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Private foundation · Houston, TX (gives in Tennessee from out of state)

Laura and John Arnold Foundation

Invitation only

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
13 totaling $4.7M
Typical grant
$44K to $200K (middle half of its Tennessee grants)
A realistic first ask
About $104K, its median Tennessee grant. New grantees usually get less than long-time ones.
Where it gives
Davidson County, Shelby County, Knox County · plus 776 grants outside Tennessee
Buildings & equipment
None of its Tennessee grants in this filing were for buildings or equipment
Funds new groups?
25% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2024 were new (not funded in 2023): 2 of 8.
Total giving that year
$193.3M

Giving by year

Giving by year from its IRS filings
Tax yearTotal grants paidTo TennesseeTennessee grants
2024$193.3M$4.7M13
2023$162.9M$11.1M10

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

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  • John D ArnoldDirector/co-chair
  • Laura E ArnoldDirector/co-chair
  • Roxanne AlmarazSecretary
  • Elizabeth BanksTreasurer
  • Kelli RheeDirector/president & ceo

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

  • To support grantee's states leading recovery grant program.
  • To support bail system data collection and data democratization, with the overall goal of providing an...
  • To develop a research-based definition of "credentials of value" for higher education institutions in...
  • To advance higher education policy to impact postsecondary student success in tennessee by applying its...
  • To support education on the drivers of variation in fine and fee policy in tennessee.
  • To produce a report on the fiscal implications of incarceration in the state of tennessee.
  • To research graduate program growth and implications for students from historically underrepresented groups.
  • To research the impact of heightened cash monitoring.

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.

Tennessee grants from Laura and John Arnold Foundation
RecipientWherePurposeAmount
Accelerate - the National Collaborative for Accelerated LearningNashville, Davidson CountyTo support grantee's states leading recovery grant program.$3.3M
Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, Davidson CountyTo conduct and disseminate research that evaluates the effectiveness of...$289K
Tennessee State Collaborative On Reforming EducationNashville, Davidson CountyTo develop a research-based definition of "credentials of value" for higher...$260K
Tennessee State Collaborative On Reforming EducationNashville, Davidson CountyTo advance higher education policy to impact postsecondary student success...$200K
Vanderbilt University Medical CenterNashville, Davidson CountyTo examine and assess the accuracy of medicare advantage provider network...$148K
Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, Davidson CountyTo conduct an evaluation of the civil rights, civil liberties, and ethical...$125K
The University of TennesseeKnoxville, Knox CountyTo research graduate program growth and implications for students from...$104K
Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, Davidson CountyTo support a conference that brings together prosecutors from around the...$69K
The Sycamore Institute Inc.Nashville, Davidson CountyTo support education on the drivers of variation in fine and fee policy in Tennessee.$49K
University of MemphisMemphis, Shelby CountyTo evaluate the impact of reforms in Tennessee, with the overall goal of...$44K
The Sycamore Institute Inc.Nashville, Davidson CountyTo produce a report on the fiscal implications of incarceration in the state...$25K
The University of TennesseeKnoxville, Knox CountyTo research the impact of heightened cash monitoring.$17K
Just City Inc.Memphis, Shelby CountyTo support bail system data collection and data democratization, with the...$12K

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