Private foundation · New York, NY (gives in Tennessee from out of state)
The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc.
Takes applications. See how to apply below.
Key facts
- Grants in Tennessee
- 4 totaling $180,000
- Typical grant
- $20,000 to $100,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask
- About $35,000, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat ones.
- Where it gives
- Jefferson County, Davidson County · plus 277 grants outside Tennessee
- Buildings & equipment
- None of its Tennessee grants in this filing were for buildings or equipment
- Funds new groups?
- 33% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2024 were new (not funded in 2023): 1 of 3.
- Total giving that year
- $16.6 million
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $16.6M | $180K | 4 |
| 2023 | $17.4M | $285K | 4 |
How to apply
- Contact
- Co the foundation · new york · 2127877300 · gadmin@nathancummings.org
- What to send
- Nathan cummings foundation (ncf) welcomes proposals for partnerships via our letters of inquiry (loi) portals for grants or program related investments (pri).
- Deadlines
- The portal is open from mid-january through june, and reopens in october.
- Limits
- There are two types of funding opportunities: grants and program-related investments (pris). Both grant and pri proposals must align with our interconnected goals of racial, economic, and/or environmental justice (reej). Proposals that align and intersect with reej and our place-based initiatives, which include the u.s. South, are also encouraged.
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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- Mr Reynard RamseyPresident & ceo
- Mr Bob BancroftVp, finance & mission investing
- Mr Nealon DevoreChief of staff & board liason
- Ms Jaimie MayerChair, trustee
- Ms Amy SorensenVice chair, trustee
- Ms Rebecca GreggSecretary, trustee
- Mr Adam N CummingsTreasurer, trustee
- Ms Alice RheeTrustee
- Mr Daniel TellalianTrustee
- Mr Jarrett BarriosTrustee
- Ms Melissa BradleyTrustee
- Mr James CummingsTrustee
- Ms Roberta CummingsTrustee
- Ms Ruth CummingsTrustee
- Mr Rich DeitchmanTrustee
- Ms Gabriella MorrisTrustee
- Mr Phillip SorensenTrustee
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
- 2024-2025 grantmakers for southern progress annual membership
- Directors cancer innovation fund (general fund)
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.
| Past winner | Where | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander Research & Education Center Inc. | New Market, Jefferson County | General support | $100K |
| The Faith Matters Network Collaborative | Nashville, Davidson County | General support | $50K |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | Directors cancer innovation fund (general fund) | $20K |
| Highlander Research & Education Center Inc. | New Market, Jefferson County | 2024-2025 grantmakers for southern progress annual membership | $10K |
Foundation website All its IRS filings (ProPublica) Sign in to save