Private foundation · Memphis
Speer Charitable Trust
In 2023 it gave 43 grants worth $2.5 million to Tennessee groups, 3 of them in Davidson County. A typical grant was $5,000 to $50,000. Most often for: “Program related”.
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
- 43 totaling $2.5 million · 3 in Davidson County
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $5,000 to $50,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $20,000: the middle grant to the 8 Tennessee groups it funded for the first time in 2023.
- Where it gives
- Shelby County, Davidson County, Haywood 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
- 19% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2023 were new (not funded in 2022): 8 of 43.
- Total giving that year
- $2.7 million
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $2.7M | $2.5M | 43 |
| 2022 | $2.2M | $2.1M | 46 |
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.
- Stephen W VescovoPresident and trustee
- C T CourtenayTreasurer and trustee
- Chris KochSecretary and trustee
As listed in its 2023 IRS filing. Many foundations decide through their board, so a personal connection often matters more than a perfect application.
What it funds most often
- Program related (43 grants)
How big its Tennessee grants are
| Grant size | Grants |
|---|---|
| Under $1,000 | 3 |
| $1,000 to $4,999 | 4 |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | 4 |
| $10,000 to $24,999 | 10 |
| $25,000 to $99,999 | 15 |
| $100,000 or more | 7 |
From its 2023 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| TN Wildlife Foundation | Nashville, Davidson County | Program related | $50K |
| St Cecilia Congregation | Nashville, Davidson County | Program related | $2,000 |
| Tennessee Green Conservancy | Nashville, Davidson County | Program related | $500 |
| St Jude | Memphis, Shelby County | Program related | $400K |
| St Paul Catholic School | Memphis, Shelby County | Program related | $385K |
| Ave Maria Home | Bartlett, Shelby County | Program related | $250K |
| Christian Brothers University | Memphis, Shelby County | Program related | $200K |
| Mid-South Food Bank | Memphis, Shelby County | Program related | $162K |
| Harwood Center | Memphis, Shelby County | Program related | $102K |
| Catholic Charities of West Tennessee | Memphis, Shelby County | Program related | $100K |
| Mifa | Memphis, Shelby County | Program related | $80K |
| Catholic Diocese of Memphis | Memphis, Shelby County | Program related | $76K |
| Alliance Healthcare Services | Memphis, Shelby County | Program related | $75K |
| A Step Ahead Foundation | Memphis, Shelby County | Program related | $50K |
| Jiff | Memphis, Shelby County | Program related | $50K |
| Room in the Inn Memphis | Memphis, Shelby County | Program related | $50K |
| St Benedicts High School Annual Fund | Cordova, Shelby County | Program related | $50K |
| University of Memphis Foundation | Memphis, Shelby County | Program related | $50K |
| St Louis Church | Memphis, Shelby County | Program related | $45K |
| Incarnation Catholic Church | Collierville, Shelby County | Program related | $28K |
| Birthright of Memphis | Memphis, Shelby County | Program related | $25K |
| Church Health Center | Memphis, Shelby County | Program related | $25K |
| Memphis Botanic Gardens | Memphis, Shelby County | Program related | $25K |
| St Ann Catholic School | Bartlett, Shelby County | Program related | $25K |
| University of Memphis Law School | Memphis, Shelby County | Program related | $24K |
Grants approved for future years
In its tax-year 2023 IRS Form 990-PF the foundation listed grants it had approved but not yet paid: 8 to Tennessee groups totaling $2.8 million. These are multi-year commitments, so they show what it has promised to keep funding. Some may have been paid since.
| Recipient | Where | Purpose | Amount | Tax year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Paul Catholic School | Memphis, Shelby County | Program related | $1.1M | 2023 |
| St Jude | Memphis, Shelby County | Program related | $800K | 2023 |
| Christian Brothers University | Memphis, Shelby County | Program related | $400K | 2023 |
| Alliance Healthcare Services | Memphis, Shelby County | Program related | $225K | 2023 |
| Harwood Center | Memphis, Shelby County | Program related | $100K | 2023 |
| Room in the Inn Memphis | Memphis, Shelby County | Program related | $100K | 2023 |
| Porter-Leath | Memphis, Shelby County | Program related | $40K | 2023 |
| Carpenter Art Garden | Memphis, Shelby County | Program related | $30K | 2023 |
Data: GivingTuesday Data Commons, ODbL