Helping The music community
Grow & Thrive
in Cleveland, Ohio
Here are some highlights from a busy 2025:
We allocated over $65,000 in direct funding to 220+ local musicians, empowering them with official contracts and giving them the resources they need to create, perform, and thrive.
We brought live, original music to over 160,000 virtual and live audiences across our city.
We organized 45+ events in 2025, including free community concerts, workshops, songwriter showcases, mental health discussions,
a street-wide music festival, and more.We provided on-site resources and booking opportunities to musicians at major festivals and events and expanded our community partnerships and outreach, collaborating with Cleveland’s best art, music and film festivals, independent venues, small businesses, and more.
Our Music Incubator program thrived with 7 participants in 2025 – with some artists experiencing career highs such as embarking on regional and coastal tours, signing with independent record labels, winning prestigious awards, securing gigs on the main stage at major festivals, and more.
CR:PPF partnered with D-Tour, Live Music Society, and One Night Live to produce an 11-date regional tour in November for Music Incubator alumni Kid Tigrrr.
If you celebrate live music, or love someone who does, now is the time to support your local music community.
Sat, November 7, 2026
Live Local Entertainment
Raffles & Auction
Catered Dinner & Drinks
Community, Vision & Purpose
Transatlantic Stars: 2027 Cohort
Apply Now thru November 15, 2026
Developed in partnership with local host Cleveland Rocks: Past, Present, Future, the initiative aims to expand Transatlantic Stars’ U.S. footprint. Five selected European artists will work closely with five American peers through co-writing, studio sessions, professional development, and engagement with the local music ecosystem.
CLEVELAND IS A MUSIC CITY
Creating opportunities to connect musicians and community.
LOOKING AHEAD
SAT, NOV. 7
ROCK SOLID GALA 2026
Get Tickets
SUN, DEC. 20
WINTERLOO ON WATERLOO
Win 2 Tickets to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction!
Rock Solid Premium Auction Offering
In advance of our fall fundraising gala, Rock Solid, on November 7th, we are opening up bidding for a premium music experience for all music lovers!
You could be in LA for the 2026 Rock Hall Induction Ceremony next month! Thanks to the generosity of our event board chair Jerry Mizer, we are pleased to announce we are auctioning off two tickets (valued at $1,200/pair) for the big night on November 14th! Secure your seats for a life changing experience!
2026 Music Incubator Class
CR:PPF’s Music Incubator Program connects local artists with project-based microloans, mentorship, networking, workshops, professional development, and performance opportunities.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Check out our Local Resource Guide. More than 200+ local resources for musicians!
Play a 2×4 Songwriter Showcase. Held monthly – 4 artists, 2 songs each.
Cleveland Rocks Shop
Open Fri and Sun, 12-4pm!
Located at 15801 Waterloo Rd. in the Waterloo Arts District, the Cleveland Rocks Shop is Cleveland Rocks:PPF’s all local music and merch retail store and community gathering space. Learn more.
EARN MORE MONEY / Sell your Music and Merch in our retail store
HOST AN EVENT / Release and Listening Parties, Open Mics, Jams, & more
ATTEND AN EVENT / Monthly Workshops and 2x4 Songwriter Showcases
Programs and Initiatives
Music Incubator Program
The Music Incubator program offers low-interest loans to artists to help fund creative projects.
Soul City Cleveland
A culturally responsive community arts pilot that connects youth to elder Black artists.
Livestreams
Cleveland Rocks: PPF is capturing Cleveland music history. Check out our archive of live event streams.
MERCH WITH A MISSION
Music HEADLINES in Northeast Ohio

From R.E.M. to Cleveland Christmas Songs: The Many Musical Lives of Don Dixon


Keeping the history of Rock ‘n’ Roll alive means getting help from Clevelanders

Cleveland Rocks: Past Present Future Announces Its Fourth Group of Incubator Artists

Cleveland’s Independent Music and Comedy Venues Drive $742.5 Million in Economic Impact, New Study Finds

Cleveland Rocks nonprofit brings Winterloo festival to Waterloo Arts District

Lakewood producer Nate Saggio helps Cleveland artists find their sound

