Best Buy brings funding to school music programs

MINNEAPOLIS Best Buy announced that it has teamed up with the Grammy Foundation to launch the “Be The Next” initiative,an innovative partnership joining the corporate resources and relationships of the leading consumer electronics retailer with the established music education programs and initiatives of the nonprofit organization of The Recording Academy.

Through its @15 platform, Club Beats and Best Buy Mobile resources, Best Buy said it will pledge up to $1 million in funds to at-risk music education programs in schools across the country.

In addition, with each new Best Buy Mobile store opening in FY2011, the “Be The Next” initiative will donate $2,500 to a local schools’ music education program, further enhancing the impact Best Buy stores bring to their local communities.

“Our commitment to the music industry goes beyond just the products we sell in our stores and comes with a responsibility to support and enhance music education programs,” said Barry Judge, chief marketing officer for Best Buy. “Best Buy has been a long time advocate and proud partner of GRAMMY Foundation, and we are excited at the opportunity to further support their mission through “Be The Next.”