Private foundation · Nashville
Milton and Denice Johnson Family Foundation
In 2025 it gave 53 grants worth $3.9 million to Tennessee groups. A typical grant was $5,000 to $25,000. Most often for: “Capital campaign”.
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
- 53 totaling $3.9 million
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $5,000 to $25,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $25,000: the middle grant to the 4 Tennessee groups it funded for the first time in 2025.
- Where it gives
- Davidson County, Williamson County · plus 1 grant outside Tennessee
- Buildings & equipment
- 3 of its Tennessee grants went to buildings, renovations or equipment, e.g. “Capital campaign”
- Funds new groups? How we figure this
- 8% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2025 were new (not funded in 2023–2024): 4 of 50.
- Total giving that year
- $3.9 million
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3.9M | $3.9M | 53 |
| 2024 | $1.4M | $1.3M | 52 |
| 2023 | $1.4M | $1.3M | 52 |
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.
- R Milton JohnsonChairman
- Denice JohnsonTrustee
- Kaitlyn JohnsonTrustee
- Tyler JohnsonTrustee
- Clark RollinsTrustee
- Lyndsey RollinsTrustee
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
- Capital campaign (3 grants)
- Reimagining community spaces in mnps (1 grant)
- Support for the mobile program and operations (1 grant)
How big its Tennessee grants are
| Grant size | Grants |
|---|---|
| Under $1,000 | 0 |
| $1,000 to $4,999 | 4 |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | 15 |
| $10,000 to $24,999 | 16 |
| $25,000 to $99,999 | 12 |
| $100,000 or more | 6 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodmont Christian Church | Nashville, Davidson County | Capital campaign | $2.5M |
| Pencil | Nashville, Davidson County | Reimagining community spaces in mnps | $250K |
| Woodmont Christian Church | Nashville, Davidson County | Operational support | $175K |
| Creativets | Nashville, Davidson County | Capital campaign | $125K |
| Abe's Garden | Nashville, Davidson County | Capital campaign | $100K |
| Second Harvest Food Bank | Nashville, Davidson County | Support for the mobile program and operations | $100K |
| Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee | Nashville, Davidson County | Operational support | $50K |
| On the Avenue Foundation | Nashville, Davidson County | Operational support | $50K |
| United for Hope | Nashville, Davidson County | Operational support | $40K |
| Frist Art Museum | Nashville, Davidson County | Operational support | $30K |
| Centennial Park Conservancy | Nashville, Davidson County | Operational support | $25K |
| Communities in Schools of Tennessee | Nashville, Davidson County | Operational support | $25K |
| Musicians On Call | Nashville, Davidson County | Operational support | $25K |
| Nashville Symphony | Nasvhille, Davidson County | Operational support | $25K |
| Nashville Zoo | Nashville, Davidson County | Operational support | $25K |
| Oz Arts | Nashville, Davidson County | Operational support | $25K |
| Transformation Life Center | Nashville, Davidson County | Operational support | $25K |
| United Way of Greater Nashville | Nashville, Davidson County | Operational support | $25K |
| Cheekwood | Nashville, Davidson County | Operational support | $15K |
| Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee | Nashville, Davidson County | Operational support | $15K |
| Interfaith Dental | Nashville, Davidson County | Operational support | $15K |
| Alive Hospice | Nashville, Davidson County | Operational support | $10K |
| American Red Cross of Tennessee | Nashville, Davidson County | Operational support | $10K |
| Belmont University | Nashville, Davidson County | Operational support | $10K |
| Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee | Nashville, Davidson County | Operational support | $10K |