NAMM Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The NAMM Foundation makes grants to help promote and strengthen the music products industry. It hosts the extremely popular trade convention, NAMM Show.
IP TAKE: This is not an accessible funder though it is somewhat responsive and approachable. It has a smaller staff, so responses may take a while. NAMM’s Making Music Grants are by invitation only, so grant seekers will need to work their connections within the music products industry.
PROFILE: Created in 2006, the NAMM Foundation is the philanthropic branch of NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants, a trade organization that seeks to promote and strengthen the music products industry. The foundation seeks to “advance active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs.” It supports music with grants and a scholarship for NAMM members and company employees.
Grants for Music
Music Making Grants support organizations that facilitate music education and hands-on music making programs. Grant amounts average between $10,000 and $100,000. Previous grantees include Little Kids Rock, EngAGE, Dallas Wind Symphony, San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory, VH1 Save the Music Foundation, Guitars in the Classroom, Songwriting with Soldiers, and the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus. These grants are by invitation only.
The Women of NAMM Fund supports women in the music products industry, prioritizing the inclusion of underrepresented women in the field. In addition to stipends of $1,500 to support attendance at the annual NAMM Show, recipients participate in professional development and mentoring activities organized by NAMM.
Similarly, the Bernice Ash Memorial Award supports current employees of NAMM member companies with stipends to attend annual industry events and professional development events.
Grants for Arts Education
NAMM offers the William R. Gard Scholarship, named for longtime NAMM Executive President William Gard. It seeks to encourage students to pursue music education and to promote “careers in the music products industry.” Scholarships are for $2,000 per academic year for up to three years. Applicants must be employed by a NAMM member company and have worked for at least the equivalent of 10 weeks at 40 hours per week. Applicants must also be enrolled as a fulltime student, submit letters of recommendation and recent transcripts, and maintain a 3.0 GPA.
The NAMM Foundation College Music Society Fellows Program supports college music faculty “who exhibit commitment and aptitude for developing curricula related to business leadership and innovation in music, pro-audio, and event technology.” Members of the College Music Society are eligible to apply for $500 awards and participation in professional development events and conferences.
Grants for Science Research
In addition to its arts and education funding, NAMM’s Music Research program supports scientific research concerning “the impact of music making and music education, the importance of music at every stage of life, and relationships between music and physical and emotional wellness.” It is particularly interested in neurological research into the effect of music learning on the brain, especially in children, including its ability to improve listening skills, information processing, motor function, and standardized test performance.
Important Grant Details:
Grants generally range from $20,000 to $40,000, but several awards and fellowship grants are awarded in smaller amounts. NAMM does not provide detailed information about its individual grant values, but grantseekers may review the foundation’s past grants for more information on the kinds of organizations it supports.
NAMM accepts applications for some of its awards, scholarships and fellowships. Guidelines and due dates vary significantly by program. General inquiries may be submitted to the foundation via its contact page.
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