Foundations that fund Tennessee
Private foundations rarely post open calls, so look at who they already fund. Search by what you do, like “food pantry”, “library” or “youth sports”. You'll see foundations, here or in other states, that funded similar work in Tennessee. Or start from a group like yours: see who funded it.
35 foundations that funded “Theatre”
47 invitation-only foundations hidden. Show them
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Private foundation · Knoxville
Clayton Family Foundation
Takes applications
40 Tennessee grants totaling $1.1 million · typical grant $2,500 to $12,500 (tax year 2024)
No fixed deadline, per its 2024 IRS filing
20% of its latest Tennessee winners were new to it
3 grants for buildings or equipment
Funded: Church general fund; K-12 school; Community health services; Scholarship fund; Dance school transportation
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Private foundation · Nashville
James Stephen Turner Family Foundation Inc.
Takes applications
26 Tennessee grants totaling $2 million · typical grant $5,000 to $50,000 (tax year 2024)
67% of its latest Tennessee winners were new to it
4 grants for buildings or equipment
Funded: Relief efforts in western north carolina and eastern Tennessee from hurricane helene; Recovery in community capital campaign; Capital fund support - new building; Fall bash -...
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Private foundation · Louisville, KY
Robert W and Elise B Lykins Charitable
Takes applications
11 Tennessee grants totaling $32,790 · typical grant $1,000 to $5,000 (tax year 2024)
9% of its latest Tennessee winners were new to it
Funded: To support the programming, production and education outreach; To provide protection, maintenance and improvement of radnor lake; To support the conservation of Tennessee's...
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Community foundation · Nashville
The Community Foundation of Middle
Ask before applying
1,155 Tennessee grants totaling $69.8 million · typical grant $5,000 to $25,000 (tax year 2024)
46% of its latest Tennessee winners were new to it
55 grants for buildings or equipment
Funded: 2024 support; To provide 1st time support for your important mission; General giving; Delek us corporate support from Brentwood committee; For program enhancements and...
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Private foundation · Nashville
T & T Family Foundation
Takes applications
70 Tennessee grants totaling $467,000 · typical grant $2,000 to $10,000 (tax year 2024)
7% of its latest Tennessee winners were new to it
1 grant for buildings or equipment
Funded: General funds; Madison campus; General funds, Nashville area; Academic remediation for disadvantaged students; Helping individuals with beginning again (ged + daycare while learning)
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Public charity · Nashville
Nashville Predators Foundation
Ask before applying
58 Tennessee grants totaling $1.1 million · typical grant $6,553 to $10,000 (tax year 2024)
71% of its latest Tennessee winners were new to it
10 grants for buildings or equipment
Funded: Fy24-25 donation, general purposes; Fy24-25 hfc donation: donation for pediatric rehabilitation project + general purposes; Funding for thrive studios, which empowers children...
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Private foundation · Bristol
Massengill-Defriece Foundation Inc.
Takes applications
7 Tennessee grants totaling $137,295 · typical grant $3,000 to $35,000 (tax year 2025)
57% of its latest Tennessee winners were new to it
Funded: Children's programs; New concession space; Ex director salary; Covid; Books for preschool
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Public charity · Milwaukee, WI
Greater Milwaukee Foundation Inc.
Ask before applying
6 Tennessee grants totaling $101,315 · typical grant $8,000 to $20,000 (tax year 2024)
67% of its latest Tennessee winners were new to it
Funded: Sustaining support; The fedex family house gala
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Private foundation · Knoxville
L A M P Foundation
Takes applications
21 Tennessee grants totaling $69,430 · typical grant $1,000 to $5,000 (tax year 2024)
33% of its latest Tennessee winners were new to it
Funded: Scholarships; Scholarships,events; General support, collectors circle; General operating, orphanage; Reverend fund
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Private foundation · Deerfield, IL
Essendant Charitable Foundation
Takes applications
4 Tennessee grants totaling $17,500 · typical grant $1,000 to $15,000 (tax year 2024)
100% of its latest Tennessee winners were new to it
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Private foundation · Memphis
Hohenberg Foundation Inc.
Takes applications
12 Tennessee grants totaling $85,500 · typical grant $5,000 to $10,000 (tax year 2024)
Funded only returning groups in its latest year
1 grant for buildings or equipment
Funded: No Specific Designation; Fund Tuition Scholarships; Operating Support Towards Work on Behalf of Unhoused People in Memphis; Capital Campaign to Fund Rust Hall Expansion; Fund...
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Private foundation · Nashville
The Fugitive Foundation
Takes applications
41 Tennessee grants totaling $237,950 · typical grant $1,000 to $7,000 (tax year 2024)
20% of its latest Tennessee winners were new to it
1 grant for buildings or equipment
Funded: Capital campaign & operating support
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Private foundation · Nashville
The Danner Foundation
Takes applications
28 Tennessee grants totaling $395,500 · typical grant $5,000 to $25,000 (tax year 2024)
100% of its latest Tennessee winners were new to it
Funded: Scoutreach program; To support high school debate program; $25,000 for General Purposes and $25,000 for Dorie Bolze Fund; $10,000 for general purposes and $10,000 for the House Fund
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Private foundation · Knoxville
Mary G K Fox Foundation
Takes applications
27 Tennessee grants totaling $181,310 · typical grant $1,000 to $9,210 (tax year 2025)
19% of its latest Tennessee winners were new to it
2 grants for buildings or equipment
Funded: 2022 grant request; 2024 grant request; Assistance to indigent; Web site domain and hosting; Educational audio/video
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Private foundation · Gallatin
Oak Tree Charitable Trust
Takes applications
10 Tennessee grants totaling $11,950 · typical grant $500 to $1,500 (tax year 2025)
Stated deadlines: Sep 30 · next Sep 30, 2027 (from its 2025 IRS filing; confirm with the foundation)
10% of its latest Tennessee winners were new to it
Funded: Preservation; Protect and preserve; Proivde afforable housing; Promote sumner county tourism; Creating artistic experiences for ev
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Private foundation · New York, NY
The Shubert Foundation Inc.
Takes applications
9 Tennessee grants totaling $530,000 · typical grant $40,000 to $75,000 (tax year 2024)
33% of its latest Tennessee winners were new to it
Funded: General operating support for theatrical productions and activities; General operating support for dance productions and activities
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Private foundation · Dallas, TX
Texas Instruments Foundation
Takes applications
70 Tennessee grants totaling $151,310 · typical grant $200 to $1,000 (tax year 2024)
No fixed deadline, per its 2024 IRS filing
37% of its latest Tennessee winners were new to it
Funded: Donations to colleges, universities and other organizations under "matching gifts program."
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Public charity · Atlanta, GA
South Arts Inc.
Ask before applying
19 Tennessee grants totaling $343,478 · typical grant $5,250 to $20,000 (tax year 2024)
58% of its latest Tennessee winners were new to it
Funded: In These Mountains - Cargill 3rd Grant; FY25 SA/NEA Regional Engagement / Arts in Community; FY24 SA/NEA Regional Engagement / Arts in Community; FY25 NEA ArtsHERE; Southern...
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Public charity · Knoxville
East Tennessee Foundation
Ask before applying
250 Tennessee grants totaling $12.3 million · typical grant $10,000 to $38,500 (tax year 2024)
62% of its latest Tennessee winners were new to it
Funded: Human services; Disaster relief; Arts & culture; Education; Youth development
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Private foundation · Memphis
J R Hyde III Foundation
Takes applications
108 Tennessee grants totaling $12.1 million · typical grant $5,000 to $100,000 (tax year 2024)
Stated deadlines: Feb 1, May 1, Aug 1 · next Feb 1, 2027 (from its 2024 IRS filing; confirm with the foundation)
24% of its latest Tennessee winners were new to it
4 grants for buildings or equipment
Funded: General operating support/support for a strategic plan; General operating support/support for the Mid-South development district's organizational reboot; Support for allmemphis...
Source: each funder's latest e-filed IRS return. Private foundations file Form 990-PF, which lists the grants they paid and how to apply. Community foundations, United Ways and other public charities file Form 990, and we use its Schedule I (grants over $5,000). We include every funder, wherever it is based, whose latest return lists grants to Tennessee groups. Corporate and community-foundation grant rounds are in the grant search.