General Operating Grants

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General Operating Grants

We accept General Operating Grant applications from 501 (c)(3) nonprofit music organizations whose entire mission aligns with our giving priorities and demonstrate strong management practices and high programmatic standards. The application period for Round 1 opens on March 3 and closes on April 4, 2025.

Eligibility

Have a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) designation. Non-US organizations are not eligible for General Operating Grants.
New or existing organizations are eligible.
Any musical genres is eligible.
Meet one or more of the foundation’s funding priorities.
Prioritize historically underserved communities and groups of people.
Measurable goals and outcomes.
Excellent programmatic standards.
Demonstrate strong organizational and fiscal management.
Grants must be used for the organization's charitable purpose, but are not restricted to a program or cost center.
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.

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

March 5, 2025: W atch
March 19, 2025: Register

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 international equivalents are encouraged to 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

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

Music is what brought me and my friends together. It is our language.

- Student, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

Did you know?

Early Childhood is critical time to support children's natural desire to sing, move and play with sound. Furthermore, research shows that music and music experiences support the formation of important brain connections that are being established over the first three years of life (Carlton, 2000).