OUR MISSION

To champion and utilize the power of music for personal growth and social good, fostering education and action that elevates overall well-being.

About The Drake Gives

When The Drake Restaurant opened in Laguna Beach in 2019, founder Alec Glasser envisioned more than just a dining experience—he aimed to create a "give back" initiative to champion public school music education. This vision came to life in 2021 with the establishment of The Drake Gives, a public nonprofit 501(c)(3) foundation.

Sharing a common purpose, The Drake Gives partnered with Save The Music, a nonprofit with over 25 years of success in music education programs. In just three years, through this meaningful partnership, The Drake Gives has raised more than $625,000 and positively impacted over 15,000 students in Orange County school districts.

In 2023, The Drake Gives partnered with University of California Irvine, School of Social Ecology to form The Center for the Power of Music to offer innovative programs that will enrich lives in evidence-based ways and create pathways into the music and music-adjacent sectors of the economy. The Center will serve as a powerful affirmation of how music can act as a catalyst for social transformation.

Also in 2023, “The Drake Gives / Glasser UCI Music Scholarship” was established - initiating an annual $100,000 scholarship program. This program was designed to empower students who draw inspiration from music and aspire to leverage its transformative influence in shaping the lives of others throughout their professional journeys.

FOUNDER, Alec Glasser

Alec Glasser, a native New Yorker, first became passionate about music while attending public school band programs in Queens, NY. He was fortunate enough to receive both musical instruments and instruction in junior high and

high school, where he learned how to play the saxophone, clarinet, and flute.

As a result of these publicly funded programs, he was able to earn some spending money performing at bar mitzvahs and sweet sixteen parties. Eventually he secured gigs in teen bands at upscale summer resorts in the nearby Catskill Mountains…

His Story

Meet The Team

Alec Glasser

Founder & CEO

Alec has a profound love for music that extends beyond his own personal pursuits. Just as it has shaped his own journey, Alec’s passion and commitment is to ensure that music serves as a potent influence to improve other peoples’ lives too and advance positive social causes. Joining him on the ride is his furry side-kick pup, Izzy.

Wendy Misner

Program Director

Wendy joined the team in 2020 and has helped establish The Drake Gives foundation - drawing from her extensive experience building and growing successful for-profit brands. She plays a pivotal role in fostering and elevating connections with partners and overseeing and implementing fundraising events and donor relations.

Jerry Mandel, PhD

Chairman/Board of Advisors

Jerry joined our team in Summer 2023. Most recently, he was President of the Irvine Barclay Theatre after his tenure at Segerstrom Center for the Arts as President; CEO. He spent many years in higher education and is currently serving on the Board of Directors for Orange County School of the Arts and the UCI Claire Trevor School of the Arts Dean’s Arts Board. Like Alec, Jerry’s love of music dates back to his childhood. For the past few years, he’s been playing the tenor saxophone with his bandmates at local restaurants throughout Orange County.

Taylor Donahue

Marketing & Social Media Manager

Taylor joined the team in 2023 to manage The Drake Gives' marketing initiatives. With a background in social media working at cutting edge marketing agencies, Taylor brings valuable expertise to the team. Her dedication extends beyond the professional realm, having served on the Board and as a Fundraising Chair of a local non-profit. Through Taylor's efforts, The Drake Gives continues to convey the powerful message of music's ability to unite, one engaging story at a time.