Private foundation · Knoxville
Melrose Foundation
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
- 34 totaling $32,200 · 2 in McMinn County
- Typical grant
- $400 to $1,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask
- About $500, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat ones.
- Where it gives
- Knox County, McMinn County, Blount County, Loudon County, Davidson County
- Buildings & equipment
- None of its Tennessee grants in this filing were for buildings or equipment
- Funds new groups?
- 6% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2025 were new (not funded in 2023–2024): 2 of 34.
- Total giving that year
- $32,200
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $32K | $32K | 34 |
| 2024 | $29K | $29K | 33 |
| 2023 | $29K | $29K | 34 |
How to apply
- Contact
- Jackson g kramer · Knoxville · 8655255134
- What to send
- Name and address, type of organization, tax exempt determination letter under irc sec. 501(c)(3), brochure or other printed materials regarding the organization's activities and operations.
- Limits
- None, other than the organization must be a 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.
- Jackson G KramerPresident
- Wayne R KramerVp, sec, tre
- Cowan Rodgers IIIMember
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
- Charitable support
- Educational support
- Medical support
Tennessee organizations it funded
McMinn 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Wesleyan University | Athens, McMinn County | Educational support | $1,000 |
| Casa Corridor of East Tennessee | Athens, McMinn County | Charitable support | $300 |
| Interfaith Health Center | Knoxville, Knox County | Medical support | $5,000 |
| Knoxville Museum of Art | Knoxville, Knox County | Educational support | $5,000 |
| Second Harvest Food Bank of East TN | Maryville, Blount County | Charitable support | $2,000 |
| Volunteer Ministry Center | Knoxville, Knox County | Charitable support | $2,000 |
| Emerald Youth Foundation | Knoxville, Knox County | Charitable support | $1,500 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of East TN | Knoxville, Knox County | Educational support | $1,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of the TN Valley | Knoxville, Knox County | Charitable support | $1,000 |
| Fish Hospitality Pantries | Knoxville, Knox County | Charitable support | $1,000 |
| Shangri-La Ther Academy of Riding | Lenoir City, Loudon County | Charitable support | $1,000 |
| University Health System Inc. | Knoxville, Knox County | Medical support | $1,000 |
| Wesley House Community Center | Knoxville, Knox County | Charitable support | $1,000 |
| Helen Ross Mcnabb Foundation | Knoxville, Knox County | Charitable support | $900 |
| Legal Aid of East Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | Charitable support | $750 |
| Community School of the Arts | Knoxville, Knox County | Charitable support | $500 |
| Florence Crittenton Agency | Knoxville, Knox County | Charitable support | $500 |
| Girl Scout Council of Southern Appa | Knoxville, Knox County | Charitable support | $500 |
| Ijams Nature Center | Knoxville, Knox County | Educational support | $500 |
| Kapa Kitchen | Knoxville, Knox County | Charitable support | $500 |
| Knoxville Family Justice Center | Knoxville, Knox County | Charitable support | $500 |
| Mcclung Museum of Natural History & | Knoxville, Knox County | Educational support | $500 |
| Sertoma Center Inc. | Knoxville, Knox County | Charitable support | $500 |
| The Joy of Music | Knoxville, Knox County | Charitable support | $500 |
| YMCA of East Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | Charitable support | $500 |