Private foundation · Cookeville
Esme Foundation
In 2025 it gave 14 grants worth $150,000 to Tennessee groups. A typical grant was $3,500 to $11,000.
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
- 14 totaling $150,000
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $3,500 to $11,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $5,000: the middle grant to the 6 Tennessee groups it funded for the first time in 2025.
- Where it gives
- Putnam County, Davidson County, Knox County · plus 3 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
- 43% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2025 were new (not funded in 2023–2024): 6 of 14.
- Total giving that year
- $190,000
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $190K | $150K | 14 |
| 2024 | $183K | $126K | 8 |
| 2023 | $225K | $170K | 10 |
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.
- Lisa L JonesDirector, president
- Sarah AuvilleDirector, secretary
- Gary D LeftwichDirector, treasurer
As listed in its 2025 IRS filing. Many foundations decide through their board, so a personal connection often matters more than a perfect application.
What it funds most often
- Church activitieschurch activitieschurch activitieschurch activitiesreligious church activitiesdonation... (1 grant)
- Support pregnancy crisis (1 grant)
- Cure for cystic fibrosis (1 grant)
- Adoption services for unwanted pregnacies (1 grant)
- Provide housing & resources to homeless pregnant teens and children (1 grant)
- Counseling and financial assistance for child loss (1 grant)
- Home for abused children (1 grant)
- Programs for handicapped adults and children to play tennis (1 grant)
How big its Tennessee grants are
| Grant size | Grants |
|---|---|
| Under $1,000 | 0 |
| $1,000 to $4,999 | 5 |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | 4 |
| $10,000 to $24,999 | 3 |
| $25,000 to $99,999 | 2 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st United Methodist Church | Cookeville, Putnam County | Church activitieschurch activitieschurch activitieschurch... | $45K |
| Mustard Seed Ranch | Cookeville, Putnam County | Home for abused children | $31K |
| Hope House of Tennessee | Nashville, Davidson County | Provide housing & resources to homeless pregnant teens and children | $20K |
| Young Life | Cookeville, Putnam County | Church activites | $11K |
| Crisis Pregnancy Center | Cookeville, Putnam County | Support pregnancy crisis | $11K |
| Westminister Home Connection | Nashville, Davidson County | Counseling and financial assistance for child loss | $5,000 |
| Game On | Cookeville, Putnam County | Programs for handicapped adults and children to play tennis | $5,000 |
| Heart of the Cumberland | Cookeville, Putnam County | Hope and healing for the grieving | $5,000 |
| Cookeville Rescue Mission | Cookeville, Putnam County | Restore broken lives by providing a reputable haven of hope | $5,000 |
| Siloam Health | Nashville, Davidson County | Cure for cystic fibrosis | $4,000 |
| Genesis House | Cookeville, Putnam County | Provide for the welfare of victims of domestic and sexual violence | $3,500 |
| Hope Center Adoption | Cookeville, Putnam County | Adoption services for unwanted pregnacies | $2,000 |
| Wesley College Foundation | Cookeville, Putnam County | Spiritual growth and personal development for students | $1,600 |
| Utk Chi Alpha | Knoxville, Knox County | Campus ministries | $1,500 |