Private foundation · Nashville
Melkus Family Foundation
In 2024 it gave 42 grants worth $3.9 million to Tennessee groups, 34 of them in Davidson County. A typical grant was $10,000 to $100,000.
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
- 42 totaling $3.9 million · 34 in Davidson County
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $10,000 to $100,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $50,000: the middle grant to the 14 Tennessee groups it funded for the first time in 2024.
- Where it gives
- Davidson County, Williamson County, Wayne County, Wilson County, Rutherford County · plus 33 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
- 33% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2024 were new (not funded in 2023): 14 of 42.
- Total giving that year
- $7.3 million
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7.3M | $3.9M | 42 |
| 2023 | $5.6M | $1.8M | 40 |
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.
- Kenneth J MelkusChairman and treasurer
- Barbara L MelkusVp and secretary
- Lauren E MelkusPresident
As listed in its 2024 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 | 4 |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | 4 |
| $10,000 to $24,999 | 7 |
| $25,000 to $99,999 | 16 |
| $100,000 or more | 11 |
From its 2024 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont University | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $989K |
| Ancora TN | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $400K |
| Martha O'bryan Center | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $295K |
| Renewal House | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $250K |
| Second Harvest Food Bank | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $250K |
| Sexual Assault Center | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $200K |
| Care Inc. | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $200K |
| Pencil Foundation | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $125K |
| Kipp Academy Nashville | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $100K |
| Nashville Zoo | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $100K |
| United Way | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $100K |
| Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $84K |
| The Addis Clinic | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $80K |
| Community Foundation | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $75K |
| Community Resource Center | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $75K |
| Tennessee Justice Center | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $75K |
| Hospitality House of Nashville | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $50K |
| The Family Center | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $50K |
| Awake | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $40K |
| Tennessee Innocence Project | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $40K |
| Tennesseans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $30K |
| Cumberland Heights | Hermitage, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $25K |
| Fifty Forward | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $25K |
| Gilda's Club Nashville | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $25K |
| Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands | Nashville, Davidson County | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $10K |