High Impact Philanthropy: Tim Wakefield Of Soundwaves Art Foundation On How To Leave A Lasting Legacy With A Successful & Effective Nonprofit Organization
An Interview with Karen Mangia
Look at the bigger picture. Keep the long-term goals in mind. This perspective helps navigate the ups and downs of running a nonprofit. Focusing on the ultimate impact rather than immediate obstacles ensures that your organization remains on the right path and makes strategic decisions that contribute to lasting change.
For someone who wants to set aside money to establish a Philanthropic Foundation or Fund, what does it take to make sure your resources are being impactful and truly effective? In this interview series, called “How To Create Philanthropy That Leaves a Lasting Legacy” we are visiting with founders and leaders of Philanthropic Foundations, Charitable Organizations, and Non-Profit Organizations, to talk about the steps they took to create sustainable success.
As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Tim Wakefield, Founder of Soundwaves Art Foundation.
Tim Wakefield founded the Soundwaves Art project in London in 2007 to raise funds for the UK’s leading music therapy charity. The project began by transforming digital sound waves from recording studios into unique, customized artworks, with the initial aim of engaging a few well-known musicians.
Seventeen years later, Tim has collaborated with over 700 of the world’s most celebrated recording artists, raising over $11 million for various charitable causes. By incorporating artists’ signatures into his prints and originals, funds have been directed towards initiatives supporting child refugees, mental health services for musicians, and hunger and homelessness charities. Soundwaves Art has shipped artwork to over 100 countries worldwide.
“The reaction from musicians seeing their recordings turned into artworks just led to more and more wanting to take part, so I decided to let it take its own course,” says Tim.
Musicians involved include legends like Keith Richards, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tina Turner, Dolly Parton, Nile Rodgers, Billie Eilish, Coldplay, The Cure, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Eric Clapton.
In 2014, Tim moved to the United States to expand Soundwaves’ efforts and establish a foundation. “Soundwaves has been a remarkable journey, growing organically from a small fundraising initiative to what it is today. We’re proud that everything we create is done in-house, from the artwork to the printing and framing.” Soundwaves Art now operates studios in Lockhart, Texas, and London.
Thank you for making time to visit with us about a ‘top of mind’ topic. Our readers would like to get to know you a bit better. Can you please tell us about one or two life experiences that most shaped who you are today?
I left school at 16 and never trained as an artist. I guess you could say I sort of bumbled my way through life for a while. I’ve had ADHD for as long as I can remember but was officially diagnosed as an adult. School was tough, and I was terrible at test-taking.
About 30 years ago, I discovered celebrity fundraising. As a die-hard music fan, I knew I wanted to do something with music. I came up with the idea of manipulating soundwaves from a recording studio into art pieces and selling them. Initially, I created a few pieces of art from London artists for a music therapy charity, and the musicians loved it. This marked my transition from fundraiser to artist overnight. The first band I worked with was Coldplay. I took samples to their studio and blocked the driveway with my huge truck. A guy riding on a bike heading to where I was had to lift his bike over my car just to get through. Not knowing who he was, I asked if he knew if this was Coldplay’s studio, and he said yes. It turned out to be Chris Martin. Needless to say, I was mortified.
Three months later, while on holiday in Austin, I received a text saying the guys in Coldplay loved the artwork and wanted to sign it. They ended up signing a bunch of prints. After that, artists like George Michael, Robert Smith from The Cure, and all the members of Pink Floyd came on board. Seventeen years later, we’ve worked with over 700 artists, created art from over 1,000 songs, and raised over $11 million for causes that musicians are passionate about. Each day I wake up feeling grateful that I get to do this for one more day.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? We would love to hear a few stories or examples.
Stubbornness and Passion: When starting something unprecedented, many people, including friends and family, may question your choices, asking, “Really? You’re going to risk everything to do this?” To prove that something can work, you need a certain level of stubbornness. You must tune out the noise. When you see the money coming in and your mission succeeding, your passion intensifies.
Selflessness and Understanding: Becoming a parent was the most life-changing experience for me. It shifted my perspective from living solely for myself to considering someone else’s future. This experience profoundly helped me understand the essence of fundraising — living for a cause greater than oneself.
