The Judy and Noah Liff Foundation concentrates its giving on cultural institutions and local community causes, with a strong emphasis on Nashville performing and visual arts alongside support for the Jewish community and occasional health and conservation gifts. Grants are directed to established, institutional recipients (museums, opera, university medical center), suggesting a preference for well-known organizations that deliver civic and cultural impact. The foundation typically makes a small number of sizable gifts rather than many small awards, largely focused in Nashville though with at least one out-of-region conservation gift.
A $150,000 grant to Nashville Opera stands out in the Judy and Noah Liff Foundation’s recent giving and helps define its pattern: the foundation backs established cultural and community institutions, often with broad-purpose support. Recent awards also include $50,000 to The Frist Center for Visual Arts and $26,000 to Jewish Federation of Nashville, showing sustained attention to Nashville’s arts and Jewish civic infrastructure. The foundation’s grant list extends beyond those core areas into health, education, and conservation. Vanderbilt University Medical Center received $25,000, while Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters received $25,000 for conservation work in Maine. Smaller awards are directed to groups such as Congregation Micah, Gilda's Club of Nashville, Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, and One Generation Away, indicating a mix of cultural, community, and social-support institutions. Across the recent record, the foundation favors organizations with established public-facing missions rather than individuals or project startups. Its gifts range from four-figure awards to six-figure support, with recurring attention to Nashville-based recipients and a few grants to organizations outside Tennessee.
In performing arts, the foundation gave $150,000 to Nashville Opera and $17,500 to Nashville Opera in a later year, showing repeated support for the same cultural institution. Visual arts also appear prominently through a $50,000 grant to The Frist Center for Visual Arts. Jewish community institutions are another clear theme. Jewish Federation of Nashville received $26,000, and Congregation Micah received $1,500, both in the Nashville area. Health-related support is present as well. Vanderbilt University Medical Center received $25,000, and Vanderbilt Eye Institute received $20,000, pointing to grants connected to medical care and specialized clinical programs. The foundation also made conservation and public-interest gifts outside Tennessee, including $25,000 to Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters and $5,000 to Coastal Maine Botancial Gardens.
Typical grant size is modest to mid-sized, with a p25 of $1,000, a median of $2,600, and a p75 of $10,900. The recent record includes repeated support to several recipients across multiple years, including Nashville Opera, Dartmouth College, Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters, St George Fire & Rescue, and St George Municipal School Unit. That pattern suggests an ongoing relationship model rather than one-off gifts. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Grants are recorded as broad-purpose support for exempt purposes.
$152K
$3M
$96K
$211K
Most grants fall between $1K and $11K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$11K
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Concentrated, modestly sized portfolio: a few large institutional grants per cycle focused on cultural and civic institutions. Funding is primarily local to Nashville with occasional out-of-region thematic gifts; grants favor established organizations over grassroots groups.
Notable grantees: Nashville Opera, The Frist Center for Visual Arts, Jewish Federation of Nashville, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters
Grants are national in scope, but Tennessee receives the largest share of awards by count, and 40% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Nashville is the most visible city in the record, with gifts to Nashville Opera, The Frist Center for Visual Arts, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and Jewish Federation of Nashville. Outside Tennessee, Maine appears frequently through recipients in Portland, Tenants Harbor, Boothbay, Bangor, and Port Clyde. All recent grants in the data went to U.S. recipients.
The foundation gives to cultural institutions, Jewish community organizations, health-related institutions, and some conservation and community groups. Recent recipients include Nashville Opera, The Frist Center for Visual Arts, Jewish Federation of Nashville, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters.
Recent grants cluster at relatively small-to-mid levels: p25 is $1,000, median grant size is $2,600, and p75 is $10,900. The recent list also includes larger gifts such as $150,000 to Nashville Opera and $50,000 to The Frist Center for Visual Arts.
Yes. The recent record shows repeat support for Nashville Opera, Dartmouth College, Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters, St George Fire & Rescue, and St George Municipal School Unit across multiple years, which indicates ongoing relationships with some recipients.
