Meet Our Grantees
They’re at the heart of The NAMM Foundation’s mission — bringing music to more people, in more places, every day.
From classrooms to community spaces, The NAMM Foundation proudly supports these organizations that break down barriers to music learning and open pathways to music careers. Their work transforms lives, strengthens communities, and shapes the future of music worldwide.
This grant cycle, we are proud to support 56 organizations in the U.S. and abroad — and each year, we aim to expand our giving and grow our impact. Together, our grantees advance the Foundation’s two core funding priorities: music learning and career mobility.
South Los Angeles youth center music program providing ensemble training, private lessons, performance opportunities, and pathways to college-level music study for under-resourced youth.
In-school and after-school music education in Pontiac, Michigan, providing children with equitable access to instruments, instruction, transportation, performances, free meals, and summer programs.
Free, pre-professional Afro-Latin jazz youth orchestra in NYC offering rigorous ensemble training, performance opportunities, and mentorship as the culmination of Belongó’s K-12 music education pipeline.
Creativity-based composition instruction through Sonic Spark in 13 NYC public schools and at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, fostering personal transformation, agency, and measurable academic outcomes.
Inclusive music education and performance opportunities for adults in the San Diego area living with intellectual and developmental disabilities, expanding access to creative expression, skill development, and community engagement through lifelong music learning programs.
Accessible Suzuki music instruction across Puerto Rico, building musical proficiency, socioemotional growth, and sustainable community partnerships.
ASO’s Talent Development Program provides intensive instruction, mentorship, and financial support, creating opportunities for middle and high school musicians facing obstacles on their path to conservatories and music schools.
Nationwide Make Music Day celebrations and initiatives that promote music-making and raise awareness of music industry careers across schools and communities throughout Australia.
El Sistema-inspired, free string instruction for underserved Buffalo youth and older adults, building musical skills, confidence, and community connection through after-school and lifelong learning programs.
CEMUCHCA Summer Music Camp, delivering free high-quality music instruction, instrument access, teacher training, and career development for Haitian youth.
National music engagement initiatives, including Music Monday, raising awareness of music’s value and encouraging participation for people of all ages across Canada.
Year-round music instruction for adults living with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the LA area, building progressive skills across multiple instruments and providing regular community performance opportunities.
Music production program in San Diego, California, for recently incarcerated youth, providing hands-on training, mentorship, and pathways to careers in audio engineering and media production.
Day of Service grants strengthen music programs in Anaheim and the Washington, DC area while connecting NAMM members with students through mentorship and community engagement.
Sequential, culturally responsive music education integrated into the school day and after school for under-resourced LA County elementary and middle schools serving marginalized students.
Hands-on training in live event production, audio technology, and composition, creating career pathways in the music industry for youth in Watsonville and Pajaro Valley, California.
Leadership development through a national youth ambassador program, empowering teens with training, community engagement, and organizational leadership skills.
The Mentor Fellow Program is a paid apprenticeship for Philadelphia’s Latino youth in live, recorded, streamed, and broadcast programming, arts marketing and communications.
Fellowship program providing mentorship and hands-on music production training for high school students from under-resourced communities in Philadelphia.
Community-rooted music education for children and youth on the Puerto Rican island of Culebra, fostering pride, teamwork, and perseverance through music.
National after-school programs providing hands-on training in music production, DJing, and audio engineering, empowering girls with skills and pathways into creative careers.
Music-integrated learning, connecting academic content with hands-on music-making to benefit early childhood and underrepresented student populations in Southern California.
Community-based organization providing DJ-focused internships and mentorships for at-risk Latino youth in San Francisco, building creative, technical, and professional skills for music industry careers.
Music education and leadership programs empower underrepresented and immigrant youth in Stamford, Connecticut, expanding performance opportunities, mentorship, and pathways for personal and musical growth.
Collaborative songwriting connects professional musicians with trauma-affected Memphis communities, building musical skills, confidence, and connection among trafficking survivors, veterans, and at-risk youth.
In-school piano instruction for students in underrepresented communities, expanding access through partnerships with local school districts in Southwest Michigan.
