The CMA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2011 by the Country Music Association and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. The foundation operates as a subordinate organization under the Country Music Association and focuses on leveraging strategic partnerships, professional development, and grant distribution to improve music education programs nationwide.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$15.8M
+13.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.9M
+44.3% YoY
Grant Count
34
+25.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$56K
+14.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: 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.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Music education programs and sustainability
- Professional development for qualified music teachers
- Mental health support for music industry professionals
- Advocacy and accountability within music education
- Resources for students, schools, and communities
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grantmaking is by invitation only.
Grant Range
$25,000
Ready to take the next step with The Cma Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grant-making focuses primarily on Tennessee, California, and Pennsylvania, with a stated commitment to serving music education programs nationwide.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue:
- Total assets (2025): $15,823,122
- Total revenues (2025): $5,378,796
- Total expenses (2025): $3,184,961
- Annual expenses (2024): $2,400,000
- Giving rate: 9.6% of assets
Staffing:
- 4 employees (as of most recent data)
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $15,823,122 | $13,893,513 | $11,027,480 |
| Revenue | $5,378,796 | $4,321,613 | $4,441,791 |
| Expenses | $3,184,961 | $2,423,061 | $1,507,192 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,211,942 | $536,930 | $273,474 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
102 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Cma Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Sarah Trahern – Principal Officer
- Tiffany Kerns – Executive Director
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SARAH TRAHERN | PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
| AMY SMARTT | SECRETARY/TREASURER | 5 | — |
| TIFFANY KERNS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | — |
| STEPHEN PARKER | CHAIRMAN | 2 | — |
| BRITTANY SCHAFFER | VICE CHAIRMAN | 2 | — |
| DAVID HASKELL | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| EILEEN VALOIS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JAY WILLIAMS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JENNIE SMYTHE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JESSE CANNON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JOE GALANTE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JOSH VAN VALKENBURG | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| KAREN FAIRCHILD | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| KELLA FARRIS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MIKE DUNGAN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| TYNE PARRISH | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The CMA Foundation has demonstrated significant commitment to music education through multiple initiatives:
CMA Foundation | Creating Brighter Futures With Music EducationIn 2023, the foundation sponsored all 30 recipients of its Music Teachers of Excellence awards through industry partner support
CMA Foundation | Creating Brighter Futures With Music EducationThe foundation has partnered with NAfME (National Association for Music Education) to announce State Advocacy Award grant winners in recent years
CMA Foundation | Creating Brighter Futures With Music EducationThe foundation previously donated $1 million to benefit music education programs for Nashville public school students through the Keep the Music Playing campaign
CMA Foundation | Creating Brighter Futures With Music EducationContact Information
Address: 35 Music Square East, Suite 201 Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: (615) 244-2840
Website: cmafoundation.org
EIN: 27-4842832
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Maclellan Center for Global Christian Ed
CHATTANOOGA, TN
Assets
$592K
Grants
1
Total Given
$48K
Anne Bransford Wallace Foundation
NASHVILLE, TN
Assets
$553K
Grants
40
Total Given
$43K
Springplace Presbyterian Church 280-5019032
KNOXVILLE, TN
Assets
$140K
Grants
1
Total Given
$6K
United Way of East Tennessee
JOHNSON CITY, TN
Assets
$3.4M
Grants
12
Total Given
$202K
One Family Memphis
MEMPHIS, TN
Assets
$6.4M
Grants
0
Total Given
—
B & B Foundation
NASHVILLE, TN
Assets
—
Grants
9
Total Given
$2.1M
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Cma Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities