MUSIC 4 CANCER

What MUSIC 4 CANCER does

Music 4 Cancer (M4C) is a Quebec-based non-profit organization founded in 2007 by Jay Epinat and François-Philippe Dupont. The organization produces an annual three-day punk rock festival in Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec, drawing 15,000–20,000 attendees per edition. All proceeds are directed to cancer-related charities and families affected by cancer; the organization has donated more than $262,000 since inception to Leucan, the Canadian Cancer Society, and Fondation Charles-Bruneau, including a $30,000 single donation to Fondation Charles-Bruneau in December 2023, and has supported hundreds of families with gift baskets valued at $500–$1,000 each.

The core product is the festival itself, featuring 40+ artists per edition with international headliners such as Bad Religion (2026), Rancid (2023), Dropkick Murphys, Pennywise, and The Interrupters. Secondary programs include an online and on-site merchandise store (hoodies, t-shirts, caps, patches, CDs, lanyards, bracelets) with 100% of online profits donated, co-branded consumer products — an exclusive gin with Distillerie du Quai ($2 per bottle donated, launched July 2020) and four skateboard decks with ULC Skateboards ($2 per board donated, 2018) — and ancillary fundraisers such as the Rase-O-Thon and benefit concerts organized with UQTR students. Revenue is generated through tiered ticket sales (2026 blind presale from $89, day passes at $99, 3-day passes historically at $109), corporate sponsorships led by presenting sponsor Promutuel Assurance with in-kind support from Solotech and Stageline and 40+ local businesses, and donations.

M4C operates as a 100% volunteer-run organization of approximately 30 active volunteers, with no disclosed paid staff, dedicated technology platform, mobile application, or proprietary AI systems. The organization is governed by a board and organizing committee rather than institutional investors, with no parent company, subsidiaries, or external funding rounds. Marketing is conducted primarily through Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, email newsletters to past attendees, earned media in punk and general Quebec outlets, and a 2026 spokesperson partnership with BPM Sports radio personalities Georges Laraque and Stéphane Gonzalez. The organization holds the 2024 GAMIQ "Festival of the Year" award and the 2019 Government of Canada Honorary Medal, and operates across Quebec and France.

Name

MUSIC 4 CANCER

Legal name

Music 4 Cancer

Website

https://music4cancer.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Music 4 Cancer is a 100% volunteer-run Quebec non-profit that produces an annual three-day punk rock festival in Sainte-Thérèse, raising funds for cancer charities (Leucan, Canadian Cancer Society, Fondation Charles-Bruneau) and supporting affected families with gift baskets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Music Festival & Charitable Events

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Festival Organizers & Promoters (MPAGAAAB)

Keywords

• Punk rock festival
• Nonprofit music events
• Cancer charity fundraising
• Community music festivals
• Live music fundraising

Headquarters

HQ city

Sainte-Thérèse

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Festival Ticket Sales: Primary revenue driver through multi-tiered ticket pricing (early-bird blind presale starting at $89, day passes at $99, 3-day passes at $109 for 2025 edition, VIP packages). Sold via Le Point de Vente online ticketing platform.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsors including Promutuel Assurance (presenting sponsor), Solotech, Stageline, and 40+ local businesses provide financial and in-kind support for festival operations.
3. Merchandise Sales: Online and on-site merchandise store selling hoodies, t-shirts, caps, patches, CDs, lanyards, and bracelets. 100% of online merch profits go to the cause.
4. Co-branded Product Licensing: Exclusive gin created with Distillerie du Quai — $2 per bottle sold donated to the cause. Other co-branded products include skateboards with ULC Skateboards ($2 per board donated).
5. Donations and Philanthropy: Event-based fundraising including the Rase-O-Thon and benefit concerts. Partnership with UQTR students who organize benefit shows with proceeds going to M4C.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Music 4 Cancer produces an annual three-day punk rock music festival in Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec, featuring 40+ artists per edition and attracting 15,000-20,000 attendees, with all proceeds donated to cancer-related organizations. The organization also runs a Gift Basket Program that delivers baskets valued at $500-$1,000 to hundreds of families affected by cancer, complementing financial donations to hospital foundations including Leucan, the Société Canadienne du Cancer, and Fondation Charles-Bruneau.

