Public charity · Louisville, KY (gives in Tennessee from out of state)
Lee Initiative Inc.
In 2024 it gave 4 grants worth $80,000 to Tennessee groups, 1 of them in Davidson County. A typical grant was $20,000. Most often for: “Racial justice srrj”.
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 · 1 in Davidson County
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $20,000
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $20,000: the middle grant to the 4 Tennessee groups it funded for the first time in 2024. Its filing lists only grants over $5,000, so smaller first grants aren't counted.
- 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? How we figure this
- 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
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2.3M | $80K | 4 |
| 2023 | $1M | $40K | 3 |
All grants paid To Tennessee
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 (4 grants)
Tennessee organizations it funded
Davidson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bug Lady's Fry Joint | Nashville, Davidson County | Racial justice srrj | $20K |
| Miss Crumpy's | Memphis, Shelby County | Racial justice srrj | $20K |
| Neutral Ground Chatt | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Racial justice srrj | $20K |
| Payne's Barbecue | Memphis, Shelby County | Racial justice srrj | $20K |
Foundation website All its IRS filings (ProPublica) Sign in to save