NAMM Foundation A Not-For-Profit Corporation

In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 25 grants totaling $605,000. Grant amounts ranged from $7,500 to $105,000, with a median of $20,000. The largest reported grants included Make Music Alliance ($105,000), State Education Agency Direct ($50,000), Guitars and Access Marketing ($40,000), and Nat String Proj Con ($40,000). Other notable recipients included Guitars in the Classroom ($25,000), Music Will ($22,500), and David’s Harp Foundation ($15,000).

For its grant programs, the foundation describes three tracks: music program grants for U.S. and international organizations, general operating grants for U.S. music organizations, and music research grants for U.S. organizations. Its published guidance describes awards as typically $5,000–$25,000, depending on the track and the size and scope of the organization or program. The Music Program and General Operating application pages list an April 1, 2026 deadline and state that the application period is closed; that deadline is past. For the 2027 process, the guidelines describe a full application for organizations that are not current grantees, review by an external panel, and an invitation-only second round that includes a virtual site visit. Returning program and general operating grantees follow a modified process, with an interim report serving as their application; a final report is required for current grantees. Program grants require ongoing, high-quality music learning, training, or workforce development; one-time exposure events such as assemblies, field trips, and masterclasses are not funded. General operating grants are for U.S. 501(c)(3) music organizations whose mission aligns with the foundation’s priorities.