Private foundation · Nashville
Sowell Family Foundation
In 2025 it gave 23 grants worth $63,510 to Tennessee groups, 20 of them in Davidson County. A typical grant was $1,000 to $5,000.
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
- 23 totaling $63,510 · 20 in Davidson County
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $1,000 to $5,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $1,125: the middle grant to the 13 Tennessee groups it funded for the first time in 2025.
- Where it gives
- Davidson County, Blount County, Shelby County, Hickman County · plus 1 grant outside Tennessee
- Buildings & equipment
- None of its Tennessee grants in this filing were for buildings or equipment
- Funds new groups? How we figure this
- 57% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2025 were new (not funded in 2023): 13 of 23.
- Total giving that year
- $68,510
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $69K | $64K | 23 |
| 2023 | $113K | $100K | 27 |
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.
- Joseph Sowell IIITrustee
- Joanne SowellTrustee
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 | 3 |
| $1,000 to $4,999 | 13 |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | 5 |
| $10,000 to $24,999 | 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
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crossroads Campus | Nashville, Davidson County | To further exempt purpose | $10K |
| American Red Cross (tiffany Circle) | Nashville, Davidson County | To further exempt purpose | $10K |
| Nashville Banner (nville Publc Media) | Nashville, Davidson County | To further exempt purpose | $5,000 |
| Nashville Ballet | Nashville, Davidson County | To further exempt purpose | $5,000 |
| Nplf (literary Gala) | Nashville, Davidson County | To further exempt purpose | $5,000 |
| TN Justice Center | Nashville, Davidson County | To further exempt purpose | $2,500 |
| Room in the Inn | Nashville, Davidson County | To further exempt purpose | $2,500 |
| Nplf - Carnegie Society | Nashville, Davidson County | To further exempt purpose | $1,500 |
| Nashville Zoo | Nashville, Davidson County | To further exempt purpose | $1,500 |
| Impact100 | Nashville, Davidson County | To further exempt purpose | $1,135 |
| Legal Aid Society | Nashville, Davidson County | To further exempt purpose | $1,000 |
| Cheekwood | Nashville, Davidson County | To further exempt purpose | $1,000 |
| Nations Ministry | Nashville, Davidson County | To further exempt purpose | $1,000 |
| TN Innocence Project | Nashville, Davidson County | To further exempt purpose | $1,000 |
| Interfaith Dental | Nashville, Davidson County | To further exempt purpose | $1,000 |
| St Georges (general) | Nashville, Davidson County | To further exempt purpose | $1,000 |
| Mcneilly Center for Children | Nashville, Davidson County | To further exempt purpose | $1,000 |
| Leadership Nashville | Nashville, Davidson County | To further exempt purpose | $500 |
| Bethlehem Centers | Nashville, Davidson County | To further exempt purpose | $500 |
| Vanderbiltchic Awearness | Nashville, Davidson County | To further exempt purpose | $250 |
| Planned Parenthood | Memphis, Shelby County | To further exempt purpose | $5,000 |
| Duck River Conservancy | Centerville, Hickman County | To further exempt purpose | $5,000 |
| Daybreak | Maryville, Blount County | To further exempt purpose | $1,125 |