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.
The Cma Foundation’s grantmaking is anchored in music education access, with portfolio priorities that center Youth Development, Teacher Support, and Research. One of its largest recent awards was a $500,000 grant to The Mr Hollands Opus Foundation for an MHOF SOTA grant, signaling support for school-based music access at scale. The foundation also backed Music Health Alliance with a $100,000 grant, showing that its music-related giving extends beyond classrooms into health-linked support for the music community. Another major award went to Notes for Notes, which received $100,000 in 2024. Across its recent grants, the foundation supports organizations and systems that improve access to high-quality music education, including schools, nonprofits, community organizations, and arts education partners. Its portfolio language emphasizes relational partnerships and high-impact investments rather than isolated awards. Recent grant records also show repeat support for some grantees over multiple years, which points to ongoing engagement with selected partners rather than one-time funding only.
In teacher support, The Cma Foundation awarded $100,000 to State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education for FY24 ArtsEd data work, aligning with its research and policy-related priorities. For educator recognition and professional development, it gave $55,000 to Nashville Public Education Foundation for a Metro Nashville Public Schools Music Teachers of Excellence school award. In youth development through music, the foundation provided $100,000 to Music Will Fka Little Kids Rock, a grant tied to expanding access to music learning opportunities. It also supported Youth on Record with $50,000 in 2024, reflecting its interest in youth-focused music programming. On the arts access side, The People’s Music School received $25,000, showing that the foundation also funds community-based organizations serving students through music.
Typical grant size is $25,000 at both the 25th percentile and median, rising to $51,250 at the 75th percentile, with a smaller set of larger awards above that range. The recent record shows repeat grants to several partners across 2023 and 2024, including The Mr Hollands Opus Foundation, Music Health Alliance, Nashville Public Education Foundation, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, and Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-off support. The foundation is a public charity, and its active programs indicate programmatic grantmaking rather than individual giving or program-related investments. One program, Music Teachers of Excellence, is open to unsolicited applications.
$1.9M
$15.8M
$5.4M
$3.2M
Most grants fall between $25K and $51K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$51K
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Grantmaking is regional and entirely U.S.-based in the recent grant sample. Tennessee appears frequently, with grants to Nashville, Memphis, Tullahoma, and Dickson, and recipients in the HQ state account for 50% of grants. California also appears often through recipients in Studio City and Santa Barbara. Other recipient locations include New York, Chicago, Denver, Phoenix, Detroit, Philadelphia, and New Orleans. The top state by grant count is California, even though the foundation’s headquarters are in Tennessee.
Its active portfolios center Youth Development, Teacher Support, Research, and Music Education Access. The broader taxonomy also includes music education in K-12 schools, youth arts and youth development through music, music and health initiatives, artist development, and arts data and research.
The typical grant size is $25,000 at the 25th percentile and median, with the 75th percentile at $51,250. Recent awards range from $25,000 grants to larger awards such as $500,000 and $208,000.
Yes. Recent grants show repeat support for several partners across 2023 and 2024, including The Mr Hollands Opus Foundation, Music Health Alliance, Nashville Public Education Foundation, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, and Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation.
Some programs accept unsolicited applications. The Music Teachers of Excellence program is marked as accepting unsolicited applications, and the Annual National & Regional Grants program is also marked as accepting unsolicited applications.
