ACM Endows Charitable Fund

The Academy of Country Music made an $850,000 endowment to the Academy of Country Music Charitable Fund (ACMCF), the philanthropic arm of the Academy established quietly three years ago.    The endowment was made at an Academy of Country Music Board meeting, and included monies raised at events held in conjunction with the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas in May. The gift is the first disbursement of a significant three-year funding commitment and fundraising campaign.    The ACMCF has a separate governing Board made up of music industry executives and national philanthropic leaders. The Fund has deliberately operated without fanfare for three years while building up its resources. During that time, the Fund has privately provided grants to promote music education and to organizations that focus on healing through music. Many of the Academy's premiere events benefit the Fund, including the Motorcycle Ride, Golf Classic and New Artists' Party for a Cause.   "We are delighted that the Academy has made this remarkable commitment, seeding the work of the Fund," said Dennis Lord, who has chaired the Fund since its launch. "The Academy's Board recognizes the swift evolution of the charity and the directions we're planning to go in the years to come. As we've reached out into our American communities, we've seen a great need, which we are eager to address through the Fund. Over the next several years, our goal is to build partnerships with the Country Music community and with national organizations in order to fulfill our mission, to give people in need a hand up through the power of music. "  Additionally, the Academy is announcing that Erin Spahn has joined the staff. Spahn has been named Director of the ACM Charitable Fund and reports directly to Academy Executive Director, Bob Romeo and the Fund's Chairman, Lord. The position is funded from the Academy's own coffers and is based out of their headquarters in Encino, Ca.  "We spent about a year determining our needs for the in-house Fund position, and Erin could not be a better choice for the job," said Mark Hartley, Chairman of the Academy of Country Music Board of Directors. "Her experience and enthusiasm will guide the growth and branding of the Fund as we move forward."  Spahn's primary focus will be to raise awareness and resources for the ACMCF. Spahn began her career at Moore & Van Allen, a premiere corporate and intellectual property firm based in North Carolina, where she guided clients in brand and trademark strategy. She comes to the Academy with a copyright and music law background, and experience at SESAC, first in Nashville then in New York. Before that, she worked with the GE Fund and volunteered with several philanthropies including the Nashville Rescue Mission Hope Center for Women and African Leadership. She is a cum laude graduate of Duke University.