When Up with People closed its touring chapter, the curtain didn’t fall—it lifted on a new stage. The Up with People Foundation, launched in 2025, carries forward the mission to create opportunities for meaningful impact worldwide by supporting projects that unite communities, inspire service, and build a more compassionate, connected world.
To explore what this new chapter means, we sat down with three members of the Foundation’s Board of Directors: Tim Andersen, Terry Cekola, and Robin Lokerman. Together, they share how the Foundation operates, how it will fund and support projects, and how music, the heartbeat of UWP, will continue to bring people together.
To explore what this new chapter means, we sat down with three members of the Foundation’s Board of Directors: Tim Andersen, Terry Cekola, and Robin Lokerman. Together, they share how the Foundation operates, how it will fund and support projects, and how music, the heartbeat of UWP, will continue to bring people together.
Why did you decide to create the Up with People Foundation?
Tim Andersen:
“For decades, Up with People connected young people through music, service, and cultural exchange. But as the world evolved, so did the way people connect and create change. The Foundation is our way to carry that spirit forward, just in a new form. We’ve shifted from a touring model to a platform model, where local leaders, alumni, and mission aligned changemakers can create and grow their own projects rooted in the same values that defined UWP.”
Terry Cekola:
“I’ve seen firsthand the lifelong impact Up with People has on people—the friendships, the sense of purpose, the belief that we can make the world better. It stays with you. The Foundation keeps that flame alive by supporting initiatives that reflect those same ideals, helping others bring hope, connection, and service to their own communities.”
What exactly will the Foundation do?
Tim Andersen:
“Think of it as a hub for changemakers. We want to empower alumni, community leaders, partners, and organizations that share our vision to launch projects that unite people and strengthen communities. Whether it’s a youth leadership program, a music event, or a local service project, we’ll provide guidance, visibility, and, when possible, funding.
We’ve built a simple application process and a review committee to evaluate projects based on their impact, sustainability, and alignment with UWP’s values.”
How does the funding side work?
Robin Lokerman:
“We’ve designed a model that combines fundraising and fund giving. It’s not just about collecting donations, it’s about making giving engaging, transparent, and meaningful.
Our online platform lets donors see exactly what their contributions support. You might help fund a cultural project in Germany or a youth workshop in Mexico. Each project tells its own story, and donors can follow its progress from start to finish.
There are two ways we can support a project: some may be featured on our website to raise funds, and in certain cases, the Foundation may also contribute directly.
We’re also encouraging recurring giving through programs like the Global Leaders Circle, where alumni and supporters can contribute monthly or annually. This creates stability, allowing us to plan ahead and commit to long term impact.”
UWP’s legacy is deeply tied to music. What happens to that part of the story?
Tim Andersen:
“The music never stops. It’s what connected us across cultures and generations. While we no longer have touring casts, we’re working with alumni to keep the music alive through projects like Voices Rock Sing UWP.
These initiatives bring people together through community choirs, local concerts, and pop up vocal jam sessions. We’ve already seen how powerful that can be with Michael Roudebush’s Harmony Jam Sessions in Denver. That’s exactly the kind of spirit we want to encourage: music as a bridge, not just a performance.”
Terry Cekola:
“I think of it this way, the songs were never just melodies. They were messages. Now it’s time for those messages to echo in new forms. If a choir in Berlin or a youth band in Nairobi wants to carry that forward, we’re here to help them make it happen.”
What can alumni, especially here in Europe, do to get involved?
Terry Cekola:
“Start where you are. If you have an idea, submit it through our website. If you can give, even a small recurring donation helps us fund the next generation of projects. And if you just want to stay connected, follow us online, share our updates, and tell others. Every bit of engagement matters.”
Robin Lokerman:
“Our alumni in Europe have always been among the most active, the annual EAN is a popular event and many countries have active alumni clubs. The clubs hosted casts, organized concerts and supported exchanges. Now they can take that same energy into this new framework. The Foundation isn’t replacing UWP, it’s expanding it, through all of you. Thanks to our partnership with Chapel & York we are for the first time able to give tax deductible receipts to donors from several European countries - you can read more on our website under “Support a Dream”.”
What’s your hope for the future of the Foundation?
Robin Lokerman:
“That it becomes self-sustaining and global. I want to see hundreds of local projects supported by thousands of alumni around the world, each contributing in their own way.”
Tim Andersen:
“I hope that ten years from now, we’ll look back and see how many new leaders, communities, and ideas were born because of this. That would be the true measure of success.”
Terry Cekola:
“For me, it’s simple. I want people to feel the same spark they once felt when they sang on stage or served in a host community, and realize it’s still alive. We’ve just found a new way to pass it on.”
