The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation and Save The Music today announced a new partnership designed to reinvigorate public school music education nationwide. The initiative will fund at least 25 new music education programs in public schools across the country over the next three years, focusing on communities where Save The Music Foundation has a longstanding presence. As part of the effort, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees will visit classrooms to mentor and inspire the next generation of music makers. The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to building a future where music instruction remains central to a complete education.
This partnership marks the launch of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation’s first-ever grantmaking pillar, a strategic commitment to empower music education at scale. Save The Music has been named the inaugural recipient in this initiative, accelerating their ability to bring music into classrooms across the country.
Target cities slated for this impactful programming include Atlanta, Cleveland, Dallas, Los Angeles/Compton, Miami/South Florida, and New York City.
This morning, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Sheryl Crow joined Save The Music Founder John Sykes – now Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation and President of Entertainment Enterprises at iHeartMedia – and Henry Donahue, Executive Director of Save The Music, on Good Morning America to outline the new partnership. Crow, who has a BA in music education and was an elementary school teacher before her rise to stardom, was one of the initial supporters of Save The Music when it first launched in 1997, and continues her longtime support of the organization. She also performed her hit song “Every Day Is A Winding Road.” Watch the interview here and her performance here.
iHeartMedia will amplify the partnership with a nationwide PSA campaign across the company’s 860+ radio stations, rallying support and awareness for music education programs in underserved communities. Bloomberg Philanthropies will provide financial support to the initiative.
Save The Music was founded nearly 30 years ago by Sykes, then President of VH1, with the mission to restore music programs in public schools nationwide. The Foundation spun out as an independent 501c3 in 2008, and has since doubled its impact and scale.
Significant research (including studies from the University of Chicago and the National Endowment for the Arts) has shown that students receiving music education instruction earn better grades, achieve higher reading and math test scores, and demonstrate higher rates of college enrollment.
“Music education is not only an art – it’s a science,” said John Sykes. “We are grateful for Bloomberg Philanthropies’ support to protect and expand music education programs that help shape both the creative and cognitive development of the next generation.”
Backed early on by bipartisan political support and gaining widespread national recognition through the iconic VH1 Divas concert series – featuring legendary performances from Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Beyoncé, and more—the foundation has created over 2,800 music programs in public schools and raised more than $75 million, with recent support from partners and artists including Ed Sheeran, Becky G, Jelly Roll, Old Dominion, and others. Earlier this year, STM announced its transition to a fully independent nonprofit, separate from Paramount Global. To ensure long-term sustainability, the organization has been building a $10 million endowment fund, raising over $4 million so far, with backing from a broad coalition of industry partners including Live Nation, TikTok, and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott; this milestone culminates a five-year strategy to diversify funding and expand its reach.
“We’ve seen firsthand that music education doesn’t just create future musicians,” said Save The Music’s Henry Donahue. “It helps shape our future doctors, engineers, teachers, and leaders. This partnership is about unlocking that potential for every child.”
This initiative reflects the power of collaboration – uniting legacy institutions, philanthropic leadership, and media to spark innovation in music education and create lasting impact in communities across the country.
About Save The Music:
Save The Music Foundation (STM) is a pioneering independent 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to helping students, schools, and communities reach their full potential through the power of making music. Since 1997, STM has worked to address systemic inequities in music education by investing in culturally rich American communities – supporting music teachers and donating musical instruments, equipment and technology to public schools. Numerous studies show students who receive music education demonstrate improved math and verbal performance.* To date, the organization has donated over $75 million worth of instruments, equipment and technology to over 2,800 schools across hundreds of school districts, impacting the lives of millions of students nationwide.
*National Library of Medicine, Harvard, University of the Pacific
About Rock & Roll Hall of Fame:
Born from the collision of rhythm & blues, country, and gospel, rock & roll is a spirit that is inclusive and ever-changing. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame celebrates the sound of youth culture and honors the artists whose music connects us all. We share stories of the people, events, and songs that shape our world through digital content, innovative exhibits, live music, engaging programs, and our annual Induction Ceremony. We intentionally foster an inclusive and welcoming non-profit Museum that encourages and embraces creativity and innovation. As a community leader, we value, empower, and respect all people. Join the millions who love rock & roll as much as you do. Visit us in Cleveland, Ohio or at rockhall.com and follow us (@rockhall) on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and X, or (@rockandrollhalloffame) on Facebook.
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