Private foundation · Nashville
Martha W Banker Charitable Trust
In 2025 it gave 29 grants worth $39,350 to Tennessee groups. A typical grant was $500 to $1,500.
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
- 29 totaling $39,350
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $500 to $1,500 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $1,000: the middle grant to the 6 Tennessee groups it funded for the first time in 2025.
- 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? How we figure this
- 21% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2025 were new (not funded in 2023–2024): 6 of 29.
- Total giving that year
- $44,700
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $45K | $39K | 29 |
| 2024 | $48K | $41K | 20 |
| 2023 | $35K | $26K | 18 |
All grants paid To Tennessee
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.
How big its Tennessee grants are
| Grant size | Grants |
|---|---|
| Under $1,000 | 8 |
| $1,000 to $4,999 | 6 |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | 3 |
| $10,000 to $24,999 | 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
Largest first. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | — |