The Enchiridion Foundation directs the bulk of its resources to higher education, providing large, unrestricted operating support to a single university while also channeling smaller funding through a community foundation. Its giving is highly concentrated and operationally focused, favoring general support over program-specific grants.
Highly concentrated funding: a small number of large, general-support grants with repeat support to a single university and a secondary one-off grant to a community foundation.
Enchiridion Foundation C/o Ernest Williams III gives most of its support as unrestricted operating grants, and its largest recent awards show a strong commitment to one higher-education beneficiary. Washington & Lee University received $400,000 in 2023 and $200,000 in 2024, both for general support for operations. Alongside that university funding, the foundation also backed a Nashville community infrastructure grantee, Community Foundation, with a $116,000 operating grant in 2024. The pattern is concentrated rather than broad. Most recipients are organizations that can use general support across their operations, including a private school, arts and cultural institutions, health providers, and service nonprofits. Recent examples include Virginia Episcopal School, Centennial Park Conservancy, Siloam Family Health Center, Nashville Public Library Foundation, and Tennessee Performing Arts Center. The foundation’s grants also include recurring support to the same organizations across multiple years, suggesting an ongoing funding relationship rather than isolated awards. Although the foundation is associated with Nashville, its recent grantmaking includes both Tennessee and non-Tennessee recipients. The record shows a strong preference for operational support over restricted program grants, with the grant descriptions repeatedly centered on general operations.
A clear thread in the foundation’s giving is education. Washington & Lee University received $400,000 in 2023 and $200,000 in 2024 for general support for operations, while Virginia Episcopal School received $100,000 in 2024 and $25,000 in 2023 for the same purpose. Teach for America also appears twice in the recent record, with $20,000 grants in both 2023 and 2024 for general support for operations. The foundation also supports community-serving institutions in Nashville. It gave $35,000 in 2024 and $30,000 in 2023 to Nashville Public Library Foundation, both for operating support, and awarded $29,500 in 2024 to Cheekwood for general support for operations after a $12,375 grant in 2023. Health and human services show up as well: Siloam Family Health Center received $53,000 in 2023, and Faith Family Medical Center received $10,000 in 2024. Cultural and youth-serving organizations are part of the mix, including Tennessee Performing Arts Center, YMCA of Middle Tennessee, and Pencil Foundation.
$2.2M
$15.2M
$919K
$2.2M
Most grants fall between $5K and $10K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Notable grantees: Washington & Lee University, Community Foundation
The reported grant-size distribution is tightly clustered around small operating gifts: the 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $10,000. That sits alongside a much larger set of awards at the top of the distribution, which helps explain the annual giving total of $2,245,665. The foundation’s pattern is recurring rather than one-off. Washington & Lee University, Virginia Episcopal School, Nashville Public Library Foundation, Cheekwood, Cumberland Heights, Crossroads Campus, Teach for America, and Pencil Foundation each appear in multiple years. The grant descriptions are consistently framed as general support for operations. The organization does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local by recipient location: 90% of grants go to organizations in Tennessee, and all reported recipient-country data is in the United States. Nashville is the main city in the record, with grants to Community Foundation, Centennial Park Conservancy, Siloam Family Health Center, Nashville Public Library Foundation, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Cheekwood, and others. Outside Tennessee, the recent grants list includes Lexington, VA; Lynchburg, VA; Oklahoma City, OK; and New York, NY.
The recent grants point to education, community services, arts and culture, and health-related organizations. Examples include Washington & Lee University and Virginia Episcopal School in education, Nashville Public Library Foundation and Cheekwood in civic and cultural work, and Siloam Family Health Center and Faith Family Medical Center in health services.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including Washington & Lee University, Virginia Episcopal School, Nashville Public Library Foundation, Cheekwood, Cumberland Heights, Crossroads Campus, Teach for America, and Pencil Foundation. The repeated grant descriptions are generally for operating support.
The reported distribution is centered on smaller grants: the 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $10,000. At the same time, the recent grants list also includes larger operating gifts such as $400,000 and $200,000 to Washington & Lee University.
Its giving is concentrated in Tennessee. The data shows 90% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the recent grants list includes many Nashville-based organizations such as Community Foundation, Centennial Park Conservancy, Nashville Public Library Foundation, and Tennessee Performing Arts Center.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF MID-TN | NASHVILLE, TN | $615,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $150,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| CHEEKWOOD | NASHVILLE, TN | $130,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| VIRGINIA EPISCOPAL SCHOOL | LYNCHBURG, VA | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| FISK UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| OSU FOUNDATION | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| TENNESSEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $80,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| ST GEORGE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH | NASHVILLE, TN | $53,860 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $35,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| ASCENSION ST THOMAS FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $31,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA | NASHVILLE, TN | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| IMPACT ASSETS | BETHESDA, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| CUMBERLAND HEIGHTS | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| CENTENNIAL PARK CONSERVANCY | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| PENCIL FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| YWCA NASHVILLE & MIDDLE TENNESSEE | NASHVILLE, TN | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| CENTERSTONE FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| NASHVILLE SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $17,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| CROSSROADS CAMPUS | NASHVILLE, TN | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| COUNTRY MUSIC FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE | NASHVILLE, TN | $12,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| ROOM IN THE INN | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| MOUNTAIN WAYS | GATLINBURG, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| NASHVILLE RESCUE MISSION | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| INTERFAITH DENTAL CLINIC | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| ROOFTOP NASHVILLE | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| SILOAM FAMILY HEALTH CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| ST LUKE'S COMMUNITY HOUSE | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| RENEWAL HOUSE | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| BEACON CENTER OF TENNESSEE | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| NASHVILLE PUBLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| TRAVELLERS' REST HISTORIC HOUSE MUSEUM | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| SALVATION ARMY | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF NASHVILLE | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| ALIVE HOSPICE | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| POPLAR FOREST | FOREST, VA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| ROCKETOWN | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| YMCA OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| FIFTY FORWARD | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| KIPP NASHVILLE | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| FAITH FAMILY MEDICAL CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| MARTHA O'BRIAN CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| HANDS ON NASHVILLE | NASHVILLE, TN | $8,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| NASHVILLE OPERA ASSOCIATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $6,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| URBAN HOUSING SOLUTIONS | NASHVILLE, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| MONTGOMERY BELL ACADEMY | NASHVILLE, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
| AGEWELL MIDDLE TN | NASHVILLE, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS |
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS
CHEEKWOOD
$130,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS
VIRGINIA EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS
GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS
OSU FOUNDATION
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS
TENNESSEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
$80,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS
ST GEORGE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
$53,860GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS
ASCENSION ST THOMAS FOUNDATION
$31,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS
TEACH FOR AMERICA
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS
CUMBERLAND HEIGHTS
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS
CENTERSTONE FOUNDATION
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS
CROSSROADS CAMPUS
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS
COUNTRY MUSIC FOUNDATION
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS
ROOM IN THE INN
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS
MOUNTAIN WAYS
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS
COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS
BEACON CENTER OF TENNESSEE
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS
TRAVELLERS' REST HISTORIC HOUSE MUSEUM
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS
SALVATION ARMY
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS
POPLAR FOREST
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS
ROCKETOWN
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS
YMCA OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS
URBAN HOUSING SOLUTIONS
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS
AGEWELL MIDDLE TN
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS