NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 26, 2016 — On May 3, 2016 the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will take part in The Big Payback, a region-wide, 24-hour, online giving event created to help Middle Tennessee non-profits raise funds vital to their work.

Donations made to the museum help to secure the legacy of country music for future generations and support its mission to preserve the 2.5 million artifacts in its growing collection. These invaluable holdings are essential in telling the stories of a true American art form and educating audiences who cherish American music. With education as one of its core objectives, the museum also serves its communities by offering hundreds of educational programs for people of all ages.

“We’re thrilled to participate in this event that helps promote philanthropy in our community and also raises funds to fulfill our institution’s mission,” said museum Vice President of Development, Lisa Purcell. “Opportunities like this allow us to continue telling the important story of country music, ensuring its preservation for future generations.”

The Big Payback will begin at 12:00 a.m. (midnight) on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 and run for 24 hours. Once the clock starts, anyone can visit TheBigPayback.org and make donations to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and other participating non-profits that serve the 40 counties of Middle Tennessee.

The event is presented by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Gifts from the public will be boosted with funds from sponsors of The Big Payback. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will vie for financial incentives and additional prizes through the online leaderboard at TheBigPayback.org, which will track donations in real time.

For more information, visit TheBigPayback.org. 

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Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is operated by the Country Music Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization chartered by the state of Tennessee in 1964. The museum’s mission is the preservation of the history of country and related vernacular music rooted in southern culture.  With the same educational mission, the foundation also operates CMF Records, the museum’s Frist Library and Archive, CMF Press, Historic RCA Studio B and Hatch Show Print®.
More information about the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is available at www.countrymusichalloffame.org or by calling (615) 416-2001.