Determination and Empowerment: Determination is crucial. Throughout my career, I’ve spoken to children with ADHD, telling them, “You have a gift.” I never heard that as a child, so I ensure to relay this message whenever possible. I encourage them to find their passion and pursue it wholeheartedly.
What’s the most interesting discovery you’ve made since you started leading your organization?
I’ve worked with many celebrities, and I’ve discovered that creatives and artists are deeply in touch with what’s important. They’re incredibly philanthropic. When we started, we assumed musicians would sign one print and be done with it. To my surprise, some artists have signed multiple prints, showing a level of commitment I hadn’t expected. What we thought would be a short project has become my life, thanks to their generosity and dedication.
One example, we collaborated with P!nk on some prints, which turned out to be so successful that I was invited to join her on The Kelly Clarkson Show. It was an incredible experience and a career highlight. P!nk helps raise money for feeding children in underprivileged American schools, an extremely admirable commitment. I’m deeply grateful for people like her who go above and beyond to support our cause. Their passion and generosity have been truly inspiring and instrumental in our success.
What makes you feel passionate about this cause more than any other?
Meeting people who share your vision and care about making positive change is incredibly inspiring. From colleagues to partner organizations, I am grateful for the dedication to making the world a better place, no matter the scale. This collective commitment is a constant source of motivation and reinforces the importance of our mission.
We’re currently working on a project for International Day of the Girl, which we’re so incredibly excited to have support for from Canon U.S.A., Inc. Learning about their Kyosei philosophy, which emphasizes living and working together for the common good, I know they understand our vision and align with our dedication to helping people. It’s hopeful to know there are powerful individuals and companies committed to creating change.
Support from community-minded organizations like Canon U.S.A., Inc. allows us to increase our resources while enhancing visibility and reach of our philanthropic work.
At Soundwaves Art, the passion of others truly fuels our passion. Seeing the impact we can make and knowing we are supported by like-minded partners makes every effort worthwhile. If we can change lives around the world, everything we’re doing is worth it.
Without naming names, could you share a story about an individual who benefitted from your initiatives?
Since we create art to fundraise, our job essentially ends when we donate money. For instance, last year, we donated $750K to child refugee organizations. We know exactly what those dollars will do and where they will go. They’re not going to high-level executives running the charity.
Our incentive is to increase that impact. If we find a cause where we can make a difference, we pursue it, like with International Day of the Girl. We’re confident it will be a huge success. This is sustainable, and we can do it again and again. The more musicians that join us, the more awareness and opportunities we will create for future musicians to participate.
We all want to help and to live a life of purpose. What are three actions anyone could take to help address the root cause of the problem you’re trying to solve?
The ability to make a difference depends on individual circumstances. However, every day offers numerous opportunities to do the right thing and help someone else. This could be as simple as holding open a door or being kind to yourself. We live in a world where people are often wrapped up in their own lives, partly due to social media. In my experience, there’s more satisfaction in doing something for someone else without expecting a reward.
Quiet acts of kindness are extremely fulfilling when you take your own interests out of the picture. Don’t judge people by appearances. Give them a chance, and you might find they have an interesting story or are not much different from you. Be more understanding of others’ lives and positions before judging them. The younger generation is doing a better job at this, growing up in a different world. I do think the world is getting better in some areas and will continue to improve.
Based on your experience, what are the “5 Things You Need To Create A Successful & Effective Nonprofit That Leaves A Lasting Legacy?”
Having a team that shares your belief. This is crucial. Find a team proud of where your donations go. When everyone is aligned with the mission, it fosters a sense of unity and purpose that drives the organization forward. This shared belief creates a strong foundation for tackling challenges together. Additionally, choosing organizations and celebrities that align with your mission is critical when vetting potential partners.
Look at the bigger picture. Keep the long-term goals in mind. This perspective helps navigate the ups and downs of running a nonprofit. Focusing on the ultimate impact rather than immediate obstacles ensures that your organization remains on the right path and makes strategic decisions that contribute to lasting change.