The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based in the recent grant sample, and Tennessee recipients account for 50% of grants. California is the top state by grant count, with recipients in places such as Studio City and Santa Barbara.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Cma Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Administrators from each of Tennessee's 147 public school districts can apply for a free needs assessment of their arts program.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MUSIC HEALTH ALLIANCE | NASHVILLE, TN | $200,000 | 2025 | MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR MUSIC INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS |
| NOTES FOR NOTES | NASHVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING |
| THE ROOTS OF MUSIC | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT TO ADVANCE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES IN MUSIC EDUCATION FIELD |
| YOUTH ON RECORD | DENVER, CO | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING |
| VH1 SAVE THE MUSIC FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING |
| STATE EDUCATION AGENCY DIRECTORS OF ARTS EDUCATION | DOVER, DE | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT TO ADVANCE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES IN MUSIC EDUCATION FIELD |
| TOURING CAREER WORKSHOP | NASHVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR MUSIC INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS |
| PORTER'S CALL | FRANKLIN, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR MUSIC INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS |
| MUSIC WILL | MONTCLAIR, NJ | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT TO ADVANCE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES IN MUSIC EDUCATION FIELD |
| MUSICARES FOUNDATION | SANTA MONICA, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT TO ADVANCE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES IN MUSIC EDUCATION FIELD |
| BACKLINE CARE INC | PORTLAND, OR | $100,000 | 2025 | MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR MUSIC INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS |
| MUSIC AND THE BRAIN | NEW YORK, NY | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING |
| METROPOLITAN NASHVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS | NASHVILLE, TN | $52,000 | 2025 | MUSIC TEACHERS OF EXCELLENCE CLASSROOM GRANTS |
| MEMPHIS MUSIC INITIATIVE | MEMPHIS, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING |
| COUNTRY MUSIC FOUNDATION INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR WORDS AND MUSIC EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM |
| THE PEOPLE'S MUSIC SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING |
| TENNESSEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING |
| SPHINX ORGANIZATION INC | DETROIT, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING |
| ARTISTYEAR | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING |
| NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR MUSIC EDUCATION | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT TO BUILD STATEWIDE LEADERSHIP TO ADVANCE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO MUSIC EDUCAITON IN TITLE I SCHOOLS |
| TENNESSEE ARTS ACADEMY FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE MUSIC TEACHER |
| GIRLS ROCK SANTA BARBARA | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING |
| WO SMITHNASHVILLE COMMUNITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING |
| THE QUEST CENTER | DICKSON, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING |
| MASSACHUSETTS MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOC | NEEDHAM, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT TO INCREASE RETENTION FOR MUSIC EDUCATORS IN MASSACHUSETTS |
| PHOENIX CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC | LITCHFIELD PARK, AZ | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING |
| EQUITY ARC | CINCINNATI, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR ANNUAL CONVENING AND ORCHESTRAL PATHWAYS PROGRAM |
| COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF FOUNDATION | TOWNSON, MD | $20,000 | 2025 | GEORGIA MUSIC TEACHER SUPPORT |
| TEXAS MUSIC PROJECT | KELLER, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING |
| NASHVILLE PEACEMAKERS | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING |
| YELLOW JACKET BAND ASSOCIATION INC | HAZLEHURST, GA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING |
| WILLIAMSON COUNTY SCHOOLS | FRANKLIN, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | MUSIC TEACHERS OF EXCELLENCE CLASSROOM GRANT |
| TOOLS FOR TOMORROW INC | PALM DESERT, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING |
| COMMUNITY ARTS COLLECTIVE | LAVERGNE, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR YOUTH MUSIC FESTIVAL EVENT |
| THE MR HOLLANDS OPUS FOUNDATION | STUDIO CITY, CA | $208,000 | 2024 | FY24 GRANT - MUSIC HAS VALUE PARTNERSHIP |
| NOTES FOR NOTES | NASHVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2024 | FY24 GRANT - N4N |
| MUSIC HEALTH ALLIANCE | NASHVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2024 | MHA GRANT - INV 3/22/24 |
| STATE EDUCATION AGENCY DIRECTORS OF ARTS EDUCATION | DOVER, DE | $100,000 | 2024 | FY24 GRANT - ARTSED DATA |
| MUSIC WILL FKA LITTLE KIDS ROCK | MONCLAIR, NJ | $100,000 | 2024 | FY24 - MUSIC WILL |
| VH1 SAVE THE MUSIC FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $85,000 | 2024 | FY24 GRANT - SAVE THE MUSIC |
| NASHVILLE PUBLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $55,000 | 2024 | CHEVY MTOE GRANTS - MNPS MTOE SCHOOL AWARD |
| COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2024 | FY24 GRANT - CMHOF |
| TENNESSEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2024 | TPAC GRANT |
| YOUTH ON RECORD | DENVER, CO | $50,000 | 2024 | FY24 GRANT - YOUTH ON RECORD |
| ARTISTYEAR | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $50,000 | 2024 | FY24 GRANT - ARTIST YEAR |
| MUSIC AND THE BRAIN | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2024 | FY24 GRANT - MUSIC AND THE BRAIN |
| NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FOUNDATION | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $25,000 | 2024 | FY24 GRANT - NOJHF |
| TENNESSEE ARTS ACADEMY FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2024 | FY24 GRANT - TAA |
| MEMPHIS MUSIC INITIATIVE | MEMPHIS, TN | $25,000 | 2024 | FY24 GRANT - MMI |
| THE PEOPLE'S MUSIC SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2024 | FY24 GRANT - TPMS |
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR MUSIC INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS
GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING
GENERAL SUPPORT TO ADVANCE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES IN MUSIC EDUCATION FIELD
GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING
GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING
STATE EDUCATION AGENCY DIRECTORS OF ARTS EDUCATION
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT TO ADVANCE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES IN MUSIC EDUCATION FIELD
TOURING CAREER WORKSHOP
$100,000MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR MUSIC INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS
PORTER'S CALL
$100,000MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR MUSIC INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS
GENERAL SUPPORT TO ADVANCE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES IN MUSIC EDUCATION FIELD
GENERAL SUPPORT TO ADVANCE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES IN MUSIC EDUCATION FIELD
MUSIC AND THE BRAIN
$75,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING
METROPOLITAN NASHVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$52,000MUSIC TEACHERS OF EXCELLENCE CLASSROOM GRANTS
MEMPHIS MUSIC INITIATIVE
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING
COUNTRY MUSIC FOUNDATION INC
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR WORDS AND MUSIC EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING
GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING
GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING
GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR MUSIC EDUCATION
$35,000GENERAL SUPPORT TO BUILD STATEWIDE LEADERSHIP TO ADVANCE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO MUSIC EDUCAITON IN TITLE I SCHOOLS
TENNESSEE ARTS ACADEMY FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE MUSIC TEACHER
GIRLS ROCK SANTA BARBARA
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING
WO SMITHNASHVILLE COMMUNITY
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING
THE QUEST CENTER
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING
MASSACHUSETTS MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOC
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT TO INCREASE RETENTION FOR MUSIC EDUCATORS IN MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING
EQUITY ARC
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR ANNUAL CONVENING AND ORCHESTRAL PATHWAYS PROGRAM
TEXAS MUSIC PROJECT
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING
NASHVILLE PEACEMAKERS
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING
YELLOW JACKET BAND ASSOCIATION INC
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING
WILLIAMSON COUNTY SCHOOLS
$10,000MUSIC TEACHERS OF EXCELLENCE CLASSROOM GRANT
TOOLS FOR TOMORROW INC
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MUSIC LEARNING
COMMUNITY ARTS COLLECTIVE
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR YOUTH MUSIC FESTIVAL EVENT
STATE EDUCATION AGENCY DIRECTORS OF ARTS EDUCATION
$100,000FY24 GRANT - ARTSED DATA
CHEVY MTOE GRANTS - MNPS MTOE SCHOOL AWARD
COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM
$50,000FY24 GRANT - CMHOF
MUSIC AND THE BRAIN
$50,000FY24 GRANT - MUSIC AND THE BRAIN
TENNESSEE ARTS ACADEMY FOUNDATION
$25,000FY24 GRANT - TAA
MEMPHIS MUSIC INITIATIVE
$25,000FY24 GRANT - MMI
