The Ann M Duffer Family Foundation concentrates its giving on health and medical research (notably stem cell and pediatric research), disaster and emergency relief, and community-serving nonprofits in the Nashville/Middle Tennessee region. It supports both large institutional partners and smaller local service organizations, with several repeat relationships and an interest in water, hunger, housing and survivor-focused programs. Grants span domestic emergency response and some international humanitarian work, while also funding education and scholarships tied to health professions.
Ann M Duffer Family Foundation’s recent giving is defined by health research and emergency response, with Vanderbilt University Medical Center and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital among its recurring institutional partners. The foundation has supported pediatric and stem cell research, kidney and COPD work, and arthritis-related studies, while also backing disaster relief and direct services for people in crisis. Its grants reach both major medical centers and local nonprofits serving Nashville and Middle Tennessee, including food assistance, shelter, hospice care, and women’s and children’s support. The pattern also shows a mix of unrestricted support and purpose-specific awards. On the medical side, the foundation has funded research funds tied to pediatric arthritis, stem cell transplant, kidney disease, COPD, and rheumatoid arthritis. In human services, it has supported Nashville Rescue Mission, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, and Alive Hospice. Disaster-related support has gone to coordinated relief efforts for Tennessee, North Carolina, Hawaii, and Ukraine, alongside clean-water giving through Charity Water. The foundation’s named memorial and scholarship grants add another layer, linking its philanthropy to education and family legacy.
Medical research is a core theme. Ann M Duffer Family Foundation gave $25,000 to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for the Dr. Blackwell’s COPD research program and another $25,000 for Stem Cell Transplant research, while earlier awards to the same institution supported pediatric arthritis and kidney-related work. The foundation also funds emergency relief and humanitarian response. It gave $30,000 to World Central Kitchen Incorporated for general support and used National Philanthropic Trust as a vehicle for relief efforts tied to Ukraine, Hawaii fire response, and hurricane relief in Tennessee and North Carolina. Community services in Nashville and Memphis are another clear thread. Grants include $35,000 to Nashville Rescue Mission for the Building Hope for Women & Children Campaign, $30,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee for general support, and $25,000 to Church Health Center of Memphis for general support. Education appears through scholarship support, including the Duffer Scholarship Fund at Medical College of Virginia Foundation.
$645K
$14.4M
$2.9M
$737K
Most grants fall between $10K and $25K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$25K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in TN.
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A mix of concentrated major support to a few core institutions (notably repeated, sizable grants to Vanderbilt Medical Center) alongside many smaller, repeat and one-off grants to regional nonprofits and disaster relief funds; funding is both unrestricted/general operating and program-specific for relief and research.
Notable grantees: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville Rescue Mission, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, Charity: Water, World Central Kitchen
Typical grant size is centered at $20,000, with a p25 of $10,000 and a p75 of $25,000. The recent record includes both $30,000 and $25,000 awards, plus a smaller set of larger grants at $35,000 and $50,000. The foundation appears to maintain repeat relationships over multiple years, especially with medical and human-services partners. It is a regular funder and also funds individuals. Program-related investments are not part of the profile, and the recent grant list shows both unrestricted support and purpose-specific grants.
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in Tennessee, which is the top state by grant count. Nashville is the most visible recipient city, with multiple awards to organizations there, and Memphis also appears repeatedly through health and human-services recipients. Outside Tennessee, the foundation has supported groups in Hagerstown, MD; Jenkintown, PA; Richmond, VA; and Sonora, CA. The recipient-country distribution in the recent grant record is entirely U.S.-based.
Its recent grants cluster around medical research, disaster and emergency relief, and community-serving nonprofits. The list includes hospitals and research centers, food and shelter providers, hospice care, and relief intermediaries used for Tennessee, North Carolina, Hawaii, and Ukraine aid.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville Rescue Mission, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards only.
The grant-size distribution centers on $20,000. The p25 is $10,000 and the p75 is $25,000, with recent grants also reaching $30,000, $35,000, and $50,000.
No. Tennessee is the top state by grant count, but the recent record also includes recipients in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and California. The grant list is entirely U.S.-based.
