The NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation is a Carlsbad, CA-based nonprofit, founded in 2006, that advances music making through grants ($5K–$25K), the BCME school recognition program (1,000+ districts), a K-12 curriculum, scholarships, and the Museum of Making Music, serving K-12 schools, music educators, and 501(c)(3) music organizations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersCarlsbad, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The NAMM Foundation does
The NAMM Foundation is a 501(c)-style not-for-profit foundation established in 2006 as the philanthropic arm of NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants), the world's largest music products trade association, which itself was founded in 1901. The Foundation's mission is to advance active participation in music making through scientific research, philanthropic giving, and public service programs. It is headquartered in Carlsbad, CA at 5790 Armada Drive, co-located with the Museum of Making Music, and operates with a 1–10 employee core staff under a board chaired by industry leaders including Joe Castronovo (Chair), Dinah Gretsch (Vice Chair), Ron Manus (Secretary-Treasurer), and John Mlynczak (President).
The Foundation's core programs include Global Grantmaking ($5,000–$25,000 grants to music-making organizations, expanded from 32 to 57 recipients in 2026), the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) recognition program now in its 27th year with over 1,000 recognized districts and schools across 46+ states, the new BCME Opportunity Award (four $5,000 grants launched in 2026), the Making Music Happen K-12 Curriculum (free, co-developed with F-flat Books), Career Mobility scholarships and awards including the Lamond GenNext Award, the Music Achievement Council's "More to Start, Fewer to Quit" educator resources, and Day of Service events in Anaheim and Washington DC. The Foundation does not develop proprietary technology; its core assets are educational content, research publications, grantmaking infrastructure, and the physical Museum of Making Music.
Revenue is derived entirely from philanthropic donations by music products industry stakeholders and NAMM member companies, and is not publicly disclosed. All programmatic outputs (curriculum, BCME designation, advocacy materials, webinars) are provided free of charge, and grants are funded through donations and event-linked matching gifts such as the $125,000 Chris Martin/Martin Guitar match at The 2026 NAMM Show. The primary beneficiaries are K-12 schools and districts, music educators, 501(c)(3) music organizations, college students pursuing music careers, and NAMM member companies seeking industry-aligned volunteer and community engagement opportunities.
The NAMM Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The NAMM Foundation
- Legal name
- NAMM Foundation
- Website
- https://nammfoundation.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The NAMM Foundation is a Carlsbad, CA-based nonprofit, founded in 2006, that advances music making through grants ($5K–$25K), the BCME school recognition program (1,000+ districts), a K-12 curriculum, scholarships, and the Museum of Making Music, serving K-12 schools, music educators, and 501(c)(3) music organizations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The NAMM Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Music Education Philanthropy
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Music Instruction (Instrumental & Vocal) (EDAMAAAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAJ)
Keywords
Where The NAMM Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Carlsbad
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
The NAMM Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Philanthropic Donations: The NAMM Foundation is funded primarily through charitable donations from the music products industry, NAMM members, and individual supporters. Donations fund global grantmaking, program operations, awards, scholarships, and the Museum of Making Music.
- Industry Association Support: The Foundation is supported by NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants), a not-for-profit trade association representing the $19.5 billion music products industry. NAMM events and member companies fund The NAMM Foundation's operations and programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free educational resources and curriculum |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Music Program and General Operating Grants: $5,000–$25,000 |
| Other | Annual | BCME Opportunity Award: $5,000 |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | LA Wildfires Relief Fund contributions |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
The NAMM Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The NAMM Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation that advances active participation in music making through a portfolio of programs: Global Grantmaking ($5,000–$25,000 grants to charitable music organizations worldwide), Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) recognition for K-12 schools and districts, the free Making Music Happen K-12 Curriculum, the Museum of Making Music, Career Mobility scholarships and the Lamond GenNext Award, and Day of Service volunteer events. All core resources are provided free of charge; the Foundation is funded by donations from NAMM members and the music products industry.
