Private foundation · Nashville
Thackston Family Foundation
In 2025 it gave 16 grants worth $96,500 to Tennessee groups, 13 of them in Wilson County. A typical grant was $2,500 to $5,000.
Takes applications. See how to apply below.
Key facts
- Grants in Tennessee
- 16 totaling $96,500 · 13 in Wilson County
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $2,500 to $5,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $3,500, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat ones.
- Where it gives
- Wilson County, Sumner County, Lincoln County · plus 2 grants outside Tennessee
- Buildings & equipment
- 1 of its Tennessee grants went to buildings, renovations or equipment, e.g. “Van buren presidential papers project”
- Total giving that year
- $103,500
How to apply
- Contact
- Edward L Thackston · Nashville · (615) 665-1325
- What to send
- Open submission
- Limits
- Must relate to Middle Tennessee, preferably wilson county, with emphasis on religious, educational themes
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.
- Edward Lee ThackstonDirector
- Guy Carleton ThackstonDirector
- Gemma Kathryn RobertsDirector
As listed in its 2025 IRS filing. Many foundations decide through their board, so a personal connection often matters more than a perfect application.
What it funds most often
- Elevator repair (1 grant)
- Scholarship (1 grant)
- Gift to food bank (1 grant)
- Historic place markers (1 grant)
- Empower me daycamp (1 grant)
- Flower fund (1 grant)
- Adams gallery operations (1 grant)
- 2x challenge (1 grant)
How big its Tennessee grants are
| Grant size | Grants |
|---|---|
| Under $1,000 | 0 |
| $1,000 to $4,999 | 9 |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | 4 |
| $10,000 to $24,999 | 2 |
| $25,000 to $99,999 | 1 |
From its 2025 IRS filing. Small groups: look at how many grants sit in the bands you'd ask for.
Tennessee organizations it funded
Wilson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empower Me Center | Lebanon, Wilson County | Empower me daycamp | $25K |
| Lebanon First United Methodist Church | Lebanon, Wilson County | Elevator repair | $20K |
| Wilson County Black History Committee | Lebanon, Wilson County | Donation | $10K |
| Heights National Alumni Association | Lebanon, Wilson County | Scholarship | $5,000 |
| Joseph's Storehouse Food Pantry | Lebanon, Wilson County | Gift to food bank | $5,000 |
| Historic Lebanon | Lebanon, Wilson County | Historic place markers | $5,000 |
| Lebanon First United Methodist Church | Lebanon, Wilson County | Donation | $5,000 |
| Cumberland University | Lebanon, Wilson County | Adams gallery operations | $4,000 |
| Historic Lebanon | Lebanon, Wilson County | Annual support | $3,000 |
| Lebanon First United Methodist Church | Lebanon, Wilson County | Flower fund | $3,000 |
| Lebanon-Wilson County Public Library | Lebanon, Wilson County | Historic memorial books | $3,000 |
| Cumberland University | Lebanon, Wilson County | Van buren presidential papers project | $2,000 |
| Lebanon First United Methodist Church | Lebanon, Wilson County | Donation | $1,000 |
| Second Harvest Food Bank | Nashville, Lincoln County | 2x challenge | $2,500 |
| Gallatin Cares | Gallatin, Sumner County | Supply food | $2,000 |
| Gallatin Cares | Gallatin, Sumner County | Donation | $1,000 |