Summary
Organization name
Roots Music Project Foundation
2019
Tax id (EIN)
86-3645639
Category
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Organization Size
Large Organization
Address
1014 MAPLETON AVEBOULDER, CO 80304
Boulder, CO, US
Roots Music Project Foundation
A nonprofit organization
$1,817 raised by 12 donors
9% complete
$20,000 Goal
About
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Roots Music Project
Roots Music Project (RMP) is a nonprofit community of music fans and music makers based in Boulder, Colorado, dedicated to amplifying the live music community through performance and artist development. We believe in the power of music to make the world a better place. Our programs blend education with real-world performance opportunities, helping local and emerging musicians build confidence, skill, and self-reliance.
Each year, RMP provides over 200 performance opportunities for more than 2,000 artists, reaching an audience of 20,000+ music lovers. We invest directly in our creative community—over $500,000 annually goes to pay musicians, technicians, and industry professionals. In 2023, 83% of our budget supported program services that strengthen Boulder’s music ecosystem. From the Boulder Roots Music Festival to our groundbreaking youth program TEMPO (Training Emerging Musicians for Professional Opportunities), we create inclusive, sober-friendly, and empowering spaces for artists of all ages to connect, perform, and grow.
Your support keeps the music playing—funding youth scholarships, community concerts, and artist development programs that make Boulder a more vibrant, connected, and creative place to live.
Major Highlights
250+ live shows presented this year
Boulder Roots Music Festival – a 3-day event featuring over 180 bands, 250 staff and volunteers, and 3,000+ attendees, celebrating creativity and connection across the Front Range
20,000+ audience reach across concerts, workshops, and events
TEMPO Youth Program – our groundbreaking Training Emerging Musicians for Professional Opportunities program for high school students
Sober-curious and wellness-focused activations promoting mental health and inclusive creativity
Strategic partnerships with the City of Boulder, City of Broomfield, NOBO Arts District, Boulder International Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, and Colorado State University — uniting art, education, and culture throughout Colorado
Testimonials:
Boulder Roots Music Festival
"Fantastic first festival. What a joy - thank you for all you brought to downtown this past weekend -- and to Boulder! An abundant shot of pure musical joy is just what we all needed. Thank you isn't enough! " - Bettina Swigger CEO of Downtown Boulder
"It was an incredible and positive experience as both a fan and a performer" - Mad Dog Blues Band
"Roots Fest was so awesome! The staff was very helpful, the process for promo and payout was clearly laid out and easy to follow, the venues were great, the sound engineers were friendly and very good at getting a great sound, turnout at our set was great. Overall we had an amazing experience" - Questshun
"The festival was so well organized & clearly communicated, how did you pull off such a huge event so seamlessly?!! Teach us your ways LOL. Great job everyone!!" -School of Rock Broomfield
"We had the best time performing at the Roots Music Festival and hope to do it again next year. " -In Plain Air
Giving Activity
Mission
Roots Music Project's mission is to amplify the live music community through performance and artist development.
Background Statement
Bio:
The Roots Music Project is a nonprofit performing arts organization based in Boulder, Colorado, dedicated to building community through music, education, and cultural connection. Originally founded in 2015 as the 330 Blues Project and rebranded in 2019, Roots Music Project has grown into a powerful creative hub that supports musicians, artists, and audiences of all ages.
At the heart of our work is the Boulder Roots Music Festival — an extraordinary celebration of creativity that brings together over 180 bands, 750 artists, and 17 stages across Boulder. The festival unites local and national performers, community organizations, and audiences in a multi-day experience that highlights the diversity and vitality of roots-based music. More than a festival, it’s a movement that amplifies artistic voices, drives cultural tourism, and strengthens Boulder’s creative economy.
Our commitment to the next generation of artists shines through our TEMPO Youth Program, which provides mentorship, workshops, and performance opportunities for young musicians. TEMPO helps emerging artists develop both their craft and their confidence, ensuring that the future of music in Colorado remains vibrant, inclusive, and community-driven.
Led by founders Dave Kennedy, Rick Gabler (Osage), Ian Steele (a leading LatinX artist), and Jon Oren, Roots Music Project continues to build a sustainable ecosystem for musicians and gig workers. With a dedicated team of seventeen staff members, we champion fair pay, creative collaboration, and workforce development in the musical arts sector.
Through partnerships with local nonprofits, cultural organizations, and educators, Roots Music Project remains a catalyst for economic and artistic growth — using the power of live music to unite, uplift, and inspire.
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Organization Data
BOULDER, CO 80304