Private foundation · Nashville
Mary Elizabeth Franklin Family Foundation
In 2025 it gave 10 grants worth $33,795 to Tennessee groups, 9 of them in Davidson County. A typical grant was $500 to $3,900.
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
- 10 totaling $33,795 · 9 in Davidson County
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $500 to $3,900 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $2,500: the middle grant to the 6 Tennessee groups it funded for the first time in 2025.
- Where it gives
- Davidson County, Marion County
- Buildings & equipment
- None of its Tennessee grants in this filing were for buildings or equipment
- Funds new groups? How we figure this
- 60% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2025 were new (not funded in 2023–2024): 6 of 10.
- Total giving that year
- $33,795
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $34K | $34K | 10 |
| 2024 | $9,321 | $9,321 | 3 |
| 2023 | $4,850 | $4,850 | 3 |
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.
- Mary Elizabeth FranklinTrustee
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
- Donation to mother to mother (1 grant)
- A fundraising event benefitting the Nashville symphony. (1 grant)
- Donation to benefit oak hill school. (1 grant)
- Donation to annual campaign (1 grant)
- A fundraising event benefitting cheekwood. (1 grant)
- Donation to YMCA programs (1 grant)
- Donation to benefit alive hospice (1 grant)
- Donation to scholarship program (1 grant)
How big its Tennessee grants are
| Grant size | Grants |
|---|---|
| Under $1,000 | 4 |
| $1,000 to $4,999 | 4 |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | 0 |
| $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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christ the King Catholic Church | Nashville, Davidson County | Donation to scholarship program | $10K |
| Mother to Mother | Nashville, Davidson County | Donation to mother to mother | $10K |
| Nashville Symphony Ball | Nashville, Davidson County | A fundraising event benefitting the Nashville symphony. | $3,900 |
| Swan Ball 2025 | Nashville, Davidson County | A fundraising event benefitting cheekwood. | $2,600 |
| Oak Hill School | Nashville, Davidson County | Donation to benefit oak hill school. | $2,500 |
| Alive Hospice | Nashville, Davidson County | Donation to benefit alive hospice | $2,500 |
| YMCA | Nashville, Davidson County | Donation to YMCA programs | $550 |
| Voices for A Safer Tennessee | Nashville, Davidson County | Donation to benefit voices for a safer Tennessee | $500 |
| St George's Kindergarten | Nashville, Davidson County | Donation to annual campaign | $250 |
| Monteagle Sunday School Women's Association | Monteagle, Marion County | Donation to women's association | $500 |