Private foundation · Highland Park, IL (gives in Tennessee from out of state)
Ploughshares Foundation
In 2025 it gave 3 grants worth $22,000 to Tennessee groups, 2 of them in Davidson County. A typical grant was $2,000 to $15,000.
Takes applications. See how to apply below.
Key facts
- Grants in Tennessee
- 3 totaling $22,000 · 2 in Davidson County
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $2,000 to $15,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $5,000, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat ones.
- Where it gives
- Davidson County, Williamson County · plus 365 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
- Rarely: every Tennessee group it funded in 2025 had also been funded in 2023–2024. Build a relationship before asking.
- Total giving that year
- $3.6 million
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3.6M | $22K | 3 |
| 2024 | $3.5M | $22K | 3 |
| 2023 | $3.5M | $4,000 | 2 |
All grants paid To Tennessee
How to apply
- Contact
- D M Ephraim · Highland park · (312) 321-9700
- What to send
- All applications must be in written form. They must include a description of the organization which is submitting the application, the grant amount(s) requested by such organization and the use which the submitting organization intends to make of any grant(s) that may be received from this foundation. All applications must, in addition, include a copy of the submitting organization's irs determination letter evidencing qualification as a section 501(c)(3) organization, together with a copy of the submitting organization's most recently filed irs form 990.
As the foundation reported to the IRS for tax year 2025. Check its website or call before sending anything, because contacts and deadlines change.
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.
- Donald M EphraimOfficer & director
- Eliot S EphraimOfficer & director
- David M EphraimOfficer & director
As listed in its 2025 IRS filing. Many foundations decide through their board, so a personal connection often matters more than a perfect application.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hope for Justice | Nashville, Davidson County | General | $5,000 |
| Magdalene Incthistle Farms | Nashville, Davidson County | General | $2,000 |
| Charitywater Inc. | Franklin, Williamson County | General | $15K |