Country Music Association Inc

501(c)(6) organization Nashville, TN EIN: 62-0606066

1. Heighten awareness and grow the business of country music.2. Serve as the information and communication center for industry and consumer trends.3. Provide a forum for industry leadership to advance country music.4. Recognize excellence in the industry.5. Develop ongoing industry and consumer research with the goal of improving communication and education with country music stakeholders.

Country Music Association Inc at a glance

In short: Country Music Association Inc gave $3.4M across 9 grants in 2025 (avg $376K), mostly in Tennessee. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.

Annual giving (2025)
$3,382,459
+9.6% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
9
-10.0% vs 2024
Average grant
$375,829
+21.8% vs 2024
Median grant
$30,000
Total assets
$132,698,680
+14.6% vs 2024
Primary geography
Tennessee (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.

Who Country Music Association Inc funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 9 recipients in 2025

The CMA Foundation: $3.1MThe CMA Foundation$3.1MCountry Music Hall of Fame & Museum: $130KCountry Music Hall of Fame &Museum$130KCountry Radio Broadcasters: $50KCountry Radio Broadcasters$50KMtheory Nashville LLC: $30KMtheory Nashville LLC$30KNashville Area Chamber of Commerce: $30KNashville Area Chamber ofCommerce$30KLeadership Music: $25KLeadership Music$25KTKDUBS Production: $15KTKDUBS Production$15KKulturecity: $10KKulturecity$10KNsai: $10KNsai$10K

The largest 2025 recipient was The CMA Foundation ($3.1M). Together the top 9 received $3.4M.

Grant Size Distribution

41 grants across all recorded years

30<$50K2$50–100K3$100–250K1$250–500K1$500K–1M4$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 30 grants of 41 (73%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

6states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.

Cities

NashvilleNew YorkDurhamEssexLos AngelesTuscaloosaVestavia

How Country Music Association Inc gives

  • Giving grew 131% from 2022 to 2025. Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$2M$4M$6M10 grants2020 4 grants2021 12 grants2022 6 grants2023 10 grants2024 9 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $595K (2021) to $4.6M (2020). In 2025 it made 9 grants totaling $3.4M.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
The CMA Foundation Nashville, TNSupporting Music Educational, Mental Health, and Cultural Activities$3,082,459
Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum Nashville, TNHall of Fame Medallion Ceremony Donation$130,000
Country Radio Broadcasters Nashville, TNCRS Sponsorship$50,000
Mtheory Nashville LLC New York, NYIndustry Partnership$30,000
Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce Nashville, TNIndustry Partnership$30,000
Leadership Music Nashville, TNSupporting Leadership in the Music Community$25,000
TKDUBS Production Durham, NCIndustry Partnership$15,000
Kulturecity Vestavia, ALIndustry Partnership$10,000
Nsai Nashville, TNIndustry Partnership$10,000
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Country Music Association Inc?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsNet Investment Income
2025$132,698,680$78,217,001$61,787,999$3,382,4599$11,111,231
2024$115,816,580$68,364,093$58,088,660$3,085,00010$4,083,940
2023$104,081,996$57,892,251$55,527,054$4,151,6506$117,473
2022$102,178,283$43,001,334$37,006,352$1,463,11812$6,773,535
2021$94,289,640$30,305,836$29,911,865$595,4404$2,921,511
2020$76,161,588$50,633,862$51,922,390$4,551,11810$1,386,404

About Country Music Association Inc

Based on IRS filings

Country Music Association Inc is a public charity focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Nashville, TN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $132.7M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 9 grants totaling $3.4M. Net investment income was $11.1M.

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Country Music Association Inc is led by Sarah Trahern, CEO on every filing since 2020; 10 of 85 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Sarah Trahern

    CEO

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $692K (2020) → $838K (2025)

  • Jay Williams

    President

    Director at Large → President-Elect, 2024

    President-Elect → President, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jennie Smythe

    Chairman

    Marketing & Digital → President, 2024

    President → Chairman, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Michael Farris

    Senior Director of Business Strategy & Insights

    Business Intelligence Lead → Senior Director of Business Strategy & Insights, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    40 hrs/week

    $151K (2024) → $148K (2025)

  • Ryan Nelson

    Senior Director & Event Operations

    New on the 2025 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $159K (2025)

  • Anna-Sophie Mertens

    Director

    Director → Director at Large, 2023

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ben Vaughn

    Director

    Publisher & Performing Rights Organization → Secretary & Treasurer, 2024

    Secretary & Treasurer → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Brian O'Connell

    Director

    Director → Director at Large, 2023

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Charlie Morgan

    Director

    President & Cma Board → Director at Large, 2024

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Danny Rader

    Director

    Musician → Director at Large, 2024

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • David Haskell

    Director

    Touring Personnel → Director at Large, 2024

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Derek Wells

    Director

    Musician → Director at Large, 2024

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ed Warm

    Director

    Venue → Director at Large, 2024

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jay Liepis

    Director

    Director → Director at Large, 2023

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jim Beavers

    Director

    Chairman of the Board → Director at Large, 2024

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jonathan Levine

    Director

    Director → Director at Large, 2023

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Karen Fairchild

    Director

    Artist → Director at Large, 2024

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kella Farris

    Director

    Secretary & Treasurer → Chairman, 2024

    Chairman → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kerri Edwards

    Director

    Personal Manager → Director at Large, 2024

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kurt Johnson

    Director

    Director → Director at Large, 2023

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Liz Rose

    Director

    Composer → Director at Large, 2024

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Marc Dennis

    Director

    Talent Agent → Director at Large, 2024

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Mary Hilliard Harrington

    Director

    Director → Director at Large, 2023

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • R. Horton Frank III

    Director

    Legal Counsel Ex-Officio → Director at Large, 2024

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Rod Phillips

    Director

    Director → Director at Large, 2023

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Sally Williams

    Director

    Director → Director at Large, 2023

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Scott Borchetta

    Director

    Director → Director at Large, 2023

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Stacy Vee

    Director

    Director → Director at Large, 2023

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Steve Blatter

    Director

    Director → Director at Large, 2023

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Terry Calonge

    Director

    Director → Director at Large, 2023

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Tim Roberts

    Director

    Director → Director at Large, 2023

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Troy Tomlinson

    Director

    Publisher & Performing Rights Organization → Director at Large, 2024

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Troy Vollhoffer

    Director

    Director → Director at Large, 2023

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Virginia Bunetta

    Director

    President Elect → Director at Large, 2024

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • David Crow

    Director

    Entertainment Services → Director at Large, 2024

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2021

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • J. William Denny

    Director

    Life Time Director → Director at Large, 2024

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2021

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ken Robold

    Director

    Record Company → Director at Large, 2024

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2021

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Natalie Waller

    Director

    International → Director at Large, 2024

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2021

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ralph Peer II

    Director

    Life Time Director → Director at Large, 2024

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2021

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Brittany Schaffer

    Director

    Director → Director at Large, 2023

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2022

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Candice Watkins

    Director

    Director → Director at Large, 2023

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2022

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Chris Kappy

    Director

    Director → Director at Large, 2023

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2022

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • David Kells

    Director

    Director → Director at Large, 2023

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2022

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jenee Fleenor

    Director

    Director → Director at Large, 2023

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2022

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Lindsay Bertelli

    Director

    Affiliated → Director at Large, 2024

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2022

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Rj Curtis

    Director

    Director → Director at Large, 2023

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2022

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Shannon Sanders

    Director

    Director → Director at Large, 2023

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2022

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Sina Hall

    Director

    International → Director at Large, 2024

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2022

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Tj Osborne

    Director

    Director → Director at Large, 2023

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2022

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Warren Copnick

    Director

    Director → Director at Large, 2023

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2022

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Adam Weiser

    Director

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Annie Ortmeier

    Director

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Austin Neal

    Director

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ben Kline

    Director

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Brent Daughrity

    Director

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Charlie Worsham

    Director

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Chris Lisle

    Director

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Chris Parr

    Director

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Curt Jenkins

    Director

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Dan Rogers

    Director

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Debbie Carroll

    Director

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jeffrey Hasson

    Director

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • John Zarling

    Director

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jon Loba

    Director

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Josh Van Valkenburg

    Director

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Katie McCartney

    Director

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Michelle Tigard Kammerer

    Director

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Mike Harris

    Director

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Rachel Whitney

    Director

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Rhett Akins

    Director

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Shannan Hatch

    Director

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Wes Vause

    Director

    Director at Large → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Brandy Clark

