The Robinson Foundation concentrates its giving on pediatric medical care and emergency response, prioritizing hospital capital and equipment needs (often for trauma, transplant and outpatient clinic technology) and regional disaster relief in the Southeast. Grants are heavily weighted to large, mission-driven medical institutions and a small number of disaster-response and faith-based relief partners, with particular attention to Memphis/Greater Tennessee-area children’s hospitals and nearby communities. The foundation favors practical, tangible gifts (medical devices, trauma room buildouts, pharmacy equipment) and rapid-response funding for floods and other emergencies.
A $1,000,000 grant to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis anchors the Robinson Foundation’s recent giving and shows the scale of its support for pediatric medical care. Across the latest grants, the foundation repeatedly backs hospital capital purchases, equipment upgrades, and direct patient-support needs rather than broad, undirected philanthropy. Memphis institutions appear often, including St. Jude and Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital Foundation, alongside a smaller set of disaster-response and relief partners in the Southeast. The foundation’s medical gifts are practical and specific: imaging systems, trauma equipment, inpatient devices, outpatient clinic tools, and items tied to patient housing and family support. In the disaster-relief side of its work, it has funded flood, tornado, and other emergency responses through organizations serving affected communities in Tennessee, North Carolina, Florida, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Ukraine-related relief. The result is a grantmaking pattern that combines large institutional gifts with rapid-response support for emergencies. Robinson Foundation also makes grants to faith-based relief groups and selected nonprofit partners working in animal welfare, youth services, and disability-related services. Its recent record suggests a preference for tangible project costs and operational support tied to named needs, hospitals, and local response efforts.
Medical assistance is the clearest throughline in Robinson Foundation’s recent awards. It gave $400,000 to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital Foundation for Trauma Room 2 and 3 equipment, including a STORZ intubation system, a Stryker trauma stretcher, and a Belmont rapid infuser. It also granted $125,000 to the same organization for a warming transport bed for neonates. Pediatric specialty care appears in several different forms. The foundation awarded $110,000 to Chiari & Syringomyelia Foundation for the Chiari Malformation Research Center and detailed magnetic resonance imaging measures. It also supported rehabilitation at Shriners Hospitals for Children with a $100,000 grant for equipment including a cross trainer bike, hitting cage, and turf for cut drills. Outside medicine, the foundation funded disaster and family-support work through Mercy Chefs Inc for flood and tornado response, and it backed youth programming with a $130,000 grant to One Family Memphis for the “Free after Three” program and Community Closet restocking.
$3.1M
$49.1M
$3.8M
$3.7M
Most grants fall between $10K and $53K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$53K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in TN.
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Concentrated, large-dollar grants to a small set of repeat grantees; mix of multi-year or repeat support for flagship children’s hospitals and targeted one-off emergency relief grants.
Notable grantees: ST JUDE CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC, MERCY CHEFS INC, SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN, TENNESSEE BAPTIST MISSION BOARD, LE BONHEUR CHILDRENS HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
Robinson Foundation’s typical grant size sits at a $10,000 25th percentile, a $15,000 median, and a $52,500 75th percentile, even though its recent awards also include several seven-figure hospital grants. The pattern mixes large institutional gifts with smaller operating and program-specific grants. The foundation appears in multiple years with the same organizations, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Mercy Chefs Inc, Shriners Hospitals for Children, and Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital Foundation, which points to recurring relationships rather than one-off awards. It runs competitive grant programs for qualified 501(c)(3) public charities, and one of those programs accepts unsolicited applications.
Grantmaking is regional and heavily concentrated in the South, with the highest volume in Virginia by recipient count. Memphis is a recurring destination, including multiple awards to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital Foundation, and One Family Memphis. Other recipient cities that appear often include Portsmouth, VA, Franklin, TN, Tampa, FL, and Atlanta, GA. All recorded grants in the dataset went to U.S. recipients, and none were made to organizations in Delaware.
The foundation funds qualified public charities in areas including Animal Welfare, Children & Families, Disaster Relief, Education, Medical Assistance, Poverty Relief, Religious & Spiritual Endeavors, and Veterans’ Issues. Its recent awards also include hospitals, relief groups, churches, and youth-serving organizations.
The grant-size distribution centers at $15,000 median, with a $10,000 25th percentile and a $52,500 75th percentile. The recent record also includes several $1,000,000 gifts, showing that the foundation sometimes makes much larger project grants.
Yes. Recent grants include $250,000 to Mercy Chefs Inc for North Carolina and Tennessee floods, $250,000 for NC and TN Helene flooding, and $200,000 for tornado relief in Wynne, Arkansas. It also funded Florida flood relief and flood response in Eastern Kentucky.
A major share of recent giving goes to children’s hospitals and pediatric specialty care. Examples include $1,000,000 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for medical equipment and patient-support needs, plus $400,000 and $125,000 to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital Foundation for trauma-room equipment and a neonatal warming transport bed.
