Museum of Making Music

About

Located at the NAMM headquarters in Carlsbad, CA, the Museum of Making Music celebrates the impact of the music products industry through exhibitions, concerts and educational programs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Application Period?

Music Program and General Operating Grants:

March 3-April 4, 2025: Round 1 Full online application, panel reviewed
June 6-July 1, 2025: Round 2 Selected organizations are invited to submit additional information, and foundation staff conduct virtual site visits.
September 30: Notification

Research Grants:

April 1-June 6, 2025: Round 1 Full online application, panel reviewed
July 1-August 1, 2025: Round 2 Selected applicants are invited to submit additional information, and foundation staff conduct virtual site visits.
September 30: Notification

What is the average award amount?

The NAMM Foundation grant range is between $5,000 and $25,000.

Can I apply for multi-year funding?

The NAMM Foundation grant period is 12-months.

Do you provide event sponsorships?

From time to time, the foundation will provide event sponsorships, but these are by invitation only. We do not accept unsolicited requests for event sponsorship.

Do you provide funding for schools?

With the exception of our grantmaking program does not fund public, private, independent, or charter schools directly. 501(c)(3) community music schools are eligible to apply.

Do you provide funding for fundraisers?

No, the foundation does not provide financial support for fundraisers.

What requests are not eligible for NAMM Foundation funding?

Grants for individuals.
Endowments, capital campaigns, annual appeals.
Conferences.
Deficit financing.
Purchase of tickets, ads, sponsorships, parties, conferences, fairs, fundraisers or one-time events
School districts, public, private, independent, charter schools, or higher education institutions, except for research grants.
Publications.
Legal services.
Re-granting organizations or programs.
Private foundations.
Political candidates or lobbying organizations.
Programs or organizations that discriminate based on race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, veteran status, disability or other characteristics protected by law.

What are the reporting requirements?

Grantees are expected to submit an interim report in March and a final report in August.

How do we apply?

Eligible organizations can apply via our online portal.

Music Program and General Operating Grants: Round 1 applications are due on April 4, 2025, at 11:50 pm PT through our online portal. Selected organizations will be invited to submit a full proposal by July 1, 2025.

Research Grants: Online applications open on April 1 through June 6 at 11:50 pm PT. Round 1 applications are due June 6. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal by August 1, 2025.

Who can I contact with questions?

Please contact Sharon Bryant, sharonb@namm.org, with any questions or concerns.

Community Spotlight

When a child learns music it is much more than notes and scales; they discover themselves...it challenges you with creativity and demands self-discipline. It takes commitment and teamwork.

- Student, Age 20, Van Nuys, CA

Did you know?

"Creativity is driven from within the child, from education, from culture, from surroundings… The challenge is to help children keep the balance." Hanne Deneire, composer.

Quoted in "Appreciating Music as a Foundational Aspect of Creativity" by Joanne Foster. Feb. 3, 2018