News from the Foundation
Bookmark this page to check out new reports, articles, and announcements from the IBMA Foundation!
IBMA Foundation 2024-2025 Year End Report
They say, “It’s all about the numbers,” and the IBMA Foundation numbers for the past fiscal year were pretty great! But more important are the names and faces, programs, stories, and wonderful bluegrass music behind each number. We’ll share some of both with you below.
Since the beginning of the Foundation in 2007, more than $530,000 has been awarded for grants, scholarships and programs.
This past year we awarded more than $74,400 in grants, scholarships, and program support.
More than 500 supporters shared in our mission to support the future of bluegrass music, with donations totaling $198,000.
We ended the 2024-25 fiscal year with $644,326 in net assets. The Foundation’s agency endowment funds totaled $539,431
Latest Info
QCD donation: How can they benefit you and the IBMA Foundation?
Are you thinking about taxes this time of year? If you are 70 ½ years of age or older, we thank you for considering a Qualified Charitable Distribution (“QCD”) donation to the IBMA Foundation.In 2026, individuals who are 70½ years old or older can donate up to...
Strings for Dreams Bluegrass Raffle preview
Who wouldn’t love to own this fine-sounding 2022 HD35 Martin guitar? Donated by Dr. Richard Brown to the IBMA Foundation, this beautiful guitar in pristine condition with a hardshell case will be the prize for the 2026 Strings for Dreams Bluegrass Raffle. Proceeds...
New bluegrass coloring book from Jam Pak Bluegrass
Check out the new bluegrass coloring book designed by the young musicians in the Jam Pak Bluegrass program in Chandler, Arizona, at this link. Jam Pak director, Anni Beach welcomes anyone interested to print off pages of the coloring book and use them with their...
Grant report from Michigan
Nora Tennant received a grant from the Fletcher Bright Memorial Grant for Young Musicians and the Bill Breen Bluegrass Youth Education Fund last year, which helped pay for fiddle lessons and ensemble coaching at the Michigan Academy of Folk Music. “I’m so thankful to...
Grant report from Kentucky
The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys presented an energetic and educational bluegrass program for 450 students at Vine Grove Elementary in Vine Grove, Kentucky on September 25. The band combined high-energy music with engaging storytelling as they introduced students to the history...
Bluegrass Showdown launched February 12 in Asheville, North Carolina
The Emorys, a family bluegrass gospel band from Barnardsville, North Carolina, took top honors at the first Bluegrass Showdown in 2026, presented February 12 at Milton Harkey’s 31st Bluegrass First Class festival in Asheville, NC. Proceeds from The Bluegrass Showdown...
Nancy Cardwell, IBMA Foundation Executive Director
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The IBMA Foundation
1183 University Drive #105-215
Burlington, NC 27215
773-383-2964