About Country Music Association
Guided by the generosity of the Country Music community, the CMA Foundation focuses on improving and sustaining music education programs everywhere while supporting worthwhile causes important to the Country Music Association.
Focus Areas
Music educationK-12 youth developmentMusic teacher grants and professional developmentSchool/district capacity buildingResearch and needs assessmentsEvent-based fundraising (CMA Fest partnerships)
Who They Fund
music industry professionalsemerging music leaders/fellowsunderrepresented/diverse participants in musicmusic community organizations
Funding Style
About Country Music Association
A $3,787,650 grant in 2023 and a $2,750,000 grant in 2024 anchor Country Music Association Inc.’s recent giving and point to a foundation that works through large strategic investments rather than scattered awards. Its core portfolio centers on music education, with stated focus areas in youth development, teacher support, and research. The foundation says it partners with organizations and systems, including nonprofits, schools, districts, and other community partners, to strengthen music programs and activities that affect students and teachers. The grant record also shows a strong link to the broader Country Music ecosystem. Country Music Foundation Inc. received support for Hall of Fame medallion ceremonies in both 2023 and 2024, while Country Radio Broadcasters received sponsorships in both years. Those awards sit alongside education-centered grants, suggesting that the foundation’s work combines strategic music education funding with partnership support tied to industry institutions and events. A fellowship at The University of Alabama and partnerships with Nashville-based organizations further show how it connects music education, professional development, and the Country Music community in practice.
What Country Music Association Funds
Music education is the foundation’s main grantmaking lane, and the largest education-related commitments in the recent record went to The Cma Foundation for supporting music educational and cultural activities. The foundation frames this work around youth development, teacher support, and research, and says it uses data to guide investment strategies. Partnerships with music-industry institutions are another clear theme. Country Radio Broadcasters received CRS sponsorships in both 2023 and 2024, and Leadership Music was funded for supporting leadership in the music community and as an annual sponsor. The record also includes an industry partnership award to Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. The foundation also supports diversity and inclusion in the music sector. In 2024, it gave $36,000 to The University of Alabama for a diversity and inclusion fellowship, showing that its portfolio reaches beyond core classroom support into professional pipeline and inclusion work.
How Country Music Association Gives
Typical grant size sits at $23,750 at the 25th percentile, $27,500 at the median, and $65,500 at the 75th percentile, even though the recent record also includes several much larger strategic awards. The pattern suggests a mix of recurring partnership support and targeted one-time investments. Some recipients appear across multiple years, including Country Radio Broadcasters, Country Music Foundation Inc, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Music, and Nsai. The foundation is a public charity, not a fund that supports individuals directly, and it does not make program-related investments. Unsolicited applications are not part of the listed grant programs.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$3.4M
Total Assets
$132.7M
Total Revenue
$78.2M
Total Expenses
$61.8M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $24K and $66K, with a median of $28K.
25th Percentile
$24K
Median
$28K
75th Percentile
$66K
Geographic Reach
Local4 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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