TFMF About Us

History and Profile

The Texas Folk Music Foundation (TFMF), a non-profit public benefit 501(c)(3) corporation, was formed in 1999 to support music education, songwriter development and the presentation of original and traditional music. TFMF was an outgrowth of another foundation, created in 1975 by Rod Kennedy, founder of the Kerrville Folk Festival. The organizers offered a means to infuse public benefit educational services into the operation of the Festival and work began by sponsoring a songwriting and performance competition for emerging songwriters. The Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Songwriting competition, sponsored by TFMF for many years, is a nationally-acclaimed songwriter event and a featured attraction each year at the Kerrville Folk Festival. Rod Kennedy continues to serve as a consultant and advisor to the Festival and Foundation. In 2008, as part of the strategic plan the Foundation acquired the assets of the Kerrville Folk Festivals, held each year starting on the Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays.

The original TFMF Board consisted of three Directors, but was expanded to nine members in 2005. Board members also chair various committees covering a critical aspect of the Foundation. The Board has a clear set of bylaws governing the operations of the Foundation and meets about every two months. Approved Board minutes are published on the Foundation website.

The bylaws were recently modified to provide for Memberships of the Foundation. This provides our constituency with an important role in the Foundation. Foundation Members vote annually for vacant board positions.

Board and Staff

TFMF Committees Get the Job Done

The TFMF Board uses a committee structure to carry out its work. Each committee is charged with some aspect of the organization's functions, and each is chaired by a board member. The following are the current committees, and their assigned chairs.

Kerrville Festival Operating Committee (Chair, Stuart Vexler) - The Kerrville Festival Operating Committee assists Festival President with oversight of the daily operations of Kerrville Festivals and the Festival site at Quiet Valley Ranch. The Operating Committee assists in creating and monitoring progress against the annual Budget, and helps the President with daily operations of the Festivals. The Operating Committee and its Chairman report to the Foundation Board, which authorizes the annual Festival budget. The Festival President, Operating Committee and Foundation Board also work closely together on Festival strategy at annual retreats and joint Board/Committee meetings throughout the year so that Festival-goers can experience “Kerrville” and the Festivals for many, many years to come.

Building and Grounds Committee (Chair, Adams Kirkpatrick) - The BaG committee oversees plans, collects cost estimates, and provides project monitoring for the management, improvement, restoration, protection, and beautification of the Festival land, buildings and resources. The Committee develops and maintains the facility Master Plan, ensures TFMF upholds the ranch lease and provides financial and timeline accountability for all facility projects. The Committee works with the Festival President, Festival and Ranch Staff, Volunteer Coordinator and FoC to deploy resources to projects. The Committee will recommend actions through a prioritized facility Master Plan to the TFMF board. The Facilities and campgrounds Committee maintains an active, diverse group of members from across the Festival community.

Program Committee (Chair, Thomas Chapmond) - The Program Committee oversees existing programs and develops new programs and initiatives to support the Foundation's mission. The Program Committee screens and vets proposed projects, determines how they will be executed, and considers the program's cost and benefit. Each year the Program Committee evaluates the existing and proposed programs, prioritizes the programs, and makes recommendations to the Board so the Board can determine how to allocate organizational resources. This Committee works closely with the Resource Development Committee so that funding or other needed support can be provided to worthy programs.

Marketing/Public Relations Committee (Chair, TBD) - This committee designs and develops all materials that support the approved activities of the TFMF. The committee will insure that a consistent clear message is presented and will create a consistent look and feel for all materials. They will work with the Program and Resource Development Committees to determine how to position activities in the media and to the various constituent groups.

Personnel Committee (Chair, Theresa Tod) - This committee sets goals for staff and key volunteers, provides leadership on organizational structure, recommends policy and procedures to the board to the Board, determines procedures to manage and evaluate staff and personnel, and provides advice on interactions between staff and board. The Personnel Committee publicizes openings in volunteer or staff positions.

Resource Development Committee (Chair, Jon Charles) - This committee sets goals for fundraising, establishes procedures and approaches for fundraising, conducts fundraising activities, ensures that proposed programs include fundraising and revenue generating components, and makes recommendations to the Board in each area above. This committee also serves as a "clearinghouse" for those who come forward with fundraising ideas; once a proposal is approved by the Board, the committee will work to execute the funding activity or will create a mechanism to do so. The committee will write and submit proposals to foundations and other funding entities.

Finance Committee (Chair, Larry West) - The Finance Committee recommends a budget, tracks the financial condition of the TFMF, provides budget oversight, develops and monitors the appropriate handling of money.

Nominating Committee (Chair, Bill Stacy) - This committee recommends a slate of candidates to fill vacancies on the TFMF Board, according to nominating criteria procedures and based on needs of the Board; and may recommend chairs for the Standing Committees, who must be members of the Board.

Strategic Planning Committee (Chair, TBD) - This committee is responsible for overseeing the development and updating of the Strategic Plan, which is the long-term vision for development and management of the Foundation.