Private foundation · Memphis
The Sims Family Charitable Trust
In 2025 it gave 24 grants worth $278,000 to Tennessee groups, 1 of them in Franklin County. A typical grant was $3,000 to $14,000.
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
- 24 totaling $278,000 · 1 in Franklin County
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $3,000 to $14,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $3,000: the middle grant to the 5 Tennessee groups it funded for the first time in 2025.
- Where it gives
- Shelby County, Marion County, Franklin County · plus 4 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): 5 of 24.
- Total giving that year
- $289,000
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $289K | $278K | 24 |
| 2024 | $214K | $194K | 21 |
| 2023 | $215K | $180K | 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.
- First Horizon BankTrustee
- J Walker SimsAdvisor
- Sherrie J SimsAdvisor
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 | 0 |
| $1,000 to $4,999 | 9 |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | 8 |
| $10,000 to $24,999 | 4 |
| $25,000 to $99,999 | 3 |
From its 2025 IRS filing. Small groups: look at how many grants sit in the bands you'd ask for.
Tennessee organizations it funded
Franklin 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of the South | Sewanee, Franklin County | Gift | $3,000 |
| Tennessee Shakespeare Co | Memphis, Shelby County | Gift | $75K |
| Memphis Univ School | Memphis, Shelby County | Gift | $40K |
| The Catholic Diocese of Memphis | Memphis, Shelby County | Gift | $25K |
| St Paul Institute | Memphis, Shelby County | Gift | $17K |
| Steorts Prop Dba City Retreat Mphs | Memphis, Shelby County | Gift | $17K |
| Christ Church Memphis | Memphis, Shelby County | Gift | $14K |
| Monteagle Sunday School Assembly | Monteagle, Marion County | Gift | $10K |
| St Louis Catholic Church | Memphis, Shelby County | Gift | $9,000 |
| Pew Ministries Inc. | Memphis, Shelby County | Gift | $9,000 |
| St Peter S Church | Memphis, Shelby County | Gift | $8,000 |
| Hutchison School | Memphis, Shelby County | Gift | $8,000 |
| Tennis Memphis Inc. | Memphis, Shelby County | Gift | $7,000 |
| Memphis Zoo | Memphis, Shelby County | Gift | $6,000 |
| Memphis Botanic Garden | Memphis, Shelby County | Gift | $5,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs Greater Memphis | Memphis, Shelby County | Gift | $5,000 |
| Larry Hatchett Fishing Foundation | Memphis, Shelby County | Gift | $4,000 |
| Theatre Memphis | Memphis, Shelby County | Gift | $3,000 |
| Ronald Mcdonald House Charity | Memphis, Shelby County | Gift | $3,000 |
| Humane Society of Mphs & Sh Co | Memphis, Shelby County | Gift | $2,000 |
| Community Foundation of Gtr Memphis | Memphis, Shelby County | Gift | $2,000 |
| Calvary Rescue Mission | Memphis, Shelby County | Gift | $2,000 |
| Dixon Gallery & Gardens | Memphis, Shelby County | Gift | $2,000 |
| Dorothy Day House of Hospitality Inc. | Memphis, Shelby County | Gift | $2,000 |