Private foundation · Nashville
Martha W Banker Charitable Trust
This foundation says it only funds groups it chooses itself. Don't send an unsolicited application. If your work fits, the usual path is an introduction through someone the foundation already knows, such as a board member or a current grantee. See its board and officers below: do you or your board know any of them?
Key facts
- Grants in Tennessee
- 29 totaling $39K
- Typical grant
- $500 to $1,500 (middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask
- About $1,000, its median Tennessee grant. New grantees usually get less than long-time ones.
- Where it gives
- Davidson County, Rutherford County, Dickson County, Williamson County · plus 14 grants outside Tennessee
- Buildings & equipment
- None of its Tennessee grants in this filing were for buildings or equipment
- Funds new groups?
- 21% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2025 were new (not funded in 2023–2024): 6 of 29.
- Total giving that year
- $45K
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $45K | $39K | 29 |
| 2024 | $48K | $41K | 20 |
| 2023 | $35K | $26K | 18 |
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.
- J Barry BankerTrustee
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
- General operating expense to further charitable purpose
Tennessee organizations it funded
Largest first. Groups it already funds are good people to ask what the foundation looks for. Select a group to see who else funds it.
| Recipient | Where | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville Health | Nashville, Davidson County | General operating expense to further charitable purpose | $10K |
| The Legion Fund | Nashville, Davidson County | General operating expense to further charitable purpose | $8,000 |
| Montgomery Bell Academy | Nashville, Davidson County | General operating expense to further charitable purpose | $5,250 |
| St Pauls Episcopal Church | Franklin, Williamson County | General operating expense to further charitable purpose | $5,000 |
| Cumberland River Compact | Nashville, Davidson County | General operating expense to further charitable purpose | $1,500 |
| Hope Through Healing Hands | Nashville, Davidson County | General operating expense to further charitable purpose | $1,500 |
| Land Trust Tennessee | Nashville, Davidson County | General operating expense to further charitable purpose | $1,500 |
| Christ Church Cathedral | Nashville, Davidson County | General operating expense to further charitable purpose | $1,000 |
| Woodmont Christian Church | Nashville, Davidson County | General operating expense to further charitable purpose | $1,000 |
| Denise Smith Nursing Scholarship | Murfreesboro, Rutherford County | General operating expense to further charitable purpose | $1,000 |
| Center for Living and Learning | Nashville, Davidson County | General operating expense to further charitable purpose | $500 |
| Fannie Battle Day Home for Children Inc. | Nashville, Davidson County | General operating expense to further charitable purpose | $500 |
| His Holy Hill Church | Murfreesboro, Rutherford County | General operating expense to further charitable purpose | $500 |
| Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee | Nashville, Davidson County | General operating expense to further charitable purpose | $500 |
| Goodwill Industries | Nashville, Davidson County | General operating expense to further charitable purpose | $500 |
| Nashville Dolphins | Nashville, Davidson County | General operating expense to further charitable purpose | $500 |
| Nashville Public Library Foundation | Nashville, Davidson County | General operating expense to further charitable purpose | $500 |
| Harpeth Hall | Nashville, Davidson County | General operating expense to further charitable purpose | $100 |
| Belmont University | Nashville, Davidson County | General operating expense to further charitable purpose | — |
| Chief Cares Fund | Nashville, Davidson County | General operating expense to further charitable purpose | — |
| Cumberland Heights | Nashville, Davidson County | General operating expense to further charitable purpose | — |
| Friends of Warner Park | Nashville, Davidson County | General operating expense to further charitable purpose | — |
| Harding Academy | Nashville, Davidson County | General operating expense to further charitable purpose | — |
| MTSU (daniels Center) | Murfreesboro, Rutherford County | General operating expense to further charitable purpose | — |
| Nashville Symphony | Nashville, Davidson County | General operating expense to further charitable purpose | — |