Private foundation · EIN 55-0759620 · Brentwood, Tennessee · Philanthropy & grantmaking

The Emmy Lou Tompkins Foundation

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 21 grants paid, $207K total, median $10K. 57% of grants stayed in Tennessee.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
21
$207K
Median grant
$10K
Stays in TN
57%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$1.9M

Grants paid in 2025

21 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
Dreambuilders FoundationNashville, TNGeneral$20K
Storehouse Food PantryManchester, TNGeneral$20K
Patriot FoundationPinehurst, NCGeneral$20K
Refuge Center for CounselingFranklin, TNGeneral$13K
Ahead With HorsesShadow Hills, CAGeneral$12K
Ashleys PlaceGallatin, TNGeneral$10K
Operation WarmChadds Ford, PAGeneral$10K
Pmr CharityNashville, TNGeneral$10K
Renewal HouseNashville, TNGeneral$10K
Hope CamReston, VAGeneral$10K
Autism Career TrainingNashville, TNGeneral$10K
Healing HouseBrentwood, TNGeneral$10K
Center for Child and Family HealthDurham, NCGeneral$10K
Sisters Against Domestic ViolenceMooresville, NCGeneral$10K
AgapeNashville, TNGeneral$6,000
Able YouthNashville, TNGeneral$5,000
ProkidsCincinnati, OHGeneral$5,000
Tennessee Childrens HomeSpring Hill, TNGeneral$5,000
Urban Promise NashvilleNashville, TNGeneral$5,000
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kansas CityKansas City, MOGeneral$5,000
Brainpower in a BackpackBurnsville, MNGeneral$1,000

By state: Tennessee 12 · North Carolina 3 · California 1 · Pennsylvania 1 · Virginia 1 · Ohio 1

About this foundation

The Emmy Lou Tompkins Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Brentwood, Tennessee, administered in care of Ryan Altizer, tax-exempt since 1999. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does The Emmy Lou Tompkins Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does The Emmy Lou Tompkins Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $207K across 21 grants, a median of $10K.

Where does The Emmy Lou Tompkins Foundation give?

Tennessee (12 grants), North Carolina (3 grants), California (1 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Brentwood that accept applications

All in Tennessee
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
Speer Foundationsince 2017 Brentwood, TN $8.7M60 grants · 2024 $38KPreselected only $141M
Care Foundation of America Incsince 2000 Brentwood, TN $2.9M9 grants · 2024 $320KPreselected only $53M
Heart of Rutherford Foundationsince 2016 Brentwood, TN — —Preselected only $44M
Abahac Incsince 1989 Brentwood, TN $608K21 grants · 2025 $25KPreselected only $37M
Daryl and Mary Pennington Foundation Incsince 2017 Brentwood, TN — —Not stated $34M
Powell Foundationsince 2000 Brentwood, TN $1.7M41 grants · 2024 $25KYes $31M
Jack C Massey Foundationsince 1996 Brentwood, TN $2.7M1 grants · 2025 $2.7MPreselected only $30M
Haver Foundationsince 2019 Brentwood, TN $1.1M8 grants · 2025 $113KPreselected only $23M
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