Yes. One recent grant went to Medical College of Virginia Foundation for the Duffer Scholarship Fund. The broader record also includes health-professions and research-linked education support alongside its medical and community giving.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SONORA AREA FOUNDATION | SONORA, CA | $35,000 | 2025 | Ann Duffer Memorial Fund |
| CHARITY WATER | FRANKLIN, TN | $30,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| NASHVILLE RESCUE MISSION | NASHVILLE, TN | $30,000 | 2025 | Building Hope for Women & Children Campaign |
| SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $30,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | Interventional Cardiology |
| MEDICAL COLLEGE OF VIRGINIA FOUNDATION | RICHMOND, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | Duffer Scholarship Fund |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | Rheumatoid Arthritis Research |
| NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST | JENKINTOWN, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | Hurricane Relief efforts Fund in Tennessee and North Carolina |
| ST JUDE CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC | MEMPHIS, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | Stem Cell Transplant Research |
| EAST TENNESSEE FOUNDATION | KNOXVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | North Carolina and Tennessee Hurricane Relief Efforts |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | Shade Tree Endowment Fund |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | Pediatric Arthritis Research |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INCORPORATED | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | Tennessee and North Carolina Hurricane Relief Programs |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | COPD Study |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | VUMC Pediatric rehabilitation program |
| NASHVILLE HUMANE ASSOCIATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $20,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES USA INC | HAGERSTOWN, MD | $20,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| MEDICAL COLLEGE OF VIRGINIA FOUNDATION | RICHMOND, VA | $20,000 | 2025 | Duffer Scholarship Fund |
| NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN ASSOCIATION OF TENNESSEE | NASHVILLE, TN | $20,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| THISTLE FARMS INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $20,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| OASIS CENTER INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $20,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| MAPS | PASADENA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| OPERATION HEADSHOT | LEBANON, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| NASHVILLE RESCUE MISSION | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| OASIS CENTER INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | Just Us program |
| NASHVILLE LAUNCH PAD INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| TENNESSEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER MANAGEMENT CORPOR | NASHVILLE, TN | $5,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| YOUNG AMERICANS CENTER FOR FINANCIAL EDUCATION | DENVER, CO | $5,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| FISHBURNE-HUDGINS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | WAYNESBORO, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY INC | BOWLING GREEN, KY | $5,000 | 2025 | The Legion Fund's Support for the 5th Special Forces |
| NASHVILLE SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $5,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| HAMPDEN-SYDNEY COLLEGE | HAMPDEN SYDNEY, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| CHARITY WATER | HAGERSTOWN, MD | $40,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| NASHVILLE RESCUE MISSION | NASHVILLE, TN | $35,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| ST JUDE CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC | MEMPHIS, TN | $30,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| SONORA AREA FOUNDATION | SONORA, CA | $30,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST | JENKINTOWN, PA | $30,000 | 2024 | Hawaii Fire Relief Efforts fund |
| SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $30,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2024 | Pediatric Arthritis research fund |
| CHURCH HEALTH CENTER OF MEMPHIS INC | MEMPHIS, TN | $25,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2024 | Dr. Blackwell's COPD research program |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2024 | Dr. Barker's Interventional cardiology research fund |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2024 | Adult Rheumatoid arthritis research fund |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2024 | Stem Cell Transplant research fund |
| NASHVILLE HUMANE ASSOCIATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $20,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| THISTLE FARMS INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $20,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| MEDICAL COLLEGE OF VIRGINIA FOUNDATION | RICHMOND, VA | $20,000 | 2024 | Duffer scholarship fund for nursing students |
SONORA AREA FOUNDATION
$35,000Ann Duffer Memorial Fund
CHARITY WATER
$30,000General & Unrestricted
NASHVILLE RESCUE MISSION
$30,000Building Hope for Women & Children Campaign
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE INC
$30,000General & Unrestricted
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
$25,000Interventional Cardiology
MEDICAL COLLEGE OF VIRGINIA FOUNDATION
$25,000Duffer Scholarship Fund
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
$25,000Rheumatoid Arthritis Research
NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST
$25,000Hurricane Relief efforts Fund in Tennessee and North Carolina
ST JUDE CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC
$25,000General & Unrestricted
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
$25,000Stem Cell Transplant Research
EAST TENNESSEE FOUNDATION
$25,000North Carolina and Tennessee Hurricane Relief Efforts
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
$25,000Shade Tree Endowment Fund
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
$25,000Pediatric Arthritis Research
WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INCORPORATED
$25,000Tennessee and North Carolina Hurricane Relief Programs
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
$25,000COPD Study
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
$25,000VUMC Pediatric rehabilitation program
NASHVILLE HUMANE ASSOCIATION
$20,000General & Unrestricted
MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES USA INC
$20,000General & Unrestricted
MEDICAL COLLEGE OF VIRGINIA FOUNDATION
$20,000Duffer Scholarship Fund
NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN ASSOCIATION OF TENNESSEE
$20,000General & Unrestricted
THISTLE FARMS INC
$20,000General & Unrestricted
OASIS CENTER INC
$20,000General & Unrestricted
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE INC
$10,000General & Unrestricted
MAPS
$10,000General & Unrestricted
OPERATION HEADSHOT
$10,000General & Unrestricted
NASHVILLE RESCUE MISSION
$10,000General & Unrestricted
OASIS CENTER INC
$10,000Just Us program
NASHVILLE LAUNCH PAD INC
$10,000General & Unrestricted
NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION
$10,000General & Unrestricted
TENNESSEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER MANAGEMENT CORPOR
$5,000General & Unrestricted
YOUNG AMERICANS CENTER FOR FINANCIAL EDUCATION
$5,000General & Unrestricted
FISHBURNE-HUDGINS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
$5,000General & Unrestricted
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY INC
$5,000The Legion Fund's Support for the 5th Special Forces
NASHVILLE SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION
$5,000General & Unrestricted
HAMPDEN-SYDNEY COLLEGE
$5,000General & Unrestricted
CHARITY WATER
$40,000General & Unrestricted
NASHVILLE RESCUE MISSION
$35,000General & Unrestricted
ST JUDE CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC
$30,000General & Unrestricted
SONORA AREA FOUNDATION
$30,000General & Unrestricted
NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST
$30,000Hawaii Fire Relief Efforts fund
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE INC
$30,000General & Unrestricted
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
$25,000Pediatric Arthritis research fund
CHURCH HEALTH CENTER OF MEMPHIS INC
$25,000General & Unrestricted
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
$25,000Dr. Blackwell's COPD research program
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
$25,000Dr. Barker's Interventional cardiology research fund
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
$25,000Adult Rheumatoid arthritis research fund
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
$25,000Stem Cell Transplant research fund
NASHVILLE HUMANE ASSOCIATION
$20,000General & Unrestricted
THISTLE FARMS INC
$20,000General & Unrestricted
MEDICAL COLLEGE OF VIRGINIA FOUNDATION
$20,000Duffer scholarship fund for nursing students