Private foundation · Nashville
Blair J Wilson Charitable Trust
Takes applications. See how to apply below.
Key facts
- Grants in Tennessee
- 28 totaling $1 million · 27 in Davidson County
- Typical grant
- $5,000 to $25,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask
- About $5,000: the middle grant to the 5 Tennessee groups it funded for the first time in 2025.
- Where it gives
- Davidson County, Wilson County
- Buildings & equipment
- None of its Tennessee grants in this filing were for buildings or equipment
- Funds new groups?
- 18% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2025 were new (not funded in 2023–2024): 5 of 28.
- Total giving that year
- $1 million
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1M | $1M | 28 |
| 2024 | $861K | $861K | 28 |
| 2023 | $826K | $826K | 30 |
All grants paid To Tennessee
How to apply
- Contact
- Blair J Wilson · Nashville · (615) 352-2080
- What to send
- Letter describing purpose, need and budget.
- Limits
- Any 501(c)(3) organization
As the foundation reported to the IRS for tax year 2025. 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.
- Blair J WilsonTrustee and foundation mgr
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 | 0 |
| $1,000 to $4,999 | 2 |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | 6 |
| $10,000 to $24,999 | 10 |
| $25,000 to $99,999 | 8 |
| $100,000 or more | 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
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheekwood | Nashville, Davidson County | General use | $450K |
| Kipp Academy | Nashville, Davidson County | General use | $100K |
| Lead Academy | Nashville, Davidson County | General use | $50K |
| Nashville Classical | Nashville, Davidson County | General use | $50K |
| Teach for America | Nashville, Davidson County | General use | $50K |
| Valor Collegiate | Nashville, Davidson County | General use | $50K |
| East End Prep | Nashville, Davidson County | General use | $25K |
| Purpose Prep | Nashville, Davidson County | General use | $25K |
| Rocketship Public Schools | Nashville, Davidson County | General use | $25K |
| Vanderbilt Psychiatric | Nashville, Davidson County | General use | $25K |
| Boy Scouts | Nashville, Davidson County | General use | $20K |
| Tennessee Nature Academy | Nashville, Davidson County | General use | $20K |
| Aventura Community School | Nashville, Davidson County | General use | $10K |
| First Presbyterian Church | Nashville, Davidson County | General use | $10K |
| Intrepid College Prep | Antioch, Davidson County | General use | $10K |
| National Commodore Club | Nashville, Davidson County | General use | $10K |
| Smithson Craighead Academy | Madison, Davidson County | General use | $10K |
| Stem Preparatory Academy | Nashville, Davidson County | General use | $10K |
| The Hermitage | Nashville, Davidson County | General use | $10K |
| Little Wonders | Nashville, Davidson County | General use | $10K |
| Adventure Science Center | Nashville, Davidson County | General use | $5,000 |
| Bill Wilkerson Center at Vanderbilt Hospital | Nashville, Davidson County | General use | $5,000 |
| Tennessee Financial Literacy Comission | Nashville, Davidson County | General use | $5,000 |
| University School of Nashville | Nashville, Davidson County | General use | $5,000 |
| Vanderbilt University School of Medicine | Nashville, Davidson County | General use | $5,000 |