Private foundation · Franklin
Willis and Reba Johnsons Foundation
In 2024 it gave 11 grants worth $747,220 to Tennessee groups, 4 of them in Davidson County. A typical grant was $2,000 to $100,000.
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
- 11 totaling $747,220 · 4 in Davidson County
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $2,000 to $100,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $15,000: the middle grant to the 4 Tennessee groups it funded for the first time in 2024.
- Where it gives
- Williamson County, Davidson County, Wilson County · plus 7 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
- 36% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2024 were new (not funded in 2023): 4 of 11.
- Total giving that year
- $6.5 million
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $6.5M | $747K | 11 |
| 2023 | $6.3M | $971K | 8 |
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.
- Willis JohnsonPres
- Reba JohnsonDir
- Jacob MccalmonDir
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
- To improve benefits for fire fighters and or their family when injured on the job or death. (1 grant)
- Restoration dentistry for needy children (1 grant)
- Friends of scouting (1 grant)
- To serve and protect the lives of the citizens of Tennessee (1 grant)
- Congenital heart disease research (1 grant)
- Provide comfort, hope and assistance to families and individuals (1 grant)
- To help veterans (1 grant)
- Funding advanced, innovative research that treats the cancer and spares the patient. (1 grant)
How big its Tennessee grants are
| Grant size | Grants |
|---|---|
| Under $1,000 | 2 |
| $1,000 to $4,999 | 1 |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | 0 |
| $10,000 to $24,999 | 3 |
| $25,000 to $99,999 | 1 |
| $100,000 or more | 4 |
From its 2024 IRS filing. Small groups: look at how many grants sit in the bands you'd ask for.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Brett Boyer Foundation | Nashville, Davidson County | Congenital heart disease research | $200K |
| The Salvation Army | Nashville, Davidson County | Provide comfort, hope and assistance to families and individuals | $100K |
| Middle Tennessee Council | Nashville, Davidson County | Friends of scouting | $20K |
| Scott Hamilton Cares Foundation | Nashville, Davidson County | Funding advanced, innovative research that treats the cancer and spares the patient. | $10K |
| Hope Smiles | Brentwood, Williamson County | Restoration dentistry for needy children | $250K |
| Rolling Hills Community Church | Franklin, Williamson County | Spiritual christian ministry | $100K |
| Vietnam Veterans Assoc of Middle TN | Franklin, Williamson County | To help veterans | $50K |
| Faithfully Restored | Brentwood, Williamson County | Lifts up women who need care, encouragement and community | $15K |
| Williamson County Child Advocacy Center Inc. Dba Davis House Child | Franklin, Williamson County | Funding to provide investigative services, advocacy, therapy and family... | $2,000 |
| Franklin Fire Fighters Association | Franklin, Williamson County | To improve benefits for fire fighters and or their family when injured on... | $120 |
| Tennessee Sheriffs' Association Inc. | Lebanon, Wilson County | To serve and protect the lives of the citizens of Tennessee | $100 |