The foundation appears to concentrate its giving on a single institution: a large, unrestricted or program support grant to Belmont University in Nashville. This indicates a preference for supporting higher education institutions in its home community, likely to strengthen local postsecondary capacity or specific university programs. The pattern suggests targeted, place-based philanthropy rather than broad national grantmaking.
Highly concentrated: one sizable grant to a single local university rather than multiple small awards; suggests repeat or strategic institutional support rather than dispersed philanthropy.
Andrea Waitt Carlton Family Foundation’s recent grantmaking centers on flexible support for Belmont University, including two 2025 general operating grants of $262,000 and $203,569 in Nashville. That pattern is reinforced by another $200,000 general operating grant to Belmont in 2023, pointing to sustained support for a single local higher education institution rather than a broad national portfolio. The foundation also funds a mix of Nashville-area nonprofits and a smaller set of organizations in other states, but the Belmont relationship stands out as the clearest throughline in the recent data. Across the grant list, the foundation repeatedly uses general operating support, which suggests an emphasis on organizational capacity and day-to-day stability. Its recipients include higher education, cultural, conservation, and civic-policy organizations, but the largest awards show a willingness to write substantial checks when a grantee fits its priorities. The foundation’s Nashville presence is especially visible through Belmont and other local recipients, while grants to institutions in places such as Memphis, Washington, and Iowa show that its regional giving extends beyond one city.
Higher education is the foundation’s most visible cause area. Belmont University received $262,000 and $203,569 in 2025, both for general operating support, and a $200,000 general operating grant followed in 2023. That repeated support places the university at the center of the foundation’s recent education funding. The foundation also backs civic and policy organizations. It gave $125,000 to The Heritage Foundation in Washington, DC, $100,000 to the Barry Goldwater Institute for Public Policy Research in Phoenix, and $50,000 to Beacon Center of Tennessee in Nashville, all for general operating support. Environmental and conservation groups appear as well. Ducks Unlimited received $150,000 in 2025, while Friends of Radnor Lake received $100,000 and Tennessee Wildlife Federation received $100,000, each as general operating support. The list also includes cultural and natural heritage groups such as Pearson Lakes Art Center and Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.
Typical grant size is $2,500 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile, though the recent list also includes larger six-figure operating grants. The pattern is repeat-oriented: several recipients appear in more than one year, including Belmont University, Ducks Unlimited, Pearson Lakes Art Center, Nashville Rescue Mission, and Operation Stand Down. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not make program-related investments. Grant language in the recent data is overwhelmingly general operating support, indicating flexible funding rather than project-only awards.
$3.1M
$68.3M
$3.7M
$4M
Most grants fall between $3K and $25K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Notable grantees: Belmont University
Grantmaking is concentrated in Tennessee, which accounts for 49% of grants and is also the top state by grant count. Nashville appears most often in the recent list, alongside South Nashville and Memphis. Outside Tennessee, grants reach places such as Okoboji and Milford in Iowa, Bala Cynwyd in Pennsylvania, Washington, DC, Phoenix, Alexandria, Boone, Juno Beach, Hollywood, and Sanibel. All recorded grants in the dataset go to US recipients.
The recent grants show a strong emphasis on higher education, especially Belmont University, along with civic-policy groups, conservation and wildlife organizations, food assistance, and cultural institutions. Most awards are labeled general operating support, which points to flexible support for the organizations themselves rather than narrowly defined projects.
The grant-size distribution is $2,500 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grant list also includes much larger operating grants, including six-figure awards to Belmont University and other organizations.
Yes. Belmont University appears in both 2023 and 2025, Ducks Unlimited appears in 2023 and 2025, Pearson Lakes Art Center appears in 2023 and 2025, and Nashville Rescue Mission and Operation Stand Down also recur across years. That pattern suggests repeated relationships rather than one-time gifts.
Tennessee is the top state by grant count, with 49% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Nashville is the most visible city in the recent grants, with additional Tennessee recipients in South Nashville, Memphis, Maryville, and other parts of the state.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BELMONT UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $262,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BELMONT UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $203,569 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DUCKS UNLIMITED | MEMPHIS, TN | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PEARSON LAKES ART CENTER | OKOBOJI, IA | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| OPERATION STAND DOWN | SOUTH NASHVILLE, TN | $101,748 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NASHVILLE RESCUE MISSION | NASHVILLE, TN | $101,748 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NASHVILLE RESCUE MISSION | NASHVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| OPERATION STAND DOWN | SOUTH NASHVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF RADNOR LAKE | NASHVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK | MARYVILLE, TN | $80,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMMUNIO | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SAMARITAN'S PURSE | BOONE, NC | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHEEKWOOD BOTANICAL GARDEN & | NASHVILLE, TN | $66,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF LAKESIDE LABS | MILFORD, IA | $62,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PRAGER UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | HOLLYWOOD, FL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BEACON CENTER OF TENNESSEE | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FIRST LIBERTY INSTITUTE | PLANO, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| REBOOT RECOVERY | PLEASANT VIEW, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CLINIC FOR THE REHABILITATION OF WILDLIFE | SANIBEL, FL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTH CENTRAL KY | BOWLING GREEN, KY | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| YOUNG AMERICA'S FOUNDATION | RESTON, VA | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| STEPHENS COLLEGE | COLUMBIA, MO | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE SANIBEL CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FDN | SANIBEL, FL | $31,400 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE | ARLINGTON, VA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| INTERCOLLEGIATE STUDIES PROGRAM | WILMINGTON, DE | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PET COMMUNITY CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HILLSDALE COLLEGE | HILLSDALE, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ANIMAL PROTECTION OF NEW MEXICO | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MEN OF VALOR | ANTIOCH, TN | $27,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SADDLE UP | FRANKLIN, TN | $26,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE NASHVILLE FOOD PROJECT | NASHVILLE, TN | $26,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN HUMANE | WASHINGTON, DC | $26,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CROSSROADS CAMPUS | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| IOWA NATURAL HERITAGE FOUNDATION | DES MOINES, IA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE PHILANTHROPY ROUNDTABLE | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TEAM RUBICON | LOS ANGELES, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| IOWA GREAT LAKES FOUNDATION | DES MOINES, IA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN HUMANE | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE CLAREMONT INSTITUTE | CLAREMONT, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BAREFOOT REPUBLIC INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TENNESSEE WILDLIFE FEDERATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JENNIFER O'NEILL MINISTRIES | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MARTHA O'BRYAN CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $22,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FIRE | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AGAPE ANIMAL RESCUE | NASHVILLE, TN | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NEXT DOOR | HOOD RIVER, OR | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHIMP HAVEN INC | KEITHVILLE, LA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| OWL'S HILL NATURE SANCTUARY | BRENTWOOD, TN | $18,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
BELMONT UNIVERSITY
$262,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BELMONT UNIVERSITY
$203,569GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
DUCKS UNLIMITED
$150,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PEARSON LAKES ART CENTER
$125,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION
$125,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
OPERATION STAND DOWN
$101,748GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NASHVILLE RESCUE MISSION
$101,748GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NASHVILLE RESCUE MISSION
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
OPERATION STAND DOWN
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF RADNOR LAKE
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK
$80,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
COMMUNIO
$75,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SAMARITAN'S PURSE
$75,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHEEKWOOD BOTANICAL GARDEN &
$66,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF LAKESIDE LABS
$62,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PRAGER UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BEACON CENTER OF TENNESSEE
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FIRST LIBERTY INSTITUTE
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
REBOOT RECOVERY
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CLINIC FOR THE REHABILITATION OF WILDLIFE
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTH CENTRAL KY
$40,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
YOUNG AMERICA'S FOUNDATION
$40,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
STEPHENS COLLEGE
$35,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE SANIBEL CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FDN
$31,400GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
INTERCOLLEGIATE STUDIES PROGRAM
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PET COMMUNITY CENTER
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HILLSDALE COLLEGE
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ANIMAL PROTECTION OF NEW MEXICO
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MEN OF VALOR
$27,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SADDLE UP
$26,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE NASHVILLE FOOD PROJECT
$26,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AMERICAN HUMANE
$26,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CROSSROADS CAMPUS
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
IOWA NATURAL HERITAGE FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE PHILANTHROPY ROUNDTABLE
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
TEAM RUBICON
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
IOWA GREAT LAKES FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AMERICAN HUMANE
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE CLAREMONT INSTITUTE
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BAREFOOT REPUBLIC INC
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
TENNESSEE WILDLIFE FEDERATION
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
JENNIFER O'NEILL MINISTRIES
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MARTHA O'BRYAN CENTER
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION
$22,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FIRE
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AGAPE ANIMAL RESCUE
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NEXT DOOR
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHIMP HAVEN INC
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
OWL'S HILL NATURE SANCTUARY
$18,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT