The James Stephen Turner Family Foundation concentrates its philanthropy in Nashville-area civic and cultural institutions, favoring capital campaigns and program/general operating support that enhance public amenities and community access. Their giving emphasizes libraries, parks and outdoor recreation, higher-education initiatives with public policy or athletics ties, and neighborhood-serving social services. Grants are often sizeable and targeted to discrete projects or endowments that increase long-term capacity or visibility for local organizations.
A $700,000 endowment grant to the Nashville Public Library Foundation for Nashville Public Library’s Literary Award Gala endowment is the clearest signal of how James Stephen Turner Family Foundation Inc funds: through large, locally focused commitments that build lasting capacity for civic institutions. The foundation also made a $250,000 endowment campaign grant to the Governor Frank G. Clement Railroad Hotel Museum, showing a willingness to support cultural preservation at a significant scale. Across the recent record, the foundation backs libraries, parks, higher education, performing arts, museums, and neighborhood services, with several grants aimed at capital campaigns, endowments, or facility expansion. In Nashville, that includes support for public amenities such as library programming and park improvements, as well as community-serving nonprofits working on housing, food access, recovery, and education. The pattern suggests a funder that favors named local institutions and discrete projects that can deepen public access or strengthen long-term infrastructure. Their grants also extend to program support and general operating support, but the largest awards are tied to building assets, expanding reach, or creating permanent funds.
In library support, the foundation gave $73,000 to Nashville Public Library Foundation for general operating support for Studio NPL, alongside a much larger commitment to the library foundation’s gala endowment. In parks and recreation, it awarded $150,000 to Friends of Warner Parks for an upgrade to Percy Warner Golf Course and later added $100,000 for a new building. Higher education appears through a $167,000 grant to Lipscomb University for the Turner Family Distinguished Visiting Professor of Public Policy and a $250,000 gift to Vu - Vanderbilt University - Athletic Department for Vandy United: Envisioning the Future of Vanderbilt Golf. The foundation also funds cultural programming, including $75,000 to Nashville Public Television for A Word on Words and $20,000 to Nashville Repertory Theatre for its youth education program and program expansion.
Typical grant size sits at $25,000 at the 25th percentile, a $40,000 median, and $73,000 at the 75th percentile, with several six-figure awards at the top of the range. The recent record shows both one-time project grants and repeat support: Tennessee Innocence Project received general operating support in 2023 and again in 2025, and Nashville Public Education Foundation received Blue Ribbon Teacher Award funding in both years. The foundation is structured as a family foundation and appears to give primarily through targeted grants rather than program-related investments. Its recent awards also include operating support, capital support, endowment support, and matching grants.
$2M
$21.2M
$2.3M
$2.5M
Most grants fall between $25K and $73K, with a median of $40K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$40K
75th Percentile
$73K
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Concentrated, midsize-to-large grants focused on a small set of repeat and flagship local institutions; funding is project- and capital-focused (endowments, facility upgrades, campaign support) with occasional general operating support.
Notable grantees: Nashville Public Library Foundation, Friends of Warner Parks, Vanderbilt University (Athletic Department), Martha O'Bryan Center, Governor Frank G. Clement Railroad Hotel Museum
The foundation gives locally, and every recent grant went to recipients in Tennessee. Nashville is the dominant city in the record, with grants also landing in Dickson, Brentwood, Goodlettsville, and Hermitage. The top state by grant count is TN, which also accounts for 100% of grants in the recent sample. The Tennessee-only footprint is consistent with a highly concentrated local grantmaking pattern centered on the Nashville area.
The recent record shows support for libraries, parks and recreation, higher education, cultural institutions, and neighborhood-serving nonprofits. Named grants include endowment support for Nashville Public Library Foundation, park and golf-course improvements through Friends of Warner Parks, and capital support for community organizations such as Martha O'Bryan Center and The Crossroads Campus.
Yes. Tennessee Innocence Project received general operating support in both 2023 and 2025. Nashville Public Education Foundation also appears twice, with Blue Ribbon Teacher Award grants in 2023 and 2025. Friends of Warner Parks received grants in 2023 and 2025 as well.
The typical grant size is $25,000 at the 25th percentile, $40,000 at the median, and $73,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent record also includes several larger awards, such as $700,000 to Nashville Public Library Foundation and $250,000 to Governor Frank G. Clement Railroad Hotel Museum.
