Private foundation · Villanova, PA (gives in Tennessee from out of state)
The Counihan Family Foundation
In 2025 it gave 23 grants worth $950,000 to Tennessee groups. A typical grant was $20,000 to $50,000. Most often for: “To support regular operations”.
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
- 23 totaling $950,000
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $20,000 to $50,000 (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
- Davidson County, Williamson County · plus 41 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
- 4% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2025 were new (not funded in 2023–2024): 1 of 23.
- Total giving that year
- $4.2 million
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4.2M | $950K | 23 |
| 2024 | $3.2M | $670K | 22 |
| 2023 | $2.9M | $487K | 17 |
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.
- Peter F CounihanDirector
- Rhonwyn P CounihanDirector/pres., treas., se
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
- To support regular operations (11 grants)
- To provide quality programs and services to impact the lives of children, adolescents, and seniors... (1 grant)
- To provide a community of love and grace (1 grant)
- To provide affordable, quality care to patients who are working to get ahead, but cannot afford to see a doctor (1 grant)
- To create a healthier community by providing transformational oral health care for those experiencing poverty (1 grant)
- To provide meals to the hungry, homeless and working poor of Nashville (1 grant)
- To reduce infant mortality, child abuse, and neglect in Tennessee (1 grant)
- To support regular operations in education (1 grant)
How big its Tennessee grants are
| Grant size | Grants |
|---|---|
| Under $1,000 | 0 |
| $1,000 to $4,999 | 0 |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | 1 |
| $10,000 to $24,999 | 5 |
| $25,000 to $99,999 | 15 |
| $100,000 or more | 2 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt Gift and Donations | Nashville, Davidson County | To support regular operations | $100K |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | Pediatric in-patient rehabilitation project & to support regular operations | $100K |
| West End United Methodist Church | Nashville, Davidson County | To support regular operations | $75K |
| Bethlehem Centers of Nashville | Nashville, Davidson County | To provide quality programs and services to impact the lives of children,... | $50K |
| Catholic Charities Diocese of Nashville | Nashville, Davidson County | To provide a community of love and grace | $50K |
| Faith Family Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | To provide affordable, quality care to patients who are working to get... | $50K |
| Nashville Public Radio | Nashville, Davidson County | To support regular operations | $50K |
| Nashville Public Television | Nashville, Davidson County | To support regular operations | $50K |
| Nashville Symphony | Nashville, Davidson County | To support regular operations | $50K |
| Pencil Tennessee | Nashville, Davidson County | To support regular operations in education | $50K |
| Room in the Inn | Nashville, Davidson County | To provide programs that emphasize human development and recovery through... | $50K |
| Salvation Army (nashville) | Nashville, Davidson County | To support regular operations | $50K |
| Interfaith Dental Clinic of Nashville | Nashville, Davidson County | To create a healthier community by providing transformational oral health... | $40K |
| Nurses for Newborns | Nashville, Davidson County | To reduce infant mortality, child abuse, and neglect in Tennessee | $30K |
| Thistle Farms | Nashville, Davidson County | To provide a pathway of healing and hope for women survivors of trafficking,... | $30K |
| Friends of Warner Parks Inc. | Nashville, Davidson County | To support regular operations | $25K |
| Luke 1412 | Nashville, Davidson County | To provide meals to the hungry, homeless and working poor of Nashville | $25K |
| Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville | Nashville, Davidson County | To support regular operations | $20K |
| Mending Hearts | Nashville, Davidson County | To support regular operations | $20K |
| Miriams Promise | Nashville, Davidson County | To support regular operations | $10K |
| Saddle Up | Franklin, Williamson County | Impacting the lives of children and young adults with disabilities by... | $10K |
| Twk Creation Care Ministry | Nashville, Davidson County | To support regular operations | $10K |
| Soles4souls | Old Hickory, Davidson County | Turning shoes and clothing into opportunity by keeping them from going to... | $5,000 |