The Ultimate Pump-Up Songs Playlist for Nonprofits

By Allison Gauss

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The work of social impact organizations is often serious, difficult, and even heart-wrenching. But it can also be fun and joyful. Music is one of the best medicines, no matter what your mood or cause sector. That’s why we put together a playlist of pump-up songs for nonprofit professionals, to keep them going when the times get tough.

To get a sense for what nonprofit pros are listening to, we reached out to them on social media to get their favorite tunes. We asked what inspiring and motivating songs keep them going through the good times and the bad.

Pop, Rock, R&B, and More

We received responses from all over the musical landscape.

Electric Love- @bornsmusic #NPsongs https://t.co/drxpYZS91m
— Ashley C. Garcia (@AshCorrinn) April 21, 2016

@classy Are you kidding? I could name hundreds! Let's start with "Thunderstruck" by @acdc 🙂 #npsongs pic.twitter.com/pQ4KlVIhaU
— Jay Ferro (@jayferro) April 28, 2016

@classy Because fundraising is so sweet, two of our favs are Sugar by Maroon 5 and Chocolate by 1975! @PlentyCo
— Jeff Shuck (@jeffshuck) April 28, 2016

.@classy Yaaaass! How about some songs by our amazing ambassadors - Dance All Night by @dirtyheads and Turn it Around by @ilovelucius 🎧💚
— OxfamAmerica (@OxfamAmerica) April 29, 2016

@classy @gwencolwell "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" by McFadden & Whitehead, "The Only Way Is Up" by Otis Clay
— Kurt B Reighley (@kurtbreighley) April 29, 2016

I am partial to Are You Gonna Be My Girl? by Jet. #NPSongs https://t.co/ozeRbkQtKW https://t.co/PAPeGqsb8I
— Kristina Leroux (@kristinaleroux) April 22, 2016

https://twitter.com/norielleaurelio/status/723607121086947328

Feeling Good, Dreaming Big

Unsurprisingly, many nonprofit professionals listen to inspiring tunes to pump them up.

https://twitter.com/Jackie_Roshan/status/723566532383612930 https://twitter.com/Jackie_Roshan/status/723568884436099072

@classy @melindagates our favorite is Journey, Don't stop believing! As a #nonprofit, you must believe you can make a difference! #NPsongs
— Water1st (@Water1st) April 22, 2016

too many #NPsongs @classy! #eyeofthetiger John Lennon's #imagine U2's #beautifulday Queen's #wearethechampion Peter Gabriel's #dontgiveup
— HyeSook Chung (@HyeSookChung) April 22, 2016

Made for the Movies

We also learned that nonprofits LOVE a good movie soundtrack.

@classy the Braveheart theme song. The soaring notes always make me want to go out and raise money. Good for rejections too.
— Vu Le (@NonprofitAF) April 23, 2016

@classy that's easy... Hearts on fire (rocky IV)!
— Jacob Lief (@Ubuntujakes) April 22, 2016

@classy our office also just listens to the soundtrack from Rudy on repeat. #underdogs
— Chase Jones (@chasejns) April 22, 2016

And we’re all missing the purple one…

@classy in honor of the musical genius himself - 'I Wanna Be Your Lover' #RIPPrince
— Chase Jones (@chasejns) April 22, 2016

The folks at VolunteerMatch suggested “Mountains” and “1999” by Prince. In fact, they sent us a whole list of their favorites!

@classy Sure! We sent out a Friday challenge to our office, asking for their top picks. Here's what they said. https://t.co/y7QktMI7uM
— VolunteerMatch (@VolunteerMatch) April 29, 2016

So whether you’re ready to celebrate a win, get down and dirty in the trenches, or need a pick-me-up on a rough day, crank the Ultimate Pump-up Songs Playlist for Nonprofits!