Foundations that fund arts and culture in Tennessee
These 25 foundations made grants to arts and culture in Tennessee in the most recent IRS filing I have for each. None of them ticked the box for giving only to preselected organizations, and each filing gives application instructions or a website. That doesn't prove a foundation takes applications, and some on this list may not. The text below is copied from the filings, most of them for tax year 2024, so check a foundation's website or call before you apply.
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Gibson Gives Foundation Dba Gibson Gives
- $94,125 to Nashville Symphony Association, Nashville: Foundation giving to another foundation or for scholarships
- $10,000 to Oz Arts Inc, Nashville: Foundation giving to another foundation or for scholarships
- $8,098 to Nashville Blues & Roots Alliance, Mount Juliet: For program use/fundraising efforts for program use.
How to apply: Applications can be submitted via gibson.submittable.com/submit
Deadlines: Donation requests are reviewed on a monthly basis after the end of each month.
Restrictions: Awards benefit those who bring education or healing through music specific programs where guitar is used.
Jr Hyde Iii Family Foundation
- $1,700,000 to Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Memphis: General operating support / support for the bridge fund
- $750,250 to National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis: Support for general operations & the 2022 freedom award
- $345,500 to Ballet Memphis, Memphis: General operating support
How to apply: All applications must be submitted online at: www.hydefoundation.org
Deadlines: 2/1, 5/1 & 8/1; see the website at www.hydefoundation.org
Restrictions: Limited to 501(c)(3) organizations primarily in tn, with a strong emphasis on memphis. No grants are made to individuals.
Publix Super Markets Charities Inc
- $12,500 to Creative Discovery Museum, Chattanooga: Organization's charitable purpose
- $10,000 to Adventure Science Center Nashville, Nashville: Organization's charitable purpose
- $10,000 to Nashville Ballet, Nashville: Organization's charitable purpose
How to apply: Applications should be submitted online at publixcharities.org and include the following: information on the organization, a copy of the 501(c)(3) determination letter issued by the internal revenue service, a brief budget, and a list of the organization's board of directors. If...
Benwood Foundation Inc
- $225,000 to Colab, Chattanooga: General operating support
- $150,000 to Artsbuild, Chattanooga: General operating support
- $150,000 to Tivoli Theatre Foundation Inc, Chattanooga: Capital campaign
How to apply: Applications should be submitted in the form of a brief two-page letter. The letter should include a description of the project or purpose, budget information, an irs letter of determination, and a listing of officers and board of directors.
Carolyn Smith Foundation
- $200,000 to Monthaven Arts & Cultural Center, Hendersonville: Preserve local & regional art
- $10,000 to Nashville Public Media, Nashville: Supported civic news organization
- $10,000 to Nashville Ballet, Nashville: Promote & teach dance
How to apply: Formal request from applicants
Deadlines: None specific
Restrictions: Restricted to total assets
Fugitive Foundation C/O Cumberland Trust
- $10,000 to Belcourt Theatre, Nashville: Operating support
- $5,000 to Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art, Nashville: Operating support
- $2,650 to Nashville Public Radio, Nashville: Operating support
How to apply: Letter explaining charitable purpose and need.
The Shubert Foundation Inc
- $100,000 to Nashville Ballet, Nashville: General operating support for dance productions and activities
- $90,000 to Circuit Playhouse Inc, Memphis: General operating support for theatrical productions and activities
- $75,000 to Nashville Repertory Theatre Inc, Nashville: General operating support for theatrical productions and activities
How to apply: All requests must be submitted on the foundation's application form and include a copy of the applicant's letter from the u.s. Treasury department granting federal tax exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the u.s. Internal revenue code. To be eligible for a grant and if audited...
Deadlines: See general explanation attachment
Restrictions: The shubert foundation exclusively provides funds for general operating support. Funds are not provided for project support, nor allocated for capital or endowment campaigns, nor to individuals or conduit organizations.
