The NAMM Foundation funds grants, research and advocacy in support of music education.
Donate
Creating a World of Music Making
Since 2007, through the support of NAMM members the NAMM Foundation has contributed nearly $15 million to fund programs impacting people across a broad range of musical segments, genres and age demographics. While we have made great strides in helping people make more music, more often, we want to do more and with our new Believe in Music Donor Program and your support, we can.
We envision a world in which the joy of music making is a precious element of daily living for everyone; a world in which every child has a deep desire to learn music and a recognized right to be taught; and in which every adult is a passionate champion and defender of that right.
Help us bring the gift of music making into someone’s life by making a donation today.
Stay Informed
A message from The NAMM Foundation Board of Directors and the NAMM Executive Committee,
This past summer, a new chapter of The NAMM Foundation began with the inaugural meeting of its Board of Directors. This new board, together with ongoing support of The NAMM Board of Directors, its Executive Committee, NAMM members and their participation in the NAMM Show support The NAMM Foundation and its vision to create a world in which the joy of making music is a precious element of daily living for everyone.
With continued re-investments from The NAMM Show and generous donations from businesses and individuals, we will continue our decades-long efforts to promote music and music education. Your donation joins in this effort and supports grants to music service organizations and research on music education’s impact and benefits; hundreds of thousands of people are being reached every year through hands-on music learning projects. The NAMM Foundation also leads public messaging and advocacy efforts to assure that music education is recognized as a right for every child and that opportunities to make music are available for individuals at every age and ability. These programs, along with many music making partnerships, are the bedrock of our efforts to expand access and opportunity to music making and galvanize public awareness and understanding about the many benefits of music. Every dollar donated to The NAMM Foundation advances these important efforts.
This is our third year of The NAMM Foundation Believe in Music Fund. In its first year in 2016, and with thanks to ALL our wonderful donors, we exceeded our goal by 30% to raise $126,000. For 2017, we exceeded our goal of $150,000 with the help of new donors! Our profound thanks to all renewing and new donors that have helped us achieve our goals these past two years.
It is our hope that we can renew and grow our donor base to exceed $150,000 in 2018 and include new programs such as the Bill Collings Memorial Gift Fund that is highlighted below. This is one more example of how The NAMM Foundation serves as the music industry’s community chest to celebrate and remember the remarkable people who contribute to a life in music and the music industry.
Members of The NAMM Foundation Board of Directors and NAMM’s Executive Committee lead this effort through their generous donations. Please consider being a part of The NAMM Foundation with your gift of any size and help The NAMM Foundation with its important work. Let’s all express our appreciation in a way that will enable more young people to have the same chance that we had: to grow up with music education in their classrooms and music making in their lives.
Please make a gift today!
Chris Martin, IV
Chairman, The NAMM Foundation
Vice Chair, NAMM
Joe Lamond
President, The NAMM Foundation
President and CEO, NAMM
SWIM Fund
The SWIM Fund (Smart Women In Music Fund) supports women in the music products industry in the development of their leadership proficiencies and aspirations. Learn more here.
Bill Collings Memorial Fund
The Bill Collings Memorial Fund is established in loving memory of Bill who died July 14, 2017; he was the creative force behind Collings Guitars for over 40 years. Learn more here.
Together, We Can Do More
Funds are carefully administered by an expert staff to programs making a profound difference. Here are examples of the lives we’ve touched through NAMM Foundation supported organizations.
Orchestrating a Brighter Future
San Diego Youth Symphony’s Community Opus Project funded by The NAMM Foundation
Meet thirteen-year-old Bruno Bello. Just a few years ago, Bruno suffered from low self-esteem, became disruptive in class and refused to do his homework.
"Everything I tried was either too easy or I wasn’t good at it, like sports," he admits. Then Bruno discovered music, and soon his world seemed full of possibilities.
He now plays in several youth orchestras, plans to attend a “good college” and hopes to perform in Carnegie Hall one day. Thanks to your gift, kids like Bruno can have access to music making programs that foster confidence, self-discipline and joy.
Spotlighting the Best Communities for Music Education
Irvine Unified School District
The Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) is a NAMM Foundation program that shines the national spotlight on schools and districts for their support of and commitment to music in our schools.
The Irvine Unified School District in Southern California is a shining example of such a program, as it provides all of its students––from kindergarten through grade 12––with the opportunity to learn and grow through music.
Your Support Will Change Lives
Through its support of music making organizations that advance music education, research and advocacy, and preserve the rich heritage of music making, The NAMM Foundation is making lasting impacts - your financial gift will allow more people to make music and celebrate music education in communities across the US.
The NAMM Foundation is supported by passionate people just like you...who believe in the transformative powers of making music and the vital importance of music education for all children.
Kevin Cranley - President, Willis Music Co. & Former NAMM Board Chairman