Tuition-free in-school and out-of-school string programs expanding equitable access to ensemble-based music learning for students and families in Juneau, Alaska.
National mentorship and composition programs for young women and nonbinary musicians, expanding opportunities in music creation and leadership.
Free, after-school orchestra program serving Miami-Dade County, Florida, that promotes youth development, social change, and community engagement through ensemble learning.
Initiatives addressing the music teacher shortage, providing career resources and pathways for future educators.
Access to music-making in under-resourced youth clubs across the United Kingdom, integrating music programs that foster creativity, confidence, and community engagement for young people.
National songwriting initiatives that equip educators with training and curriculum, empowering students to write, perform, and connect through original music in inclusive, culturally responsive classrooms.
Paid internships, curriculum, and mentorship at independent venues across the U.S. through the VOX workforce program, building inclusive career pathways for underrepresented individuals in live entertainment.
Youth-directed out-of-school music program for teens in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Access to recording studios, instruments, and mentorship across the U.S., helping youth explore music, build creative skills, and create pathways to potential careers in the music industry.
Culturally rooted Puerto Rican music instruction and career pathway exposure for underserved Chicago youth through the Latin Music Project, building musical skills, cultural pride, and creative workforce connections.
Beats Behind Bars is a hands-on music production program for at-promise and incarcerated youth in Rhode Island, providing training in songwriting, beat-making, and career exploration in the music industry.
After-school marching band program, providing free music education, mentorship, and academic support that empower youth and preserve New Orleans’ musical heritage.
High School Ambassadors offers paid summer internships for San Diego teens, building career readiness, mentorship, and professional networks in performing arts and arts administration.
Instrumental and music technology programs in underserved schools, strengthening equitable music education opportunities for students across Memphis and Mississippi.
The Philadelphia Music Alliance (PMAY) provides college preparation for underrepresented Philadelphia youth pursuing classical music careers through a citywide arts network.
Creative Arts Therapy ensembles in the South Shore area of Massachusetts providing community music-making for adults living with disabilities through therapist-led rehearsals and performances.
Mentor-led music and audio production programs for underserved Salt Lake City youth, building technical skills, confidence, and creative career pathways through free, professional-grade access.
Free orchestral instruction for underrepresented middle schoolers in Montgomery County, Maryland, building technical skills and diversity in orchestral music.
Free music production, songwriting, and recording instruction for system-impacted South LA youth through Beats & Rhymes, building creative skills, resilience, and workforce pathways into the creative economy.
Weekly in-classroom music instruction for Denver preschoolers in under-resourced communities through Little Swallows, building early musical understanding, confidence, and school readiness.
Year-round instrumental, production, percussion, and vocal instruction for underserved LA and North Orange County K-12 students, building musical skills, confidence, and long-term academic engagement.
25 Carrick Ave Project bridges equity and access gaps in Pittsburgh’s creative workforce through affordable production technology training for underserved youth and adults.
Hands-on learning in music production and digital media, providing students with industry-relevant skills and pathways into creative careers.
Get Teaching addresses the UK’s itinerant music teacher recruitment crisis through research, training, and career advocacy, strengthening staffing and quality across music education hubs.
Year-long mentorship in live event production and music for underserved individuals in the U.S. through the Gateway Program, expanding career access, technical skills, and industry networks through personalized guidance.
Sustained instrumental instruction, ensemble performance, and paid internship pathways for South Bronx youth, building lifelong musical proficiency, leadership, and academic and career success.
Tuition-free community music school on Chicago’s South Side providing instrumental music education, instrument repair, and steel pan manufacturing training for underserved youth.
National hands-on training, mentorship, and career development programs that advance women and gender-expansive individuals in music production and creative technology fields.
Free, in-school music education programs, reaching thousands of students and increasing equitable access to music learning across Miami-Dade County.
Music education, paid career development, and industry mentorship for marginalized Denver-area youth, building economic mobility and leadership in the creative economy.
Make Music Day Brasil celebrates free, live music nationwide on June 21. Musicians of all levels perform in public spaces, connecting Brazil to a global movement.
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