Academy of Country Music
To improve lives by connecting and engaging fans, artists and the industry.
Academy of Country Music at a glance
- Total assets
- $14,104,249
- +46.0% vs 2023
- Revenue (2024)
- $11,896,159
- +3.2% vs 2023
- Net investment income (2024)
- $312,254
- +8.3% vs 2023
- Expenses (2024)
- $12,983,452
- -0.9% vs 2023
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Academy of Country Music funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
2 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 1 grant of 2 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $563 (2023) to $546K (2020). In 2023 it reported $563 in grants paid, as a total without an itemized list.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACM Lifting Lives Burbank, CA | General support grant for acm lifting lives charitable purposes. | $400,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $14,104,249 | $11,896,159 | $12,983,452 | — | — | $312,254 |
| 2023 | $9,658,462 | $11,525,293 | $13,096,965 | $563 | Total only | $288,336 |
| 2022 | $11,504,315 | $7,915,143 | $10,947,542 | $675 | Total only | $42,126 |
| 2021 | $15,432,642 | $15,266,512 | $8,295,873 | $400,000 | 1 | $1,461,401 |
| 2020 | $7,947,637 | $3,919,104 | $7,614,048 | $546,279 | 1 | $51,059 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About Academy of Country Music
Based on IRS filings
Academy of Country Music is a public charity, based in Nashville, TN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $14.1M in total assets. Net investment income was $312K.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Academy of Country Music is led by Damon Whiteside, CEO on every filing since 2020; 7 of 90 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Damon Whiteside
CEO
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$399K (2020) → $605K (2024)
Randy Bernard
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kristina Reyes
Senior Director of Finance & Ops
New on the 2024 filing
50 hrs/week
$138K (2024)
Becky Gardenhire
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ben Vaughn
Director
Past Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Beth Laird
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charlie Cook
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chris Parr
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cindy Mabe
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Curt Motley
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Miller
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Derek Wells
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Enzo Devincenzo
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gayle Holcomb
Director
Sergeant-At-Arms → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
George Couri
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Loba
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kerri Edwards
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lee Thomas Miller
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Moore
Director
Parliamentarian → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rod Phillips
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rusty Gaston
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sally Seitz
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shawn McSpadden
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tim Roberts
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Troy Vollhoffer
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Candace Watkins
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chris Lisle
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cyndi Forman
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deana Ivey
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeremy Holley
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott Scovill
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Annie Ortimeier
Director
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Ream
Director
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Molinar
Director
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Redington
Director
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shannon Sanders
Director
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tj Osborne
Director
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Adam Weiser
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Benson Curb
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Breland
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Buffy Cooper
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carly Pearce
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chandra Laplume
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erika Wollam Nichols
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gena Johnson
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jake Basden
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jason Kane
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Way
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Johnny Chiang
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kristie Sloan
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Margaret Hart
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Moore
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Rittberg
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Moore
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Randi Tolbert
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Beuschel
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scot Calonge
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shannan Hatch
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Aaron Spalding
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andy Moats
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bj Hill
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cameo Carlson
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Emily Falvey
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Howie Edelman
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marcel Pariseau
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Martha Earls
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matt Cottingham
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Meredith Jones
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Storme Warren
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tim Foisset
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ward Gunther
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Moore
Chief of Staff
Vice President Artist & Industry Relat → Chief of Staff, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$126K (2020) → $192K (2024)
Benjamin Carter
Vice President, Live Events & Production
New on the 2024 filing
50 hrs/week
$160K (2024)
Gilbert Beverly
Cbo
New on the 2024 filing
50 hrs/week
$271K (2024)
Rory Levine
Vice President Marketing, Digital Strategy & Engagement
New on the 2024 filing
50 hrs/week
$104K (2024)
Steven Mekler
Brand Marketing & Partners
New on the 2024 filing
50 hrs/week
$116K (2024)
Butch Waugh
Past Chair
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carmen Romano
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chuck Aly
Past Chair
Vice President → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Past Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cris Lacy
Vice Chair
Director → Vice President, 2023
Vice President → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Darin Murphy
Past Chair
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Duane Clark
Past Chair
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ebie McFarland
Past Chair
Director → Chair, 2023
Chair → Past Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ed Warm
Past Chair
Chairman → Past Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Krones
Vice President
Director → Parliamentarian, 2023
Parliamentarian → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ken Tucker
Past Chair
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lori Badgett
Past Chair
President → Chair, 2022
Chair → Past Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Hartley
Past Chair
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Barnabee
Past Chair
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rod Essig
Past Chair
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (55)
- Former: Alexa Fasheh (2020–2023) — Vice President Finance & Operations
- Former: Beville Dunkerley (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Brian O'Connell (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Brittany Schaffer (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Frank Liddell (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Jackie Campbell (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Kelly Rich (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Chris Kappy (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Katie McCartney (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Laura Veltz (2023) — Director
- Former: Rachel Whitney (2023) — Director
- Former: Ali Harnell (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Andrew Kautz (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Ben Kline (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Chuck Ainlay (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Crystal Dishmon (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Ken Robold (2020–2022) — Past Chair
- Former: Rac Clark (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Tom Forrest (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Tree Paine (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Trisha Yearwood (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Will Hitchcock (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Bobby Bones (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Sally Williams (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Bailey Scott (2022) — Director
- Former: Beverly Keel (2022) — Director
- Former: Frank Rogers (2022) — Director
- Former: Alicia Lee (2020–2021) — Senior Vice President Creative & Content
- Former: Brian Wright (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Clarence Spalding (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Erick Long (2020–2021) — Senior Vice President Operations & Events
- Former: Greg Hill (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Hillary B. Primero (2020–2021) — Senior Vice President Pr & Marketing
- Former: Jennie Smythe (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Jimmie Allen (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: John Dennis (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Lynn Oliver-Cline (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Mason Hunter (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Reid Shippen (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Rodger Gearhart (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Ryan Dokke (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Steve Lassiter (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Bones Bobby (2020) — Director
- Former: Brandi Brammer (2020) — Director
- Former: Chris Farren (2020) — Director
- Former: Jackie Stevens (2020) — Director
- Former: Kele Currier (2020) — Director
- Former: Leslie Cohea (2020) — Director
- Former: Leslie Fram (2020) — Director
- Former: Michael McAnally Baum (2020) — Director
- Former: Nick Difruscia (2020) — Vice President
- Former: Nick Hartley (2020) — Director
- Former: Seth England (2020) — Director
- Former: Stacy Vee (2020) — Director
- Former: Thomas Torii (2020) — Senior Vice President, Finance & Operations
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $605K, to Damon Whiteside (CEO). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Academy of Country Music
How large is Academy of Country Music?
Academy of Country Music reported $14.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $11.9M.
Where does Academy of Country Music operate?
Academy of Country Music has awarded grants in California.
What is Academy of Country Music's EIN?
Academy of Country Music's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-2547035. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Academy of Country Music's focus areas in our free grants database
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Academy of Country Music down — hundreds of funders to go?