Product overview
The NAMM Foundation operates a portfolio of interconnected programs focused on advancing active participation in music making. The core offerings include the Global Grantmaking program providing $5,000-$25,000 grants to music-making organizations worldwide, the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) award program recognizing exemplary school districts and schools, the Making Music Happen K-12 Curriculum providing free educational resources developed with the Museum of Making Music, the Career Mobility initiative supporting careers in music through scholarships and awards, and the More to Start, Fewer to Quit educator resources. The Foundation also operates the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, CA and hosts Day of Service volunteer events. Key awards include the Lamond GenNext Award for college students and the BCME Opportunity Award for underserved communities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Best Communities for Music Education (BCME): Award program recognizing school districts and individual schools for leadership in advancing music education and expanding equitable access for all students.
- SupportMusic Merit Award (SMMA)
- Museum of Making Music
- Global Grantmaking
- Day of Service
- Career Mobility: Careers in Music, Scholarships, Awards
- Making Music Happen K-12 Curriculum
- Lamond GenNext Award
- Music Achievement Council
Products and services
- Global Grantmaking International grant program investing in charitable organizations that demonstrate significant impact on music career mobility and the creation of more music makers across the lifespan of learning. Grant awards range from $5,000 to $25,000 with a 12-month grant period and required interim and final reporting.
- Day of Service Volunteer service and learning days held in Anaheim, CA and Washington DC for NAMM members, empowering them to make a positive impact through volunteerism and take ideas back to their hometowns and businesses.
- Career Mobility: Careers in Music, Scholarships, Awards Initiative tackling career mobility challenges within the music products industry through scholarships, awards, and the Careers in Music initiative. Includes the Lamond GenNext Award for college and university students preparing for careers in music, sound, and entertainment technology.
- Museum of Making Music Museum located at NAMM headquarters in Carlsbad, CA that celebrates the impact of the music products industry through exhibitions, concerts, and educational programs. Also anchors the Making Music Happen K-12 Curriculum.
- Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) National award program recognizing school districts and individual schools for leadership in advancing music education and expanding equitable access for all students. Applications are reviewed and verified by WolfBrown with research-based criteria developed in cooperation with the Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
- Making Music Happen K-12 Curriculum Free K-12 curriculum created in collaboration with the writing team at F-flat Books, built upon the Museum of Making Music's unique content and resources. Includes 16 lesson plans for elementary and 16 for secondary students, with presentations, video, image assets, and student worksheets.
- Lamond GenNext Award Award supporting individuals enrolled in two- or four-year college and university programs preparing for careers in the music, sound, and entertainment technology industries.
- BCME Opportunity Award Direct financial support of $5,000 each for BCME-winning schools and districts selected based on demonstrated financial need and projected impact to strengthen and sustain music education programs serving communities in need.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1,000 school districts and schools recognized as BCME recipients in 2026 across 46+ states
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use The NAMM Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The NAMM Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The NAMM Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and notable.
- F-flat BookscoreThe NAMM Foundation collaborated with the writing team at F-flat Books to create the free Making Music Happen K-12 Curriculum. F-flat Books authors contributed to the development of lesson plans built upon the Museum of Making Music's unique content and resources.
- Make Music AlliancecoreThe NAMM Foundation and Make Music Alliance celebrated ten years of partnership in 2025 for Make Music Day, a worldwide celebration of music making. Over 200 NAMM Member Organizations participate by giving back to their local communities on June 21 annually.
- WolfBrowncoreWolfBrown serves as the independent research and evaluation firm that reviews and verifies all BCME award applications. The firm specializes in education and the arts, ensuring the integrity and credibility of the BCME program through rigorous data analysis.
- Music Research Institute at the University of KansascoreThe BCME program is conducted in cooperation with researchers at the Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas. The institute provides research-based evaluation criteria for assessing schools and districts on music education funding, staffing, standards, and access to music instruction.
- Chris Martin (Martin Guitar)notableChris Martin, Chair of Martin Guitar, provided a $125,000 matching gift for The 2026 NAMM Show in honor of NAMM's 125th anniversary, doubling every donation made during the event period.
- National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)notableThe NAMM Foundation participated in the International Coalition Performing Arts Aerosol Study led by NFHS, the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), and over 125 performing arts organizations. The study developed mitigation guidelines for music education classrooms during COVID-19.
- Arts Education PartnershipnotableThe NAMM Foundation co-sponsored the Music Matters report released in 2018, a condensed guide from the Arts Education Partnership providing research findings on the benefits of music education including improved academic performance and reduced dropout rates.
