Public charity · Oakland, CA (gives in Tennessee from out of state)
New Schools Fund
Its tax filing doesn't say how to apply. Check its website or call before sending anything.
Key facts
- Grants in Tennessee
- 6 totaling $1.1 million
- Typical grant
- $115,000 to $215,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask
- About $157,500, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat 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
- $19.4 million
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $19.4M | $1.1M | 6 |
| 2023 | $32.1M | $1M | 6 |
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. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattacademy Community School | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Innovative schools | $302K |
| Volunteer Schools | Nashville, Davidson County | Innovative schools | $215K |
| Aventura Community School | Nashville, Davidson County | Innovative schools | $165K |
| Diverse Learners Cooperative | Brentwood, Williamson County | Learning differences | $150K |
| Libertas School (libertas) | Memphis, Shelby County | Innovative schools | $115K |
| The University of Memphis Foundation | Memphis, Shelby County | Innovative schools | $115K |
Foundation website All its IRS filings (ProPublica) Sign in to save