Private foundation · Chicago, IL (gives in Tennessee from out of state)
The Spencer Foundation
Takes applications. See how to apply below.
Key facts
- Grants in Tennessee
- 2 totaling $158,300
- Typical grant
- $48,422 to $109,878 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask
- About $79,150, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat ones.
- Where it gives
- Marion County, Shelby County · plus 212 grants outside Tennessee
- Buildings & equipment
- None of its Tennessee grants in this filing were for buildings or equipment
- Funds new groups?
- 50% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2024 were new (not funded in 2023): 1 of 2.
- Total giving that year
- $24.3 million
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $24.3M | $158K | 2 |
| 2023 | $20M | $136K | 3 |
How to apply
- Contact
- Dr NA'LLAH Suad Nasir · Chicago · (312) 337-7000
- What to send
- Application, information, and materials requirements posted on website.
- Deadlines
- Deadlines posted on foundation's website, www.spencer.org
- Limits
- Information posted on foundation's website, www.spencer.org
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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- Dr Na'ilah Suad NasirPresident
- Elizabeth CarrickVice president, admin & chief of staff
- Andreason BrownChief financial officer & treasurer
- Doris FischerCommunications manager & board secreta
- Prudence CarterDirector
- Carl CohnDirector (outgoing fy25)
- Nonie LesauxDirector
- Jane PattersonDirector
- Cecilia Rios-AguilarDirector
- Mike WilliamsDirector
- Tyrone HowardDirector (incoming fy25)
- Eduardo PadronDirector
- Rob ReichDirector
- Kirabo JacksonDirector (incoming fy25)
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
- Can mentoring improve adolescent girls' educational outcomes?
- Bilingual book clubs
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amplify Girls | Chattanooga, Marion County | Can mentoring improve adolescent girls' educational outcomes? | $110K |
| Rhodes College | Memphis, Shelby County | Bilingual book clubs | $48K |
Grants approved for future years
In its tax-year 2024 IRS Form 990-PF the foundation listed grants it had approved but not yet paid: 3 to Tennessee groups totaling $574,557. These are multi-year commitments, so they show what it has promised to keep funding. Some may have been paid since.
| Recipient | Where | Purpose | Amount | Tax year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | Civic roles, opportunities, scripts, and supports | $453K | 2024 |
| Amplify Girls | Chattanooga, Marion County | Can mentoring improve adolescent girls' agency and educational outcomes? | $105K | 2024 |
| University of Tennessee Health Center | Knoxville, Knox County | Word learning strategy differences | $16K | 2024 |
Data: GivingTuesday Data Commons, ODbL
Foundation website All its IRS filings (ProPublica) Sign in to save