NASHVILLE –– Thanks to the generosity of Country artists and fans who attend CMA Music Festival, the CMA Foundation announced its annual donation for music education as well as grant recipients for 2017 with 44 charitable groups receiving a record $3.1 million.
The grants bring CMA’s total contributions since 2006 to more than $17.5 million for this important cause. The announcement was made via a video celebrating Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving.
“If it weren’t for the artists, who all perform for free during CMA Music Festival, and the thousands of fans who support the event each year, these donations would not be possible,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “The CMA Foundation donates to causes that are important to our community, but every dollar is given on behalf of the artists and fans that support Music Fest each June.”
Programs were announced today by CMA staff in a “Mannequin Challenge” video with visiting artist Cam, which was shared to CMA’s social pages. “Mannequin Challenge” videos have been a viral hit the past few weeks including videos published by sports teams, celebrities, TV show casts including “Saturday Night Live,” and even one featuring First Lady Michelle Obama at The White House.
Programs benefiting from the CMA Foundation in 2016 include:
- Austin Ed Fund
- Bay Area Children’s Theatre (BACT)
- Camp Southern Ground
- Charlie Worsham/Follow Your Heart Arts Program
- Country Music Foundation, Inc./Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum
- Education Through Music
- Education Through Music LA
- Girls Rock Santa Barbara
- Guitars in the Classroom
- Harmony Project
- Indiana Music Education Association Foundation
- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
- KIDsmART
- Music Will
- Metro Nashville Public Schools
- Monroe Harding, Inc.
- Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra
- Music and the Brain
- Music For Everyone
- MusicAlliance, Inc.
- Nashville Symphony Association
- National 4-H Council
- New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation
- Notes for Notes
- Paris Community Unit School District No. 4
- Paris Cooperative High School
- Phoenix Conservatory of Music
- Rainey Institute
- Rocketown of Middle Tennessee
- Rosie’s House: A Music Academy for Children
- Seattle Theatre Group
- Segerstrom Center for the Arts
- St. Paul’s Foundation’s Ryan’s Guitars Project
- Tennessee Performing Arts Center
- The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation
- The People’s Music School
- The Quest Center for Art & Community Development
- The Roots of Music
- The Young Americans
- VH1 Save the Music Foundation
- Virginia Tech Foundation, Inc.
- W.O. Smith/Nashville Community Music School
- Youth Empowerment through Arts and Humanities
- Youth on Record
Studies show students who participate in the arts are more likely to graduate, have better attendance rates, and higher GPAs than students not enrolled in arts classes. The CMA Foundation recognizes the importance of music education in keeping kids engaged and in school as well as providing access to higher education through scholarships and supporting music educators.
CMA created the non-profit 501(c)(3) CMA Foundation in 2011. 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.
For more information, visit CMAfoundation.org.