Yes. The foundation’s general grantmaking programs are described as competitive and available to qualified 501(c)(3) public charities, and one program accepts unsolicited applications. The programs cover the United States broadly, with one specifically serving the Southern region.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST JUDE CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC | MEMPHIS, TN | $1,000,000 | 2025 | new positron emission tomography (PET) machine, a next-generation 4D-Nucleofector Platform, Biodex Nx Step, AlterG Antigravity treadmill, pharmaceutical refrigerator, stipend for patient housing in the Ronald McDonald house of Memphis, events supporting the give to life moment focused on patient care needs, general support |
| LE BONHEUR CHILDRENS HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | MEMPHIS, TN | $400,000 | 2025 | Trauma Room 2 and 3 for boom and fisheye camera and video monitors, STORZ intubation system, Stryker Trauma stretcher, Belmont rapid infuser |
| MERCY CHEFS INC | PORTSMOUTH, VA | $250,000 | 2025 | for North Carolina and Tennessee floods fund |
| MERCY CHEFS INC | PORTSMOUTH, VA | $250,000 | 2025 | for NC and TN Helene flooding fund |
| CHILDHELP INC | PHOENIX, AZ | $125,000 | 2025 | To purchase three horses and retire two existing horses, and horses' ongoing care, including veterinary services, training, and feed |
| CHIARI & SYRINGOMYELIA FOUNDATION | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $110,000 | 2025 | Chiari Malformation Research Center, detailed magnetic resonance imaging that is comprised of anatomic, biomechanical, and psychological measures |
| SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN | ATLANTA, GA | $100,000 | 2025 | to be used in shreveport location for rehab including a variety of equipment such as a cross trainer bike, hitting cage, and turf for cut drills |
| FIDELCO GUIDE DOG FOUNDATION INC | BLOOMFIELD, CT | $67,500 | 2025 | Guide Dog Partnership Program |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE HATCHIE RIVER REGION | COVINGTON, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | for 3 Christmas gifts per club member, a new coat for each club member, educational supplies, field trips, youth of the year program |
| MERCY CHEFS INC | PORTSMOUTH, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | for Indiana and Ohio tornados fund |
| ARIZONA CANCER FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $30,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| PEACEFUL PASTURES DONKEY RESCUE | LINCOLN, MO | $27,000 | 2025 | Purchase of a portable x-ray package for the organization |
| BEHEARD | TULSA, OK | $25,000 | 2025 | for expanding, mobile shower and laundry services |
| CHILDRENS ONCOLOGY CAMP FOUNDATION | MISSOULA, MT | $25,000 | 2025 | General Support of Camp Mak-A-Dream |
| REBUILDING HOPE INC | DALTON, GA | $25,000 | 2025 | Community Wheelchair Ramp Installations |
| CHURCH UNDER A TREE OF LOUISIANA | LEESVILLE, LA | $25,000 | 2025 | for covington, tn church under a tree fund |
| ANGELS OF AMERICAS FALLEN | COLORADO SPGS, CO | $25,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| SERVANTS AT WORK INC - VIRGINIA | FREDERICKSBRG, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | for wheelchair ramps |
| PHOENIX ANIMAL CARE COALITION | PHOENIX, AZ | $25,000 | 2025 | Letitia Frye Critical Care fund |
| NEW FREEDOM FARM INC | BUCHANAN, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| GO LUCY GO FOUNDATION INC | COVINGTON, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| CRAIG HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | DENVER, CO | $20,000 | 2025 | Craig Hospital School Program |
| BROKEN ARROW FOUNDATION | COVINGTON, TN | $20,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| RYAN HOUSE | PHOENIX, AZ | $20,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| PAWS - PROVIDING ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES | JACKSON, WY | $20,000 | 2025 | PAWS Medical & Veterinary Social Services our MEDFund, providing financial assistance for critical veterinary care for pets of families facing hardship due to the high cost of living and veterinary care |
| NASHVILLE RESCUE MISSION | NASHVILLE, TN | $20,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| MUSICIANS ON CALL INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $20,000 | 2025 | MOC Pediatric Bedside Programs |
| HANDS & HEARTS FOR HORSES INC | THOMASVILLE, GA | $15,000 | 2025 | General Support except for staff payroll |
| SIGHT SAVERS AMERICA INC | PELHAM, AL | $15,000 | 2025 | Sight Savers America Tennessee Preschool Vision Screenings and follow-up eye care |
| CAMP CONQUEST | MILLINGTON, TN | $12,000 | 2025 | 8 x 8 shed canoe rack, old town discovery sport, 12 old town paddles, life jackets, adult youth and child retaining law for water control, fresh and expand waterfront fund |
| KID PACK INC | LAKELAND, FL | $12,000 | 2025 | Just Feed Kids fund |
| AGE WELL INC | COLCHESTER, VT | $10,000 | 2025 | Respite for Caregivers of Veterans fund |