- Country Music FoundationnotableCo-sponsored the Music Matters report alongside the Arts Education Partnership and NAMM Foundation, providing research-backed advocacy materials for music education at the federal policy level (ESSA implementation).
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The NAMM Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- D'Addario Foundation: Music industry-aligned foundation supporting music education and sustainability through grants to schools and music programs. Directly comparable as a music products industry-funded nonprofit advancing music education access.
- Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation: Nonprofit that donates musical instruments to K-12 schools and music programs nationwide. Comparable in grant/instrument donation model and K-12 music education focus, with a smaller scale of operations than the NAMM Foundation.
- Music Will (formerly Little Kids Rock): National nonprofit providing free music instruments, curriculum, and teacher training to K-12 schools, particularly in underserved communities. Directly comparable in K-12 music education mission, free curriculum distribution, and donor-funded program model.
- VH1 Save The Music Foundation: Music education nonprofit that provides grants, instruments, and resources to K-12 schools to support music programs. Directly comparable to the NAMM Foundation as a music industry-aligned nonprofit advancing K-12 music education access and equity.
Emerging players
- Songwriters Hall of Fame: Nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating and supporting songwriters through education programs. Comparable as a music industry education-focused nonprofit with a narrower scope (songwriting craft) than the NAMM Foundation's broader music participation mission.
Broad incumbents
- National Art Education Association (NAEA): Professional association advancing visual arts education through advocacy, research, and member services. Comparable as a music/art education nonprofit that engages in advocacy, research publication, and educator community building, but broader (all arts vs. music only).
- Country Music Foundation: Nonprofit operating the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum with education programming. Directly named as a co-sponsor of the Music Matters report with the NAMM Foundation and Arts Education Partnership, making it a thematic peer in music education advocacy.
- MusiCares (Recording Academy): Charitable arm of the Recording Academy/Grammys providing financial assistance and programs for music people in need. Comparable as a major music industry-aligned nonprofit foundation, though its mission is musician welfare rather than K-12 education.
- Grammy Foundation: Nonprofit arm of the Recording Academy supporting music education, archiving, and scientific research. Comparable as a music industry-aligned education/research nonprofit, though broader in scope (recording industry vs. music products industry).
Regional players
- Jazz at Lincoln Center: Nonprofit dedicated to advancing jazz appreciation and education through performances and educational programs. Comparable in music education programming and nonprofit foundation structure, but focused on jazz genre and based in New York.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The NAMM Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceThe NAMM Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The NAMM Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
The NAMM Foundation subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
The NAMM Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The NAMM Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The NAMM Foundation
What does The NAMM Foundation do?
The NAMM Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation that advances active participation in music making through a portfolio of programs: Global Grantmaking ($5,000–$25,000 grants to charitable music organizations worldwide), Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) recognition for K-12 schools and districts, the free Making Music Happen K-12 Curriculum, the Museum of Making Music, Career Mobility scholarships and the Lamond GenNext Award, and Day of Service volunteer events. All core resources are provided free of charge; the Foundation is funded by donations from NAMM members and the music products industry.
Is The NAMM Foundation a public or private company?
The NAMM Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The NAMM Foundation founded?
The NAMM Foundation was founded in 2006. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The NAMM Foundation based?
The NAMM Foundation is headquartered in Carlsbad, United States, in the North America region.
How does The NAMM Foundation make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Philanthropic Donations are the primary driver. The others are industry Association Support.
Who are The NAMM Foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are D'Addario Foundation, Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, Music Will (formerly Little Kids Rock) and VH1 Save The Music Foundation. Songwriters Hall of Fame is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are National Art Education Association (NAEA), Country Music Foundation, MusiCares (Recording Academy) and Grammy Foundation. Jazz at Lincoln Center is listed as a regional player.
Does The NAMM Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for The NAMM Foundation.
What industry is The NAMM Foundation in?
The NAMM Foundation's product category is Music Education Philanthropy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMAAAE, Music Instruction (Instrumental & Vocal), with a secondary code of BPAGAKAJ, Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations. Its NAICS code is 813211 and its SIC code is 8200.