Public charity · Nashville
Tennessee Bar Foundation
Its tax filing doesn't say how to apply. Check its website or call before sending anything.
Key facts
- Grants in Tennessee
- 38 totaling $3.2 million · 1 in Williamson County
- Typical grant
- $20,000 to $95,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask
- About $39,000, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat ones.
- Where it gives
- Davidson County, Shelby County, Madison County, Cumberland County, Knox County, Maury County, Hamilton County, Rutherford County and 4 more
- Buildings & equipment
- None of its Tennessee grants in this filing were for buildings or equipment
- Funds new groups?
- 55% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2024 were new (not funded in 2023): 21 of 38.
- Total giving that year
- $3.6 million
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3.6M | $3.2M | 38 |
| 2023 | $3M | $2.9M | 27 |
How to apply
Public charities don't report how to apply on their IRS return. Check its website for open grant rounds, or search GrantMe for its programs.
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.
- John D MurphyExecutive director
- Jacqueline B Dixon EsqChair
- Hon John W WhitworthImmediate past chair
- Sam D Elliott EsqChair-elect
- Marcia MccmurrySecretary
- Charles K Grant EsqTreasurer
- C Scott TaylorTrustee
- Robin L Miller EsqTrustee
- Patrick M Carter EsqTrustee
- Hon Cynthia C ChappellTrustee
- Jeffrey P BoydTrustee
- Molly A GloverTrustee
- Steve ConleyTrustee
As listed in its 2024 IRS filing. Many foundations decide through their board, so a personal connection often matters more than a perfect application.
What it funds most often
- Administration of justice
- Legal services
Tennessee organizations it funded
Williamson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgets Domestic Violence Center | Franklin, Williamson County | Administration of justice | $38K |
| Legal Aid of East Tennessee | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Legal services | $408K |
| Tennessee Justice Center | Nashville, Davidson County | Legal services | $325K |
| Legal Aid Society of Middle TN | Nashville, Davidson County | Legal services | $323K |
| Memphis Area Legal Services | Memphis, Shelby County | Legal services | $300K |
| West Tennessee Legal Services | Jackson, Madison County | Legal services | $273K |
| Advocating Opportunity | Nashville, Davidson County | Legal services | $172K |
| Nashville Hispanic Bar Association | Nashville, Davidson County | Legal services | $140K |
| Tals | Nashville, Davidson County | Legal services | $126K |
| Chattanooga Bar Association | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Administration of justice | $100K |
| Air Inc. | Memphis, Shelby County | Legal services | $95K |
| Tennessee Casa Association | Murfreesboro, Rutherford County | Administration of justice | $75K |
| Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors | Nashville, Davidson County | Legal services | $75K |
| Womens Resources and Rape Assistance Program | Jackson, Madison County | Administration of justice | $75K |
| Community Legal Center | Memphis, Shelby County | Legal services | $54K |
| Nashville Conflict Resolution Center | Nashville, Davidson County | Administration of justice | $50K |
| Tirrc | Nashville, Davidson County | Administration of justice | $50K |
| Tennessee Innocence Project | Suite, Davidson County | Administration of justice | $50K |
| YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley | Knoxville, Knox County | Administration of justice | $50K |
| Center of Hope | Columbia, Maury County | Administration of justice | $40K |
| Choosing Justice Initiative | Nashville, Davidson County | Legal services | $35K |
| Tennessee Fair Housing Council | Suite, Davidson County | Legal services | $30K |
| Aging Services for Upper Cumberlands | Cookeville, Putnam County | Legal services | $25K |
| Asis | Jackson, Madison County | Legal services | $25K |
| Arts and Business Council of Greater Nashville | Nashville, Davidson County | Administration of justice | $25K |
Foundation website All its IRS filings (ProPublica) Sign in to save