Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee strives to build a more thriving and inclusive community — today and for generations to come — by transforming thoughtful generosity into positive change.
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee Inc has given heavily through donor-advised transfers and large institutional awards, including more than $4.4 million each moved to Schwab Charitable funds in 2024. Beyond those transfers, its recent grants show a strong mix of general operating support, capital support, and designated funding for Tennessee institutions and regional causes. Nashville Symphony Association received multiple awards across 2023 and 2024, including $2,000,100 and $1,009,000, along with another $1,000,000 grant for general support. The foundation also backed major local institutions such as National Museum of African American Music, Fisk University, Vanderbilt University, Currey Ingram Academy, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Its grantmaking reaches beyond the arts and higher education into disaster recovery, health, and research. A $1,699,534 grant to National Compassion Fund supported financial distributions to victims of the March 27, 2023 Covenant School shooting, while Tall Timbers Research Inc received multiple awards for the Central Florida Rangeland Research Institute project and related equipment underwriting. The pattern points to a community foundation that combines local institutional support with targeted response funding and multi-year commitments to specific programs.
In the arts, the foundation supported the National Museum of African American Music with $2,000,000 for general support and backed the Nashville Ballet with $458,000 in 2024 and $443,000 in 2023 for general support. Higher education is another clear area: Fisk University received $1,000,000 in 2023 for the Fisk and Belmont partnership for social justice and a container dormitory project, and $500,000 in 2024 for athletic programs. Medical and research funding also appears in the recent grants. Vanderbilt University Medical Center received $1,000,000 to establish the gastrointestinal oncology chair and another $500,000 for the Ingram Cancer Innovation Fund. Tall Timbers Research Inc received $828,938 for the Central Florida Rangeland Research Institute project, plus additional project and equipment support.
The typical grant size sits at $9,149 at the 25th percentile, $11,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile, even though the recent list also includes several multimillion-dollar transfers and institutional gifts. The pattern shows repeat funding to the same recipients across multiple years: Nashville Symphony Association, Currey Ingram Academy, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Tall Timbers Research Inc, Nashville Zoo Inc, Fisk University, Nashville Ballet, and others each appear more than once. The foundation gives through a mix of unrestricted, designated, general operating, capital, and restricted support, and it also makes donor-advised fund transfers through Schwab Charitable.
$107.1M
$832M
$239.9M
$129.7M
Most grants fall between $9K and $25K, with a median of $11K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$11K
75th Percentile
$25K
HAL CATO
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Grant recipients are concentrated in Tennessee, especially Nashville, which appears repeatedly across the recent-grants list. Examples include Nashville Symphony Association, National Museum of African American Music, Fisk University, Vanderbilt University, Currey Ingram Academy, Nashville Zoo Inc, and Nashville Ballet. Outside Tennessee, recipients include San Francisco, Alexandria, Boston, Jupiter, Tallahassee, Brentwood, and Franklin. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 2,708 grants to U.S. organizations.
Its recent grants include arts institutions, colleges and universities, museums, a zoo, medical centers, disaster recovery organizations, and research institutes. Named recipients include Nashville Symphony Association, Fisk University, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, National Museum of African American Music, and Tall Timbers Research Inc.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Nashville Symphony Association, Currey Ingram Academy, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Tall Timbers Research Inc, Nashville Zoo Inc, Fisk University, and Nashville Ballet. That pattern suggests ongoing support to selected institutions and projects.
The grant history includes general support, unrestricted support, designated support, capital campaign support, operating expenses, and project-specific awards. Recent examples include general support for Nashville Symphony Association, unrestricted use for Episcopal School of Nashville, and designated support for the Ingram Cancer Innovation Fund.
The middle of its distribution is relatively modest: the 25th percentile is $9,149, the median is $11,000, and the 75th percentile is $25,000. The recent-grants list also includes much larger awards, including multimillion-dollar transfers and institutional gifts.
