Form 990 for tax year 2024

Totals

Total revenue

$1,686,191

Total expenses

$1,255,118

Contributions and grants received

$1,008,320

Grants paid

$1,362

Program service revenue

$644,898

Investment income

$575

Other revenue

$32,398

Total assets, end of year

$2,327,327

Total liabilities, end of year

$12,573

Net assets or fund balances, end of year

$2,314,754

Program services expenses (Part IX)

$798,033

Management and general expenses

$292,006

Fundraising expenses

$165,079

Program service expenses (Part III)

$798,033

Program services were 63.6% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Mission and programs · 2024

• BEATS BEHIND THE WALL BRINGS THE DAVID'S HARP FOUNDATION'S RELATIONSHIP-CENTERED CREATIVE PROGRAMMING INTO JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITIES, OFFERING JUSTICE-INVOLVED YOUTH AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE IN MUSIC PRODUCTION, SELF-EXPRESSION, AND SKILL-BUILDING WHILE INCARCERATED. THROUGH SIX-WEEK MODULES, PARTICIPANTS LEARN CRITICAL LISTENING, SONGWRITING, AND AUDIO ENGINEERING USING INDUSTRY-STANDARD TOOLS AND WORKFLOWS. EACH SESSION IS LED BY TDHF ARTIST MENTORS WHO ARE TRAINED NOT ONLY IN THE TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF MUSIC PRODUCTION BUT ALSO IN HEALING-CENTERED MENTORSHIP. THESE MENTORS BUILD AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUTH, HELPING THEM PROCESS COMPLEX EMOTIONS THROUGH CREATIVITY WHILE INTRODUCING THEM TO PRACTICAL SKILLS THAT TRANSLATE INTO FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES. SELECT STUDENTS WHO DEMONSTRATE COMMITMENT AND GROWTH EARN OFFSITE STUDIO EXPERIENCES--SPECIAL VISITS TO TDHF'S DOWNTOWN PRODUCTION FACILITY THAT SERVE AS BOTH INCENTIVE AND INSPIRATION. YOUTH WHO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM ARE INVITED TO CONTINUE THEIR JOURNEY UPON RELEASE THROUGH PAID INTERNSHIPS AND EMPLOYMENT IN TDHF'S BIZ POD PROGRAM, WHERE THEY CAN FURTHER DEVELOP THEIR TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS.

  Expenses $199,508 · Grants $47 · Revenue $239,557

• THE STUDENT STUDIO PROGRAM IS THE HEART OF THE DAVID'S HARP FOUNDATION, OFFERING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS A SAFE, CREATIVE, AND RELATIONSHIP-CENTERED SPACE TO GROW THROUGH MUSIC AND MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTION. THE PROGRAM OPERATES AFTER SCHOOL IN SIX-WEEK PROJECT-BASED LEARNING CYCLES, WHERE STUDENTS EXPLORE SONGWRITING, AUDIO ENGINEERING, VIDEO PRODUCTION, AND DIGITAL STORYTELLING USING INDUSTRY-STANDARD EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE. ARTIST MENTORS--SOME OF WHOM ARE PROGRAM GRADUATES--GUIDE STUDENTS THROUGH THE CREATIVE PROCESS WHILE BUILDING TRUST AND OFFERING HOLISTIC SUPPORT. THESE MENTORS ACT AS CONSISTENT, CARING ADULTS WHO HELP YOUTH NAVIGATE CHALLENGES BOTH IN AND OUT OF THE STUDIO. THE PROGRAM ALSO INTEGRATES ACADEMIC SUPPORT, ALLOWING STUDENTS TO WORK TOWARD PERSONAL EDUCATIONAL GOALS WHILE ENGAGING IN CREATIVE WORK. A KEY FEATURE OF THE PROGRAM IS ITS INCENTIVE STRUCTURE: STUDENTS EARN ADDITIONAL STUDIO TIME, RECORDING OPPORTUNITIES, AND GEAR ACCESS IN EXCHANGE FOR IMPROVING THEIR GRADES OR ACHIEVING OTHER MILESTONES. THIS UNIQUE SYSTEM USES CREATIVITY AS MOTIVATION, HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE RE-ENGAGE WITH THEIR EDUCATION IN A MEANINGFUL WAY. THE STUDENT STUDIO PROGRAM SERVES AS A FOUNDATION FOR FURTHER INVOLVEMENT IN TDHF'S WORKFORCE INITIATIVES. STUDENTS WHO DEMONSTRATE DEDICATION AND GROWTH MAY TRANSITION INTO THE BIZ POD PROGRAM, WHERE THEY ARE PAID TO PRODUCE CONTENT PROFESSIONALLY. BY BLENDING ARTISTIC EXPLORATION, ACADEMIC SUPPORT, AND MENTORSHIP, THE STUDENT STUDIO PROGRAM HELPS YOUTH BUILD CONFIDENCE, DEVELOP TRANSFERABLE SKILLS, AND CONNECT WITH A SUPPORTIVE CREATIVE COMMUNITY.

