Private foundation · Milwaukee, WI (gives in Tennessee from out of state)
Baird Foundation 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
- 133 totaling $196,451 · 47 in Davidson County
- Typical grant
- $250 to $1,500 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask
- About $550, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat ones.
- Where it gives
- Davidson County, Williamson County, Maury County, Shelby County, Rutherford County, Putnam County, Dyer County, Hamilton County and 17 more · plus 3729 grants outside Tennessee
- Buildings & equipment
- None of its Tennessee grants in this filing were for buildings or equipment
- Funds new groups?
- 31% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2025 were new (not funded in 2023–2024): 41 of 133.
- Total giving that year
- $7 million
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $7M | $196K | 133 |
| 2024 | $6.6M | $140K | 121 |
| 2023 | $6M | $122K | 123 |
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.
- Michelle SkeltonVice president/tax director
- Alexandria CraigVice president
- Jennifer L MccauleyTreasurer
- Dawn M DeciccoSecretary
- Steven G BoothDirector
- Rodney L Jones-TysonDirector - as of 2/25
- Ch Randolph LyonDirector - thru 2/25
- Geoffrey C MackeyDirector
- Gordon G PanDirector
- Michael J SchroederDirector
- Mary Ellen StanekDirector
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
- Health and human services
- Ethnic and religious
- Education
- Youth organizations
- Charitable operations expenses
- Environment
- Arts
- Professional
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family and Children's Services | Nashville, Davidson County | Health and human services | $50K |
| Montgomery Bell Academy | Nashville, Davidson County | Education | $3,150 |
| Woodmont Christian Church | Nashville, Davidson County | Ethnic and religious | $3,100 |
| The Ensworth School | Nashville, Davidson County | Education | $3,000 |
| Brook Hollow Baptist Church | Nashville, Davidson County | Ethnic and religious | $1,500 |
| Centerstone Foundation | Nashville, Davidson County | Health and human services | $1,500 |
| Cheekwood | Nashville, Davidson County | Arts | $1,500 |
| Christ the King Parish | Nashville, Davidson County | Ethnic and religious | $1,500 |
| Men of Valor | Antioch, Davidson County | Ethnic and religious | $1,500 |
| Nashville Classical Charter School | Nashville, Davidson County | Education | $1,500 |
| Nashville Rescue Mission | Nashville, Davidson County | Health and human services | $1,500 |
| West End United Methodist Church | Nashville, Davidson County | Ethnic and religious | $1,200 |
| Casa Inc. | Nashville, Davidson County | Youth organizations | $1,044 |
| Covenant Presbyterian Church | Nashville, Davidson County | Ethnic and religious | $1,000 |
| Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee Inc. | Nashville, Davidson County | Health and human services | $1,000 |
| The Land Trust for Tennessee | Nashville, Davidson County | Environment | $811 |
| Harpeth Hall School | Nashville, Davidson County | Education | $750 |
| Ronald Mcdonald House Charities of Nashville | Nashville, Davidson County | Health and human services | $552 |
| Aaoc | Nashville, Davidson County | Youth organizations | $500 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee | Nashville, Davidson County | Youth organizations | $500 |
| Dismas House of Nashville | Nashville, Davidson County | Health and human services | $500 |
| First Presbyterian Church | Nashville, Davidson County | Ethnic and religious | $500 |
| Franklin Road Academy | Nashville, Davidson County | Education | $500 |
| Freedoms Promise Inc. | Nashville, Davidson County | Health and human services | $500 |
| Friends of Warner Parks | Nashville, Davidson County | Environment | $500 |