Private foundation · New York, NY (gives in Tennessee from out of state)

Russell Sage Foundation

EIN 13-1635303 · Website · IRS record · Latest filing: tax year 2024

Takes applications

In 2024 it gave 2 grants worth $121,703 to Tennessee groups. A typical grant was $46,903 to $74,800.

Takes applications. See how to apply below.

Grants in Tennessee: 2 totaling $121,703
Typical grant How we figure this: $46,903 to $74,800 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
A realistic first ask How we figure this: About $60,851, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat ones.
Where it gives: Knox County, Davidson County · plus 135 grants outside Tennessee
Buildings & equipment: None of its Tennessee grants in this filing were for buildings or equipment
Funds new groups? How we figure this: 100% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2024 were new (not funded in 2022–2023): 2 of 2.
Total giving that year: $6.4 million

Giving by year

Giving by year from its IRS filings
Tax year	Total grants paid	To Tennessee	Tennessee grants
2024	$6.4M	$122K	2
2023	$7.3M	—	0
2022	$6.3M	$17K	1

All grants paid To Tennessee

How to apply

Its grants listed in GrantMe:

Core Research Grants (Social, Political and Economic Inequality; Future of Work) · due Oct 28, 2026
Margaret Olivia Sage (MOS) Grants · due Dec 1, 2026

Each listing has the current way to apply, checked on the funder's own site or filing.

Contact: Rsf Programs Dept · New york · (212) 750-6000 · Programs@rsage.org
What to send: Check the foundation's website for forms, deadlines and restrictions.
Deadlines: See (b) above.
Limits: See (b) above.

As the foundation reported to the IRS for tax year 2024. Check its website or call before sending anything, because contacts and deadlines change.

Board and officers

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Jennifer RichesonChairman
Earl LewisVice-chairman
David LaibsonTreasurer
Marianne BertrandTrustee
Cathy CohenTrustee
James DruckmanTrustee
Jason FurmanTrustee
Jeffry HaberNon-voting committee member
Michael Jones-CorreaTrustee
David LeonhardtTrustee
Hazel MarkusTrustee
Tracey MearesTrustee
Thomas SugrueTrustee
Celeste Watkins-HayesTreasurer
Sheldon DanzigerPresident until 6-1-25
Bruce WesternPresident, starting 7-1-25
Leana ChatrathSecretary

As listed in its 2024 IRS filing. Many foundations decide through their board, so a personal connection often matters more than a perfect application.

What it funds most often

Legal representation in eviction court (1 grant)
Creating a nuisance? Housing nuisance ordinances and their impacts on stu... (1 grant)

Tennessee organizations it funded

Largest first. Past winners are good people to ask what the foundation looks for. Select a group to see who else funds it.

Tennessee grants from Russell Sage Foundation
Past winner	Where	Purpose	Amount
University of Tennessee Knoxville	Knoxville, Knox County	Legal representation in eviction court	$75K
Vanderbilt University	Nashville, Davidson County	Creating a nuisance? Housing nuisance ordinances and their impacts on stu...	$47K