    Director

    New on the 2025 filing

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Chuck Aly

    Director

    New on the 2025 filing

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jay Demarcus

    Director

    New on the 2025 filing

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Priscilla Block

    Director

    New on the 2025 filing

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Amy F. Smartt

    Senior Vice President Finance & Administration

    Senior Vice President Finance & Administration → Senior Vice President Finance & Administrator, 2024

    Senior Vice President Finance & Administrator → Senior Vice President Finance & Administration, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $186K (2020) → $233K (2025)

  • Catherine Frizzell

    Vice President Marketing

    Vice President of Marketing → Vice President Marketing, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $124K (2020) → $177K (2025)

  • Emily Evans

    Senior Vice President Business Strategy & Operations

    Director of Strategic Partnersh → Vice President Strategic Initiatives, 2022

    Vice President Strategic Initiatives → Senior Vice President Business Strategy & Operations, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $165K (2020) → $203K (2025)

  • Milly Olykan

    Vice President International Relations & Development

    Vice President International Relations & Development → Vice President International Relations, 2024

    Vice President International Relations → Vice President International Relations & Development, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $172K (2020) → $210K (2025)

  • Tiffany Kerns

    Vice President Community Industry Relations & Philanthropy

    Executive Dr., Cma Foundation & Vice President Community Outreach → Vice President Community Industry Relations, 2024

    Vice President Community Industry Relations → Vice President Community Industry Relations & Philanthropy, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $121K (2020) → $230K (2025)

  • Kelly Striewski

    Senior Vice President Marketing & Strategic Partnerships

    Senior Vice President Marketing & Strategic Partnerships → Senior Vice President Marketing & Strategic, 2024

    Senior Vice President Marketing & Strategic → Senior Vice President Marketing & Strategic Partnerships, 2025

    On filings since 2021

    40 hrs/week

    $131K (2021) → $331K (2025)

  • Todd Hartley

    Senior Vice President Legal & Business Affairs

    Senior Vice President Business Affairs → Senior Vice President Legal & Business Affairs, 2025

    On filings since 2022

    40 hrs/week

    $159K (2022) → $250K (2025)

  • Tyne Parrish

    President-Elect

    Advertising, Public Relations & Media → Director at Large, 2024

    Director at Large → President-Elect, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jamie Cheek