Its recent grants are entirely in Tennessee, with 100% of grants going to recipients in the state. Nashville receives most of the awards, and the list also includes recipients in Dickson, Brentwood, Goodlettsville, and Hermitage.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $700,000 | 2025 | NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY'S LITERARY AWARD GALA ENDOWMENT |
| VU - VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY - ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT | NASHVILLE, TN | $250,000 | 2025 | VANDY UNITED: ENVISIONING THE FUTURE OF VANDERBILT GOLF |
| GOVERNOR FRANK G CLEMENT RAILROAD HOTEL MUSEUM | DICKSON, TN | $250,000 | 2025 | GOVERNOR FRANK G. CLEMENT RAILROAD HOTEL MUSEUM ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN |
| LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $167,000 | 2025 | THE TURNER FAMILY DISTINGUISHED VISTING PROFESSOR OF PUBLIC POLICY |
| FRIENDS OF WARNER PARKS | NASHVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL FUND SUPPORT - NEW BUILDING |
| NASHVILLE PUBLIC TELEVISION | NASHVILLE, TN | $75,000 | 2025 | NPT'S A WORD ON WORDS |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS - NASHVILLE AREA CHAPTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | RELIEF EFFORTS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND EASTERN TENNESSEE FROM HURRICANE HELENE |
| RENEWAL HOUSE INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | MATCHING GRANT FOR EARLY LEARNING CENTER CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| CUMBERLAND HEIGHTS FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | RECOVERY IN COMMUNITY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| WORD TO FLESH MINISTRIES INC DBA MOSS ROSE EDUCATION FOUNDATION | BRENTWOOD, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | "CELEBRATE THE FINE ARTS" EDUCATIONAL VIDEO PROJECT |
| TENNESSEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | TPACS ANNUAL FAMILY DAY AND FURTHER PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT FOR TPAC'S DANCE PROGRAM |
| TENNESSEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | TPACS ANNUAL FAMILY DAY AND FURTHER PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT FOR TPAC |
| NASHVILLE ANTI HUMAN TRAFFICKING COALITION | NASHVILLE, TN | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF TENNESSEE | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TENNESSEE INNOCENCE PROJECT | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NASHVILLE REPERTORY THEATRE | NASHVILLE, TN | $20,000 | 2025 | NASHVILLE REPERTORY THEATRE'S YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAM & PROGRAM EXPANSION |
| NASHVILLE PUBLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $15,000 | 2025 | 2024 BLUE RIBBON TEACHER AWARDS |
| MIA'S MIRACLES FOUNDATION INC | TEQUESTA, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | MIA'S MIRACLES PRO-AM |
| NASHVILLE CHILDREN'S THEATRE | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | NCT'S ARTS ACCESS AND FAMILY ACCESS MEMBERSHIP |
| HOME STREET HOME | HERMITAGE, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FRIENDSHIP HOUSE | NASHVILLE, TN | $5,000 | 2025 | FALL BASH - SPONSOR SUPPORT |
| THE NASHVILLE ENTREPRENEUR CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $5,000 | 2025 | SPONSORSHIP AT THE ENTREPRENEUR CENTER'S NEXT AWARDS |
| NASHVILLE PUBLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $3,000 | 2025 | 2024 PUBLIC SCHOOLS HALL OF FAME |
| NASHVILLE ZOO INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $2,500 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT FOR CLAWS, PAWS, JAWS |
| HAYMAKERS FOR HOPE | BOSTON, MA | $1,667 | 2025 | HAYMAKERS FOR HOPE FUNDRAISING EVENT |
| SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SADDLE UP | FRANKLIN, TN | $1,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIVING |
| THE NEXT DOOR | NASHVILLE, TN | $500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SOLID ROCK INTERNATIONAL | FORT WAYNE, IN | $456 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| VU - VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY - ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT | NASHVILLE, TN | $250,000 | 2024 | VANDY UNITED: ENVISIONING THE FUTURE OF VANDERBILT GOLF |
| ARTS & BUSINESS COUNCIL OF GREATER NASHVILLE INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2024 | SHELBY COMMONS PROJECT |
| FRIENDSHIP HOUSE | NASHVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2024 | 202 FRIENDSHIP HOUSE ENDOWMENT PROJECT |
| MARTHA O'BRYAN CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL SUPPORT OVER 5 YEARS (2019-2023) FOR "SO ALL SHALL RISE" CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $73,000 | 2024 | STUDIO NPL: DEVELOPING THE FUTURE WORKFORCE |
| THE CROSSROADS CAMPUS | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL SUPPORT OVER 5 YEARS (2019-2023) FOR EXPANSION TO BUCHANAN STREET |
| HANDS ON NASHVILLE | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2024 | HANDS ON NASHVILLE VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT |
| NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $35,000 | 2024 | NPLF GALA EVENT |
| DAYSTAR COUNSELING MINISTRIES INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2024 | COVENANT FUND |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS - NASHVILLE AREA CHAPTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2024 | DISASTER RELIEF BENEFITTING MIDDLE TN AFTER TORNADOES HIT ON DECEMBER 9, 2023 |
| NASHVILLE PUBLIC MEDIA INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2024 | THE NEW NASHVILLE BANNER: BUILDING A MODERN NEWSROOM TO MEET THE COMMUNITYS CRITICAL INFORMATION NEEDS |
| NASHVILLE PUBLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $15,000 | 2024 | 2023 BLUE RIBBON TEACHER EVENT |
| NASHVILLE REPERTORY THEATRE | NASHVILLE, TN | $15,000 | 2024 | NASHVILLE REPERTORY THEATRES YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| HOPE STATION INC | LA VERGNE, TN | $10,000 | 2024 | LEGACY PROGRAM |
| ARCHIE'S PROMISE | MURFREESBORO, TN | $10,000 | 2024 | HYGIENE VENDING MACHINES |
| GOVERNOR FRANK G CLEMENT RAILROAD HOTEL MUSEUM | DICKSON, TN | $10,000 | 2024 | ONE-TIME GIFT TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| YOUNG LIFE NASHVILLE | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2024 | NASHVILLE YOUNG LIFE, SUPPORTING WEST NASHVILLE AREA (CROSSLIN ARCHDEACON STAFF PERSON) |
| UPRISE NASHVILLE | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2024 | EQUIPPING NASHVILLIANS IMPACTED BY POVERTY TO BEGIN LONG-TERM CAREERS IN THE MEDICAL FIELD |
| HARDING ACADEMY | NASHVILLE, TN | $5,000 | 2024 | HARDING ART SHOW SPONSORSHIP |
| THE NASHVILLE ENTREPRENEUR CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NASHVILLE PUBLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $3,000 | 2024 | 2023 HALL OF FAME EVENT |
NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY'S LITERARY AWARD GALA ENDOWMENT
VU - VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY - ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
$250,000VANDY UNITED: ENVISIONING THE FUTURE OF VANDERBILT GOLF
GOVERNOR FRANK G CLEMENT RAILROAD HOTEL MUSEUM
$250,000GOVERNOR FRANK G. CLEMENT RAILROAD HOTEL MUSEUM ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN
THE TURNER FAMILY DISTINGUISHED VISTING PROFESSOR OF PUBLIC POLICY
AMERICAN RED CROSS - NASHVILLE AREA CHAPTER
$50,000RELIEF EFFORTS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND EASTERN TENNESSEE FROM HURRICANE HELENE
WORD TO FLESH MINISTRIES INC DBA MOSS ROSE EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$50,000"CELEBRATE THE FINE ARTS" EDUCATIONAL VIDEO PROJECT
TENNESSEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
$50,000TPACS ANNUAL FAMILY DAY AND FURTHER PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT FOR TPAC'S DANCE PROGRAM
TENNESSEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
$50,000TPACS ANNUAL FAMILY DAY AND FURTHER PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT FOR TPAC
NASHVILLE REPERTORY THEATRE
$20,000NASHVILLE REPERTORY THEATRE'S YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAM & PROGRAM EXPANSION
MIA'S MIRACLES FOUNDATION INC
$10,000MIA'S MIRACLES PRO-AM
NASHVILLE CHILDREN'S THEATRE
$10,000NCT'S ARTS ACCESS AND FAMILY ACCESS MEMBERSHIP
HOME STREET HOME
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FRIENDSHIP HOUSE
$5,000FALL BASH - SPONSOR SUPPORT
THE NASHVILLE ENTREPRENEUR CENTER
$5,000SPONSORSHIP AT THE ENTREPRENEUR CENTER'S NEXT AWARDS
HAYMAKERS FOR HOPE
$1,667HAYMAKERS FOR HOPE FUNDRAISING EVENT
SOLID ROCK INTERNATIONAL
$456PROGRAM SUPPORT
VU - VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY - ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
$250,000VANDY UNITED: ENVISIONING THE FUTURE OF VANDERBILT GOLF
ARTS & BUSINESS COUNCIL OF GREATER NASHVILLE INC
$100,000SHELBY COMMONS PROJECT
FRIENDSHIP HOUSE
$100,000202 FRIENDSHIP HOUSE ENDOWMENT PROJECT
CAPITAL SUPPORT OVER 5 YEARS (2019-2023) FOR "SO ALL SHALL RISE" CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
STUDIO NPL: DEVELOPING THE FUTURE WORKFORCE
THE CROSSROADS CAMPUS
$50,000CAPITAL SUPPORT OVER 5 YEARS (2019-2023) FOR EXPANSION TO BUCHANAN STREET
DAYSTAR COUNSELING MINISTRIES INC
$25,000COVENANT FUND
DISASTER RELIEF BENEFITTING MIDDLE TN AFTER TORNADOES HIT ON DECEMBER 9, 2023
NASHVILLE PUBLIC MEDIA INC
$25,000THE NEW NASHVILLE BANNER: BUILDING A MODERN NEWSROOM TO MEET THE COMMUNITYS CRITICAL INFORMATION NEEDS
NASHVILLE REPERTORY THEATRE
$15,000NASHVILLE REPERTORY THEATRES YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS
HOPE STATION INC
$10,000LEGACY PROGRAM
ARCHIE'S PROMISE
$10,000HYGIENE VENDING MACHINES
GOVERNOR FRANK G CLEMENT RAILROAD HOTEL MUSEUM
$10,000ONE-TIME GIFT TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS
NASHVILLE YOUNG LIFE, SUPPORTING WEST NASHVILLE AREA (CROSSLIN ARCHDEACON STAFF PERSON)
UPRISE NASHVILLE
$10,000EQUIPPING NASHVILLIANS IMPACTED BY POVERTY TO BEGIN LONG-TERM CAREERS IN THE MEDICAL FIELD
HARDING ACADEMY
$5,000HARDING ART SHOW SPONSORSHIP