| CITY FRESH | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | Low-Income Share Support fund |
| ARIZONA AUTISM UNITED INC | PHOENIX, AZ | $10,000 | 2025 | Sensory Cooking Classes for Youth with Autism |
| CHIARI & SYRINGOMYELIA FOUNDATION | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | united4answers campaign in Covington, TN |
| MISSIONS ON WHEELS | MONTGOMERY, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | Portable Showers and Living Quarters Trailers |
| FUNDAMENTAL NEEDS INC | CORTEZ, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | Oasis Project |
| OASIS CENTER INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | Crisis to Housing Services |
| MKE URBAN STABLES INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| ARMED SERVICES YMCA OF THE USA | FORT CAMPBELL, KY | $10,000 | 2025 | to provide support for food and supplies for special event |
| INTERACT | RALEIGH, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| CHRISTIAN SHARING CENTER INC | LONGWOOD, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | The Pantry fund |
| LOVING ARMS CANCER OUTREACH INCORPORATED | MARIETTA, GA | $10,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| GEMINI PET RESCUE AND TRANSPORT | COVINGTON, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | for vet bills |
| MCLINDON FAMILY FOUNDATION | BATON ROUGE, LA | $7,500 | 2025 | for adaptive bikes |
| DWELLING PLACE | COLUMBIA HTS, MN | $7,500 | 2025 | To help operate 24 months transitional housing program |
| PAWS - PROVIDING ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES | JACKSON, WY | $7,500 | 2025 | Charitable Event |
| COLORADO HORSE RESCUE | LONGMONT, CO | $7,000 | 2025 | for rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming horses |
| ASSOCIATION FOR GUIDANCE AID PLACEMENT & EMPATHY | NASHVILLE, TN | $6,000 | 2025 | Foster Child Bag of Love fund |
| LOVE THY NEIGHBOR KING GEORGE | KING GEORGE, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | Babies & Infants fund |
ST JUDE CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC
$1,000,000new positron emission tomography (PET) machine, a next-generation 4D-Nucleofector Platform, Biodex Nx Step, AlterG Antigravity treadmill, pharmaceutical refrigerator, stipend for patient housing in the Ronald McDonald house of Memphis, events supporting the give to life moment focused on patient care needs, general support
Trauma Room 2 and 3 for boom and fisheye camera and video monitors, STORZ intubation system, Stryker Trauma stretcher, Belmont rapid infuser
To purchase three horses and retire two existing horses, and horses' ongoing care, including veterinary services, training, and feed
CHIARI & SYRINGOMYELIA FOUNDATION
$110,000Chiari Malformation Research Center, detailed magnetic resonance imaging that is comprised of anatomic, biomechanical, and psychological measures
SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN
$100,000to be used in shreveport location for rehab including a variety of equipment such as a cross trainer bike, hitting cage, and turf for cut drills
for 3 Christmas gifts per club member, a new coat for each club member, educational supplies, field trips, youth of the year program
PEACEFUL PASTURES DONKEY RESCUE
$27,000Purchase of a portable x-ray package for the organization
REBUILDING HOPE INC
$25,000Community Wheelchair Ramp Installations
CHURCH UNDER A TREE OF LOUISIANA
$25,000for covington, tn church under a tree fund
SERVANTS AT WORK INC - VIRGINIA
$25,000for wheelchair ramps
PHOENIX ANIMAL CARE COALITION
$25,000Letitia Frye Critical Care fund
NEW FREEDOM FARM INC
$25,000General & Unrestricted
GO LUCY GO FOUNDATION INC
$25,000General & Unrestricted
CRAIG HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$20,000Craig Hospital School Program
BROKEN ARROW FOUNDATION
$20,000General & Unrestricted
PAWS Medical & Veterinary Social Services our MEDFund, providing financial assistance for critical veterinary care for pets of families facing hardship due to the high cost of living and veterinary care
Sight Savers America Tennessee Preschool Vision Screenings and follow-up eye care
CAMP CONQUEST
$12,0008 x 8 shed canoe rack, old town discovery sport, 12 old town paddles, life jackets, adult youth and child retaining law for water control, fresh and expand waterfront fund
KID PACK INC
$12,000Just Feed Kids fund
AGE WELL INC
$10,000Respite for Caregivers of Veterans fund
CITY FRESH
$10,000Low-Income Share Support fund
CHIARI & SYRINGOMYELIA FOUNDATION
$10,000united4answers campaign in Covington, TN
MISSIONS ON WHEELS
$10,000Portable Showers and Living Quarters Trailers
FUNDAMENTAL NEEDS INC
$10,000Oasis Project
ARMED SERVICES YMCA OF THE USA
$10,000to provide support for food and supplies for special event
LOVING ARMS CANCER OUTREACH INCORPORATED
$10,000General & Unrestricted
GEMINI PET RESCUE AND TRANSPORT
$10,000for vet bills
MCLINDON FAMILY FOUNDATION
$7,500for adaptive bikes
Foster Child Bag of Love fund
LOVE THY NEIGHBOR KING GEORGE
$5,000Babies & Infants fund