  Expenses $159,607 · Grants $800 · Revenue $26,920

• THE DAVID'S HARP FOUNDATION'S BIZ POD PROGRAM IS A CREATIVE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE DESIGNED FOR TRANSITIONAL-AGED YOUTH (AGES 1624) WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT, OR BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES HANDS-ON TRAINING IN CONTENT CREATION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, EQUIPPING YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO THRIVE IN THE CREATIVE ECONOMY. PARTICIPANTS EARN A LIVABLE WAGE PRODUCING HIGH-QUALITY VIDEO, AUDIO, AND DIGITAL CONTENT FOR PAYING CLIENTS, INCLUDING NATIONAL BRANDS LIKE SONY AND LOCAL PARTNERS SUCH AS THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO. THROUGH THIS PROCESS, YOUTH GAIN ESSENTIAL WORKFORCE SKILLS--PROJECT MANAGEMENT, CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUDGETING, AND COMMUNICATION--WHILE BUILDING A PORTFOLIO OF PROFESSIONAL WORK. EACH PARTICIPANT ALSO HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND COLLEGE CREDIT THROUGH UCSD EXTENSION, REINFORCING BOTH CAREER AND EDUCATIONAL PATHWAYS. THE PROGRAM IS GROUNDED IN MENTORSHIP AND RELATIONSHIP-CENTERED LEARNING. ARTIST MENTORS, MANY OF WHOM ARE PROGRAM ALUMNI, GUIDE YOUTH THROUGH CLIENT PROJECTS AND PERSONAL GROWTH.

  Expenses $159,607 · Grants $500 · Revenue $105,744

• BEATS BEYOND THE WALL IS THE REENTRY COMPONENT OF THE DAVID'S HARP FOUNDATION'S CREATIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT MODEL, SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE AS THEY TRANSITION FROM INCARCERATION BACK INTO THEIR COMMUNITIES. THIS PROGRAM BUILDS ON THE TRUST AND MENTORSHIP FORMED THROUGH BEATS BEHIND THE WALL, CREATING A SEAMLESS PATHWAY FROM DETENTION TO OPPORTUNITY. UPON RELEASE, YOUTH ARE MET BY THE SAME ARTIST MENTORS WHO WORKED WITH THEM INSIDE. THESE MENTORS PROVIDE RELATIONAL SUPPORT AND NAVIGATION THROUGH PROBATION REQUIREMENTS, COURT APPEARANCES, AND REENTRY CHALLENGES--WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY REENGAGING YOUTH IN THEIR CREATIVE PASSIONS. IN COLLABORATION WITH THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION'S JUVENILE COURT AND COMMUNITY SCHOOLS (JCCS), YOUTH ALSO RECONNECT WITH THEIR EDUCATION THROUGH INDEPENDENT STUDY, HOSTED ONSITE AT TDHF'S DOWNTOWN PRODUCTION FACILITY. THIS INTEGRATION OF ACADEMICS AND CREATIVITY GIVES YOUNG PEOPLE A SECOND CHANCE TO EARN THEIR DIPLOMA IN A SETTING THAT FEELS SAFE, ENGAGING, AND RELEVANT.

