Blues Foundation

{{Short description|American nonprofit organization}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}

{{Multiple issues|

{{Update|date=July 2021}}

{{Primary sources|date=November 2022}}}}{{Infobox organization

| formation = {{start date and age|1980}}

| image = The Blues Foundation logo.svg

| type = Nonprofit corporation

| headquarters = Memphis, Tennessee

| website = {{official url}}

}}

The Blues Foundation is an American nonprofit corporation, headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, that is affiliated with more than 175 blues organizations from various parts of the world.

Founded in 1980, a 25-person board of directors governs the foundation whose stated mission is to preserve blues heritage, celebrate blues recording and performance, and expand worldwide awareness of the blues.{{cite web|last=Connection |first=Music |url=https://www.musicconnection.com/blues-foundation-launches-40th-year-with-honorees/ |title=The Blues Foundation Launches 40th Year with Honorees |publisher=Musicconnection.com |date= November 12, 2019|accessdate=2022-05-08}}

On its formation, the foundation organized the annual W. C. Handy Awards to "give recognition of the finest in blues performances and recordings." The awards have since been renamed the Blues Music Awards.{{cite web | url=https://blues.org/awards-landing/ | title=Awards |website=Blues.org}} The BMAs are generally recognized as the highest honor given to blues musicians, and are awarded by vote of Blues Foundation members.

The Blues Foundation is also responsible for the Blues Hall of Fame Museum, International Blues Challenge (IBC), Keeping the Blues Alive Award (KBA){{cite web|url=https://blues.org/keeping-the-blues-alive-award/|title=Keeping the Blues Alive Award - Blues Foundation|website=Blues.org|access-date=7 April 2018}} and Blues in the Schools program.{{cite web|url=https://blues.org/blues-in-the-schools/|title=Blues in the Schools - Blues Foundation|website=Blues.org|access-date=7 April 2018}}

Every year, the Blues Foundation presents the KBA Awards to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to blues music.{{cite web|title=Search {{!}} The Blues Foundation|url=http://blues.org/awards-search/?cat=kba|website=Blues.org|access-date=24 June 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609184156/http://blues.org/awards-search/?cat=kba|archive-date=9 June 2016}} The KBA ceremony are held in conjunction with the International Blues Challenge. The KBAs are awarded on the basis of merit, by a select panel of blues professionals, working to actively promote and document the music.{{cite web | url=https://www.americanbluesscene.com/2022/01/2022-keeping-the-blues-alive-award-recipients-announced/ | title=2022 Keeping the Blues Alive Award Recipients Announced|website=Americanbluesscene.com | date=January 8, 2022 }}

The foundation established the HART Fund (Handy Artists Relief Trust) for blues musicians, and their families in financial need, due to a broad range of health concerns.{{cite web|url=https://blues.org/hart-fund/|title=Hart Fund - Blues Foundation|website=Blues.org|access-date=7 April 2018}} The HART Fund provides for acute, chronic and preventive medical and dental care, as well as funeral expenses.{{cite web|url=http://www.blues.org |title=The Blues Foundation |website=Blues.org |access-date=2012-10-20}}

Barbara B. Newman succeeded Jay Sieleman, as president and chief executive officer of the Blues Foundation on October 1, 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.blues.org/2015/08/the-blues-foundation-selects-new-president-ceo/ |title=The Blues Foundation Selects New President & CEO | The Blues Foundation |website=Blues.org |date=2015-08-19 |access-date=2015-12-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304203011/http://www.blues.org/2015/08/the-blues-foundation-selects-new-president-ceo/ |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=dead }}