Private foundation · Pine Bluff, AR (gives in Tennessee from out of state)
Simmons First Foundation Inc.
Takes applications. See how to apply below.
Key facts
- Grants in Tennessee
- 22 totaling $161,521 · 3 in Blount County
- Typical grant
- $1,000 to $10,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask
- About $8,034, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat ones.
- Where it gives
- Shelby County, Blount County, Knox County, McMinn County, Bradley County, Williamson County, Madison County, Weakley County and 4 more · plus 80 grants outside Tennessee
- Buildings & equipment
- 1 of its Tennessee grants went to buildings, renovations or equipment, e.g. “Ellie g's dreamworld, Franklin's first inclusive playground program”
- Funds new groups?
- 86% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2024 were new (not funded in 2023): 19 of 22.
- Total giving that year
- $868,108
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $868K | $162K | 22 |
| 2023 | $1M | $185K | 14 |
How to apply
- Contact
- Shannon morgan · pine bluff · 8705411102 · smorgan@simmonsfirstfoundation.com
- What to send
- Written format
- Deadlines
- Determined by the board
- Limits
- Determined by the board
As the foundation reported to the IRS for tax year 2024. Check its website or call before sending anything, because contacts and deadlines change.
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.
- J Thomas MayPresident
- Robert L ShoptawDirector
- Dr Harry L RyburnDirector
- Dr Kaleybra MitchellDirector
- George MakrisDirector
- Marty D CasteelDirector
- Mary PringosDirector
- Scott McgeorgeDirector
- Carla MartinDirector
- Catherine SmartDirector
- Pat AndersonDirector
- Steve MassanelliDirector
- Robert FehlmanDirector
- David GarnerDirector
- Shannon MorganExecutive director
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
- General donation for youth programming
- Community services
- Pcn stars program
- 1 school 1 mission program
- Therapy tools to support children with special needs
- Enhanced learning space for monroe county teens program
- Yai program - arts education
- Farm to school raised bed program
Tennessee organizations it funded
Blount 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Hope Children's Advocacy Center | Maryville, Blount County | Privacy fence for therapy garden program | $20K |
| Blount Memorial Foundation | Maryville, Blount County | Therapy tools to support children with special needs | $1,000 |
| Compassion Counseling | Maryville, Blount County | C.h.a.m.p. Camp | $1,000 |
| Believe Memphis Academy | Memphis, Shelby County | 1 school 1 mission program | $23K |
| Agape Child & Family Services | Memphis, Shelby County | Pcn stars program | $16K |
| Knox Robotic League | Farragut, Knox County | Shape the future of technology | $10K |
| Memphis Zoo | Memphis, Shelby County | Memphis zoo library program | $10K |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley | Knoxville, Knox County | Yai program - arts education | $10K |
| The Refuge Center | Franklin, Williamson County | General donation for youth programming | $10K |
| Walter Walkers | Nashville, Davidson County | General donation for youth programming | $10K |
| Isaiah 117 House | Elizabethton, Carter County | Beds and bedding for bedroom program | $10K |
| Walters State Community College | Morristown, Hamblen County | Underwater robotics program | $8,598 |
| Christ's Legacy Academy | Athens, McMinn County | Farm to school raised bed program | $8,450 |
| Dresden Elementary School | Dresden, Weakley County | Book vending machine | $7,619 |
| 100 Black Men of West Tennessee Inc. | Jackson, Madison County | Community services | $5,000 |
| United Way of the Ocoee Region | Cleveland, Bradley County | Read united program | $4,500 |
| Boys & Girls Club of the Ocoee Region | Cleveland, Bradley County | Enhanced learning space for monroe county teens program | $1,000 |
| Friends of Franklin Park | Franklin, Williamson County | Ellie g's dreamworld, Franklin's first inclusive playground program | $1,000 |
| Girls Inc. of Tennessee Valley | Oak Ridge, Anderson County | Dignity through equity program | $1,000 |
| Mcnabb Center | Knoxville, Knox County | Play therapy room | $1,000 |
| Riceville Elementary School | Riceville, McMinn County | Classroom rugs program | $1,000 |
| Valley Christian Academy | Riceville, McMinn County | Ipads for elementary program | $1,000 |