Product overview

Music 4 Cancer is a non-profit organization operating since 2007 with two main offerings: an annual three-day punk rock music festival in Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec (attracting 15,000-20,000 attendees per edition) and a gift basket program supporting families affected by cancer with baskets valued at $500-$1,000. The organization has donated over $262,000 to hospital foundations including Leucan, the Canadian Cancer Society, and the Charles-Bruneau Foundation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Festival Music 4 Cancer Annual three-day punk rock music festival held in Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec, featuring 40+ artists per edition including international headliners (Bad Religion 2026, Rancid, Dropkick Murphys, Pennywise, The Interrupters, Less Than Jake) and Quebec acts. Attracts 15,000-20,000 attendees per edition, sold via Le Point de Vente with tiered early-bird and regular pricing. All proceeds are donated to cancer foundations. Targeted at punk rock music fans and general festival-goers in Quebec and beyond.
• Gift Basket Program Charitable program delivering gift baskets valued at $500 to $1,000 to hundreds of families affected by cancer, in addition to direct financial donations to hospital foundations. Targeted at families impacted by pediatric and general cancer across Quebec.
• Music 4 Cancer Merchandise Store Online and on-site merchandise store selling hoodies, t-shirts, caps, patches, CDs, lanyards, and bracelets. 100% of online merch profits are donated to cancer causes. Targeted at festival attendees and punk rock fans supporting the cause.

Quantifiable outcome

• $262,000+ donated to cancer foundations since 2007; $30,000 single largest donation to Fondation Charles-Bruneau in 2023.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core, flagship/presenting sponsor and flagship.