Tennessee is the top state by grant count, with 40% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Nashville organizations appear often in the recent record, including arts, health, Jewish, and community-serving groups.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE FRIST CENTER FOR VISUAL ARTS | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $40,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF NASHVILLE | NASHVILLE, TN | $16,040 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NASHVILLE PUBLIC MEDIA INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MAINE PUBLIC | BANGOR, ME | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NASHVILLE PBS | NASHVILLE, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NASHVILLE PUBLIC RADIO | NASHVILLE, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CHEEKWOOD BOTANICAL GARDEN AND MUSEUM OF ART | NASHVILLE, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| VANDERBILT HILLEL | NASHVILLE, TN | $3,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| THE JEWISH MUSEUM | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| THE ART STUDENTS LEAGUE | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NASHVILLE OPERA | NASHVILLE, TN | $2,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FRIENDS OF KATAHDIN WOODS AND WATERS | PORTLAND, ME | $1,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| LEADERSHIP NASHVILLE | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| THE TEMPLE | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ST GEORGE FIRE & RESCUE | TENANTS HARBOR, ME | $1,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| HOOD MUSEUM OF ART DARTMOUTH | HANOVER, NH | $1,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| BHUTAN FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ALIVE HOSPICE | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF MIDDLE TN | NASHVILLE, TN | $500 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF MIDDEL TN | NASHVILLE, TN | $500 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| YIDDISH BOOK CENTER | AMHERST, MA | $500 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ADAS YOSHURON SYNAGOGUE | ROCKLAND, ME | $500 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FORWARDTN | NASHVILLE, TN | $300 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| THE LEGION FUND | NASHVILLE, TN | $250 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NASHVILLE OPERA | NASHVILLE, TN | $150,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FRIENDS OF KATAHDIN WOODS AND WATERS | PORTLAND, ME | $25,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| DARTMOUTH COLLEGE | HANOVER, NH | $3,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ST GEORGE FIRE & RESCUE | TENANTS HARBOR, ME | $2,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| KELLERMAN FOUNDATION | RICHARDSON, TX | $1,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ABE'S GARDEN | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FLORIDA LIONS FOUNDATION | LARGO, FL | $500 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| IN HIS IMAGE PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTER | LEWISBURG, TN | $250 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| THE FRIST CENTER FOR VISUAL ARTS | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NASHVILLE OPERA | NASHVILLE, TN | $17,500 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MUSEE DORSAY | OMAHA, NE | $10,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| DARTMOUTH COLLEGE | HANOVER, NH | $10,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| BILL HILLARY & CHELSEA CLINTON FOUNDATION | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $10,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ST GEORGE MUNICIPAL SCHOOL UNIT | TENANTS HARBOR, ME | $5,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| COASTAL MAINE BOTANCIAL GARDENS | BOOTHBAY, ME | $5,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| HERRING GUT LEARNING CENTER | PORT CLYDE, ME | $5,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FRIENDS OF KATAHDIN WOODS AND WATERS | PORTLAND, ME | $5,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ST GEORGE FIRE & RESCUE | TENANTS HARBOR, ME | $2,200 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CONGREGATION MICAH | BRENTWOOD, TN | $1,500 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MAINE PUBLIC | BANGOR, ME | $1,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| KELLERMAN FOUNDATION | RICHARDSON, TX | $1,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NASHVILLE PUBLIC TELEVISION | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
THE FRIST CENTER FOR VISUAL ARTS
$50,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
NASHVILLE PUBLIC MEDIA INC
$5,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
MAINE PUBLIC
$5,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
NASHVILLE PBS
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
CHEEKWOOD BOTANICAL GARDEN AND MUSEUM OF ART
$5,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
VANDERBILT HILLEL
$3,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
THE ART STUDENTS LEAGUE
$2,500TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
LEADERSHIP NASHVILLE
$1,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM
$1,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
THE TEMPLE
$1,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ST GEORGE FIRE & RESCUE
$1,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
HOOD MUSEUM OF ART DARTMOUTH
$1,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF MIDDLE TN
$500TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF MIDDEL TN
$500TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
YIDDISH BOOK CENTER
$500TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ADAS YOSHURON SYNAGOGUE
$500TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
FORWARDTN
$300TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
THE LEGION FUND
$250TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
$3,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ST GEORGE FIRE & RESCUE
$2,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
KELLERMAN FOUNDATION
$1,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ABE'S GARDEN
$1,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
FLORIDA LIONS FOUNDATION
$500TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
IN HIS IMAGE PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTER
$250TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
THE FRIST CENTER FOR VISUAL ARTS
$50,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MUSEE DORSAY
$10,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
$10,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ST GEORGE MUNICIPAL SCHOOL UNIT
$5,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
HERRING GUT LEARNING CENTER
$5,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ST GEORGE FIRE & RESCUE
$2,200TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
CONGREGATION MICAH
$1,500TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
MAINE PUBLIC
$1,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
KELLERMAN FOUNDATION
$1,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION