Non-profit and not-for-profit professional organizations for musicians, songwriters, and lyricists play a vital role in protecting creative rights, fostering community, and advancing careers in the music industry.
They provide advocacy, education, networking, and cultural preservation, ensuring that music creators thrive both artistically and professionally.
The terms non-profit and not-for-profit are often used interchangeably, but they do have subtle differences. Non-profits usually serve a public or charitable purpose, while not-for-profits typically serve the interests of their members rather than the broader public.
A songwriter guild or composer alliance is usually incorporated as a non-profit, since it advocates for rights and education benefiting the wider creative community, while a local jam club or hobbyist music group might be a not-for-profit, since it mainly benefits its members.
For musicians, songwriters, and lyricists, understanding the distinction helps in choosing where to join, as non-profits often provide advocacy and legal support, while not-for-profits focus on networking and shared enjoyment. Non-profits may qualify for grants and donations aimed at public benefit, while not-for-profits rely more on membership dues.
In everyday conversation, the terms are often used interchangeably, especially in the arts and music world. However, the IRS and state laws may treat them differently depending on their purpose and how they distribute funds.
Professional organizations in the music industry are typically dedicated to advocacy, education, and community building. They protect intellectual property rights, promote fair compensation, and preserve musical traditions. Most operate as membership-based associations or alliances, offering workshops, conferences, and networking opportunities. They influence policy, provide legal and financial guidance, and create platforms for collaboration among musicians, songwriters, and lyricists.
Key examples of professional organizations include the Folk Alliance International (FAI), the Songwriters Guild of America (SGA), Music Creators North America (MCNA), the Alliance for Women Film Composers (AWFC), and regional songwriter associations.
Founded in 1989, the FAI is based in Kansas City, Missouri. It is dedicated to the preservation, presentation, and promotion of folk music worldwide. It hosts annual conferences, showcases, and advocacy programs. Regional chapters like the Southeastern Regional Folk Alliance (SERFA) extend its mission locally. FAI has become a global hub for folk musicians, connecting artists with festivals, record labels, and fans.
The SGA was founded in 1931 and is charged with protecting the rights of professional songwriters and lyricists, particularly regarding copyright and royalties. The SGA provides legal services, contract reviews, and educational resources, while also advocating for fair legislation in the music industry. One of the oldest organizations of its kind, SGA has played a pivotal role in shaping copyright law and ensuring that songwriters receive proper recognition.
An alliance of independent songwriter and composer organizations, the MCNA was founded in the early 2010s to advocate for fair treatment and compensation of music creators across North America. It provides education, policy advocacy, and international collaboration through the International Council of Music Creators (CIAM). The MCNA strengthens the collective voice of independent creators, ensuring they are represented in global discussions about music rights and royalties.
Founded in 2014 by Laura Karpman, Miriam Cutler, Lolita Ritmanis, and Chandler Poling, the AWFC promotes visibility and equity for female composers in film, television, and visual media, and has significantly raised awareness of women's contributions to film scoring, challenging long-standing industry biases. The AWFC maintains directories, organizes events, and advocates for gender equity in the industry.
Found across the United States and other countries, regional songwriter associations, such as the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), provide local networking, workshops, and mentorship opportunities. Serving as grassroots support systems for emerging songwriters, regional associations help them connect with publishers, producers, and collaborators through monthly meetings and annual expos.
Recommended Resources
Alliance for Women Film Composers
The AWFC is dedicated to advocacy and visibility for women composers. Founded in 2014, its work includes a searchable online directory of female composers, interpersonal support, networking events, and live concerts. Membership levels, benefits, and fees are featured on the organization's website, along with sponsorship opportunities, a membership directory, and highlights of composers from its member directory. Its code of conduct, a private member area, and contacts are posted.
https://www.theawfc.org/
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers
The professional organization of songwriters, composers, and music publishers was founded and is governed by its members. ASCAP licenses more than seventeen million ASCAP songs and scores to the businesses that play them publicly and then sends the money to its members as royalties. It also advocates for its members. The benefits of membership are related, private logins for members and music users are available, and its payment program is defined. Contacts are posted.
https://www.ascap.com/
British Music Industry (BPI) Limited, trading as British Phonographic Industry (BPI), is the British recorded music industry's trade association. Established in 1973, BPI runs the BRIT Awards, is home to the Mercury Prize, co-owns the Official Charts Company with the Entertainment Retailers Association, and awards UK music sales through the BRIT Certified Awards. Its membership includes hundreds of music companies and over 500 independent record labels and small to medium-sized businesses.
https://www.bpi.co.uk/
Country Music Association of Australia
Founded in 1992, the CMAA promotes and represents the Australian country music industry. Its activities include organization, promotion, and staging of the CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia, CMAA Australian College of Country Music, CMAA College Graduation Concert, CMAA Australian Country Music Achiever Awards, CMAA Golden Guitar Winners' Concerts, and the CMAA Australian National Bluegrass Championship. Membership information, the Academy, awards, and a gig guide are featured.
https://www.country.com.au/
Previously known as the North American Folk Music and Dance Alliance, the FAI is a non-profit organization that produces an annual conference that is the world's largest gathering of the folk music industry and community. Founded in 1989, FAI is an advocacy, professional development, and networking organization, and one of the five largest music conferences in North America. Members include record companies, publishers, presenters, agents, managers, and artists.
https://www.folk.org/
Institute of Musical Instrument Technology
The Institute of Musical Instrument Technology (IMIT) is a British organization that represents professionals in the musical instrument industry. You can also find out about the topics covered in the latest issue of the Institute's Journal here. The education section of the website provides details on music education programs across the United Kingdom. Membership information, IMIT publications, IMIT officers, a list of members, and contact details are set forth.
https://www.imit.org.uk/
International Artist Managers' Association
The International Artist Managers' Association (IAMA) is an organisation for those who manage classical music artists. The website also features a special section dedicated to young international performers, making it easy to keep track of new talent. The website also has a jobs section where you can look for work and advertise your availability. Membership levels, options, and profiles are outlined, along with details on conferences, events, and contact information.
https://www.iamaworld.com/
Just Plain Folks Music Organization
JPF is a website and community founded by Brian Austin Whitney in 1985 with the intention of helping anyone involved in the music industry to network, share experiences, build relationships, and grow. It lists several local chapters, with members in every U.S. state and over a hundred countries. It includes a forum powered by UBB, including a mentor questions forum moderated by experienced contributors and JPF leadership. Membership is free, although contributions are solicited.
https://www.jpfolks.com/
Formed around 2012, MCNA is a continental alliance of independent American and Canadian songwriter and composer organizations that advocates for and educates on behalf of North American music creators, and partners with related alliances and networks worldwide. The organization is also a member organization of broader copyright and creator coalitions, such as the Copyright Alliance. Membership information, a membership list, policy positions, and contacts are posted.
https://www.musiccreatorsna.org/
Nashville Songwriters Association
The not-for-profit trade organization works to help songwriters through legislative advocacy, education, and advice on the actual craft of songwriting, as well as by teaching about the music industry and how to position a song for success within it. Established in 1967, the organization is the world's largest not-for-profit songwriters trade association, with members throughout the United States and six other countries. Member levels and services are featured.
https://www.nashvillesongwriters.com/
Serge Koussevitzky Music Foundation
Housed in the Library of Congress, the Koussevitzky Music Foundation is an organization that supports new music, commissions, and grants with a focus on commissioning and promoting contemporary composers. It is named for a Russian conductor and composer (1874-1951). Application guidelines and details on how to apply are included on its website, along with deadlines, news and announcements, and information about recent grants and past commissions, application forms, its mission, and contacts.
https://www.koussevitzky.org/
Silkroad is a non-profit music and arts organization that creates music to "engage difference," promote cultural collaboration, and deliver arts education for a more hopeful and inclusive world. Its website highlights the organization's key programs and projects, such as "American Railroad" and "Silkroad Ensemble," which are featured here. Other resources include recordings, media, downloadable educational materials, live events, memberships, and contact data.
https://www.silkroad.org/
Founded in 1931, the SGA is a US-based organization designed to advance, promote, and benefit the profession of songwriters. Initially named the Songwriters Protective Association, the organization became the American Guild of Authors and Composers in 1958, taking its current name in the 1980s. Member services include copyright help, licensing assistance, royalty recovery, contract resources, and networking opportunities for professional and developing songwriters.
https://www.songwritersguild.com/
Southeast Regional Folk Alliance
SERFA is the Southeastern regional affiliate of Folk Alliance International that supports and advances folk and roots music across the southeastern United States. The non-profit organization fosters networking, professional development, and community for artists, presenters, venues, festivals, industry professionals, and music fans. Its flagship event is the SERFA Conference, a multi-day gathering of performers, presenters, DJs, writers, managers, and others.
https://www.serfa.org/