  Expenses $159,607 · Revenue $239,557

• THE TRANSFORMATION HOUSE, ALSO KNOWN AS THE LAUNCHPAD, WAS CREATED IN RESPONSE TO A CRITICAL NEED OBSERVED WITHIN THE DAVID'S HARP FOUNDATION'S BIZ POD PROGRAM: NEARLY 60% OF PARTICIPATING YOUTH WERE EXPERIENCING SOME FORM OF HOMELESSNESS--SLEEPING ON COUCHES, IN CARS, OR BOUNCING BETWEEN UNSTABLE HOUSING SITUATIONS. TO ADDRESS THIS, TDHF ESTABLISHED A RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM THAT OFFERS BOTH STABILITY AND OPPORTUNITY FOR TRANSITIONAL-AGED YOUTH (1824) WORKING TOWARD INDEPENDENCE. LOCATED IN SOUTHEAST SAN DIEGO--JUST BLOCKS FROM PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND SIX MILES FROM TDHF'S DOWNTOWN PRODUCTION FACILITY--THE LAUNCHPAD PROVIDES A SAFE, SUPPORTIVE LIVING ENVIRONMENT ROOTED IN RELATIONSHIP. AS YOUTH EARN INCOME THROUGH PAID CREATIVE WORK IN THE BIZ POD PROGRAM, THEY CONTRIBUTE $500 PER MONTH TOWARD RENT. THESE PAYMENTS ARE HELD IN AN ESCROW SAVINGS ACCOUNT AND REPORTED TO BUILD THEIR CREDIT. AFTER 12 MONTHS, YOUTH ACCESS THEIR FULL SAVINGS TO COVER FIRST MONTH'S RENT, LAST MONTH'S RENT, AND MOVE-IN EXPENSES FOR THEIR OWN APARTMENT. THE LAUNCHPAD HAS SINCE EXPANDED TO SERVE YOUTH THROUGH MULTIPLE REFERRAL PATHWAYS, INCLUDING THE LESS RESTRICTIVE PLACEMENT (LRP), PROBATION, AND OTHER COMMUNITY PARTNERS. WHILE ALL RESIDENTS PARTICIPATE IN THE SAME WORKFORCE, DEVELOPMENT, MENTORSHIP, LIFE-SKILLS TRAINING, AND STRUCTURED RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMMING, FUNDING MODELS VARY BY REFERRAL SOURCE. YOUTH PLACED THROUGH LRP OR PROBATION RECEIVE SPONSORED HOUSING AND COORDINATED SUPPORT FROM CASE MANAGERS, PROBATION OFFICERS WHEN APPLICABLE, AND TDHF STAFF. THE LAUNCHPAD COMBINES WORKFORCE ENGAGEMENT WITH FINANCIAL LITERACY, BUDGETING, AND DAILY LIFE SKILLS. YOUTH RECEIVE WRAPAROUND MENTORSHIP FROM ARTIST MENTORS, INCLUDING REGULAR CHECK-INS, INDIVIDUALIZED COACHING, AND CONNECTION TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES. THE PROGRAM REFLECTS TDHF'S CORE BELIEF THAT TRANSFORMATION IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH TRUST, CONSISTENCY, AND OPPORTUNITY. BY PAIRING STABLE HOUSING WITH MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT AND RELATIONSHIP-BASED SUPPORT, THE LAUNCHPAD EQUIPS YOUNG PEOPLE NOT ONLY TO EXIT HOMELESSNESS--BUT TO THRIVE AS CREATIVE, INDEPENDENT LEADERS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

