Music licensing isn’t optional for non-profits. Despite your charitable status, using music without proper permission can result in hefty fines and legal headaches. Many organizations make costly mistakes by assuming exemptions that don’t exist.
This guide breaks down the essential rules for legally incorporating music into your nonprofit’s events, videos, and everyday operations, helping protect your organization while respecting artists’ rights.
Why do Non-profit Organizations Need Music?
Non-profit organizations incorporate music into virtually every aspect of their operations and outreach efforts, often as a critical component of their communications strategy. Music serves multiple essential functions that directly impact a non-profit’s effectiveness in fulfilling its mission.
Non-profit organizations incorporate music into their operations and outreach for numerous strategic reasons:
Emotional connection in promotional materials
Music creates immediate resonance in videos showcasing your mission, guiding viewers through emotional journeys that increase engagement and response.
Atmosphere at fundraising events
The right soundtrack at galas, auctions, and benefit concerts sets the tone that encourages generosity. Research shows environmental factors like music can significantly influence giving behavior.
Enhanced advocacy campaigns
Music helps simplify complex issues and makes messages more memorable, allowing your cause to connect with audiences beyond facts and statistics.
Community-building tool
Music creates shared experiences among program participants, breaking down barriers and facilitating connections across diverse populations.
Increased digital engagement
Content with appropriate music receives higher view counts, longer watch times, and more shares than silent content: critical metrics for resource-constrained organizations.
Brand identity reinforcement
Consistent musical themes across different materials create recognition even before words are spoken, helping establish a professional presence.
Welcoming physical environments
Background music in offices, thrift stores, or service centers creates comfortable atmospheres for clients, volunteers, and staff.
How to License Music for My Non-Profit?
Licensing music for your non-profit organization involves several straightforward options tailored to different needs and budgets:
Contact Performance Rights Organizations (PROs)
Obtain blanket licenses from ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC to cover public performances of music. These organizations represent different music catalogs, so that you may need permits from multiple PROs. Annual fees typically range from $300 to $2,000 based on your organization’s size, facility square footage, and how you use music.
Business music streaming services
Services like SiriusXM for Business, Mood Media, or CloudCover offer legal streaming options specifically designed for public spaces, with licensing fees included in their subscription costs ($16-$40 monthly).
Royalty-free music platforms
Single-use licenses for videos
Platforms like Musicbed offer specific non-profit licensing options for individual songs used in promotional videos. These typically cost $50-$300 per song, with reduced rates for registered 501(c)(3) organizations with fewer than 50 employees.
Mechanical and synchronization licenses
For music reproduction (like on CDs) or pairing music with visual media, contact music publishers directly or use services like Easy Song Licensing or the Harry Fox Agency to secure proper permissions.
Creative Commons music
Some composers offer their music under Creative Commons licenses for free under specific conditions. Platforms like Free Music Archive and ccMixter host these tracks, but carefully check the exact license terms.
Public domain music
Works where copyright has expired (generally 70+ years after the creator’s death) can be used freely. Sources include MusOpen and the Library of Congress.
Custom music creation
Commission original compositions from local musicians, music students, or production houses. This provides unique music tailored to your needs with clear copyright ownership established through proper contracts.
Remember that different uses (background music, online videos, events) may require different types of licenses, so assess your needs comprehensively to ensure complete compliance.
What Qualifies as Fair Use?
Fair use is a limited exception to copyright protection that allows the use of copyrighted works without permission in specific circumstances. For non-profits, understanding these limitations is crucial:
The four-factor test: Courts evaluate fair use based on:
Common misconceptions: Non-profits often incorrectly assume these scenarios qualify as fair use:
Limited educational exemptions: Specific exemptions exist for teaching activities in non-profit educational institutions, but these don’t extend to general non-profit organizations. Even educational non-profits must use music within classroom contexts for these exemptions to apply.
Given music’s creative nature and the availability of reasonable licensing options, fair use defenses for music in non-profit contexts rarely succeed in court. The financial and reputational risks of relying on fair use typically outweigh the costs of proper licensing.
What Happens if Non-profit Organizations Use Copyrighted Music?
Non-profit organizations face several consequences when using copyrighted music without proper licensing:
The enforcement approach typically begins with notification letters rather than immediate lawsuits, but ignoring these communications often escalates the situation. PROs have successfully litigated against many non-profits, setting precedents establishing their right to collect licensing fees regardless of an organization’s tax status.
Where Can Non-profits Get Royalty-free Music?
Non-profit organizations have several excellent options for accessing royalty-free music without risking copyright infringement:
How Beatoven.ai Works?
Beatoven.ai uses artificial intelligence to generate unique, customizable music tracks based on your specific needs. Simply type a description of the music you’re looking for (e.g., “inspiring orchestral piece with gentle piano”), and the AI generates a unique track matching your description.
Each downloaded track has a license delivered directly to your inbox, documenting your rights to use the music in your content.
The platform has served over 1.5 million creators who have generated over 6 million tracks, making it particularly valuable for nonprofits needing specific emotional tones for different projects.
Beatoven.ai is a fairly trained, certified AI music generator that ensures ethical practices regarding musician compensation, aligning with many non-profits’ values-based approaches.
Whether you need background music for videos, podcast intros, event soundtracks, or social media content, AI-generated music provides a legal, affordable, and customizable solution that helps nonprofits communicate their message effectively while respecting copyright laws.
Start using Beatoven.ai for free!
FAQs
Can I use copyrighted music if I’m not making money?
No. Non-profit status doesn’t exempt you from copyright laws. The absence of profit doesn’t qualify as fair use. Copyright holders have the exclusive right to control how their music is used, regardless of whether money changes hands. Proper licensing is still required.
How much is a song licensing fee?
Fees vary widely by usage type. PRO blanket licenses cost $300-$2,000 annually. Single-use video licenses range from $50 to $300 per song. Subscription services offer unlimited access for $15-$40 monthly. Special non-profit rates are often available, so always ask about discounts.
How do I start licensing music?
First, identify how you use music. Then, determine the license types needed (performance, synchronization, mechanical). Consider budget-friendly options like royalty-free platforms or Beatoven.ai. For public performances, contact ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. When applying, prepare your 501(c)(3) documentation and usage details.

Sreyashi Chatterjee is a SaaS content marketing consultant. When she is not writing or thinking about writing, she is watching Netflix or reading a thriller novel while sipping coffee.