Nestled in the heart of the music community, the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Foundation has long stood as a guardian of tradition and a beacon for innovation. Its mission is as enduring as the melodies it celebrates: to preserve and promote bluegrass music, ensuring its vibrant spirit resonates for generations
“Bluegrass music has an authenticity and roots sound that touches the hearts and souls of many people,” said IBMA Foundation President and Board Chair, Trisha Tubbs. “It’s a very approachable music to listen to and play, and its songs often tell stories people can relate to.”
The IBMA Foundation was established in 2007 by the International Bluegrass Music Association, through a bequest from the estate of Richard Barnhart. Barnhart was a musician from Northern Virginia who loved bluegrass and wanted to support educational programs for children.
Through its efforts, the IBMA Foundation keeps bluegrass growing in the areas of education, arts and culture, academic and literary programs, and history preservation. To them, music is far more than a collection of notes; it’s a bridge between cultures, a storyteller of history, and a community unifier.
“I think it’s important to preserve and promote bluegrass music,” said Trisha. “It fosters a passionate community with strong values and reflects a rich cultural history that incorporates musical influences from a variety of cultures and genres. People around the world can find like-minded souls of all ages and backgrounds who share a common love for bluegrass music.”
One of the most powerful ways the IBMA Foundation fulfills its mission is through collaboration. By working with CFMT, the foundation has found a steadfast partner to amplify its efforts. Together, they’ve turned dreams into action, transforming funds and scholarships into tangible opportunities for aspiring musicians and educators.
“We are a growing charitable nonprofit organization chartered in Tennessee, but our reach is national and international,” said Nancy Cardwell, Executive Director of the IBMA Foundation. “We love working with the Community Foundation because we have a small staff and limited resources. Partnering with you expands our team of expertise and strengthens our ability to get things done financially.”
Through their partnership with CFMT, the IBMA Foundation has opened twelve agency endowment funds, including seven scholarship funds that support students in a variety of ways — from those studying banjo or resophonic guitar at the college level, to aspiring songwriters, sound engineers, and broadcasters. One example is the Sally Ann Forrester Memorial Scholarship which supports female bluegrass musicians majoring in any field, and reflects the IBMA Foundation’s broad reach. No matter your path, if you’re passionate about the bluegrass world, there’s a scholarship to help you pursue it.
The Arnold Shultz Fund, named after a key early influence on bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe, provides $30,000 in annual grants to encourage greater participation from people of color in bluegrass music, with the support of the Pisgah Banjo Company and dozens of other donors. These grants have supported programs and projects for participants of all ages in countries around the world — including Uganda, Kenya, Puerto Rico, China, the Czech Republic, and Nepal. Through this fund, as well as project grants and bluegrass education funds named in memory of Fletcher Bright, Terry Baucom, and Bill Breen, the IBMA Foundation is helping to ensure that bluegrass music remains inclusive, globally accessible, and reflective of its rich, multicultural roots.
“We believe bluegrass music is for anyone who’s interested, anyone who wants to play it or simply enjoy it,” said Nancy. “There shouldn’t be any barriers to the music.”
As the IBMA Foundation looks ahead, its melody remains unwavering: to celebrate bluegrass, to educate the next generation, and to leave a legacy as enduring as the songs they cherish.
