Private foundation · Kalamazoo, MI (gives in Tennessee from out of state)
John E Fetzer Institute Inc.
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
- 4 totaling $230,500
- Typical grant
- $10,000 to $200,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask
- About $15,000, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat ones.
- Where it gives
- Davidson County, Jefferson County, Shelby County · plus 244 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 2022–2023): 1 of 4.
- Total giving that year
- $12.4 million
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $12.4M | $230K | 4 |
| 2023 | $10.5M | $386K | 4 |
| 2022 | $17.2M | $501K | 6 |
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.
- Robert A Boisture - Retired 63025President & ceo & trustee
- Jonathan A LeverExecutive vice president & coo
- Jennifer Bailey HeldermanTrustee
- Bradley S MillerTreasurer & director of finance
- Carolyn T BrownTrustee
- Daniel J CardinaliChairperson of board
- Lynne TwistTrustee
- Anna SunTrustee
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
- In support of the 2025 womanists at the inkwell retreat
- In support of a symposium and book on the sacred and de-enimization
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander Research and Education Center | New Market, Jefferson County | General operating support | $200K |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | In support of a symposium and book on the sacred and de-enimization | $20K |
| Black Religious Scholars Group Inc. | Nashville, Davidson County | In support of the 2025 womanists at the inkwell retreat | $10K |
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital (001) | Memphis, Shelby County | General operating support | $500 |
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: 1 to Tennessee groups totaling $100,000. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faith Matters Network Collaborative | Nashville, Davidson County | General operating support & participation in a spiritual innovation collaborative | $100K | 2024 |
Data: GivingTuesday Data Commons, ODbL
Foundation website All its IRS filings (ProPublica) Sign in to save