    Secretary & Treasurer

    Entertainment Services → Director at Large, 2024

    Director at Large → Secretary & Treasurer, 2025

    On filings since 2022

    1.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (68)
  • Former: Becky Brenner (2020–2024) — Director at Large
  • Former: Catherine McNelly (2020–2024) — Senior Director Communications
  • Former: Jim Free (2020–2024) — Director at Large
  • Former: John Esposito (2020–2024) — Director at Large
  • Former: Kyle Young (2020–2024) — Director at Large
  • Former: Lindsay Ell (2020–2024) — Director at Large
  • Former: Lon Helton (2020–2024) — Director at Large
  • Former: Stephen Bryan (2020–2024) — Director at Large
  • Former: Ben Balch (2021–2024) — Director of Accounting & F
  • Former: Justin Randall (2021–2024) — Director Information Techn
  • Former: Ken Sanderson (2021–2024) — Director of Information Te
  • Former: Deana Ivey (2024) — Director at Large
  • Former: Mia McNeal (2024) — Senior Director of Industry Relations & Inclusion
  • Former: Stephen Parker (2024) — Director at Large
  • Former: Allen Anders (2020–2023) — Talent Buyer & Promoter
  • Former: Biff Watson (2020–2023) — Director at Large
  • Former: Bill Simmons (2020–2023) — Director at Large
  • Former: Brian Philips (2020–2023) — Radio
  • Former: Butch Spyridon (2020–2023) — Ex-Officio
  • Former: Carla Wallace (2020–2023) — Director at Large
  • Former: Chris Dubois (2020–2023) — Director at Large
  • Former: Chris Young (2020–2023) — Director at Large
  • Former: David Israelite (2020–2023) — Director at Large
  • Former: Deb McDermott (2020–2023) — Director at Large
  • Former: Dwight Wiles (2020–2023) — Director at Large
  • Former: Ebie McFarland (2020–2023) — Advertising, Public Relations & Media
  • Former: Jody Williams (2020–2023) — Director at Large
  • Former: Joe Galante (2020–2023) — Affiliated
  • Former: Karen Stump (2020–2023) — Senior Director Market Research
  • Former: Luke Laird (2020–2023) — Director at Large
  • Former: Marion Kraft (2020–2023) — Director at Large
  • Former: Mike Dungan (2020–2023) — Record Company
  • Former: Ryan Redington (2020–2023) — Director at Large
  • Former: Scott Scovill (2020–2023) — Touring Personnel
  • Former: Steve Buchanan (2020–2023) — Director at Large
  • Former: Ted Ellis (2020–2023) — Director at Large
  • Former: Ashley McBryde (2021–2023) — Artist
  • Former: James Free (2021–2023) — Ex-Officio
  • Former: Jimmie Allen (2021–2023) — Director at Large
  • Former: Megan Wise (2021–2023) — Director Sales Development & Strategy
  • Former: Michelle Kirk (2021–2023) — Director Integrated Marketing
  • Former: Chris Crawford (2020–2022) — Senior Director Live Events
  • Former: Bob Dipiero (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Bob Shennan (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Brett James (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Chris Baldizan (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Clarence Spalding (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Frank Bumstead (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Jeff Stevens (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: John Marks (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Kevin Wilson (2020–2021) — Senior Vice President Business Affairs
  • Former: Kix Brooks (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Tony Conway (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Beverly Keel (2020) — Director
  • Former: Brandi Simms (2020) — Senior Director of Awards & Industry Relations
  • Former: Damon Whiteside (2020) — CMO
  • Former: Dan Huff (2020) — Director
  • Former: Gil Cunningham (2020) — Director
  • Former: Joel Katz (2020) — Legal Counsel Ex-Officio
  • Former: John Bolton (2020) — Director
  • Former: Kos Weaver (2020) — Director
  • Former: Laura Hutfless (2020) — Director
  • Former: Lori McKenna (2020) — Director
  • Former: Marcie Allen (2020) — Director
  • Former: Maria Molin Ljunggren (2020) — Director
  • Former: Randy Goodman (2020) — Director
  • Former: Shane McAnally (2020) — Director
  • Former: Tyler Torti (2020) — Senior Director Creative Content

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

Sarah Trahern — CEO: $838KSarah TrahernCEO$838KKelly Striewski — SVP Marketing & Strategic Partnerships: $331KKelly StriewskiSVP Marketing & Strategic…$331KTodd Hartley — SVP Legal & Business Affairs: $250KTodd HartleySVP Legal & Business Affairs$250KAmy Smartt — SVP Finance & Administration: $233KAmy SmarttSVP Finance & Administration$233KTiffany Kerns — VP Community Industry Relations & Philanthropy: $230KTiffany KernsVP Community Industry Relations…$230KMilly Olykan — VP International Relations & Development: $210KMilly OlykanVP International Relations &…$210KEmily Evans — SVP Business Strategy & Operations: $203KEmily EvansSVP Business Strategy &…$203KCatherine Frizzell — VP Marketing: $177KCatherine FrizzellVP Marketing$177KRyan Nelson — Sr. Director, Event Operations: $159KRyan NelsonSr. Director, Event Operations$159KMichael Farris — Sr. Director of Business Strategy & Insights: $148KMichael FarrisSr. Director of Business…$148K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $838K, to Sarah Trahern (CEO). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Country Music Association Inc

How much does Country Music Association Inc give each year?

