Guitars and Ukes in the Classroom Receives Grant from The NAMM Foundation

The NAMM Foundation Expands Grantmaking to Benefit
​All Segments and Communities of the Music Industry

Guitars and Ukes in the Classroom, San Diego, CA,
November 12, 2025

Guitars and Ukes in the Classroom has once again been named a grant recipient of The NAMM Foundation. The organization was selected as one of 57 programs serving music makers across all industry segments in 26 states and five countries providing access to music-making opportunities to a variety of different communities and demographics, including those who are underrepresented.

“This marks the most significant philanthropic endeavor from The NAMM Foundation, expanding on the spirit of generosity, compassion and hope that The NAMM Foundation has demonstrated since its founding. Each of the programs selected support communities and neighbors who turn to music as an essential part of their daily their lives, reminding us that together, there is always reason for hope,” said Julia Rubio, Executive Director, The NAMM Foundation.

The grants serve to underscore the Foundation’s mission to advance participation in music making and offer quality access to all people. As one of 57 charitable organizations, GITC will utilize the resource to support the organization’s deep initiative building county-wide access to musical training and supplies for teachers and caregivers serving children birth to five years old in family daycares, Head Start programs, childcare and child development centers, and UTK classrooms.
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“We are immensely grateful to the NAMM Foundation for recognizing and honoring the life-shaping impact of early childhood musical learning on infants, toddlers, and preschoolers’ social-emotional well-being, cognitive development, language acquisition, early literacy skills, and number sense. At a time when federal funding losses and economic hardship has led to daycare closures and childcare shortages, GITC aims to bolster the childcare workforce with free professional development. The teachers need music as a daily tool for helping children find peace, and self-regulation. Developmental music making introduced throughout the day gives everyone support and a central nervous system reset. The result is a sense of safety and belonging, curiosity, and the playfulness that ignites learning.," explains GITC Founder and Executive Director, Jess Baron.  "With this grant, we plan to reach 500 caregivers throughout our home county with free, continuous training and support thanks to the good folks who serve with the foundation.”
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NAMM and The NAMM Foundation share a vision to significantly grow and diversify the Global Grantmaking program, with responsive investments that deepen impact, expand internationally, and balance representation across industry segments and funding priorities. This year’s grantmaking program sets the stage for a strong future in realizing this vision.

About Guitars and Ukes in the Classroom
Guitars & Ukes in the Classroom (GITC) expands the role of music in education by preparing teachers to play, sing, lead and integrate hands-on music with academic and social emotional learning from “Diapers to Diplomas.” GITC’s developmental approach engages students of all abilities in learning across the curriculum while developing vital 21st Century Skills through the joy of making music and the power of song.

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.

About NAMM
​The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is the not-for-profit association with a mission to strengthen the $19.5 billion music products industry. NAMM is comprised of 15,400 global member companies and individual professionals with a global workforce of over 475,000 employees. NAMM events and members fund The NAMM Foundation's efforts to promote the pleasures and benefits of music and advance active participation in music-making across the lifespan. For more information about NAMM, please visit www.namm.org.