Our Impact
Since launching in September 2020, Groupmuse Foundation has been working toward its mission: To expand classical music to be more inclusive and vibrant by empowering musicians through financial, technological, and career support.
How does it work?
Groupmuse Foundation receives tax deductible donations from individual supporters and larger funders, then regrants funds in a grassroots manner (from the ground up) — prioritizing cooperativism, artist solidarity, and diverse musical programming. Groupmuse Foundation supports musician-first initiatives and services of the Groupmuse Cooperative that further the Foundation’s mission.
Why support the Groupmuse Foundation?
Traditionally, musicians are not usually invited to participate in budget decisions at music organizations. Groupmuse Foundation supports artist stipends and videography for concerts and events that amplify the voices, stories, and music of artists of African descent. The Foundation’s regranting seeks to compensate freelancing musicians for their work collaborating in solidarity, participating in transparent budgeting and decisionmaking, and building a more caring community.
2022
We raised $62,537 and received $51,000 in grants from NY State Council on the Arts and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs. Although in-person concerts had returned for musicians, we focused on expanding our in-person Planetary Music Movement concert series, providing financial training workshops, and offered fiscal sponsorship to musicians seeking to fundraise for their entrepreneurial projects.
Planetary Music Movement
$7,782 generated in income for 26 musicians of African descent featured in 4 online and 7 in-person concerts
Musician Support
$152,474 generated in income for 500+ musicians across 433 in-person concerts and 69 online concerts
$5,227 paid to musicians to receive $100 minimum each, for 49 concerts that did not reach minimum through audience contributions
Created new part-time administrative roles for 8 musicians on Musician Council, offering $14,000 in additional musician income outside of performing
2021
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we raised $113,362, and went straight to work to advocate for musicians and to create new paid opportunities for them while in-person concerts were still scarce.
Planetary Music Movement
$8,000 generated in income for 33 musicians of African descent featured in 14 online and in-person concerts
Musician Support
$168,000+ generated in income for 618 musicians across 193 in-person concerts and 330 online concerts
$9,158 paid to musicians to receive $100 minimum each, for 112 concerts that did not reach minimum through audience contributions
Created new part-time administrative roles for 12 musicians, offering $16,000 in additional musician income outside of performing
2020
Groupmuse Foundation launched in September 2020, and that fall/winter, we raised $93,606. With our strategic grassroots grantmaking, we achieved the following in our various musician-first programs:
Planetary Music Movement
$6,217 generated in income for 15 musicians of African descent featured in 16 online events
Musician Support
$202,626 generated in income for 250 musicians across 450 online concerts
$642 paid to musicians who did not receive $100 minimum each for their virtual performances on Groupmuse.com
Created new part-time administrative roles for 5 musicians, generating $13,000 in additional musician income outside of performing
Organized 10 musician webinars on livestreaming technology and equipment