Updated Oct 28, 2026
Private foundations based in Tennessee
522 grantmaking foundations headquartered in Tennessee, holding $11B in assets. Ranked by grants paid in their latest 990-PF; 28 on this page say they accept applications. For foundations ranked by where their grants went, see local funders.
| Foundation | Based in | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Frist Foundationsince 1983 | Nashville, TN | $58M174 grants · 2024 | $20K | Yes | $196M |
| The Bill Gatton Foundationsince 1987 | Bristol, TN | $27M9 grants · 2024 | $1.8M | Yes | $931M |
| HCA Healthcare Foundationsince 2002 | Nashville, TN | $25M999 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Yes | $193M |
| Pyramid Peak Foundationsince 2012 | Memphis, TN | $22M1 grants · 2024 | $22M | Preselected only | $151M |
| Maclellan Foundation Incsince 1992 | Chattanooga, TN | $21M161 grants · 2024 | $9,500 | Yes | $167M |
| The Haslam 3 Foundation Incsince 2001 | Knoxville, TN | $21M28 grants · 2024 | $200K | Yes | $89M |
| Living Legacy Foundationsince 2018 | Nashville, TN | $19M48 grants · 2024 | $123K | Preselected only | $165M |
| First Horizon Foundationsince 1993 | Memphis, TN | $19M1 grants · 2024 | $19M | Yes | $55M |
| Bill and Crissy Haslam Foundationsince 2001 | Knoxville, TN | $17M159 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $171M |
| Poplar Foundationsince 1995 | Memphis, TN | $17M2 grants · 2025 | $8.4M | Preselected only | $60M |
| Dettwiller Foundationsince 2015 | Nashville, TN | $14M152 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $251M |
| J R Hyde III Foundationsince 1992 | Memphis, TN | $13M141 grants · 2024 | $38K | Yes | $256M |
| Assisi Foundation of Memphis Incsince 1994 | Memphis, TN | $11M48 grants · 2024 | $85K | Yes | $233M |
| Day Foundationsince 1962 | Memphis, TN | $11M31 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $159M |
| Robert E and Jenny D Kirkland Foundsince 2004 | Union City, TN | $11M46 grants · 2024 | $2,500 | Preselected only | $301M |
| Clayton Family Foundationsince 1992 | Knoxville, TN | $11M47 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Yes | $93M |
| Bill and Carol Latimer Charitable Foundationsince 2006 | Union City, TN | $10M52 grants · 2024 | $20K | Preselected only | $178M |
| Boyd Foundationsince 2018 | Knoxville, TN | $9.4M60 grants · 2024 | $49K | Yes | $98M |
| Scarlett Family Foundationsince 2006 | Nashville, TN | $9.2M258 grants · 2024 | $13K | Yes | $249M |
| Speer Foundationsince 2017 | Brentwood, TN | $8.7M60 grants · 2024 | $38K | Preselected only | $141M |
| Joe C Davis Foundationsince 1978 | Nashville, TN | $8.2M108 grants · 2024 | $23K | Yes | $152M |
| Benwood Foundation Incsince 1946 | Chattanooga, TN | $7.9M117 grants · 2024 | $20K | Yes | $104M |
| Formanek Foundationsince 2008 | Memphis, TN | $7.6M29 grants · 2024 | $158K | Yes | $155M |
| Melkus Family Foundationsince 1993 | Nashville, TN | $7.3M75 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $61M |
| Lyndhurst Foundation Incsince 1941 | Chattanooga, TN | $7.0M142 grants · 2024 | $16K | Yes | $125M |
| Crews Family Foundationsince 2013 | Germantown, TN | $5.0M61 grants · 2024 | $13K | Preselected only | $108M |
| The Healing Trustsince 2002 | Nashville, TN | $4.8M150 grants · 2024 | $26K | Yes | $133M |
| Tucker Foundationsince 1996 | Ooltewah, TN | $4.8M91 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $69M |
| Memorial Foundation Incsince 1983 | Madison, TN | $4.4M182 grants · 2024 | $15K | Preselected only | $135M |
| Christy-Houston Foundation Incsince 1987 | Murfreesboro, TN | $4.2M24 grants · 2024 | $50K | Yes | $97M |
| Milton and Denice Johnson Family Foundationsince 2021 | Nashville, TN | $3.9M54 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $38M |
| Housing Affordability Trustsince 2014 | Nashville, TN | $3.8M30 grants · 2024 | $100K | Yes | $54M |
| Elizabeth Turner Campbell Foundatiosince 2000 | Franklin, TN | $3.8M9 grants · 2024 | $24K | Preselected only | $71M |
| Tennessee Health Foundation Incsince 2003 | Chattanooga, TN | $3.8M75 grants · 2024 | $8,000 | Yes | $282M |
| International Paper Company Foundationsince 1954 | Memphis, TN | $3.4M472 grants · 2024 | $3,500 | Yes | $76M |
| Jack and Charlotte Frost Family Foundationsince 2021 | Signal Mtn, TN | $3.4M25 grants · 2025 | $79K | Preselected only | $55M |
