Eligibility. In addition, the Foundation will NOT fund grants for the following purposes or activities:

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1 The CMA Foundation (the Foundation ) exists to provide financial support to worthwhile causes that are important to the Country Music Association ( CMA ) and the country music community. The Foundation places special emphasis on serving the needs of CMA s core constituents and nonprofit organizations with initiatives that preserve the legacy of the format, music education, and that respond to such other needs that may be identified in the future by the CMA and the Foundation. Preference should be given to those grant proposals that most closely align with the Foundation s top grant-making priority, which is music education. Eligibility In order to be eligible, an applicant organization must be an organization that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code ( IRC ), and not a private foundation as described in IRC Section 509(a). An applicant must be in good standing with its state of incorporation and the Internal Revenue Service. The Foundation prefers to make grants that will have a significant and lasting impact on a group as well as its community. A request needs to demonstrate a visible, apparent and immediate need and be consistent with the Mission Statement of the Foundation. The Foundation places special emphasis on assisting organizations that focus on: Projects that are specifically designed for music education; Projects that benefit the artist community through donations and that have a positive impact on the applicant s hometown or community; Projects that connect with the Foundation s Keep the Music Playing partners. Requests for general operating support are not eligible for consideration. Requests for start-up projects may be considered for new initiatives that address important, unmet community needs and that demonstrate a potential for ongoing operational support from other sources. In addition, the Foundation will NOT fund grants for the following purposes or activities: Individuals; Newsletters, magazines; Projects of churches and religious organizations that primarily benefit their own members (exception: church-based programs with broad community support and separate financial statements); Sponsorship of special events or similar fundraising and advertising activities; Stand-alone books, films or videos; Stand-alone travel expenses for conferences; Legislative lobbying or other political purposes; Computer labs and related technologies to schools; Regular operating budget support; Debt retirement; or Loans. Other Foundational giving activities

2 Decision Process The Foundation s fiscal year is the calendar year. The Foundation s Board of Directors meets quarterly during the year and ordinarily reviews grant applications twice per year to fulfill its responsibilities in approving grants for nonprofit organizations. Applicants may submit only one grant application during a twelve-month period. The Foundation will consider only those grant requests that are submitted in the form of a written proposal that complies with the process adopted by the Foundation s Board of Directors (as set forth in the grant application materials furnished to applicants). All organizations requesting grants are subject to a review process that includes an initial interview with Foundation staff, the submission of an application, a possible site visit, and ultimate approval by the Foundation s Board of Directors. The Foundation s Board of Directors shall make decisions based on findings and recommendations prepared by the Foundation staff. Each applicant will be notified in writing promptly after a decision on a proposal has been made. If a grant award is approved by the Foundation s Board of Directors, the grantee organization will be asked to sign a grant contract that sets forth the terms and conditions of the grant and which, when fully signed, will be a binding legal agreement between the grantee organization and the Foundation. Funds will be disbursed to grantees pursuant to a disbursement schedule and method acceptable to the Foundation and as set forth in the grant contract. Final Progress Report Evaluation Grant recipients must submit a final report detailing the progress made in accomplishing the goals and objectives of the grant in a format acceptable to the Foundation. This progress report is required to include supporting financial statements that account for how the grant funds were spent. The final report must clearly demonstrate that Foundation funds were expended for the approved purposes for which they were granted. Funds not used for those approved purposes must be returned to the Foundation unless a specific waiver has been approved by the Foundation s Board of Directors and communicated in writing to the grantee. On rare occasions, a request may be approved to use unspent funds for other special needs. Subsequent grant applications that may receive approval by the Foundation will not be paid until the final progress report is received and the grant evaluation is found to be complete and acceptable to the Foundation. The final progress report must be reviewed and signed by the grantee organization s Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director. Board s Discretion The Foundation s Board of Directors has the ultimate discretion as to the approval of all grants (and the terms and conditions thereof) and may, in its discretion, give final approval for any grants that are funded outside these guidelines.

3 The CMA Foundation s Keep the Music Playing Grant Application Organization Information Organization Name EIN Address City County State Zip Phone Fax Website Full-time persons on staff Part-time persons on staff Number of board members Date of incorporation Current fiscal year start and end Proposal Contact Person First Name Last Name Title Address City State Zip Primary Phone Additional Contact Info Grant Application Summary of Funding Request (Summarize Purpose of Grant Request): Funding Amount Requested: Total Funding to be Raised:

4 Fundraising Start Date: Funding Requested by (date): Statement of Inclusiveness (describe the target population to be served and any eligibility/access restrictions): Certification and Acceptance: I certify that information contained herein is true and complete and accept the obligation to comply with the terms and conditions if a grant is awarded as a result of this application. I further certify that the organization named above currently has tax-exemption under the Internal revenue Service code Section 501 (c)(3), that the Organization s IRS determination letter has not been revoked, and that present operations and current sources of support are consistent with the Organization s continuing classification as set forth in the determination letter. Signature: Date: Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director

5 Appendices 1. Provide a narrative of the program, including but not limited to the following: Overall purpose/mission of program Description of activities Brief review of program outcomes Listing of other major initiatives organization plans to execute for current fiscal year Review of growth of program for future years Relevant research/survey data collected from program Other secured sources of program funding Applicants are encouraged to include additional information that provides in-depth detail of program structure and potential for growth 2. Please include the following information: Current list of Board of Directors of requesting organization List of benefactors secured for upcoming program year for which funding is sought Independently audited financial records for last two fiscal years Approved budget for organization s current fiscal year Projected revenue and expenditures for program for which funding is sought Copy of requesting organization s charter Copy of requesting organization s bylaws Certificate of existence from Secretary of State (dated within 30 days of application) Copy of IRS letter granting 501(c)(3) status Copy of most recent 990