Tis the season for giving back!
This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to join in our end-of-year Giving Season to support The Americana Music Foundation’s current and future initiatives.
Through the generosity of the Harper House Music Foundation each donation made for the entirety of the campaign will be matched dollar for dollar up to $50,000.
The Americana Music Foundation (AMF), our non-profit 501(c)(3), strives to preserve the beloved art form we know today as Americana music through education of current and future generations. This year we have added the priority to give back. Our Pre-GRAMMY event at the Troubadour in Los Angeles raised tens of thousands of dollars which we donated to MusiCares initiatives to help musicians in need caused by the wildfires; expanded our grant, scholarship and educational programs. This would not be possible without the support and help of our resilient and diverse community members such as yourself.
How You Can Help!
Please consider making a donation and sharing our story to support our work so that we may continue our mission to advocate for the authentic voice of American Roots Music around the world. Your support makes a difference and allows us to continue building upon and implementing new initiatives to support this mission. Below are some of what your contribution today will help us provide in 2026 and beyond.
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES TO THE NEXT GENERATION
Through our continued partnership with Salt Lick Incubator, we are able to continue our AMERICANAFEST grant program with an emphasis to support marginalized communities and made possible with matching donations from the Looking Out Foundation and Thirty Tigers to support aspiring musicians and industry professionals in the early stages of their creative careers. To date, 23 individual grants have been issued, valued at over $40,000 total. Learn more about our grant winners here.
“This was my first time at AMERICANAFEST and the event was insightful, fulfilling, educational, and stayed close to the heart of music and the artists being spotlighted and supported. I was lucky to receive one of the grants administered by Salt Lick Incubator x AMERICANAFEST which helped cover some of my costs to attend (and without which I wouldn't have been able to afford it this year). For that investment in providing accessibility to this event speaks volumes to the commitment this organization has to the music community and shows how they are putting that commitment to action.” -2025 Grant Winner, MLissa Baker
INCREASING AWARENESS AND VISIBILITY
As a community, we have changed the musical landscape by successfully advocating for the Recording Academy to add 4 GRAMMY categories (including Best Americana Album, Best Americana Performance, Best American Roots Performance and Best American Roots Song). Since the ratification of these categories, more than 200 artists, songwriters and producers can proudly put their name on a “Grammy Nominated” project. This is a huge boost to an artist's career and an opportunity for national awareness not only of their music but for the entire Americana and Roots music community. With your support we will continue to advocate for these artists.
EDUCATION
Our dedication to furthering education of the next generation, The Americana Music Foundation continues to engage with multiple colleges and universities to provide students with scholarships to attend insightful panels, seminars, discussions, and exclusive performances throughout the year. This includes the ongoing NYU-Americana Artist in Residence series in New York City which not only gives students the opportunity to learn from their heroes in a one-on-one classroom setting but the experience of performing with them as well. This program’s Alum includes legends such as Rosanne Cash, Taj Mahal and Leyla McCalla, Allison Russell, Rodney Crowell, Brandy Clark, Joe Henry, and John Oates.
CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS
By making a donation, you are helping us to continue fostering partnerships with notable cultural institutions as part of our mission’s goal to preserve the Americana art form and educate future generations on its rich history. Through our collaborative program series with the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Roots to Pop, viewers learn a social history of how musical traditions that form Roots music are steeped in both triumphant and challenging pasts. Our other ongoing cultural partnerships include the National Museum of African American Music, Recording Academy’s Grammy Museum, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
AMERICANAFEST AND THE AMERICANA HONORS & AWARDS
From our early days of breakfasts at the Pie Wagon in Nashville, line dancing at the Broken Spoke in Austin and being post Palomino punks at MaMa Shi's Sin City Social Club in Los Angeles the Americana Music staff remains a small but passionate operation with only eight full time staff members year-round. Our signature event brings legends and the next generation of stars to our festival and critically acclaimed Awards show at the historic Ryman Auditorium but also stands as the most comprehensive Music Business and Educational Conference in Music City. With five days of music discovery, networking opportunities, panels, and educational sessions for the entire American Roots community including artists, labels and fans; AMERICANAFEST has become the most comprehensive music business and educational conference in Music City.
We are sincerely grateful to our members, volunteers, artists, partners, sponsors, and donors whose big hearts continue to move us forward in today’s ever-changing landscape. Thank you for all your support in helping us continue and fortify our work.
If you're feeling generous this Giving Season, you can learn more about the different ways to give, get involved and support our Foundation by clicking the button below or consider making a donation through our website.
Prefer to write a check? Checks can be made payable to Americana Music Foundation and sent to:
363 Woodycrest Ave. Suite A,
Nashville, TN 37211