Country Music Association Inc gave $3.4M across 9 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $3.1M across 10 grants.

What is Country Music Association Inc's typical grant size?

Country Music Association Inc's median grant in 2025 was $30,000, and its average grant was $375,829, across 9 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.

Where does Country Music Association Inc give grants?

Country Music Association Inc gives mostly in Tennessee: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Nashville, TN (6 grants).

Does Country Music Association Inc give general operating support?

Not in 2025: none of the 9 grants with a stated purpose on Country Music Association Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Industry Partnership" (5 grants).

Who are Country Music Association Inc's largest grantees?

Country Music Association Inc's largest 2025 grantees include The CMA Foundation ($3,082,459), Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum ($130,000) and Country Radio Broadcasters ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 96% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Country Music Association Inc?

Country Music Association Inc reported $132.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $78.2M.

What is Country Music Association Inc?

Country Music Association Inc is a public charity focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Nashville, TN. It holds $132.7M in total assets as of 2025.

What is Country Music Association Inc's EIN?

Country Music Association Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-0606066. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.

Data update history

(7)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 12, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 21, 2021)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 6, 2022)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS December 7, 2023)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS December 12, 2024)
  6. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS December 16, 2025)
  7. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Country Music Association Inc's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee Inc

Nashville, TN

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee supports nonprofits across a range of needs, including housing, disaster relief, education, health, public safety, and the arts. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $8,500, with amounts ranging widely; it primarily serves Middle Tennessee, with 76% of 2024 grant dollars going to Tennessee recipients. Special Interest Grant applications are submitted through its grants portal; no new competitive Community Impact cycle is planned for fiscal year 2026–2027.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$832.0M

Grants

2,450

Total Given

$107.1M

Texoma Community Foundation

Denison, TX

Texoma Community Foundation funds projects that improve health and well-being, including healthcare and mental-health access, healthy living, and nursing workforce development. Its 2025 median grant was $20,000 (the reported average was about $30,455), for work serving Grayson and Fannin counties in Texas and Bryan and Marshall counties in Oklahoma. Eligible organizations can submit a first-phase application; full applications are by invitation.

Assets

$87.1M

Grants

59

Total Given

$4.0M

Gibson Gives Foundation DBA Gibson Gives

Nashville, TN

Gibson Gives supports nonprofit programs that use guitars to promote music education or healing through music, with recent grants ranging from $290 to $214,115 and a median of $4,421. Its giving is concentrated in Tennessee and California, though it also funds organizations elsewhere in the U.S. It accepts unsolicited requests through an online application, reviewed monthly.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$626K

Grants

316

Total Given

$2.5M

The Healing Trust

Nashville, TN

The Healing Trust funds nonprofits advancing racial equity and reducing health disparities, with support for health-focused work and community priorities in Middle Tennessee. Operating grants are generally $20,000–$50,000, though 2024 awards varied widely; for 2026, applications are limited to current grantee partners for the Sabbatical and Culture and Care Funds, and no broader open application is stated.

Assets

$133.2M

Grants

150

Total Given

$4.8M

HCA Healthcare Foundation

Nashville, TN

HCA Healthcare Foundation funds community health and health equity, including primary care, basic needs, education, and the arts; its Middle Tennessee Fund serves nine counties, while other initiatives support communities served by HCA Healthcare. In 2024, grants ranged from $1,000 to $9.65 million, with a median of $5,000. It accepts requests through an Applicant Inquiry Form for new applicants and organizations that have not received funding in 18 months; staff provide next steps after review.

Assets

$192.7M

Grants

999

Total Given

$25.4M

Enchiridion Foundation

Nashville, TN

The Enchiridion Foundation funds a range of charitable organizations, including those in education, arts, and community services, with most of its support going to Tennessee. Its 2025 grants had a median of $5,500, though amounts ranged from $1,000 to $615,000. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$15.2M

Grants

94

Total Given

$2.2M

More similar funders

More Funders in Tennessee

The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open

Figures come from Country Music Association Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.

Country Music Association Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?