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Music Program Grants

Program support for music programs in the US and abroad.
Image of kids singing at the Anaheim Day of Service

Music Program Grants

The NAMM Foundation accepts Music Program Grant applications from 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organizations and their international equivalents to support Participatory Music Making and Career Mobility, benefiting historically underrepresented communities or groups. The application period for Round 1 opens on March 3 and closes on April 4, 2025.   

Funding Priorities

Participatory Music Making. High-quality, hands-on, relevant music-making, music-training, that is, or will be, a permanent part of an organization’s annual programming and serve, or will serve, an established cohort of participants that engage with the program regularly. 

Career Mobility. Career Mobility is career development for youth or adults in any area of the music industry. Commercial (e.g. production, recording, live event, instrument makers, retail, etc.) musicians, and teaching artists. 

Eligibility 

  • Programs must align with one or both of the Foundation's funding priorities.
  • Must have 501(c)(3) status or international equivalency.
  • High-quality, hands-on, and relevant music-making, music-training, and/or workforce development initiatives that are, or will be, a permanent part of an organization’s annual programming and serve, or will serve, an established cohort of participants that engage with the program regularly.
  • While we acknowledge the value of one-time music exposure programs and concerts, such as assemblies, field trips, and masterclasses, we do not fund these types of events.
  • Programs can be new or established and must demonstrate current, or intended, positive impact on eliminating barriers to music making, music learning, and/or music career pathways that prioritize historically underserved communities or groups of people.
  • Programs can serve any age group.
  • Programs representing all musical genres are welcome to apply.
  • Applicants are not required to be music organizations, but programs must be music-focused.
  • Demonstrate strong organizational and fiscal management, measurable goals and outcomes, and excellent programmatic standards.
  • Demonstration of broad financial support for the proposed program is encouraged.
  • Regranting programs are not eligible. 
  • Align with one or more music product industry segments: Band/Orchestra (wind, brass, strings, large/small ensembles); Fretted Instruments; Percussion; Electronic & Recording; Printed and Digital Music; Keyboard; Pro Audio & Lighting; Other Genres. 

International Applicants

  • Non-US programs that carry an IRS 501(c)(3) designation (e.g., “Friends Of” organizations) are eligible for program and general operating grants. 
  • Non-US music umbrella or service organizations (e.g., associations or councils) with IRS 501(c)(3) equivalent that support the advancement of music-related activities are eligible for program grants only. 
  • Non-US applicants are not eligible for General Operating or Research Grants.
  • ​International grants cannot be re-granted to other charities, individuals, or organizations.
  • All documentation must be translated into English. 

 

Timeline 

  • March 3: Application Live 
  • March 5 and March 19 (9:30 am PT): Virtual information sessions 
  • April 4: Round 1 Application Due 
  • June 6: Invitation to submit a Round 2 Application 
  • July 1: Round 2 Application Due 
  • Sept 30: Award Notification 

Virtual Information Sessions 

Application Process 

To apply for Round 1, please review our guidelines and begin the application process by completing the short eligibility quiz. Organizations will apply through the foundation's Cybergrants Portal. 

Eligibility Quiz

Round 1.  Interested nonprofit organizations or their international equivalents must apply through our online portal by the April 4 deadline. Download the full guidelines to review the requirements. 

Round 2. Selected organizations from Round 1 will be invited to submit a Round 2 proposal by the July 1 deadline. Round 2 of the application process is designed to help us get to know your organization better and will include a virtual site visit.  

To prepare your proposal, we recommend reviewing the application PDF (link below) before starting the online application. You may use this document as a working copy for your narrative, then copy and paste it into the portal. To ensure a strong and competitive application, we recommend following all the provided instructions carefully. Proposals must be submitted through the online grant portal.  

Application Documents

 

Guidelines

Application

Online Portal Instructions