The Aslan Foundation
- $229,167 to Big Ears Festival, Knoxville: 2024 grant
- $35,000 to Knoxville Museum of Art, Knoxville: 2024 grant
- $20,832 to Big Ears Festival, Knoxville: 2025 grant
How to apply: Foundation's online grant application
Adams Arthur & Alice Fdn
- $50,000 to Circuit Playhouse Inc, Memphis: General operating
- $40,000 to Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Memphis: General operating
- $30,000 to The Overton Park Shell Inc, Memphis: General operating
How to apply: Applications must be submitted through the online grant application to grantadministration@wellsfargo.com
Deadlines: February 15th
Restrictions: Primarily to organizations benefitting arts, culture, humaninites, and education in the Memphis, Miami, and New York City areas.
Ryman Hospitality Properties Foundation
- $50,000 to Opportunity in Overalls, Nashville: Community grant for general support
- $10,000 to National Museum of African American Music, Nashville: Grant for support of program mission for education
- $5,000 to Frist Art Museum, Nashville: Grant for support of program mission for arts
How to apply: Proposals are reviewed on a monthly basis. We generally do not approve requests for multi-year commitments. Organizations are typically notified of the grant decision within 30 days of receipt of the application. The proposal should include the following: * organization name,...
Restrictions: Organizations requesting funds must be tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code and aligned with one of our focus areas. Organizations receiving contributions must be in compliance with federal equal employment...
George R Johnson Family Foundation
- $15,000 to Scenic City Clay Arts, Chattanooga: Program support
- $15,000 to Creative Discovery Museum, Chattanooga: Children educational program
- $7,500 to Artsbuild, Chattanooga: Art education
How to apply: Applications are to be submitted in the form of a letter of not more than two pages describing the project for which the grant is sought. If the project meets foundation guidelines, additional information may be requested.
Restrictions: Grants will be awarded to charitable organizations primarily in the following locations: tennessee - bradley, hamilton, loudon, marion, mcminn, meigs, monroe, polk, rhea & sequatchie counties. Georgia - catoosa, dade, murray, walker &...
Lawson Family Foundation
- $25,000 to Knoxville History Project, Knoxville: General support
- $5,000 to Appalachian Ballet Company, Maryville: General support
- $5,000 to East Tennessee Historical Society, Knoxville: General support
How to apply: Website application: https://www.lawsonfamilyfoundation.org/grants
Deadlines: Open applications
Restrictions: Only tax exempt 501c3 organizations. Preference given to organizations in knox county, tn and meeting funding priorities outlined at: https://www.lawsonfamilyfoundation.org/strategic- priorities
The Danner Foundation
- $15,000 to Nashville Symphony Association, Nashville: General Purposes
- $10,000 to Studio Tenn Theatre Company, Franklin: General Purposes
- $5,000 to New Dialect, Nashville: General Purposes
How to apply: There is no specific form required. An application should include a general description of the requesting organization a statement of how the requesting organization proposes to use the requested grant if it is made and a copy of the requesting organizations IRS determination...
Restrictions: There are no restrictions.
The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation
- $102,500 to Memphis Brooks Museum of Art Inc, Memphis: General - operating
- $10,000 to Memphis Symphony Orchestra Inc, Memphis: General - operating
- $2,500 to Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Memphis: General - operating
How to apply: See our website at http://www.kwff.org/our-grant-process/grant-application-process/
Deadlines: January 15 and august 15
Restrictions: Contact tate wilson at twilson@kwff.org for more information.
Tennessee Health Foundation Inc
- $8,000 to Memphis Brooks Museum of Art Inc, Memphis: 2024 coopwood match
- $5,000 to National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis: Jmoore 2024 match
- $2,000 to Tennessee State Museum Foundation Inc, Nashville: 2024 reynolds match
How to apply: Www.bcbst.com/about/in-the-community/healthy-places/funding-criteria
Deadlines: May, november for community trust funding and august for healthy place funding
Restrictions: Www.bcbst.com/about/in-the-community/healthy-places/funding-criteria
Bluescope Foundation North America
- $6,000 to New Day Childrens Theatre, Collierville: Arts
- $5,000 to Memphis Museums Inc, Memphis: Education - steam
- $3,500 to Volunteer Odyssey, Memphis: Community - essential human services
How to apply: Initial contact must be made by letter, email or phone addressed to the foundation director describing the need, purpose, and general activities of the requesting charitable organization. The inquiry will be reviewed to ensure compliance with the policies established by the...
