Private foundation · Nashville
The Joel C and Bernice W Gordon Family Foundation
In 2025 it gave 19 grants worth $193,436 to Tennessee groups. A typical grant was $1,000 to $12,500.
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
- 19 totaling $193,436
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $1,000 to $12,500 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $1,000: the middle grant to the 4 Tennessee groups it funded for the first time in 2025.
- Where it gives
- Davidson County
- Buildings & equipment
- None of its Tennessee grants in this filing were for buildings or equipment
- Funds new groups? How we figure this
- 21% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2025 were new (not funded in 2023–2024): 4 of 19.
- Total giving that year
- $193,436
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $193K | $193K | 19 |
| 2024 | $330K | $320K | 24 |
| 2023 | $470K | $468K | 13 |
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.
- Bernice W GordonPresident
- Robert A GordonTrustee
- Julie S GordonTrustee
- Frank E GordonSecretary
- Gwen L GordonTrustee
- Gail Gordon JacobsTrustee
As listed in its 2025 IRS filing. Many foundations decide through their board, so a personal connection often matters more than a perfect application.
How big its Tennessee grants are
| Grant size | Grants |
|---|---|
| Under $1,000 | 2 |
| $1,000 to $4,999 | 8 |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | 3 |
| $10,000 to $24,999 | 4 |
| $25,000 to $99,999 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jewish Federation of Nashville | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $49K |
| The Temple | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $44K |
| Vanderbilt Athletics | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $24K |
| Frist Art Museum | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $18K |
| The University School of Nashville | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $12K |
| United Way of Greater Nashville | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $10K |
| Tennessee Performing Arts Center | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $9,000 |
| Ensworth School | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $7,500 |
| Gordon Jewish Community Center | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $6,046 |
| Friends of Warner Parks | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $2,500 |
| Nashville Zoo | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $2,500 |
| Congregation Sherith Israel | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $2,000 |
| Water Walkers | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $2,000 |
| Jewish Family Service | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $1,100 |
| Alive Hospice | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $1,000 |
| Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee Inc. | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $1,000 |
| Humanities Tennessee | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $1,000 |
| Gilda's Club | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $100 |
| Vanderbilt Hillel | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $100 |