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Funding supports long-term research on the impact of music-based mentoring
The D’Addario Foundation announces that it has received a $10,000 grant from the NAMM Foundation to support the Immersive Music Challenge (IMC): an effort to improve awareness of the positive impacts of immersive music-based mentoring and support nonprofit organizations that provide free or affordable music instruction and mentoring within high-needs communities.
The grant will help support the IMC Implementation Study, a five-year research study, with NORC at the University of Chicago serving as the third-party evaluator. The study seeks to illustrate the impact that immersive music instruction and music-based mentoring can have on academic performance, especially literacy and grade-level reading, and social-emotional wellbeing of children from low-income communities.
Advancing Music Education Through Research and Partnership
“This contribution from the NAMM Foundation is a meaningful example of how investments in research can uncover data that demonstrates the power of music-based mentoring,” said Karen Shelley, Executive Director of the D’Addario Foundation.
Grant Highlights
The D’Addario Foundation received a $10,000 NAMM Foundation grant in support of its Immersive Music Challenge (IMC) Implementation Study.
Funds will directly support the IMC Implementation Study, a five-year research study, with NORC at the University of Chicago serving as the third-party evaluator, to examine how long-term music-based mentoring impacts academic achievement, especially literacy and grade-level reading, as well as social-emotional well-being among students attending high-poverty schools.
The project aims to demonstrate the transformative role of immersive music education in improving outcomes for youth from under-resourced communities.
Findings will help shape music-based mentoring programs and access to music education nationwide.
This award strengthens the D’Addario Foundation’s mission to increase access to immersive music programs and document their positive community impact.
This program is made possible by a grant from The NAMM Foundation and generous support from numerous other charities and donors.
About the D’Addario Foundation
The D’Addario Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, believes in the power of music to build community and transform lives for good. Affiliated with D’Addario & Company, the D’Addario Foundation receives generous resources from the company and relies on substantial additional support to help increase access to the benefits of music education.
About the NAMM Foundation
Since 2006, The NAMM Foundation has been guided by its commitment to social responsibility in its efforts to create more music makers worldwide. Inspired by the generosity of the music products industry, The National Association of Music Merchants launched this philanthropic arm to serve its mission of strengthening the music products industry and promoting the pleasures and benefits of making music.

