The National Music Publishers’ Association S.O.N.G.S. (Supporting Our Next Generation of Songwriters) Foundation today announced that it has created a $50,000 songwriting-specific endowment at Belmont for the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business Songwriting Program. As part of Belmont’s We Believe comprehensive fundraising campaign which launched in 2016, this donation was matched by the University for an endowment totaling $100,000.
The NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation Board includes Steven Tyler, Kara DioGuardi, Jewel, Craig Balsam, Golnar Khosrowshahi, Lee Thomas Miller and NMPA’s David Israelite, Danielle Aguirre and Charlotte Sellmyer. The Foundation also created the first-ever songwriting endowment for Middle Tennessee State University College of Media and Entertainment with a gift of $25,000.
NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation President David Israelite said regarding the donations, “The S.O.N.G.S. Foundation was created specifically to help aspiring songwriters. We are thrilled to start the foundation’s work by supporting those who want to learn about the craft, and need and deserve financial help to do so. We are grateful for Belmont University’s willingness to match our donation, and we are very excited about being able to launch the inaugural MTSU songwriting-specific scholarship program. These donations will enrich the lives of young creators and exponentially enrich our lives through what they go on to create.”
James I. Elliott, chair of Belmont’s songwriting program, said, “We are thrilled to receive this endowment gift from the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation as it will support the next generation of hit songwriters currently studying at Belmont. In addition, this generous gift is a wonderful way to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Songwriting major offered at the Curb College.”
About the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation
Launched in 2015, the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation promotes the creation of music by supporting gifted songwriters and programs that foster composition education. The Foundation’s goal is to provide financial assistance and support of educational programs to assist talented writers to ensure they can continue their creativity. It is a 501(c)3 corporation.
