Private foundation · Spartanburg, SC (gives in Tennessee from out of state)
J M Smith Foundation
In 2025 it gave 8 grants worth $32,800 to Tennessee groups. A typical grant was $1,000 to $8,000. Most often for: “Unrestricted charitable contribution”.
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
- 8 totaling $32,800
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $1,000 to $8,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $2,400, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat ones.
- Where it gives
- Sumner County, Davidson County, Shelby County, Knox County · plus 94 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
- 12% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2025 were new (not funded in 2023–2024): 1 of 8.
- Total giving that year
- $539,160
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $539K | $33K | 8 |
| 2024 | $537K | $40K | 8 |
| 2023 | $540K | $20K | 5 |
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.
- Rob BarrettPresident
- Tammy DevineSecretary/treasurer
- Terry CashDirector
- Joe StrayerDirector
- Wade LewisDirector
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
- Unrestricted charitable contribution (8 grants)
How big its Tennessee grants are
| Grant size | Grants |
|---|---|
| Under $1,000 | 0 |
| $1,000 to $4,999 | 6 |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | 1 |
| $10,000 to $24,999 | 1 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freedom House Church of God | Knoxville, Knox County | Unrestricted charitable contribution | $14K |
| Northfield Church | Gallatin, Sumner County | Unrestricted charitable contribution | $8,000 |
| Men of Valor | Antioch, Davidson County | Unrestricted charitable contribution | $3,000 |
| Pi Kappa Alpha Foundation | Memphis, Shelby County | Unrestricted charitable contribution | $2,800 |
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital | Memphis, Shelby County | Unrestricted charitable contribution | $2,000 |
| Agape to the Nation | Gallatin, Sumner County | Unrestricted charitable contribution | $1,000 |
| Wounded Warrior Project Tennessee | Nashville, Davidson County | Unrestricted charitable contribution | $1,000 |
| Cumberland Crisis Pregnancy Center | Gallatin, Sumner County | Unrestricted charitable contribution | $1,000 |