Watermelon Ministries

What Watermelon Ministries does

Watermelon Ministries is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Nashville, Tennessee, operating the Instruments of Joy initiative founded in 2013 by Joshua MacLeod after a mission trip to Malawi. The organization collects donated musical instruments in Nashville, repairs them through partner service providers (Gruhn Guitars, Bandwagon Music and Repair), and delivers them to aspiring musicians across 71 countries through a network of mission and relief organizations including World Music Mission, Empty Hands Fellowship, Freedom's Promise, Rescue1 Global, and Paradigm Worship. As of 2026, the organization reports delivering 1,500+ instruments, with each donation accompanied by a recipient photograph returned to the donor.

The business model is donation-driven and event-driven, not commercial. Watermelon Ministries generates contributions through monthly recurring sponsorships ($38/month), one-time instrument sponsorships ($200-$300), country-specific programs (such as the Zambia orphan sponsorship), $1,000 event sponsorships, and benefit concerts featuring Christian music artists (Phil Keaggy, Audrey Assad, Buddy Greene, Sidewalk Prophets, Land of Color, Jeremy Casella, Cole Burkett). Corporate sponsors Elixir Strings, Gruhn Guitars, and Gibson Learn and Master contribute in-kind value through strings, repairs, and training materials, increasing the perceived value of each donated instrument without cash outlay.

The operating model is intentionally low-cost: no technology platform, no proprietary software, no paid advertising, and a small staff of 1-10. Distribution is accomplished through mission-trip couriers and partner logistics, while donor acquisition is driven by storytelling on the organization's website, Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), email newsletter, and earned media coverage. Recipient segments include churches, orphanages, music schools, theological seminaries, refugee camps, and human trafficking survivor safe houses.

Name

Watermelon Ministries

Legal name

Watermelon Ministries

Website

https://instrumentsofjoy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Watermelon Ministries is a Nashville-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating the Instruments of Joy initiative, which collects, repairs, and delivers donated musical instruments to aspiring musicians across 71 developing countries through a network of mission partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Music Instrument Donation Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Festival Organizers & Promoters (MPAGAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Concerts & Music Festivals (THAJAFAA)

Keywords

• Charitable instrument donations
• Nonprofit music ministry
• Musical instrument distribution
• Faith-based charity services
• Global music outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Smyrna

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donated Instruments: The organization collects donated musical instruments, repairs them, and delivers them to aspiring musicians in developing countries. Instruments are received from individual donors and corporate sponsors.
2. Financial Donations: Monthly sponsorships ($38/month), one-time instrument sponsorship ($200-$300), and event sponsorships ($1,000) fund the purchase and delivery of instruments to musicians in need.
3. Benefit Concert Proceeds: 100% of proceeds from benefit concerts go toward providing quality musical instruments. The June 5, 2026 concert at Springhouse Worship and Arts Center will feature Land of Color, Jeremy Casella, and Cole Burkett.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Watermelon Ministries operates through its Instruments of Joy initiative, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that collects donated and purchased musical instruments in Nashville, repairs them through partner repair shops, and delivers them to aspiring musicians in developing countries. The organization also raises funds through monthly sponsorships, instrument sponsorships, event sponsorships, and benefit concerts featuring Christian music artists.

