Private foundation · Los Altos, CA (gives in Tennessee from out of state)
The Heising-Simons Foundation
This foundation says it only funds groups it chooses itself. Don't send an unsolicited application. If your work fits, the usual path is an introduction through someone the foundation already knows, such as a board member or a current grantee. See its board and officers below: do you or your board know any of them?
Key facts
- Grants in Tennessee
- 5 totaling $880K
- Typical grant
- $125K to $207K (middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask
- About $126K, its median Tennessee grant. New grantees usually get less than long-time ones.
- Where it gives
- Davidson County, Jefferson County · plus 666 grants outside Tennessee
- Buildings & equipment
- None of its Tennessee grants in this filing were for buildings or equipment
- Funds new groups?
- Rarely: every Tennessee group it funded in 2024 had also been funded in 2023. Build a relationship before asking.
- Total giving that year
- $149.6M
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $149.6M | $880K | 5 |
| 2023 | $152.1M | $516K | 5 |
How to apply
The foundation's filing doesn't describe how to apply. Look for a website, or send a short letter asking whether it accepts requests.
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.
- Sushma RamanPresident & ceo (thru 7/24/24)
- Jennifer ShippSec (thru 7/8/24), interim ceo & pres
- Kevin LuuChief financial officer/treasurer
- Elizabeth D SimonsChair of the board
- Caitlin HeisingVice chair of the board
- Mark W HeisingVice chair of the board
- Chelsey ScaffidiSecretary
- Judy BlumensteinTreasurer (thru 1/7/24), finance dir
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
- For grantmakers for southern progress
- To implement phase two of the astrophysics postdoctoral launch program
- To enhance mathematics learning in early childhood classrooms
- For the development of a neural calving ice sheet model
- For a workshop on multimessenger astronomy
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | To implement phase two of the astrophysics postdoctoral launch program | $343K |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | To enhance mathematics learning in early childhood classrooms | $207K |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | For the development of a neural calving ice sheet model | $126K |
| Highlander Research & Education Center Inc. | New Market, Jefferson County | For grantmakers for southern progress | $125K |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | For a workshop on multimessenger astronomy | $80K |
Foundation website All its IRS filings (ProPublica) Sign in to save