Public charity · Nashville
The Cma Foundation
In 2024 it gave 14 grants worth $807,000 to Tennessee groups, 10 of them in Davidson County. A typical grant was $25,000 to $100,000. Most often for: “General support for programming to enhance youth...”.
Its tax filing doesn't say how to apply. Check its website or call before sending anything.
Key facts
- Grants in Tennessee
- 14 totaling $807,000 · 10 in Davidson County
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $25,000 to $100,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants over $5,000, the only ones its filing lists)
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $50,000: the middle grant to the 7 Tennessee groups it funded for the first time in 2024. Its filing lists only grants over $5,000, so smaller first grants aren't counted.
- Where it gives
- Davidson County, Williamson County, Shelby County, Dickson County, Rutherford County · plus 20 grants outside Tennessee
- Buildings & equipment
- None of its Tennessee grants in this filing were for buildings or equipment
- Funds new groups? How we figure this
- 50% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2024 were new (not funded in 2023): 7 of 14.
- Total giving that year
- $2.2 million
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2.2M | $807K | 14 |
| 2023 | $1.5M | $515K | 12 |
All grants paid To Tennessee
How to apply
Public charities don't report how to apply on their IRS return. Check its website for open grant rounds, or search GrantMe for its programs.
Board and officers
Does your board know anyone here?
Checked in your browser only. The names are kept on this device for other foundation pages and are never sent to GrantMe.
- Sarah TrahernPresident
- Amy SmarttSecretary/treasurer
- Tiffany KernsExecutive director
- Stephen ParkerChairman
- Brittany SchafferVice chairman
- David HaskellDirector
- Eileen ValoisDirector
- Jay WilliamsDirector
- Jennie SmytheDirector
- Jesse CannonDirector
- Joe GalanteDirector
- Josh Van ValkenburgDirector
- Karen FairchildDirector
- Kella FarrisDirector
- Mike DunganDirector
- Tyne ParrishDirector
As listed in its 2024 IRS filing. Many foundations decide through their board, so a personal connection often matters more than a perfect application.
What it funds most often
- General support for programming to enhance youth development through music learning (6 grants)
- Mental health support for music industry professionals (3 grants)
- Music teachers of excellence classroom grants (1 grant)
- General support for words and music educational program (1 grant)
- General support for programming to enhance music teacher (1 grant)
- General support for youth music festival event (1 grant)
- Music teachers of excellence classroom grant (1 grant)
How big its Tennessee grants are
| Grant size | Grants |
|---|---|
| Under $1,000 | 0 |
| $1,000 to $4,999 | 0 |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | 0 |
| $10,000 to $24,999 | 3 |
| $25,000 to $99,999 | 7 |
| $100,000 or more | 4 |
From its 2024 IRS filing. Grants of $5,000 or less aren't listed on the form public charities file (Schedule I), so small grants are missing here.
Tennessee organizations it funded
Davidson County grants are listed first, then the largest. Past winners are good people to ask what the foundation looks for. Select a group to see who else funds it.
| Past winner | Where | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music Health Alliance | Nashville, Davidson County | Mental health support for music industry professionals | $200K |
| Notes for Notes | Nashville, Davidson County | General support for programming to enhance youth development through music learning | $100K |
| Touring Career Workshop | Nashville, Davidson County | Mental health support for music industry professionals | $100K |
| Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools | Nashville, Davidson County | Music teachers of excellence classroom grants | $52K |
| Country Music Foundation Inc. | Nashville, Davidson County | General support for words and music educational program | $50K |
| Tennessee Performing Arts Center | Nashville, Davidson County | General support for programming to enhance youth development through music learning | $50K |
| Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation | Nashville, Davidson County | General support for programming to enhance music teacher | $25K |
| Wo Smithnashville Community | Nashville, Davidson County | General support for programming to enhance youth development through music learning | $25K |
| Nashville Peacemakers | Nashville, Davidson County | General support for programming to enhance youth development through music learning | $10K |
| Williamson County Schools | Franklin, Davidson County | Music teachers of excellence classroom grant | $10K |
| Porter's Call | Franklin, Williamson County | Mental health support for music industry professionals | $100K |
| Memphis Music Initiative | Memphis, Shelby County | General support for programming to enhance youth development through music learning | $50K |
| The Quest Center | Dickson, Dickson County | General support for programming to enhance youth development through music learning | $25K |
| Community Arts Collective | Lavergne, Rutherford County | General support for youth music festival event | $10K |
Foundation website All its IRS filings (ProPublica) Sign in to save