Restrictions: Grants are generally not made to: - individuals - political organizations - religious organizations for sectarian purposes - pre-school, primary and secondary educational institutions - organizations receiving united way support for...
Lamp Foundation
- $6,500 to Knoxville Opera Company, Knoxville: General support
- $3,500 to Knoxville Museum of Art, Knoxville: General support, collectors circle
- $3,000 to Beck Cultural Exchange Center, Knoxville: General operating
How to apply: Include purpose of funds requested/how funds will be used or awarded
Restrictions: Must be a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization
Ahb Foundation Inc C/O Steiner & Ellis Pllc
- $186,797 to Knoxville Museum of Art, Knoxville: The purpose of the knoxville museum of art is to support and promote public interest,...
- $75,000 to Big Ears Festival, Knoxville: The mission of big ears is to collaborate with artists, audiences, and communities to...
- $10,000 to Knoxville Opera Company, Knoxville: To provide the residents of east tennessee with the highest quality, locally-produced...
How to apply: Written request stating amount and purpose of request, most recent audited financial statements, and copy of tax exempt ruling
Deadlines: May 31, november 30
Restrictions: Only to 501(c)(3) organizations; preference given to organizations in the east tennessee area.
Joe C Davis Foundation
- $55,000 to Welcome Home Ministries, Nashville: Capital & program support
- $35,000 to Discover Madison, Madison: Community building
- $15,000 to Nashville International Center for Empowerment, Nashville: Program support
How to apply: See attached statement 18
Deadlines: See attached statement 18
Restrictions: Only 501(c)(3) organizations - preference is given to charitable organizations located in the nashville, tn area. The foundation does not generally provide significant funding for the arts, environmental causes, or religious activities,...
The Hacker and Kitty Caldwell Family Foundation Inc
- $67,504 to Stove Works, Chattanooga: General operations
- $1,000 to Creative Discovery Museum, Chattanooga: General operations
- $1,000 to The Pop Up Project, Chattanooga: General operations
How to apply: Typed letter of request not to exceed two pages
Crichton Family Foundation
- $20,000 to East Lake Expression Engine, Chattanooga: General support
- $10,000 to James K Polk Memorial Association, Columbia: General support
- $5,000 to Maury County Arts Guild, Columbia: General support
How to apply: There is no specific form for the application. The application must include information about the organization requesting the grant and a specific explanation of the purposes for which the grant is sought.
T & T Family Foundation
- $10,000 to Music City Inc, Nashville: General funds
- $2,000 to The Theater Bug, Nashville: General funds
- $2,000 to Fountains of Musica Foundation, Nashville: General funds
How to apply: Applications should be in writing, should include the name and address of the charitable organization, the amount of the gift requested and the purpose for which the gift is to be used.
Deadlines: Applications need to be received by the annual meeting which is traditionally held in october.
Restrictions: There is no stated limitation on individual awards.
The Amphion Foundation Inc Co Alter Kendrick & Baron Llp
- $5,000 to Intersection, Nashville: Encourage the performance of contemporary concert music
- $4,500 to The Big Ears Festival, Knoxville: Encourage the performance of contemporary concert music
- $2,000 to Nief-Norf, Knoxville: Encourage the performance of contemporary concert music
How to apply: Letter
American Water Charitable Foundationinc
- $2,500 to Artsbuild, Chattanooga: General purpose
- $2,500 to Greater Chattanooga Public Television, Chattanooga: General purpose
- $2,500 to Hunter Museum of Art, Chattanooga: General purpose
How to apply: See application forms on internal company web site
Deadlines: No set deadlines
Restrictions: Must be 501(c)(3) charitable organization that furthers the charitable purposes of the foundation.
The Andrew W Mellon Foundation
- $500,000 to Memphis Brooks Museum of Art Inc, Memphis: To support conservation, digitization, research, engagement, and planning related to the...
- $250,000 to Unmanageable, Nashville: To support capacity building and producing partnerships for artists
Restrictions: Activities supported by foundation grants must be charitable, educational or scientific under the provisions of the u.s. Internal revenue code and the treasury regulations.
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