  Expenses $55,862 · Grants $15

• STUDIO NIGHTS IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE DAVID'S HARP FOUNDATION AND SAN DIEGO YOUTH SERVICES THAT OFFERS A CONSISTENT, CREATIVE OUTLET FOR YOUTH STAYING IN EMERGENCY SHELTERS. EACH EVENING, IMMEDIATELY AFTER CHECK-IN AT THE TEEN SHELTER, YOUNG PEOPLE ARE TRANSPORTED TO TDHF'S DOWNTOWN RECORDING FACILITY WHERE THEY ARE INVITED INTO A SAFE AND INSPIRING STUDIO SPACE. ONCE IN THE STUDIO, YOUTH ENGAGE IN SONGWRITING, MUSIC PRODUCTION, AND SPOKEN WORD SESSIONS LED BY CARING ARTIST MENTORS. THESE CREATIVE ACTIVITIES ARE NOT ONLY EXPRESSIVE BUT THERAPEUTIC--OFFERING YOUTH A WAY TO PROCESS TRAUMA, EXPLORE IDENTITY, AND FIND THEIR VOICE IN AN ENVIRONMENT OF DIGNITY AND SUPPORT. STUDIO NIGHTS IS INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED TO BUILD TRUST AND RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUTH DURING ONE OF THE MOST VULNERABLE MOMENTS IN THEIR LIVES. FOR MANY, THIS IS THEIR FIRST EXPERIENCE IN A PROFESSIONAL CREATIVE SPACE--AND THEIR FIRST EXPERIENCE BEING SEEN, HEARD, AND VALUED BY ADULTS WHO GENUINELY CARE. AS YOUTH STABILIZE AND TRANSITION INTO LONGER-TERM HOUSING, THEY ARE INVITED TO CONTINUE THEIR CREATIVE JOURNEY THROUGH THE STUDENT STUDIO OR BIZ POD PROGRAMS, ENSURING A CONTINUUM OF OPPORTUNITY AND SUPPORT. STUDIO NIGHTS PROVIDES MORE THAN MUSIC--IT OFFERS CONSISTENCY, CONNECTION, AND HOPE THROUGH CREATIVITY.

  Expenses $39,902 · Revenue $33,120

• THE DIGITAL ARTS PROGRAM AT THE DAVID'S HARP FOUNDATION EQUIPS YOUTH WITH TOOLS TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES VISUALLY WHILE BUILDING SKILLS FOR THE CREATIVE ECONOMY. DESIGNED FOR BOTH COMMUNITY-BASED AND INCARCERATED SETTINGS, THIS 12-WEEK PROGRAM BLENDS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WITH PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION, HELPING YOUTH CREATE PORTFOLIOS THAT REFLECT BOTH TECHNICAL SKILL AND PERSONAL GROWTH. YOUTH USE IPAD PRO SOFTWARE INTRODUCING ESSENTIAL SOFTWARE TOOLS WHILE CREATING SPACE FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION AND CREATIVE EXPLORATION THROUGH PROJECTS LIKE TAKING AND TRACING A PHOTO OF THEMSELVES, REIMAGINING THEIR IDENTITY THROUGH DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION. YOUTH APPLY WHAT THEY'VE LEARNED TO COMPLETE A MENTOR-ASSIGNED STICKER DESIGN. THIS SHIFT FROM PERSONAL TO PROFESSIONAL REINFORCES DEADLINES, QUALITY STANDARDS, AND THE ABILITY TO EXECUTE ON EXTERNAL DIRECTION--ESSENTIAL FOR SUCCESS IN CREATIVE WORK ENVIRONMENTS. THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM, ARTIST MENTORS PROVIDE CONSISTENT GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT. YOUTH NOT ONLY BUILD A CREATIVE RESUME, THEY ALSO LEARN HOW TO CHANNEL COMPLEX EMOTIONS INTO ART, DEVELOP A SENSE OF IDENTITY, AND TAKE STEPS TOWARD MEANINGFUL CAREER PATHWAYS IN THE VISUAL ARTS.

  Expenses $23,940

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

• BRANDON STEPPE

  FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $118,124

  From this org

  $118,124

  From related orgs

  $0

  Other

  $0

  Hours/week

  45

• GENEVIEVE JONES-WRIGHT

  BOARD CHAIR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  0.5

• BRINTON MILLER

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  0.5

• DANIEL GUILLEN

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  0.5

• MARIA KECKLER

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  0.5

• PAUL DEVERMANN

  BOARD TREASURER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  0.5

• CAROLYN KONECKI

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  0.5

• ADRIAN RODRIGUEZ-CANTERO

  COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAG

  Total calculated

  $29,535

  From this org

  $29,535

  From related orgs

  $0

  Other

  $0

  Hours/week

  40

• BARRY CUNNINGHAM

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  0.5

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Provenance

Return type

form_990

Tax year

2024

Filed

14 July 2026

IRS schema version

2024v5.5

Source object

202611969349300131

Check it against the return as filed: the GivingTuesday Data Lake hosts a public copy of the original XML.

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