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Public charity · Louisville, KY (gives in Tennessee from out of state)

Lee Initiative Inc.

Ask before applying

Its tax filing doesn't say how to apply. Check its website or call before sending anything.

Key facts

Grants in Tennessee
4 totaling $80,000
Typical grant
$20,000
A realistic first ask
About $20,000, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat ones.
Where it gives
Shelby County, Davidson County, Hamilton County · plus 41 grants outside Tennessee
Buildings & equipment
None of its Tennessee grants in this filing were for buildings or equipment
Funds new groups?
100% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2024 were new (not funded in 2023): 4 of 4.
Total giving that year
$2.3 million

Giving by year

Giving by year from its IRS filings
Tax yearTotal grants paidTo TennesseeTennessee grants
2024$2.3M$80K4
2023$1M$40K3

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.

  • Lindsey OfacekManaging dir
  • Edward LeeCreative dir
  • Ben JohnsonPrresident
  • Karen KeithVice preside
  • Shauntrice MartinSecratary
  • Ben RobinsonTreasurer

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

  • Racial justice srrj

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.

Tennessee grants from Lee Initiative Inc.
Past winnerWherePurposeAmount
Bug Lady's Fry JointNashville, Davidson CountyRacial justice srrj$20K
Miss Crumpy'sMemphis, Shelby CountyRacial justice srrj$20K
Neutral Ground ChattChattanooga, Hamilton CountyRacial justice srrj$20K
Payne's BarbecueMemphis, Shelby CountyRacial justice srrj$20K

Foundation website All its IRS filings (ProPublica) Sign in to save