Public charity · Washington, DC (gives in Tennessee from out of state)
New Venture Fund
In 2024 it gave 16 grants worth $2 million to Tennessee groups, 7 of them in Davidson County. A typical grant was $20,000 to $250,000. Most often for: “Arts, culture, and humanities”.
Its tax filing doesn't say how to apply. Check its website or call before sending anything.
Key facts
- Grants in Tennessee
- 16 totaling $2 million · 7 in Davidson County
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $20,000 to $250,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants over $5,000, the only ones its filing lists)
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $20,000: the middle grant to the 11 Tennessee groups it funded for the first time in 2024. Its filing lists only grants over $5,000, so smaller first grants aren't counted.
- Where it gives
- Davidson County, Shelby County, Hamilton County, Madison County · plus 795 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
- 69% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2024 were new (not funded in 2023): 11 of 16.
- Total giving that year
- $360.3 million
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $360.3M | $2M | 16 |
| 2023 | $502M | $2.1M | 14 |
All grants paid To Tennessee
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
Does your board know anyone here?
Checked in your browser only. The names are kept on this device for other foundation pages and are never sent to GrantMe.
- Adam EichbergBoard chair
- Katherine MillerTreasurer and vice-chair
- Tom GibianSecretary
- Daryn DodsonBoard member (through 2/2024)
- Harry DruckerBoard member
- Akilah MasseyBoard member
- Vatsala PathyBoard member
- Chuck RedmondBoard member
- Lee BodnerPresident
- Shannon ScottCfo (through 9/2024)
- Andrew SchulzGeneral counsel
- Fran SeegullProject director
- James CowenProject deputy director
- Amie BatsonProject president
- Camilla SethProject director
- Wilson WoodhouseProject president
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
- Arts, culture, and humanities (5 grants)
- Civil rights, social action, advocacy (4 grants)
- Environmental programs (3 grants)
- Youth development and education (2 grants)
- Technology and innovation (2 grants)
How big its Tennessee grants are
| Grant size | Grants |
|---|---|
| Under $1,000 | 0 |
| $1,000 to $4,999 | 0 |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | 0 |
| $10,000 to $24,999 | 6 |
| $25,000 to $99,999 | 4 |
| $100,000 or more | 6 |
From its 2024 IRS filing. Grants of $5,000 or less aren't listed on the form public charities file (Schedule I), so small grants are missing here.
Tennessee organizations it funded
Davidson County grants are listed first, then the largest. Past winners are good people to ask what the foundation looks for. Select a group to see who else funds it.
| Past winner | Where | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equal Chance for Education | Nashville, Davidson County | Youth development and education | $606K |
| National Black Tech Ecosystem Association | Nashville, Davidson County | Technology and innovation | $250K |
| Southern Movement Committee | Nashville, Davidson County | Youth development and education | $100K |
| Think Tennessee | Nashville, Davidson County | Civil rights, social action, advocacy | $50K |
| The Equity Alliance | Nashville, Davidson County | Civil rights, social action, advocacy | $25K |
| Unheard Voices Outreach | Madison, Davidson County | Civil rights, social action, advocacy | $25K |
| A Luta Sigue | Nashville, Davidson County | Civil rights, social action, advocacy | $16K |
| Center for Transforming Communities | Memphis, Shelby County | Arts, culture, and humanities | $310K |
| United Way of Greater Chattanooga | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Environmental programs | $250K |
| Popvox Foundation | Jackson, Madison County | Technology and innovation | $200K |
| Young Gifted & Green | Memphis, Shelby County | Environmental programs | $50K |
| Artsbuild | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Environmental programs | $20K |
| Memphis Artists for Change | Memphis, Shelby County | Arts, culture, and humanities | $20K |
| Black Seeds | Memphis, Shelby County | Arts, culture, and humanities | $10K |
| Memphis Tilth | Memphis, Shelby County | Arts, culture, and humanities | $10K |
| The Time Is Now Douglass Redevelopment Corporation | Memphis, Shelby County | Arts, culture, and humanities | $10K |
Foundation website All its IRS filings (ProPublica) Sign in to save