Private foundation · Dearborn, MI (gives in Tennessee from out of state)
Ford Motor Company Fund
In 2025 it gave 12 grants worth $1.7 million to Tennessee groups. A typical grant was $50,000 to $200,000. Most often for: “Ford community centers”.
Invitation only: it picks who to fund. Don't send a proposal. Look for a connection through its board. See its board and officers below: do you or your board know any of them?
Key facts
- Grants in Tennessee
- 12 totaling $1.7 million
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $50,000 to $200,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $50,000, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat ones.
- Where it gives
- Madison County, Shelby County, Davidson County, Haywood County · plus 195 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
- $41.6 million
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $41.6M | $1.7M | 12 |
| 2024 | $43.1M | $2.1M | 18 |
| 2023 | $38.9M | $2.1M | 24 |
All grants paid To Tennessee
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.
- Mary E CullerChair, president, trustee
- David A WebbTreasurer, trustee
- Cristina L SandersAssistant secretary
- Nicholas F FordTrustee
- Catherine O'callaghanTrustee
- Kevin C LegelTrustee
- Daniel Ta JustoTrustee
- Lindsey F BuhlTrustee
- Jason W IngleTrustee
- Christopher C SmithTrustee
- Elena A FordTrustee
- Gabriella C BrunoTrustee
As listed in its 2025 IRS filing. Many foundations decide through their board, so a personal connection often matters more than a perfect application.
What it funds most often
- Ford community centers (5 grants)
- Employee volunteering (2 grants)
- Other services (1 grant)
- Entreprenuership (1 grant)
- Museums and cultural inst. (1 grant)
- Education for the future of work (1 grant)
- Essential services (1 grant)
How big its Tennessee grants are
| Grant size | Grants |
|---|---|
| Under $1,000 | 0 |
| $1,000 to $4,999 | 1 |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | 1 |
| $10,000 to $24,999 | 0 |
| $25,000 to $99,999 | 6 |
| $100,000 or more | 4 |
From its 2025 IRS filing. Small groups: look at how many grants sit in the bands you'd ask for.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Way of West Tennessee | Jackson, Madison County | Ford community centers | $770K |
| YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South | Cordova, Shelby County | Essential services | $250K |
| Entrepreneur Development Center of Sw TN Inc. Dba Theco | Jackson, Madison County | Entreprenuership | $200K |
| Lorraine Civil Rights Museum Foundation | Memphis, Shelby County | Museums and cultural inst. | $125K |
| Country Music Foundation Inc. | Nashville, Davidson County | Other services | $70K |
| Le Bonheur Children's Hospital Foundation | Memphis, Shelby County | Ford community centers | $50K |
| Stanton Health Center (hardeman Community Health Center) | Stanton, Haywood County | Ford community centers | $50K |
| Vision Haywood County | Brownsville, Haywood County | Ford community centers | $50K |
| West Tennessee Legal Services Inc. | Jackson, Madison County | Ford community centers | $50K |
| Memphis Urban League | Memphis, Shelby County | Education for the future of work | $45K |
| Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee Inc. | Nashville, Davidson County | Employee volunteering | $9,900 |
| Exchange Club-Carl Perkins Center | Jackson, Madison County | Employee volunteering | $4,450 |
Foundation website All its IRS filings (ProPublica) Sign in to save