Transparency and honesty. These are interchangeable. Be clear about your mission and where your money goes. Our reputation is built on transparency and honesty. Donors and partners are more likely to trust and support an organization that openly shares its processes, successes, and challenges. This trust is essential for building long-term relationships and sustaining support.
Clearly define your mission. Everyone involved should understand and support it. A well-defined mission provides direction and clarity for all stakeholders, ensuring that every action taken aligns with the organization’s core purpose. This common understanding helps maintain focus and drives collective efforts towards achieving meaningful outcomes.
Perseverance. Just keep going, despite setbacks. Challenges are inevitable in any endeavor, especially in the nonprofit sector. Perseverance is key to overcoming these obstacles and continuing to push forward. The ability to stay committed to the cause, even in the face of adversity, is what ultimately leads to success and a lasting legacy.
How has the pandemic changed your definition of success?
Before the pandemic, we signed backstage at festivals, arenas, and management offices. When the pandemic hit, I thought we were finished. None of those events were taking place, and it seemed like our primary method of fundraising had come to a halt. Someone on my team suggested asking musicians to sign at home. Initially, I was skeptical about whether this would work. However, to my surprise, we doubled our fundraising in the first year of the pandemic.
Despite the fear and uncertainty, many musicians were still prepared to help. Their willingness to adapt and continue supporting our cause was incredibly inspiring and demonstrated the resilience and commitment of our community. This unexpected success not only kept our mission alive but also strengthened our belief in the power of collective effort.
How do you get inspired after an inevitable setback?
Experience. In my career, setbacks are far outweighed by successes. They’re inevitable, but you have to take control and move on. Each setback is a learning opportunity that contributes to long-term growth. In the first 15 years, I often heard that I couldn’t do it. If I knew then what I know now, I would’ve blocked out the noise more easily. The challenges and doubts I faced have shaped my resilience and determination. Success isn’t as meaningful if it comes too easily. Overcoming obstacles and proving naysayers wrong has made every achievement feel truly earned and more rewarding. This perspective keeps me motivated and inspired to keep pushing forward, no matter what challenges arise.
We are very blessed that very prominent leaders read this column. Is there a person in the world who you would like to talk to, to share the idea behind your non-profit? He, she, or they might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
Perhaps not quite the expected answer, the person I love talking to and am most excited to share my ideas and successes with is my mother. She’s an incredible woman with an incredible story, continuously inspiring me. She was a doctor when women weren’t commonly in such positions. She went to medical school after World War II in a class of three girls and 200 guys. Despite the unfair treatment, she persisted. She started one of the first hospice centers in the U.K. and traveled the world doing eye operations in her spare time.
Whenever I face a decision, I think about what my parents would do because they were true benchmarks in their lives. They’re the best people I’ve ever known. I’m very grateful to say my mother is still with us, and I’m incredibly proud she has lived to see Soundwaves Art become what it is. She is exactly why initiatives like International Day of the Girl are important.
You’re doing important work. How can our readers follow your progress online?
The best way to stay in the loop with Soundwaves Art Foundation is to sign up for our weekly newsletter, delivered directly to your inbox. Our 40,000 subscribers receive exclusive updates on new releases, auctions, and special announcements, along with early information about upcoming collaborations and events. Subscribe to get first dibs on artwork before it goes public, ensuring you never miss out on our latest offerings! You can sign up at the bottom of our website — www.soundwaves art foundation.com.
Readers can also follow us on social media.
Instagram — @soundwaves_art
X — @soundwaves_art
Facebook — Soundwaves Art Foundation
Website — Soundwaves Art Foundation Website
Thank you for a meaningful conversation. We wish you continued success with your mission.
About The Interviewer: Karen Mangia is one of the most sought-after keynote speakers in the world, sharing her thought leadership with over 10,000 organizations during the course of her career. As Vice President of Customer and Market Insights at Salesforce, she helps individuals and organizations define, design and deliver the future. Discover her proven strategies to access your own success in her fourth book Success from Anywhere and by connecting with her on LinkedIn and Twitter.
High Impact Philanthropy: Tim Wakefield Of Soundwaves Art Foundation On How To Leave A Lasting… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.