Americana Music Association
About The Foundation
Established in 2020 by the Americana Music Association, the Americana Music Foundation aims to preserve the beloved art form known today as Americana music. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, with a global vision, our Foundation serves as the charitable and educational resource through partnerships with cultural and educational institutions, including those with New York University, Salt Lick Incubator, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, the National Museum of African American Music, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the Grammy Museum.
The Foundation’s mission is to educate current and future generations on the music that’s resonated with us and soundtracked our lives as an indelible piece of our culture. To continue the growth of the Americana genre, which includes the rich threads of country, folk, blues, soul, bluegrass, gospel and rock in our tapestry, we strive to accomplish this through educational programs and live events with some great music, of course.
As a 501(c)(3) organization, all donations to The Americana Music Foundation are tax-deductible. It’s as easy as clicking the yellow tab on the right side of this page labeled “Support Our Foundation” and complete the pop-up donation form. From $5 to $500, every dollar helps move this important education and preservation initiative forward.
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How You Can Help!
This year we are highlighting, even more, the priority to give back. In 2025, 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. Please consider making a donation and sharing our story to support our work. Below are some of what your contribution today will help us provide in 2026 and beyond.
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.
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. Our ongoing cultural partnerships include the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's Roots To Pop Series, National Museum of African American Music, Recording Academy’s Grammy Museum and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
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.
Prefer to write a check? Checks can be made payable to Americana Music Foundation and sent to:
PO Box 128077
Nashville, TN 37212
Salt Lick Incubator Grants for AMERICANAFEST
Each year, AMERICANAFEST brings together legendary artists, rising stars, fans, and industry professionals for multiple days of music and education. To give more of our community members the opportunity to benefit from the insightful panels, seminars, discussions, and exclusive performances, the Americana Music Foundation is offering grants administered by Salt Lick Incubator to help them attend the event, increase their knowledge and engage in this rich exchange of ideas.
Each grant, valued at $1,750, covers up to $1,000 in travel expenses and includes a Silver Pass and a ticket to the Americana Honors & Awards ceremony. The event covers the interests and needs of artists, managers, labels, radio stations, publishers, agents, promoters, retailers, legal and business affairs executives, merchandisers, and new media professionals. This is not a grant to perform. All grant recipients are selected solely by Salt Lick Incubator.
Congratulations to the inaugural cohort of AMERICANAFEST grant winners administered by Salt Lick Incubator! Click here learn more about our outstanding 2024 grant recipients.
Applications have closed for 2025 grants. Winners will be announced this summer.
Roots To Pop
In 2023, we began a partnership with the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History for their inaugural Roots to Pop series. This initiative focused on connecting contemporary music to the genres at its root through conversations with renowned Americana artists.
Held and recorded in Washington D.C., it is now being presented online to the general public. The videos feature the artists who make the music and provide insight into American musical history, including Taj Mahal with Allison Russell, Flaco Jimenez with Max Baca, Rhiannon Giddens, and Blind Boys of Alabama with Ruthie Foster.
The series explores the American musical past and how it might affect present-day American music. In a conversation format punctuated by live music, Krystal Klingenberg, musicologist, curator and host of the museum’s Collected podcast, explores important genres of American music with these artists, discussing their work, influences and legacy. Recordings of the four-installment Roots to Pop series are available online via the link below.