
- Education Through Music: Nonprofit that partners with schools to provide music instruction as part of the school day for underserved students. Direct peer in school-district-based music education delivery and youth pipeline focus.
- GRAMMY Museum / MusicCares (Recording Academy): Music-industry nonprofit that runs youth education programs and has directly engaged ORF (DREAM Team at the GRAMMY Museum). Comparable in tying legacy music institutions to youth music education programming.
- Stax Music Academy (Memphis): Music education nonprofit in Memphis that runs a soul-music-heritage-anchored youth program. Closely comparable in tying a legendary soul/R&B artist legacy to youth music instruction, camps, and performance — a near-analog operating model.
- Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation: Nonprofit that donates musical instruments to schools and programs serving underserved youth. Direct peer in mission, target beneficiary, and instrument-based grantmaking approach.
- Little Kids Rock: National nonprofit providing free music instruction and instruments to underserved K–12 students. Closely comparable mission (youth music education access) and funding model (donor + grant supported), serving a similar end-user population.
Emerging players
- Berklee City Music Network: Network of nonprofit music education programs for youth in underserved communities, anchored by Berklee College. Comparable in providing access to high-quality music instruction and college pathway support, but with a broader institutional backing.
- Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF): Nonprofit that celebrates songwriters and runs youth songwriting programs. Compares on music-legacy education and songwriter-focused curriculum, though it operates at a national/inductee scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Otis Redding Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceOtis Redding Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Otis Redding Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Otis Redding Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Otis Redding Foundation 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 Otis Redding Foundation
What does Otis Redding Foundation do?
The Otis Redding Foundation delivers music and arts education programs to youth, including the annual Otis Music Camp (ages 12-18), Camp DREAM (ages 5-11), private music lessons, the DREAM Choir, and after-school programs. Programs are offered at the Otis Redding Center for the Arts in Macon, GA and through partnerships with schools, Boys & Girls Clubs, and community organizations. The foundation also operates the Otis Redding Museum, publishes children's lyric books, and sells branded merchandise to support programming.
Is Otis Redding Foundation a public or private company?
Otis Redding Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Otis Redding Foundation founded?
Otis Redding Foundation was founded in 2007. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Otis Redding Foundation based?
Otis Redding Foundation is headquartered in Macon, United States, in the North America region.
How does Otis Redding Foundation make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Donations and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are merchandise Sales, program Registration Fees, grant Funding and event Revenue.
Who are Otis Redding Foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Harmony Project (Los Angeles), VH1 Save The Music Foundation, Save the Music Foundation (S2M), Education Through Music, GRAMMY Museum / MusicCares (Recording Academy), Stax Music Academy (Memphis), Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation and Little Kids Rock. Emerging players are Berklee City Music Network and Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF).
Does Otis Redding Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Otis Redding Foundation.
What industry is Otis Redding Foundation in?
Otis Redding Foundation's product category is Youth Music and Arts Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMAAAE, Music Instruction (Instrumental & Vocal), with a secondary code of EDAMALAJ, Music Camps (Band, Choir, Instrument Intensive). Its NAICS code is 61161 and its SIC code is 8200.