Blue Skies for Children Receives Grant from The NAMM Foundation
January 15, 2026
Bellingham, WA – Blues Skies for Children has 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, Blue Skies for Children will utilize the resource to support our Little Wishes Ongoing Enrichment Program by expanding access to music enrichment for children facing financial barriers to participation.
“We discovered NAAM’s grant opportunity while seeking new ways to fund our music education program and were pleasantly surprised to be awarded this grant,” said Caprice Teske, Executive Director of Blue Skies for Children. “This support will allow us explore new avenues to sharing music education to a wider audience of children who would normally be unable to explore their love of music more deeply. We are grateful for NAAM’s partnership in expanding these opportunities for youth in our community.”
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 Blue Skies for Children
Established in 1997, Blue Skies was created out of a need in our local community. In 2002, Blue Skies became a 501(c)(3) and hired its first executive director. Its mission is to raise hope and self-esteem by sponsoring enrichment programs and other essentials for homeless, low-income and foster children in Whatcom and Skagit Counties. Visit www.blueskiesforchildren.org to learn more.
Established in 1997, Blue Skies was created out of a need in our local community. In 2002, Blue Skies became a 501(c)(3) and hired its first executive director. Its mission is to raise hope and self-esteem by sponsoring enrichment programs and other essentials for homeless, low-income and foster children in Whatcom and Skagit Counties. Visit www.blueskiesforchildren.org to learn more.
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.
