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Private foundation · Nashville

Melkus Family Foundation

Invitation only

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?

Grants in Tennessee
42 totaling $3.9 million · 1 in Rutherford County
Typical grant
$10,000 to $100,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
A realistic first ask
About $35,000, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat ones.
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?
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 yearTotal grants paidTo TennesseeTennessee grants
2024$7.3M$3.9M42
2023$5.6M$1.8M40

How to apply

GrantMe checked its public records on Oct 8, 2026: it doesn't take unsolicited requests. See the source.

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?

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  • 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.

Tennessee organizations it funded

Rutherford 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 winnerWherePurposeAmount
The Foundation Middle TN StateMurfreesboro, Rutherford CountyTo further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity$25K
Belmont UniversityNashville, Davidson CountyTo further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity$989K
Ancora TNNashville, Davidson CountyTo further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity$400K
Martha O'bryan CenterNashville, Davidson CountyTo further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity$295K
Renewal HouseNashville, Davidson CountyTo further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity$250K
Second Harvest Food BankNashville, Davidson CountyTo further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity$250K
Sexual Assault CenterNashville, Davidson CountyTo further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity$200K
Care Inc.Nashville, Davidson CountyTo further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity$200K
Pencil FoundationNashville, Davidson CountyTo further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity$125K
Kipp Academy NashvilleNashville, Davidson CountyTo further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity$100K
Nashville ZooNashville, Davidson CountyTo further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity$100K
United WayNashville, Davidson CountyTo further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity$100K
Habitat for Humanity of Greater NashvilleNashville, Davidson CountyTo further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity$84K
The Addis ClinicNashville, Davidson CountyTo further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity$80K
Community FoundationNashville, Davidson CountyTo further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity$75K
Community Resource CenterNashville, Davidson CountyTo further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity$75K
Tennessee Justice CenterNashville, Davidson CountyTo further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity$75K
Hospitality House of NashvilleNashville, Davidson CountyTo further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity$50K
The Family CenterNashville, Davidson CountyTo further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity$50K
The Nature ConservancyBrentwood, Williamson CountyTo further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity$50K
AwakeNashville, Davidson CountyTo further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity$40K
Tennessee Innocence ProjectNashville, Davidson CountyTo further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity$40K
Tennesseans for Alternatives to the Death PenaltyNashville, Davidson CountyTo further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity$30K
Cumberland HeightsHermitage, Davidson CountyTo further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity$25K
Fifty ForwardNashville, Davidson CountyTo further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity$25K

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