Public charity · Woodbridge, NJ (gives in Tennessee from out of state)
The Bessemer Giving Fund
100% of its grant money in 2024 went out through donor-advised funds: individual donors chose those grants, not staff, so there is no application for them.
Key facts
- Grants in Tennessee
- 21 totaling $1.2M
- Typical grant
- $10K to $25K (middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask
- About $10K, its median Tennessee grant. New grantees usually get less than long-time ones.
- Where it gives
- Davidson County, Shelby County, Hamilton County, Knox County, Jefferson County, Fentress County, Williamson County, Lewis County · plus 1632 grants outside Tennessee
- Buildings & equipment
- 1 of its Tennessee grants went to buildings, renovations or equipment, e.g. “Capital campaign”
- Funds new groups?
- 67% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2024 were new (not funded in 2023): 14 of 21.
- Total giving that year
- $141.9M
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $141.9M | $1.2M | 21 |
| 2023 | $128.9M | $513K | 12 |
How to apply
Public charities don't report how to apply on their IRS return. Check its website for open grant rounds, or search GrantMe for its programs.
Board and officers
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- Bessemer Trust CompanyTrustee
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
- Capital campaign
- Annual fund
Tennessee organizations it funded
Largest first. Groups it already funds are good people to ask what the foundation looks for. Select a group to see who else funds it.
| Recipient | Where | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital | Memphis, Shelby County | General support | $637K |
| Friends of the Warner Parks Inc. | Nashville, Davidson County | General support | $301K |
| Centerstone's Foundation Inc. | Nashville, Davidson County | Capital campaign | $50K |
| Ducks Unlimited Inc. | Memphis, Shelby County | General support | $27K |
| Highlander Research & Education Center | New Market, Jefferson County | General support | $25K |
| Jewish Community Federation of Greater Chattanooga | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | General support | $25K |
| Odd Man Inn Animal Refuge | Jamestown, Fentress County | General operating support | $22K |
| Episcopal School of Nashville | Nashville, Davidson County | General support | $21K |
| The Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church Diocese of Tenn | Nashville, Davidson County | General support | $16K |
| Village Chapel Inc. | Nashville, Davidson County | General support | $15K |
| American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities Inc. | Memphis, Shelby County | General support | $10K |
| Church of the Good Shephard | Lookout Mountatin, Hamilton County | General support | $10K |
| Hardin Valley Church of Christ | Knoxville, Knox County | General support | $10K |
| Refuge Center for Counseling | Franklin, Williamson County | General support | $10K |
| The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee | Hohenwald, Lewis County | General support | $10K |
| United Way of Greater Nashville | Nashville, Davidson County | General support | $10K |
| Westminster Presbyterian Church | Nashville, Davidson County | General support | $10K |
| University of Nashville Montgomery Bell Academy | Nashville, Davidson County | Annual fund | $6,500 |
| Cheekwood | Nashville, Davidson County | General support | $6,000 |
| The Launch Pad | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | General support | $5,793 |
| Nashville Symphony Association | Nashville, Davidson County | General support | $5,600 |