NMPA SONGS Foundation gives $50,000 to expand songwriter therapy access

The National Music Publishers’ Association’s SONGS Foundation is giving The SONA Foundation $50,000 to help more songwriters and composers access individualized mental health care through its Therapy Assistance Project. Applications are open now to U.S.-based music creators, with the funding expected to support hundreds of hours of therapy.

Why it matters: - The gift is aimed at lowering a common barrier to mental health care for songwriters and composers: the cost of therapy. - The funding is designed to help more music creators get one-on-one support and choose a provider that fits their needs. - The grant arrives ahead of World Mental Health Day, adding visibility to mental health support in the music industry.

What happened: - The National Music Publishers’ Association’s Supporting Our Next Generation of Songwriters Foundation gave The SONA Foundation $50,000 for its Therapy Assistance Project. - The announcement came on October 8, 2026, in Los Angeles. - Applications for TAP are now open to songwriters and composers based in the United States.

The details: - TAP provides more than six months of weekly, one-on-one therapy for recipients. - The program lets participants choose their own mental health provider. - The new funding will support hundreds of hours of individualized care. - David Israelite, president of the NMPA SONGS Foundation, said the program aligns with the foundation’s goal of easing financial stress for working creators and expanding mental health resources. - Kellie Brown, executive director of The SONA Foundation, said TAP is built to make therapy easier to start and to remove financial barriers to care. - The SONA Foundation said it also focuses on mental health, financial wellness and career development for music creators.

Between the lines: - The grant reflects a broader effort in the music business to pair financial support with mental health access, rather than treating the two as separate issues. - TAP’s provider-choice model matters because access programs often fail when participants cannot find care that feels personal or sustainable. - The emphasis on weekly therapy suggests the foundation is backing ongoing treatment, not just short-term crisis support.

What's next: - Eligible songwriters and composers can apply for a TAP grant at More information. - The SONA Foundation also listed upcoming events in Los Angeles and Calabasas, including house concerts, a pickleball tournament and a wellness fest. - More information is available at Additional information.

The bottom line: - The $50,000 gift expands a targeted mental health program for songwriters and composers while preserving choice in care, which could make therapy more accessible for creators who might otherwise go without support.