| Andrea Waitt Carlton Family Foundationsince 1998 | Nashville, TN | $3.1M101 grants · 2024 | $17K | Yes | $68M |
| Robert L and Kathrina H Maclellan Foundationsince 1972 | Chattanooga, TN | $3.0M47 grants · 2024 | $50K | Yes | $54M |
| Speer Charitable Trustsince 1989 | Memphis, TN | $2.9M45 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $52M |
| Care Foundation of America Incsince 2000 | Brentwood, TN | $2.9M9 grants · 2024 | $320K | Preselected only | $53M |
| Fleetwood Foundation Incsince 2011 | Memphis, TN | $2.8M27 grants · 2023 | $75K | Preselected only | $45M |
| Jackson Foundation Incsince 1969 | Dickson, TN | $2.7M10 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $82M |
| G Harbaugh Foundationsince 2018 | Thompsons Stn, TN | $2.5M20 grants · 2024 | $28K | Preselected only | $57M |
| Kennedy Foundation Incsince 1987 | Chattanooga, TN | $2.3M15 grants · 2025 | $20K | Yes | $56M |
| The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundationsince 1961 | Memphis, TN | $1.9M54 grants · 2024 | $18K | Yes | $40M |
| Dan and Margaret Maddox Charitable Fundsince 1970 | Nashville, TN | $1.9M81 grants · 2024 | $20K | Yes | $46M |
| Hamico Incsince 1959 | Chattanooga, TN | $1.8M51 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $50M |
| The Judith E and Joseph C Cook Jr Foundation Incsince 1997 | Nashville, TN | $1.8M43 grants · 2024 | $30K | Preselected only | $51M |
| McDonnell Family Foundationsince 2014 | Memphis, TN | $1.7M25 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $133M |
| Edna Wardlaw Charitable Tr Ua 123092since 1994 | Chattanooga, TN | $1.6M110 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $41M |
| Bailey Family Foundationsince 2001 | Knoxville, TN | $1.5M38 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $46M |
| Aslan Foundationsince 2020 | Knoxville, TN | $918K58 grants · 2024 | $3,400 | Yes | $122M |
| Bob Monday Charitable Foundationsince 2022 | Knoxville, TN | $330K4 grants · 2025 | $90K | Preselected only | $48M |
| Topher-Scott Foundation Incsince 2024 | Knoxville, TN | $125K2 grants · 2024 | $63K | Preselected only | $52M |
| Fully Alive Foundation Incsince 2024 | Knoxville, TN | $100K1 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $52M |
| Marlene and Spencer Hays Foundationsince 2026 | Nashville, TN | — | — | Not stated | $138M |
| Dava Health Incsince 2022 | Nashville, TN | — | — | Preselected only | $59M |
| Laughing Gull Foundationsince 2013 | Lebanon, TN | — | — | Not stated | $53M |
| Heart of Rutherford Foundationsince 2016 | Brentwood, TN | — | — | Preselected only | $44M |
| Childrens Foundation of Memphissince 1983 | Memphis, TN | — | — | Preselected only | $38M |
Sources: IRS Business Master File (assets), ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and IRS 990-PF e-file (grants paid, application policy). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own Part XV checkbox.
Open grant programs in Tennessee
All 2| Deadline | Grant | Funder | Award ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rollingno deadline | Tennessee Arts Commission — Organizational GrantsStateTennessee Arts Commission | Tennessee Arts Commission | Not listed |
| Rollingno deadline | Humanities Tennessee — Humanities GrantsStateHumanities Tennessee | Humanities Tennessee | Not listed |
Common questions
How many private foundations are based in Tennessee?
Our directory lists 522 private grantmaking foundations in Tennessee with at least $1 million in assets, holding a combined $11B. The data comes from the IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File and Form 990-PF.
How do I get a grant from a private foundation?
Start with foundations that already fund organizations like yours nearby. Read the grantee list on each profile, check whether the foundation accepts applications (it says so on its 990-PF), and lead with a short letter of inquiry. Many family foundations fund only organizations they already know; an introduction through a shared grantee or board member works better than a cold proposal.
Can you help us approach foundations?
Yes. Our grant writers research foundation prospects, write letters of inquiry, and build a foundation fundraising plan. Request a free consultation.