← All foundations

Public charity · Oakland, CA (gives in Tennessee from out of state)

New Schools Fund

Ask before applying

Key facts

Grants in Tennessee
6 totaling $1.1M
Typical grant
$115K to $215K (middle half of its Tennessee grants)
A realistic first ask
About $158K, its median Tennessee grant. New grantees usually get less than long-time ones.
Where it gives
Shelby County, Davidson County, Williamson County, Hamilton County · plus 73 grants outside Tennessee
Buildings & equipment
None of its Tennessee grants in this filing were for buildings or equipment
Funds new groups?
33% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2024 were new (not funded in 2023): 2 of 6.
Total giving that year
$19.4M

Giving by year

Giving by year from its IRS filings
Tax yearTotal grants paidTo TennesseeTennessee grants
2024$19.4M$1.1M6
2023$32.1M$1M6

How to apply

Public charities don't report how to apply on their IRS return. Check its website for open grant rounds, or search GrantMe for its programs.

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.

  • Frances MessanoCeo
  • Cori DuncanBoard chair
  • Ime ArchibongBoard member
  • Michelle BoyersBoard member
  • Brook ByersBoard member
  • Stacey ChildressBoard member
  • Angel MoralesBoard member
  • Lisette NievesBoard member
  • Kim SmithBoard member
  • Paula SneedBoard member
  • Charlie WolfsonBoard member
  • Christopher LozierChief operating officer/tr
  • Delicia JonesChief strategy officer/sec
  • Heather McmanusChief people officer
  • Mia HowardManaging partner
  • Cameron WhitePartner
  • Maggie AndrewsDirector, development
  • Natalie WilsonPartner, equitable investi
  • Jason AtwoodDirector, research & learn
  • Jessica HenryDirector, operations
  • Wendy Ann Dixon-DuboisDirector, communications

As listed in its 2024 IRS filing. Many foundations decide through their board, so a personal connection often matters more than a perfect application.

What it funds most often

  • Innovative schools
  • Learning differences

Tennessee organizations it funded

Largest first. Groups it already funds are good people to ask what the foundation looks for. Select a group to see who else funds it.

Tennessee grants from New Schools Fund
RecipientWherePurposeAmount
Chattacademy Community SchoolChattanooga, Hamilton CountyInnovative schools$302K
Volunteer SchoolsNashville, Davidson CountyInnovative schools$215K
Aventura Community SchoolNashville, Davidson CountyInnovative schools$165K
Diverse Learners CooperativeBrentwood, Williamson CountyLearning differences$150K
Libertas School (libertas)Memphis, Shelby CountyInnovative schools$115K
The University of Memphis FoundationMemphis, Shelby CountyInnovative schools$115K

Foundation website All its IRS filings (ProPublica) Sign in to save