Frequently Asked Questions - 2010 NAMM Foundation Program Grants

The Foundation does not offer private
consultation during the application process nor after grants have been
awarded. Support for grant seekers is available through the
Foundation Center, www.foundationcenter.org/getstarted/nonprofits.

Historically, long-term nonprofit sustainability is achieved with a
realistic balance of earned and supporting income relative to the
service potential of the organization to meet stated need. The
ratio of earned to supporting income is also considered relative to
the earned income opportunity within the service target. Good
business and financial planning are the key to sustainability that
includes consideration for both earned and supporting income.

NAMM Foundation seeks to support recreational music making
activity for all instrument categories.

Statements or a submission of a strategic plan that outlines realistic
growth for the organization based on sound current organization
management (including control of annual financial management);
organizations with cumulated deficits will not be funded.

NAMM Foundation Program Grants: An interim narrative and
budget report is due December 31; a final narrative and budget
report is due July 31 of the following year. Report templates are
distributed to grant recipient organizations upon the activation of
the grant year.

Award notification is made in the month of May in the year
following application for programs which run on an annual cycle.
Grant start date is June 1 and end date is June 30 of the following
year; reports are due one month later on July 31.

NAMM Foundation does not contribute to capital projects that
include building or renovation, but rather offers program support,
as outlined in the grant guidelines.

The online grant submission system allows for a set amount of
characters per narrative section of the application (please check
this as I believe the characters per section is variable). Font and
margin size are determined by the online application system.
Should you feel more space is needed, you are free to attach
additional supporting documentation within the total file size
allotted, which cannot exceed 10 megabytes for all attachments
combined. Is this also true for the LOI? Or full application only?
Please confirm

A quality non-profit service agency and/or program generally
develops successfully with carefully managed and strategically
planned supporting and earned income. It is important to provide
information about the success of the submitting organization and
its ability to meet service needs and to attract other support and, if
applicable, earned income/fees for services. Evidence of careful
management and planning for sustainability can be achieved over
just a few years or decades, depending on the history of the
organization. The financial size of the organization matters less than
its ability to plan and manage for quality service and sustainability.

This is determined by program capacity and the need that the
program and project seeks to address. The grant review process
will assess the program’s ability to meet stated goals as outlined in
the proposal.

No. Nonprofit -based organizations seeking funds to supplement
established music education programs in schools may apply.
Programs that replace K-12 core curricular music education
programs are not eligible for funding. The Foundation does not
provide direct support to schools and school districts for core
academic music education programs. To keep music education
strong in your community, log on to www.supportmusic.com.

Yes, this can be considered as a part of a program grant proposal;
however, this should represent a relatively small percentage of the
program budget, as should other equipment requests.

The NAMM Foundation does not offer renewable nor multi-year
grants; all current grantees must reapply annually for continuing
support. Funding will be awarded for one-year projects; narrative
and financial reports are due December 31, 2009, and July 31,
2010.

The number of grants awarded is relative to the number of quality
proposals received and availability of grant funds.

There is not a set limit; projects are evaluated relative to the
organization’s ability to meet an outlined need. During the past 3-4
years, the average program grant range has been $20,000 -
$40,000. Grant award amounts also depend on the overall number
of quality proposals received by the NAMM Foundation, and the
availability of grant funds available per year, as determined by the
NAMM Foundation Board of Directors.

The NAMM Foundation is a 501©(3) non-profit organization
dedicated to advancing active participation in music making
across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic
giving and public service programs from the international music
products industry.
o NAMM Foundation Program Grants are available to non-profit
public service organizations for innovative music education and
hands-on music-making programs that reach and serve new
audiences with new protocols.
Only one proposal to the NAMM Foundation is allowed per
program per year. Be sure you are applying to the right program.
To qualify for a review of a proposal, applicants must submit only
the application that corresponds with the program for which you
are requesting funds. Further details are outlined in the current
funding cycle guidelines.
o In the past, NAMM Foundation has funded music research grants
funded under the Sounds of Learning, Sounds of Living and
Scientific Grant initiatives. Applications are NOT being accepted
for this program at this time. Applications for research grants may
be accepted in fall 2010; please check back with
www.nammfoundation.org for updates on research grant funding
availability.

Support is available for start-up projects; these are reviewed
relative to the ability of the program to provide services in a
realistic way. NAMM Foundation should not be considered to be
the only funder of a start-up program; multiple supporters should be
sought for start-up projects.

A program that is receiving support from another entity is a positive
indicator that it has already earned endorsement and support from
other funders. The opportunity to contribute to partial support of a
quality project allows NAMM Foundation to spread its grant making
funds to more organizations; an opportunity to partially fund a
program or project is encouraged.

Any and all supporting information that strengthens the
qualifications of the organization and its personnel to meet project
outcomes will strengthen your proposal and is welcome.

Only a project budget is required, and only when a complete
application is requested. A budget template is provided as a part
of the complete application through the online process. Also, and
when a complete application is requested, the organization’s most
recent audited financial statement should be included as an
attachment with your online grant application.

Beginning on July 1, 2009, through September 10, 2009, at
www.nammfoundation.org, organizations may submit a “Letter of
Inquiry” per the guidelines below that summarizes a request for project
support. Letters of Inquiry will be reviewed by Foundation staff;
selected organizations will be invited to submit comprehensive
proposals for funding consideration. Organizations that are selected
to submit complete applications will have the opportunity to do so
starting on October 1, 2009, ending on December 1, 2009. After staff
and Board committee review, grant awards will be announced on or
about May 15, 2010.
This two-phase grant application process seeks to ease the burden of
preparing lengthy grant applications when applying for a NAMM
Foundation Program Grant. In the past several years, the Foundation
has received hundreds of grant applications and requests for funds.
Due to budget limitations, the Foundation can support a limited
number of projects annually. This application process seeks to
streamline the process of grant application and review. If your
organization is selected to submit a complete application after review
of your Letter of Inquiry, this action does not signal or guarantee
funding by the Foundation but a request for additional and complete
information that can be used to consider support by staff and Board
Committee.
Carefully review the Program Grant Guidelines and complete the
eligibility quiz to determine eligibility and application deadlines. This
year we are only accepting applications via an online process, with no
exceptions. Submit your application at
http://www.nammfoundation.org/Grants/guidelines.html