Acm Lifting Lives

Nashville, TN · Founded 2004

Philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music improving lives through music and health initiatives

Primary audience
Music community
Work area
Health services
Topic
Music therapy
Website Contact

About Organization

ACM Lifting Lives is the charitable partner of the Academy of Country Music, funding music therapy programs for mental and physical health organizations while providing emergency relief to music community members. Based in Nashville, TN, the organization operates with 4 employees and 12 volunteers, generating $1.8 million in annual revenue. Founded in 2004, it harnesses the country music community's strength to deliver health-focused support and crisis aid.

What They Focus On

Music Therapy

Funds music-based therapeutic programs addressing mental health, physical rehabilitation, and wellness across national health organizations

Emergency Relief

Provides immediate financial assistance to music industry professionals facing unexpected hardships, medical crises, or personal emergencies

Health Initiatives

Supports health-related programs leveraging music's power to improve mental and physical well-being in vulnerable communities

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2024)

$1.8M

+21.9% vs 2023

Expenses (2024)

$1.5M

+8.4% vs 2023

Assets (2024)

$6.8M

+18.8% vs 2023

Employees (2024)

4

-20% vs 2023

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2024 $1,785,379 $1,487,749 $6,767,280 4
2023 $1,465,108 $1,372,376 $5,694,270 5
2022 $1,365,341 $1,225,336 $5,255,661 3
2020 $2,432,342 $4,490,159 $5,397,697 3
2019 $1,124,874 $1,044,674 $6,890,929 2
2018 $915,096 $773,044 $6,184,046 0

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Community Mobilization

    Harnesses the strength of the country music community to identify needs and gather resources

  • 02

    Program Funding

    Allocates grants to music therapy programs and health-focused organizations serving diverse populations

  • 03

    Emergency Response

    Provides immediate financial relief to music professionals experiencing unexpected hardships through dedicated fund

  • 04

    Impact Evaluation

    Monitors program outcomes and maintains partnerships with national mental and physical health organizations

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Acm Lifting Lives

Music Therapy Programs

Funds national music therapy initiatives serving mental and physical health organizations across the country

Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund

Provides financial assistance to music community members facing unexpected hardships and personal crises

Mental Health Support

Delivers targeted mental health programs through music-based interventions and therapeutic services

Music Education Support

Supports music education initiatives and arts programs to expand access and opportunities

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Acm Lifting Lives.

LC

Lyndsay Cruz

Executive Di
Full-time
Compensation: $226,425
FF

Fletcher Foster

Chairman
5 hrs/week
GH

Gayle Holcomb

Emeritus Dir
5 hrs/week
JH

John Hickman

Vice Preside
5 hrs/week
RE

Rod Essig

Emeritus Dir
5 hrs/week
TW

Taylor Wolf

Senior Manag
5 hrs/week
AS

Adi Sharma

Director
AO

Annie Ortmeier

Director
BD

Beville Dunkerley

Director
BB

Bruce Bowman

Director
CK

Chad Kudelka

Director
CL

Chandra Laplume

Director
CF

Chris Farren

Director
DM

Darin Murphy

Director
DP

Diane Pearson

Director
DC

Duane Clark

Director
EM

Ebie McFarland

Director
EW

Ed Warm

Director
ES

Elaina Smith

Director
EL

Ellen Lehman

Director
GH

Greg Hill

Director
JC

Jackie Campbell

Director
JH

Jeffrey Hasson

Director
JA

Judee Ann Williams

Director
JG

Julie Gordon

Director
KF

Kathleen Flaherty

Director
LB

Lori Badgett

Director
MB

Mark Bloom

Director
MH

Mark Hartley

Director
MK

Michelle Kammerer

Director
MG

Mickey Guyton

Director
RB

Randy Bernard

Director
RK

Ricky Kelley

Director
RR

Rondal Richardson

Director
RC

Ross Copperman

Director
SW

Sally Williams

Director
SS

Sandi Spika-Borchetta

Director
SA

Scott Adkins

Director
SW

Storme Warren

Director
TB

Tiffany Brush

Director
TL

Tom Lord

Director
ZS

Zach Sutton

Director

Milestones

2004

Organization Founded

2004

ACM Lifting Lives established as philanthropic partner of Academy of Country Music

2006

Tax-Exempt Status Granted

2006

Received IRS ruling recognizing 501(c)(3) charitable status

2020

Peak Revenue Year

2020

Achieved record revenue of $2.4 million serving expanded health and relief programs