• Distillerie du QuaiminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2020Exclusive M4C gin created and sold at Distillerie du Quai. $2 per bottle sold donated to the cause. Collaboration launched in July 2020 ahead of the 10th edition.
• ULC SkateboardsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 April 2018Quebec skateboard company created four skateboard decks in collaboration with M4C in 2018. $2 per board sold donated to the cause. Boards sold on the M4C online store with 100% of profits remitted.
• Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR)minorOthers · 13 December 2017University partnership where students organized a benefit concert for M4C (One Love Bob Marley tribute). A master's student (Patricia Comeau) conducted research on M4C, and the organization has been the subject of university coursework. Demonstrates academic recognition of the organization's model.
• StagelinecoreTechnology or Integration · 26 July 2017Stage equipment company that has supported M4C for 4+ years. Provided mobile stage infrastructure. Cited Jay Épinat as a passionate individual driving positive community change through music.
• Promutuel Assuranceflagship/presenting sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerPromutuel Assurance Deux-Montagnes is the presenting sponsor of the 14th edition (2026). Logo appears on the main outdoor stage (Scène Promutuel Assurance) and across all festival materials. Provides financial and in-kind support as the primary sponsor.
• SolotechcoreTechnology or IntegrationMajor in-kind sponsor providing professional audio and stage equipment. Has supported the festival for multiple years. Featured as the stage name sponsor in past editions (Scène SOLOTECH). 30+ volunteers contributed through Solotech connections.
• StagelinecoreTechnology or IntegrationStage and equipment provider that has been setting up the festival for 4+ years. Provides professional mobile stage infrastructure for outdoor performances.
• Ville de Sainte-ThérèsecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe town of Sainte-Thérèse provides the festival venue at Hôtel de ville (6 rue de l'Église), free parking throughout the village, and political support. The festival drives economic spillover to local merchants.
• Festival Envol et MacadamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership between Quebec's three major punk festivals — M4C, Envol et Macadam, and Le Délüge — working together to promote punk culture and cross-promote artist lineups across regions.
• Le Déluge FestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership between Quebec's three major punk festivals — M4C, Envol et Macadam, and Le Délüge — working together to promote punk culture and cross-promote artist lineups across regions.
• LeucancoreOthersOne of the primary cancer charity beneficiaries of M4C donations. Leucan supports children with cancer and their families. M4C has donated to Leucan since its inception in 2007.
• Société Canadienne du Cancer (Canadian Cancer Society)coreOthersOne of the primary cancer charity beneficiaries of M4C donations. Received a $15,000 donation following the 7th edition in 2017.
• Fondation Charles-BruneaucoreOthersChildhood cancer foundation. Received M4C's largest-ever single donation of $30,000 in December 2023, plus an additional $11,900 in gift baskets — $41,900 total from the M4C community. The band Rancid specifically chose this foundation.
• Georges Laraque and Stéphane Gonzalez (BPM Sports)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial spokespersons of the 2026 edition. Hosts of the Laraque et Gonzalez show on BPM Sports radio. Their involvement amplifies festival reach to sports and entertainment audiences beyond the punk community.
• SBAMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with M4C on promoting the Quebec alternative music scene. One of several ecosystem partners contributing to the development of alternative music in Quebec.
• Thousand Islands RecordsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecord label partner collaborating with M4C on artist programming. Had a showcase at the 2025 edition celebrating STOMP Records' 30th anniversary.
• Dusty Wax RecordsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecord label partner collaborating with M4C on promoting artists from the alternative music scene in Quebec and internationally.
• InterBox / Bute–Pascal Boxing Event at Centre BellminorGTM or Marketing PartnerM4C was an official partner of the Bute–Pascal boxing match at Centre Bell, presented by InterBox. This partnership extended the organization's reach beyond music to a major Quebec sporting event, exposing the M4C mission to a broad audience.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Amnesia Rockfest: Large multi-day rock festival in Montebello, Quebec. Comparable as a Quebec-based music festival operator with multi-stage outdoor programming targeting alternative/rock/punk audiences.
• Pouzza Fest: Annual punk rock festival held in Montreal, Quebec. Most direct peer — same genre (punk), same geographic market (Quebec), similar scale (multi-day festival with dozens of bands), and overlapping audience with M4C.
• The Fest: Iconic multi-day punk festival held annually in Gainesville, Florida. Directly comparable as a long-running, punk-focused multi-day festival with dozens of bands across multiple stages.
• Envol et Macadam: Quebec City-based punk rock festival. Same punk genre focus and Quebec regional scope as M4C; M4C explicitly collaborates with Envol et Macadam on artist cross-promotion.
• Le Déluge Fest: Quebec punk festival collaborating with M4C and Envol et Macadam as part of the three major Quebec punk festivals. Same genre, same regional audience, and active ecosystem partner.
• Vans Warped Tour: Historic North American punk rock touring festival. M4C explicitly participated in Vans Warped Tour 2011 to launch its festival; same punk genre, same touring festival format, similar audience demographic.

Broad incumbents

• Evenko: Quebec's largest live entertainment promoter and festival operator (Osheaga, Île Soniq, etc.). Operates at much larger scale than M4C in the same Quebec market with overlapping talent pools and sponsor relationships.
• Global Citizen Festival: Large-scale charity music festival leveraging major artist lineups to drive fundraising. Comparable as a music-as-fundraising model, though at vastly larger scale, international scope, and with a different charitable cause.
• MusiCares: Recording Academy-affiliated charity supporting music industry people in need. Comparable as a long-running nonprofit leveraging music industry relationships to deliver charitable impact, though operating in a different cause area.

Others

• Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C): Major cancer charity that funds research through celebrity-driven activations including televised fundraising specials with music performances. Comparable as a cancer-focused charity that leverages entertainment partnerships, though operating nationally/internationally rather than via a single annual festival.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/Music4Cancerofficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/music4cancer
• Instagraminstagram.com/music4cancer
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/music-4-cancer

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 4 CANCER