Mike Curb Foundation
The Mike Curb Foundation is a private foundation based in Nashville, Tennessee. It partners with government, community leaders, and nonprofit organizations on music-related projects and efforts serving marginalized people.
Mike Curb Foundation at a glance
In short: Mike Curb Foundation gave $1.7M across 8 grants in 2025 (avg $217K), mostly in Tennessee. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,737,600
- +220.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 8
- +33.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $217,200
- +140.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $35,414,229
- -2.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (77% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Mike Curb Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 48 Music Square East, Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: (615) 321-5180
Website: https://mikecurbfoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Mike Curb Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Belmont University ($1.1M). Together the top 8 received $1.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
68 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 33 grants of 68 (49%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, grant dollars were reported as distributed among recipients in Tennessee (77%), Massachusetts (12%), California (6%), North Carolina (4%), and Washington, D.C. (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
How Mike Curb Foundation gives
- Giving grew 154% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 123% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $542K (2024) to $2.2M (2023). In 2025 it made 8 grants totaling $1.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Belmont University Nashville, TN | General | $1,100,000 |
| Smithsonian Institution - National Museum of American History Boston, MA | General | $200,000 |
| Middle Tennessee Council Nashville, TN | General | $112,600 |
| Grammy Museum Foundation Inc Los Angeles, CA | General | $100,000 |
| Nashville Public Media Nashville, TN | General | $100,000 |
| North Carolina Music Hall of Fame Kannapolis, NC | General | $75,000 |
| White House Historical Association Washington, DC | General | $30,000 |
| Safe Haven Family Shelter Nashville, TN | General | $20,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $35,414,229 | $1,664,943 | $2,610,940 | $1,737,600 | 8 | $2,194,134 | $1,319,422 | $1,785,401 |
| 2024 | $36,360,226 | $8,305,688 | $1,551,852 | $542,266 | 6 | $1,131,778 | $957,053 | $1,602,540 |
| 2023 | $29,606,390 | $5,383,958 | $3,063,222 | $2,226,143 | 26 | $2,736,047 | $239,151 | $1,316,674 |
| 2022 | $27,285,654 | $5,765,064 | $1,382,342 | $684,500 | 9 | $1,070,756 | $520,699 | $1,218,494 |
| 2021 | $22,902,932 | $3,183,283 | $2,586,144 | $2,017,075 | 19 | — | $604,137 | $1,087,113 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Mike Curb Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.8M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation describes its work as “making a difference with music.” Its website says it supports music education, the preservation of historic music sites, homelessness services, and a wide range of services in communities associated with Curb music enterprises. It also describes its work as advancing partnerships and addressing discrimination and the needs of underserved populations.
The 2025 grants show support for organizations with varied missions. Belmont University describes itself as a Christ-centered, student-focused Christian community providing an academically challenging education. The GRAMMY Museum Foundation says it celebrates and explores music through exhibits, education, grants, preservation initiatives, and public programming. Nashville Public Media describes Nashville Banner as a locally owned, community-supported civic news organization providing nonpartisan journalism. The White House Historical Association says it is an educational association focused on understanding and appreciating the Executive Mansion and on preserving the White House collection.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 8 grants totaling $1,737,600. Awards ranged from $20,000 to $1,100,000, with a median grant of $100,000. The largest awards included $1,100,000 to Belmont University, $200,000 to the Smithsonian Institution – National Museum of American History, $112,600 to Middle Tennessee Council, and $100,000 each to the GRAMMY Museum Foundation and Nashville Public Media. Other 2025 grants went to the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame ($75,000), the White House Historical Association ($30,000), and Safe Haven Family Shelter ($20,000). All were listed with a general purpose.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Michael C. Curb as president and director, Linda Curb as director, and Tracy Moore as director and secretary.
Mike Curb Foundation is led by Michael C. Curb, President & Director on every filing since 2021; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Michael C. Curb
President & Director
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Linda Curb
Director
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tracy Moore
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2021
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Mike Curb Foundation
How much does Mike Curb Foundation give each year?
Mike Curb Foundation gave $1.7M across 8 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $542K across 6 grants.
What is Mike Curb Foundation's typical grant size?
Mike Curb Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $100,000, and its average grant was $217,200, across 8 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Mike Curb Foundation give grants?
Mike Curb Foundation gives mostly in Tennessee: 77% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Massachusetts (12%) and California (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Nashville, TN (4 grants).
Does Mike Curb Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Mike Curb Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Mike Curb Foundation's largest grantees?
Mike Curb Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Belmont University ($1,100,000), Smithsonian Institution - National Museum of American History ($200,000) and Middle Tennessee Council ($112,600), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 81% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Mike Curb Foundation?
Mike Curb Foundation reported $35.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Mike Curb Foundation fund?
The foundation describes its work as “making a difference with music.” Its website says it supports music education, the preservation of historic music sites, homelessness services, and a wide range of services in communities associated with Curb music enterprises. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Mike Curb Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Mike Curb Foundation's EIN?
Mike Curb Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4686920. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does Mike Curb Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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