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 · 10 in Shelby 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
Shelby 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital | Memphis, Shelby County | Health and human services | $24K |
| Christ Church Memphis | Memphis, Shelby County | Ethnic and religious | $2,500 |
| Christian Brothers High School | Memphis, Shelby County | Education | $1,500 |
| Neighborhood Christian Centers | Memphis, Shelby County | Ethnic and religious | $1,500 |
| Monogram Foods Loves Kids Foundation | Memphis, Shelby County | Charitable operations expenses | $1,000 |
| Shelter Yetu | Collierville, Shelby County | Health and human services | $1,000 |
| Carpenter Art Garden | Memphis, Shelby County | Arts | $750 |
| Ducks Unlimited Inc. | Memphis, Shelby County | Environment | $650 |
| Page Robbins Adult Day Center | Collierville, Shelby County | Health and human services | $100 |
| Pure Academy | Memphis, Shelby County | Education | $100 |
| Family and Children's Services | Nashville, Davidson County | Health and human services | $50K |
| Possibility Place | Murfreesboro, Rutherford County | Health and human services | $6,750 |
| Saint Rose of Lima Catholic School | Murfreesboro, Rutherford County | Education | $6,500 |
| Montgomery Bell Academy | Nashville, Davidson County | Education | $3,150 |
| Woodmont Christian Church | Nashville, Davidson County | Ethnic and religious | $3,100 |
| Both Hands Foundation | Brentwood, Williamson County | Health and human services | $3,000 |
| The Ensworth School | Nashville, Davidson County | Education | $3,000 |
| Brightstone | Franklin, Williamson County | Health and human services | $2,689 |
| Maury County Economic Development Partnership | Columbia, Maury County | Charitable operations expenses | $2,500 |
| Young Life - Upper Cumberlands | Cookeville, Putnam County | Ethnic and religious | $1,600 |
| Borodash | Murfreesboro, Rutherford County | Charitable operations expenses | $1,500 |
| 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 Presbyterian Church - Cool Springs Campus | Franklin, Williamson County | Ethnic and religious | $1,500 |