The Sandra Schatten Foundation concentrates its giving locally in Nashville, using large gifts to support civic cultural infrastructure. The foundation’s funding is heavily weighted toward a single long-term park stewardship partner and substantial support for the city’s public library, indicating a preference for place-based capital and institutional support. Grants appear designed to preserve and enhance public amenities rather than small program-level funding.
Highly concentrated local giving: few, large grants with repeat multi-year support to the same core grantees (one dominant park conservancy recipient and significant single gift to the public library foundation).
Sandra Schatten Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by a $731,500 grant to Nashville Public Library Foundation in 2025, alongside repeated large support for Centennial Park Conservancy. Those two recurring recipients, both in Nashville, point to a pattern of funding that preserves and strengthens civic institutions rather than dispersing many small awards. The foundation’s grants also reach the city’s arts and education ecosystem, with support for The Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville Ballet, and Equal Chance for Education appearing in the recent grants list. The foundation gives at a scale that is sizable for place-based philanthropy: annual grants totaled $7,906,553, while typical awards sit at a median of $10,000 and a p75 of $51,125. But the recent record shows that the largest commitments are much higher than that middle range, suggesting a split between smaller support and major capital or institutional awards. Its stated purpose line on grants is consistent across recipients: to fulfill the exempt purposes of the foundation.
A central theme is civic infrastructure in Nashville. The foundation gave $595,000 in 2024 to Centennial Park Conservancy and made several additional grants to the same organization in 2023 and 2025, indicating sustained support for park stewardship and capital work. Libraries are another clear priority. In 2025, Sandra Schatten Foundation granted $731,500 to Nashville Public Library Foundation, followed by earlier grants of $160,000, $116,500, $110,200, and $107,500 across 2023 and 2024. The arts also figure prominently. The foundation supported The Frist Center for the Visual Arts with $167,500 in 2025, $160,000 in 2023, and $128,500 in 2024, while Nashville Ballet received multiple awards across 2023, 2024, and 2025. Education appears as well through a $130,318 grant to Equal Chance for Education in 2024 and a $112,000 grant in 2023.
Sandra Schatten Foundation’s grant sizes range from a p25 of $3,122 to a median of $10,000 and a p75 of $51,125, showing a mix of modest awards and larger institutional gifts. The recent record includes repeated grants to the same Nashville recipients across 2023, 2024, and 2025, so this is not a one-off pattern. It operates as a foundation rather than a donor-advised fund, and it does not fund individuals. The grant language is consistently broad and unrestricted, framed as support to fulfill the exempt purposes of the foundation.
$1.8M
$7.2M
$2.6M
$2.2M
Most grants fall between $3K and $51K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$51K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Notable grantees: Centennial Park Conservancy, Nashville Public Library Foundation
Giving is highly concentrated in Tennessee: 95% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state, and the top state by grant count is TN. The recent grants list shows a Nashville-centered pattern, with recipients such as Nashville Public Library Foundation, Centennial Park Conservancy, The Frist Center for the Visual Arts, and Nashville Ballet all located in Nashville. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 166 grants in the United States and none elsewhere.
The recent grants point to civic, cultural, and educational institutions in Nashville. Examples include Nashville Public Library Foundation, Centennial Park Conservancy, The Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville Ballet, Equal Chance for Education, Cheekwood, and Greenways for Nashville.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is p25 $3,122, median $10,000, and p75 $51,125. The recent list also includes much larger awards, including a $731,500 grant in 2025 and several grants above $100,000.
The grant record is concentrated in Tennessee, where 95% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state and the top state by grant count is TN. The recipient country distribution shown is entirely U.S.-based, with 166 grants in the United States.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Centennial Park Conservancy, Nashville Public Library Foundation, The Frist Center for the Visual Arts, and Nashville Ballet. That pattern suggests ongoing institutional support rather than isolated one-time awards.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals, and it does not make program-related investments.
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 | $731,500 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| CENTENNIAL PARK CONSERVANCY | NASHVILLE, TN | $250,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| THE FRIST CENTER FOR THE VISUAL ARTS | NASHVILLE, TN | $167,500 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| NASHVILLE BALLET | NASHVILLE, TN | $137,602 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| CHEEKWOOD | NASHVILLE, TN | $78,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| EQUAL CHANCE FOR EDUCATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $57,830 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| TENNESSEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $51,600 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| NASHVILLE SYMPHONY | NASHVILLE, TN | $40,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| TENNESSEE FREEDOM CIRCLE EDUCATION FUND | NASHVILLE, TN | $30,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF MIDDLE TN | NASHVILLE, TN | $30,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| THE PORCH | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| NASHVILLE PUBLIC RADIO | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| OZ ARTS NASHVILLE | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| THIS IS NOTEWORTHY | WATER VALLEY, MS | $25,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| NASHVILLE PUBLIC MEDIA | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| CIVIC DESIGN CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $20,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| HUMANITIES TENNESSEE | NASHVILLE, TN | $18,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| STUDIO TENN | FRANKLIN, TN | $15,470 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| THE HARPETH CONSERVANCY | BRENTWOOD, TN | $15,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| GORDON JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER - NASHVILLE JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL | NASHVILLE, TN | $7,500 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| BELCOURT THEATRE | NASHVILLE, TN | $7,500 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| NASHVILLE ZOO | NASHVILLE, TN | $6,181 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| GOODWILL | NASHVILLE, TN | $6,150 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| NASHVILLE DOLPHINS | NASHVILLE, TN | $5,075 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| ANTIQUES & GARDEN SHOW | NASHVILLE, TN | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK | NASHVILLE, TN | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| SHELBURNE FARMS | SHELBURNE, VT | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| SOUTHERN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE | NASHVILLE, TN | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| CUMBERLAND HEIGHTS FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| SWAN BALL - CHEEKWOOD | NASHVILLE, TN | $3,721 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES | NASHVILLE, TN | $2,500 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| FARNSWORTH ART MUSEUM | ROCKLAND, ME | $2,500 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| THE CHESTNUT GROUP | NASHVILLE, TN | $2,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| FRIENDS OF WARNER PARK | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,030 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| NASHVILLE OIC | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| KIDIZENSHIP INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $25 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| CENTENNIAL PARK CONSERVANCY | NASHVILLE, TN | $595,000 | 2024 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| EQUAL CHANCE FOR EDUCATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $130,318 | 2024 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| THE FRIST CENTER FOR THE VISUAL ARTS | NASHVILLE, TN | $128,500 | 2024 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| NASHVILLE BALLET | NASHVILLE, TN | $125,000 | 2024 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $107,500 | 2024 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| GREENWAYS FOR NASHVILLE | NASHVILLE, TN | $105,000 | 2024 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| CIVIC DESIGN CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2024 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| CHEEKWOOD | NASHVILLE, TN | $72,000 | 2024 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| NASHVILLE SYMPHONY | NASHVILLE, TN | $66,000 | 2024 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| GORDON JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER - NASHVILLE JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL | NASHVILLE, TN | $57,500 | 2024 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2024 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
| STUDIO TENN | FRANKLIN, TN | $40,500 | 2024 | TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION |
TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
CENTENNIAL PARK CONSERVANCY
$250,000TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
THE FRIST CENTER FOR THE VISUAL ARTS
$167,500TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
CHEEKWOOD
$78,000TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
TENNESSEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
$51,600TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
NASHVILLE SYMPHONY
$40,000TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
TENNESSEE FREEDOM CIRCLE EDUCATION FUND
$30,000TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
THE PORCH
$25,000TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
OZ ARTS NASHVILLE
$25,000TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
THIS IS NOTEWORTHY
$25,000TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
NASHVILLE PUBLIC MEDIA
$25,000TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
HUMANITIES TENNESSEE
$18,000TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
STUDIO TENN
$15,470TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
BELCOURT THEATRE
$7,500TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
GOODWILL
$6,150TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
NASHVILLE DOLPHINS
$5,075TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
ANTIQUES & GARDEN SHOW
$5,000TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
SOUTHERN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER
$5,000TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE
$5,000TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
SWAN BALL - CHEEKWOOD
$3,721TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES
$2,500TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
FARNSWORTH ART MUSEUM
$2,500TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
THE CHESTNUT GROUP
$2,000TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
FRIENDS OF WARNER PARK
$1,030TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
NASHVILLE OIC
$1,000TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
KIDIZENSHIP INC
$25TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
THE FRIST CENTER FOR THE VISUAL ARTS
$128,500TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
CHEEKWOOD
$72,000TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
NASHVILLE SYMPHONY
$66,000TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
$50,000TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
STUDIO TENN
$40,500TO FULFILL THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION