Private foundation · Nashville
Shoba Foundation
In 2025 it gave 12 grants worth $125,000 to Tennessee groups, 11 of them in Davidson County. A typical grant was $5,000 to $10,000.
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
- 12 totaling $125,000 · 11 in Davidson County
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $5,000 to $10,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $7,500, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat ones.
- Where it gives
- Davidson County, Williamson County · plus 2 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
- 8% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2025 were new (not funded in 2023–2024): 1 of 12.
- Total giving that year
- $129,000
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $129K | $125K | 12 |
| 2024 | $122K | $116K | 14 |
| 2023 | $128K | $127K | 14 |
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.
- Earl Franklin Calfee IIISecretary
- Lisa Richardson-CalfeePresident
- Christy SmithDirector
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 | 2 |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | 4 |
| $10,000 to $24,999 | 5 |
| $25,000 to $99,999 | 1 |
From its 2025 IRS filing. Small groups: look at how many grants sit in the bands you'd ask for.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wpln Nashville Public Radio | Nashville, Davidson County | Donation | $15K |
| Crossroads Campus | Nashville, Davidson County | Donation | $10K |
| Nashville Food Project | Nashville, Davidson County | Donation | $10K |
| Wnpt Nashville Public Television | Nashville, Davidson County | Donation | $10K |
| Pencil | Nashville, Davidson County | Donation | $10K |
| Jewish Middle School of Nashville | Nashville, Davidson County | Donation | $5,000 |
| Metro Nashville Parks | Nashville, Davidson County | Donation | $5,000 |
| Nashville Aquatic Club | Nashville, Davidson County | Donation | $5,000 |
| Room in the Inn | Nashville, Davidson County | Donation | $5,000 |
| Tenngreen Land Conservancy | Nashville, Davidson County | Donation | $3,000 |
| Shower the People | Nashville, Davidson County | Donation | $2,000 |
| Nature Conservancy | Brentwood, Williamson County | Donation | $45K |