Save the Music, a nonprofit foundation, is going independent after 29 years, ending its financial support from Paramount Global. The organization, which promotes music education in public schools, will be supported by a $10 million endowment fund. The change is due to Paramount’s current financial struggles, including layoffs and a downsizing effort.
The long-standing relationship between Save the Music and Paramount began in 1997, with the foundation becoming a staple on VH1’s programming slate. The partnership resulted in successful benefit concerts and TV ads featuring A-list singers. However, Paramount’s decision to end its support comes as no surprise, given the company’s financial struggles, which include layoffs and a merger with Skydance Media.
Save the Music’s Executive Director, Harry Donahue, believes the change has been anticipated since 2019, when the foundation dropped “VH1” from its name and reduced its reliance on single sources of funding. The organization has since diversified its sources, receiving donations from major companies, record labels, and philanthropists. Currently, 95% of its budget comes from non-Paramount sources, with $4 million of the $10 million endowment already funded.
In its new independent model, Save the Music shifts its focus from made-for-TV moments to community engagement, embedding itself in schools and creating investment plans to fund instrument donations or music classes. While high-profile musicians will still be involved, the organization prioritizes long-term sustainability over one-off appearances. Donahue emphasizes the foundation’s mission to make music an integral part of every student’s education, a goal unchanged since its founding.
