Private foundation · Brentwood
Speer Foundation
In 2024 it gave 29 grants worth $3.5 million to Tennessee groups. A typical grant was $25,000 to $130,000.
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
- 29 totaling $3.5 million
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $25,000 to $130,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $25,000: the middle grant to the 13 Tennessee groups it funded for the first time in 2024.
- Where it gives
- Davidson County, Williamson County, Robertson County, Rutherford County, Shelby County · plus 31 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
- 45% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2024 were new (not funded in 2022–2023): 13 of 29.
- Total giving that year
- $8.7 million
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $8.7M | $3.5M | 29 |
| 2023 | $6.8M | $3M | 31 |
| 2022 | $7.6M | $3M | 29 |
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.
- Lynnda L SpeerTrustee
- Richard M SpeerTrustee
- Mark WalkerTreasurer, secretary
- Cabot P PyleEx. director
As listed in its 2024 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 | 1 |
| $1,000 to $4,999 | 2 |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | 2 |
| $10,000 to $24,999 | 1 |
| $25,000 to $99,999 | 12 |
| $100,000 or more | 11 |
From its 2024 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Wildlife Federation Inc. | Nashville, Davidson County | Operating support | $505K |
| Cumberland Heights Foundation Inc. | Nashville, Davidson County | Operating support | $500K |
| Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville | Nashville, Davidson County | Operating support | $500K |
| Christ Presbyterian Church Inc. | Nashville, Davidson County | Operating support | $450K |
| Nashville Zoo Inc. | Nashville, Davidson County | Operating support | $330K |
| Nashville Rescue Mission | Nashville, Davidson County | Operating support | $150K |
| Tennessee Baptist Children's Home Inc. | Brentwood, Williamson County | Operating support | $150K |
| Belmont College of Law | Nashville, Davidson County | Operating support | $130K |
| Fifty Forward | Nashville, Davidson County | Operating support | $125K |
| Centerstone | Nashville, Davidson County | Operating support | $105K |
| Heimerdinger Foundation | Nashville, Davidson County | Operating support | $100K |
| High Hopes Inc. | Franklin, Williamson County | Operating support | $75K |
| Scott Hamilton Cares Foundation Inc. | Franklin, Williamson County | Operating support | $50K |
| Middle Tennessee State University Foundation | Murfreesboro, Rutherford County | Operating support | $50K |
| Nashville Youth for Christ Inc. | Nashville, Davidson County | Operating support | $40K |
| Reboot Recovery | Pleasant View, Robertson County | Operating support | $35K |
| Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation | Nashville, Davidson County | Operating support | $35K |
| Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee | Nashville, Davidson County | Operating support | $30K |
| YMCA of Middle TN | Nashville, Davidson County | Operating support | $25K |
| Cottage Cove | Nashville, Davidson County | Operating support | $25K |
| Harmony Wildlife Rehabilitation Center | Nashville, Davidson County | Operating support | $25K |
| Mother to Mother | Nashville, Davidson County | Operating support | $25K |
| Trinity Community Commons | Nashville, Davidson County | Operating support | $25K |
| Forest Hills Baptist Church | Nashville, Davidson County | Operating support | $20K |
| Center for Nonprofit Excellence | Nashville, Davidson County | Operating support | $5,000 |
Foundation website All its IRS filings (ProPublica) Sign in to save