Our communities are at the core of everything we do at Sony Music Group. And as part of SMG’s commitment to make an impact around the world, we continue to forge deep connections with organizations dedicated to making a difference and creating access to opportunity.
That dedication to corporate social responsibility has always been a part of the Company’s vision. In 2020, it further developed that commitment with the establishment of Sony’s Global Social Justice Fund, aiming to align with community partners and stakeholders to deliver solutions for communities with civic engagement support, criminal justice reform, educational programs, and environmental sustainability.
Over the past five years, SMG has been a part of the fund’s commitment that’s impacted organizations across 70 countries in 7 regions. As part of our individual grants, 90% of SMG’s donations have supported multicultural communities, with 46% of donations focused on organizations including, but not limited to music education.
Below features some of the education-related partners we have supported over the years:
Brighter Sound – The Manchester-based music charity used its support from the Social Justice Fund to drive its “Change the Record” leadership program. The program focused on women working in the music industry in northern England. From October 2024 to May 2025, participants participated in online workshops exploring communication styles, conflict management, financial sustainability, and work with corporate institutions.
Brooklyn Conservatory of Music (BKCM) – The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music aims to transform lives and build community through the expressive, educational and therapeutic powers of music. In 2024, SMG along with other funders helped to support more than 7,000 students and music therapy clients from every borough, age group, and income bracket.
Fundación Crescendo con la Música México, A.C. – This organization transforms lives through free music education programming. SMG support helped provide free music education for students between ages 6 – 20 years old and family members participating in Crescendo’s programs. Participants are from economically disadvantaged communities.
Global Scholars Program – This initiative provides scholarships and enrichment opportunities for students enrolled in a wide range of leading music and music-related fields of study at accredited colleges and universities. Recipients of the 2022 grant received annual financial support for the period of the degree program or upon completion, whichever is sooner, depending on financial need and region. Since launching the first international cohort in 2022, SMG has supported 50 students majoring in 42 music-related academic fields of study, across 18 different countries. Soon, we will open submissions for the new cohort for the 2025 school year.
Mewem France – The association supports and promotes female entrepreneurship and leadership across the music industry. Through partners like SMG, Mewem was able to serve 70 participants annually. Of those 70, SMG support was essential in supporting 12 ambitious mentees.
Milaan Foundation – The organization aims to empower girls to stand up for themselves by advancing their skills, rights, and opportunities to unlock their voice, choice, and inner power. With the help of SMG’s support, along with other funders, the program reached 36,000 girls empowering them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to advocate for their rights and make informed decisions about their lives. 97% of program participants now have access to a smart phones and 94% now have access to email addresses and as a result of this participants are able to engage in educational pursuits.
Music In Africa Foundation –This an-African initiative aims to upskill and increase participation of female professionals in the African music sector, providing industry training and networking opportunities for both professional and aspiring female music practitioners. In 2024, through the Social Justice Fund, 15 women trainees from across the continent, representing 9 different countries completed the 8-week program. As a result, several of the participants have had the opportunity to work with Live Music and Festival event production, and several are on track to be employed.
The New York City Environmental Justice Alliance (NYC-EJA) – The New York City Environmental Justice Alliance (NYC-EJA) is a citywide network linking grassroots organizations from low-income communities of color in their struggle for environmental justice. SMG’s support helped to promote the organization’s advocacy efforts around climate resiliency, clean energy, energy efficiency, project infrastructure, and more in low-income communities.
The Remix Project – The Remix Project is a multidisciplinary arts training organization dedicated to strengthening the creative community by supporting the next generation of industry leaders. Focused on each student’s personal and professional development, Remix was created to help level the playing field for talented young people who face barriers in pursuing careers in arts and entertainment. SMG contributed to funding a free nine-month multi-disciplinary professional training program to talented young artists and entrepreneurs (between the ages of 16 – 24) from marginalized and underserved communities in the Greater Toronto Area.
Going forward, the Global Social Justice Fund will continue its support to our partners and initiatives with the goal of making this world a better place and elevating people to inspire positive change in their actions beyond their current communities.
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