News from the Foundation
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Latest Info
Wernick Jam Camp scholarship available
August 23-28, Albany, New York The IBMA Foundation is pleased to announce that Bluegrass Hall of Famer Pete “Dr. Banjo” Wernick is offering a scholarship to his Silver Bay Bluegrass Camp August 23-28, 2026, as a donation to the Foundation. In its thirteenth year, the...
Shultz Fund grant report from Uganda
By Michael Stein The Arnold Shultz Foundation grant, “Finger Grass from the Serengeti Meets Kentucky" brings bluegrass music to African communities in Uganda. I’ve been teaching band to play a number of tunes via Zoom. They played a concert/jam session for the United...
The Bluegrass Showdown Returns
Back in the 1990s, Milton Harkey facilitated the Pizza Hut International Bluegrass Showdown on an international level. It was quite the adventure and it left a big mark on the genre of bluegrass music. Advance forward 35+ years: Harkey has decided to bring the...
Project Grant recipients announced for 2026
The IBMA Foundation recently awarded $20,000 in project grants to 11 bluegrass programs in eight states plus Canada. The Bill Breen Bluegrass Youth Education Fund will support one-third of the amount awarded for project grants in 2026. “An impressive list of...
Donor Spotlight: Pete Wernick
IBMA Foundation supporter Pete Wernick, of Niwot, Colorado, is known for his role (and rolls on the banjo) in the legendary band, Hot Rize. A long-time fan favorite with songs that have become standards in the genre, Hot Rize was inducted into IBMA’s Bluegrass Hall of...
IBMA Foundation announces Cassie Wright as new executive director, beginning April 1
The IBMA Foundation is pleased to announce Cassie Wright, of Chicago, Illinois, has been hired to serve as the organization’s new executive director beginning April 1, replacing Nancy Cardwell, who is retiring after 10 years with the IBMA Foundation and 20 years at...
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IBMA Foundation 2023-2024 Year End Report
We’ve had a strong year at the IBMA Foundation. More than 900 supporters shared in our work, with contributions totaling over $100,000. We distributed more than $90,000 in grants, scholarships, and programs. Since the beginning of the IBMA Foundation (formerly the Foundation for Bluegrass Music) in 2008, over $375,000 has been awarded! We are more grateful than ever for those who choose to help us build a brighter future for bluegrass.
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