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 · 13 in Williamson 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
Williamson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Both Hands Foundation | Brentwood, Williamson County | Health and human services | $3,000 |
| Brightstone | Franklin, Williamson County | Health and human services | $2,689 |
| Christ Presbyterian Church - Cool Springs Campus | Franklin, Williamson County | Ethnic and religious | $1,500 |
| Graceworks Ministries | Franklin, Williamson County | Ethnic and religious | $1,500 |
| Mother Teresa Catholic Church | Nolensville, Williamson County | Ethnic and religious | $1,500 |
| Southpointe Community Church | Nolensville, Williamson County | Ethnic and religious | $1,500 |
| Battle Ground Academy | Franklin, Williamson County | Education | $1,400 |
| Tennessee Golf Foundation | Franklin, Williamson County | Youth organizations | $1,250 |
| Camp Marymount | Fairview, Williamson County | Ethnic and religious | $1,000 |
| Uptime Outreach | Brentwood, Williamson County | Ethnic and religious | $500 |
| Family Radio | Franklin, Williamson County | Ethnic and religious | $376 |
| Charity Water | Franklin, Williamson County | Environment | $300 |
| Healing House | Brentwood, Williamson County | Health and human services | $250 |
| Family and Children's Services | Nashville, Davidson County | Health and human services | $50K |
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital | Memphis, Shelby County | Health and human services | $24K |
| 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 |
| The Ensworth School | Nashville, Davidson County | Education | $3,000 |
| Christ Church Memphis | Memphis, Shelby County | Ethnic and religious | $2,500 |
| 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 |