Product overview

Watermelon Ministries operates primarily through its Instruments of Joy initiative, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that functions as a charitable donation and logistics program rather than a technology product. The core offering is the instrument donation and delivery service, supplemented by corporate sponsorship programs, monthly giving options, event sponsorship, and benefit concert fundraising. The organization connects instrument donors with musicians in developing countries through a four-step process: collect donations, partner with relief organizations, deliver instruments, and send recipient photos to donors. No technology platform, SaaS product, or API-based service is offered.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Instruments of Joy Program A 501(c)(3) nonprofit initiative that collects donated musical instruments, repairs them, and delivers them to aspiring musicians in developing countries. The program accepts instrument donations, coordinates repairs through partner services, manages international delivery, and provides donor confirmation photos of recipients.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program A partnership program allowing companies to support musicians in developing countries through instrument donations, repair services, guitar strings, and training materials. Sponsors include Elixir Strings, Gruhn Guitars, Gibson, and Bandwagon Music & Repair.
• Monthly Sponsorship Program A recurring donation program allowing supporters to make $38/month contributions to provide instruments for musicians year-round.
• Instrument Sponsorship (One-Time) A one-time $200 donation that sponsors the purchase and delivery of a single instrument, with a photo of the recipient sent back to the donor.
• Event Sponsorship A $1,000 one-time donation to host a fundraising event providing instruments to at least 3 musicians in the developing world.
• Orphan Instrument Sponsorship (Zambia) A targeted sponsorship program providing instruments to orphans in Zambia, with options for $38/month recurring or $300 one-time donations.
• Instrument Donation Acceptance Service Accepts gently used instrument donations that are still in playable condition, then works with repair partners to ensure quality before delivery to recipients in developing countries.
• Benefit Concert Events Hosted concerts featuring artists like Land of Color, Jeremy Casella, Cole Burkett, Phil Keaggy, Audrey Assad, and Buddy Greene to raise funds for instrument donations, with 100% of proceeds going toward providing quality musical instruments.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,500+ instruments delivered across 71 countries
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Elixir StringscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2017Elixir Strings provides state-of-the-art, durable, long-lasting guitar strings for instruments delivered by Instruments of Joy. The partnership includes providing replacement strings should recipients break a string, adding significant value to each guitar gift.
• Gruhn Guitars NashvillecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2017Gruhn Guitars Nashville provides instrument repair services, ensuring donated instruments are in quality condition before being sent overseas. They are described as rockstars in helping the mission worldwide.
• Gibson Learn and MastercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Gibson Learn and Master provides professional-grade guitar and drum training materials and courses that are sent with instruments to help recipients learn to play. The Learn and Master program features hours of professional training from masters.
• Bandwagon Music and RepairminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as corporate sponsor providing instrument repair and music services.
• World Music MissioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFounded by Kurt Coble, World Music Mission creates places for musicians to come together, learn and train together, so they can serve in their communities. Has delivered instruments to Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Europe, and Africa. Started two music schools in Uganda and Cameroon with IOJ instruments.
• Empty Hands FellowshipcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKevin Riggs of Empty Hands Fellowship picked up donated guitars and delivered them to pastors in Honduras. Facilitated guitar delivery to Iglesia Peniel Mateo and Iglesia Brigades de Amor Christiano.
• Freedom's PromisecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMission team traveling with Freedom's Promise delivered six instruments and two instructional sets to influential musicians and educators in Cambodia including Rose & Perlito, Roshan, Koy, and Jerwin.
• Rescue1 GlobalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOrganization on mission to end human trafficking and help women survivors heal. Instruments of Joy provided three guitars to girls living in Rescue1 Global safe houses in Nashville.
• Kyle RothfieldminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPerformed at Kyle Rothfield Benefit Concert and donated her first bass guitar to Instruments of Joy. Artist with beautiful and unique voice who has a heart to help people.
• Springhouse Worship and Arts CentercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBruce Coble, Missions Pastor at Springhouse, facilitated instrument delivery to Mexico. Venue hosts benefit concerts including the June 5, 2026 Instruments of Joy Benefit Concert featuring Land of Color, Jeremy Casella, and Cole Burkett.
• Sidewalk ProphetscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChristian music artist partnered with Instruments of Joy for '50 Instruments in 30 Days' instrument drive and benefit concert at Ryman Auditorium. Joint effort to collect donated instruments for musicians in need.
• Paradigm WorshipminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMusic missions team that has played worship in England, Latvia, Greece, Spain, Belgium, and the US. Delivered instruments and played concerts for refugees in Brussels, Belgium.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sing for Hope: A nonprofit that makes the arts accessible to all through programs including pop-up pianos and artist engagement. Comparable arts-access nonprofit with international scope and event-driven public engagement, though broader in artistic medium than just musical instruments.
• Little Kids Rock: A nonprofit that provides music education, instruments, and teacher training to underserved public schools. Comparable mission of bringing music and instruments to underserved communities, with a similar benefit concert and corporate partnership fundraising model.
• Musicians Without Borders: An international nonprofit that uses music to bridge divides and promote peace in post-conflict and divided regions. Comparable international music-focused nonprofit mission serving underserved communities globally, though delivery mechanism is workshops and training rather than instrument distribution.
• Guitars Not Guns: A nonprofit that donates guitars to underserved youth, particularly those affected by violence. Comparable mission of providing instruments to underserved young musicians, though with a narrower focus on guitars and primarily domestic US operations.
• Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation: A nonprofit that donates musical instruments and equipment to schools and underserved music programs across the US. Directly comparable to Instruments of Joy in core mission (instrument donations to underserved musicians) and corporate partnership model, though primarily focused on domestic US schools rather than international developing-world musicians.
• Hungry for Music: A nonprofit that collects donated instruments and delivers them to underserved children worldwide. Directly comparable in mission and operational model - both organizations accept donated instruments and distribute them globally to musicians who lack access to quality equipment.
• Pianos for Peace: A nonprofit that collects and donates pianos to underserved schools, churches, and communities. Comparable mission of instrument donation to underserved communities, though with a narrower focus on a single instrument category (pianos).

Regional players

• Kids in a New Groove: A Texas-based nonprofit that provides music mentorship and instruments to children and teens in foster care. Comparable music-focused nonprofit serving underserved youth, though regionally focused on Texas and oriented toward mentorship rather than direct instrument distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/giveinstruments
• Facebookfacebook.com/InstrumentsOfJoy
• Instagraminstagram.com/instrumentsofjoy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/instruments-of-joy

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Watermelon Ministries