2024

Sustained Growth

2024

Generated $1.8 million in revenue with 4-person staff and active volunteer corps

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

AS
Adi Sharma Director 5.00 hrs/week
AO
Annie Ortmeier Director 5.00 hrs/week
BD
Beville Dunkerley Director 5.00 hrs/week
BB
Bruce Bowman Director 5.00 hrs/week
CK
Chad Kudelka Director 5.00 hrs/week
CL
Chandra Laplume Director 5.00 hrs/week
CF
Chris Farren Director 5.00 hrs/week
DM
Daniel Miller Past Chair 5.00 hrs/week
DM
Darin Murphy Director 5.00 hrs/week
DC
Debbie Carroll Past Chair 5.00 hrs/week
DP
Diane Pearson Director 5.00 hrs/week
DC
Duane Clark Director 5.00 hrs/week
EM
Ebie McFarland Director 5.00 hrs/week
EW
Ed Warm Director 5.00 hrs/week
ES
Elaina Smith Director 5.00 hrs/week
EL
Ellen Lehman Director 5.00 hrs/week
GH
Greg Hill Director 5.00 hrs/week
JC
Jackie Campbell Director 5.00 hrs/week
JH
Jeffrey Hasson Director 5.00 hrs/week
JA
Judee Ann Williams Director 5.00 hrs/week
JG
Julie Gordon Director 5.00 hrs/week
KF
Kathleen Flaherty Director 5.00 hrs/week
LB
Lori Badgett Director 5.00 hrs/week
LL
Lorie Lytle Past Chair 5.00 hrs/week
MB
Mark Bloom Director 5.00 hrs/week
MH
Mark Hartley Director 5.00 hrs/week
MK
Michelle Kammerer Director 5.00 hrs/week
MG
Mickey Guyton Director 5.00 hrs/week
Paul Barnabee
Paul Barnabee Treasurer 5.00 hrs/week
RB
Randy Bernard Director 5.00 hrs/week
RK
Ricky Kelley Director 5.00 hrs/week
RR
Rondal Richardson Director 5.00 hrs/week
RC
Ross Copperman Director 5.00 hrs/week
SW
Sally Williams Director 5.00 hrs/week
SS
Sandi Spika-Borchetta Director 5.00 hrs/week
SA
Scott Adkins Director 5.00 hrs/week
SM
Shawn McSpadden Chair 5.00 hrs/week
SW
Storme Warren Director 5.00 hrs/week
TB
Tiffany Brush Director 5.00 hrs/week
TL
Tom Lord Director 5.00 hrs/week
TP
Tree Paine Past Chair 5.00 hrs/week
TV
Troy Vollhoffer Past Chair 5.00 hrs/week
ZS
Zach Sutton Director 5.00 hrs/week
Fletcher Foster
Fletcher Foster Chairman
John Hickman
John Hickman Vice-Chair
BB
Brooke Boyd Secretary

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2024)

$226K

Highest Paid

$226K

Lyndsay Cruz

Compensated Officers

1

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Lyndsay Cruz Executive Di $226,425 — $226,425 40

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Fully Forgiven

Total Approved

$73K

Total Forgiven

$74K

101% forgiven

Jobs Retained

4

Loan Details 2 loans

$47,500
Forgiven
Forgiven: $48,096 100%
Approved Feb 19, 2021
Lender City National Bank
Jobs Reported 2
Forgiven On May 24, 2022
$25,292
Forgiven
Forgiven: $25,560 100%
Approved Apr 5, 2020
Lender City National Bank
Jobs Reported 2
Forgiven On May 20, 2021

Source: Small Business Administration • Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$101K Grants Received
$602K Grants Given
10 Organizations

Top Funders

4 total
TC
The Chicago Community Trust
$57K
TG
The Gibson Foundation
$34K
PF
Pledgeling Foundation
$5K
TF
Tournaments For Charity
$5K

Top Grantees

6 total
VU
Vanderbilt University Medical Center Development NASHVILLE, TN
$240K
MH
Music Health Alliance NASHVILLE, TN
$152K
PC
Porter's Call FRANKLIN, TN
$100K
RS
Ryan Seacrest Foundation NASHVILLE, TN
$50K
OS
Operation Song NASHVILLE, TN
$38K
TC
Touring Career Workshop NASHVILLE, TN
$23K
The Chicago Community Trust The Gibson Foundation Pledgeling Foundation Tournaments For Charity Vanderbilt University Medical Center Development Music Health Alliance Porter's Call Ryan Seacrest Foundation Operation Song Touring Career Workshop
The Chicago Community Trust The Gibson Foundation Pledgeling Foundation Tournaments For Charity Vanderbilt University Medical Center Development Music Health Alliance Porter's Call Ryan Seacrest Foundation Operation Song Touring Career Workshop

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Contact

Get in touch with Acm Lifting Lives

Phone

(615) 564-9630

Social

Visit Website
1131 4th Avenue S Suite 340 Nashville, TN 37210