Most recent grants go to Tennessee recipients, especially Nashville-based organizations. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, and Tennessee accounts for 80% of grants given to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Administered by Deneke's Hope Foundation
Who can apply: The organization must be classified as a 501(c)(3) public nonprofit by the IRS and be located in an area where Delek US Holdings conducts business or has a relationship with Delek. Grants are issued to organizations, not individuals.
Deadline: Applications may be submitted throughout the year; no fixed deadline is stated.
Who can apply: Nonprofits serving children and youth in CFMT's service area. Applicants apply through the Grants Portal.
Who can apply: Used within CFMT's service area to support preparedness, immediate relief, and long-term recovery when major disasters overwhelm local resources.
Deadline: Open year-round for gifts; disaster response timing depends on events.
Who can apply: 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charities and government entities located in and serving Middle Tennessee may apply. 501(c)(3) organizations must maintain an up-to-date GivingMatters.com profile; government entities are exempt. Some funds have geographic restrictions, including Bellevue (37221 only), Dickson County, Rutherford and Cannon Counties, and Coffee County. Faith-based organizations may apply only for programs serving the wider community without requiring religious participation.
Deadline: Annual intake in January; award notifications in June and funding in July.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE NASHVILLE CATALYST FUND | NASHVILLE, TN | $19,500,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN NASHVILLE |
| FEEDING AMERICA | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT DISASTER RELIEF EFFORTS. |
| MONTGOMERY BELL ACADEMY | NASHVILLE, TN | $4,500,000 | 2025 | FOR UNDESIGNATED SUPPORT |
| AUSTIN PEAY STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | CLARKSVILLE, TN | $2,000,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO APSU FOUNDATION |
| NASHVILLE POLICE PUBLIC SAFETY ALLIANCE | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,640,000 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION NOW THAT NPPSA HAS ITS OWN 501C3. THIS IS BULK OF FUNDS--ONE MORE FINAL DISTRIBUTION WILL TAKE PLACE ONCE A/P AND ADMIN FEE SETTLE. |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,200,000 | 2025 | TO PURCHASE THE EDISON HISTOTRIPSY SYSTEM |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY - DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI RELATIONS DAR | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,100,000 | 2025 | TO ESTABLISH THE PAPEL FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP AT VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL. PLEASE NOTIFY CLAY CLINE AND CHRIS GUTHRIE UPON RECEIPT OF THIS GIFT. |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY - DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI RELATIONS DAR | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,050,000 | 2025 | $900,000 TO ESTABLISH LAW SCHOOL CHAIR AND $150,000 FOR PROGRAM FUND RELATED TO LAW SCHOOL CHAIR PURPOSE |
| NASHVILLE SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,000,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING INC (DAFGIVING360) | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,000,000 | 2025 | TO TRANSFER FUNDS TO HARRODS CREEK FUND (ACCT: #7678-2095) AT SCHWAB CHARITABLE. THIS GRANT REPRESENTS THE CASH ASSETS TO BE DELIVERED. |
| CURREY INGRAM ACADEMY | BRENTWOOD, TN | $1,000,000 | 2025 | FOR OPERATING EXPENSES AND BOARDING PROGRAM FUND |
| MARTHA AND JOHN M RIVERS PERFORMANCE HALL FOUNDATION | CHARLESTON, SC | $1,000,000 | 2025 | AS A MATCHING GIFT TO THE RIVERS ENDOWMENT (ANONYMOUS DONOR) |
| MARTHA AND JOHN M RIVERS PERFORMANCE HALL FOUNDATION | CHARLESTON, SC | $1,000,000 | 2025 | AS A MATCHING GIFT TO THE RIVERS ENDOWMENT (ANONYMOUS DONOR) |
| EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF NASHVILLE | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,000,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| NASHVILLE SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,000,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING INC (DAFGIVING360) | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $925,000 | 2025 | TO TRANSFER FUNDS TO BORROWED EARTH FUND (ACCT: #1126-9949) AT SCHWAB CHARITABLE. THIS GRANT REPRESENTS THE CASH ASSETS TO BE DELIVERED. |
| CITY OF DICKSON PARKS AND RECREATION | DICKSON, TN | $919,164 | 2025 | DONATION FOR NEW TENNIS COURTS |
| TALL TIMBERS RESEARCH INC | — | $793,734 | 2025 | REPRESENTING THE SECOND INSTALLMENT OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL BUDGET |
| NASHVILLE REPERTORY THEATRE | NASHVILLE, TN | $600,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE 2024-2025 SEASON |
| TN CONFERENCE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | NASHVILLE, TN | $532,000 | 2025 | TO FULLY STAFF THE DISASTER CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY OVER FIFTEEN MONTHS SERVING SURVIVORS OF THE DECEMBER 9, 2023 TORNADOES |
| NASHVILLE SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $500,000 | 2025 | ADDITIONAL 2024 SUPPORT |
| APPALACHIA SERVICE PROJECT | JOHNSON CITY, TN | $500,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR HURRICANE HELENE HOME REBUILDS IN TENNESSEE |
| HARDING ACADEMY | NASHVILLE, TN | $500,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL AND ENDOWMENT SUPPORT |
| MOUNT BETHEL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH | NASHVILLE, TN | $500,000 | 2025 | TO ASSIST WITH MOUNT BETHEL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH REPAIR/REBUILD NEEDED FOLLOWING DIRECT IMPACT FROM THE MARCH 2020 TORNADO. |
| NASHVILLE ZOO INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $500,000 | 2025 | DESIGNATED FOR THE KOMODO DRAGON EXHIBIT |
| USGA FOUNDATION | — | $500,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE WALKER CUP AND CURTIS CUP ENDOWMENT |
| MERCY MULTIPLIED AMERICA INCMERCY MINISTRIES OF AMERICA | NASHVILLE, TN | $500,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SONOMA-MARIN | — | $500,000 | 2025 | DESIGNATED FOR THE ROSELAND CAMPUS |
| TALL TIMBERS RESEARCH INC | — | $500,000 | 2025 | DONATION |
| CONGREGATION MICAH | BRENTWOOD, TN | $500,000 | 2025 | FINAL BEQUEST FROM RICHARD J ESKIND TO THE CONGREGATION MICAH PERMANENT ENDOWMENT FUND. |
| ST JOHN AME CHURCH | NASHVILLE, TN | $500,000 | 2025 | TO ASSIST WITH ST. JOHN AME REPAIR/REBUILD NEEDED FOLLOWING DIRECT IMPACT FROM THE MARCH 2020 TORNADO. |
| HARDING ACADEMY | NASHVILLE, TN | $500,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN NEW KINDERGARTEN |
| NASHVILLE BALLET | NASHVILLE, TN | $485,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH | NASHVILLE, TN | $430,000 | 2025 | TO ASSIST WITH ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN REPAIR/REBUILD NEEDED FOLLOWING DIRECT IMPACT FROM THE MARCH 2020 TORNADO. |
| MERCY MULTIPLIED AMERICA INCMERCY MINISTRIES OF AMERICA | NASHVILLE, TN | $425,000 | 2025 | WITH SUPPORT FROM THE CHIEF CARES FUND. |
| HILLSBORO PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | NASHVILLE, TN | $402,642 | 2025 | FOR THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY ADJACENT TO VILLAGE HOPE, ZIMBABWE. |
| NASHVILLE SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $400,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NASHVILLE SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $400,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT (GRANT CORRECTION DUE TO CONVERSION) FUNDS PAID IN OCTOBER. |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $400,000 | 2025 | THE INGRAM CANCER INNOVATION FUND |
| NASHVILLE SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $350,000 | 2025 | ADDITIONAL 2024 SUPPORT. THIS GRANT WAS WIRED ON10/16. FOUNDANT JUST NEEDS TO BE UPDATED TO SHOW THAT IT HAS POSTED. |
| NASHVILLE SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $300,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF NASHVILLE | NASHVILLE, TN | $300,000 | 2025 | FOR UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| NASHVILLE SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $298,443 | 2025 | DONATION |
| TALL TIMBERS RESEARCH INC | — | $293,735 | 2025 | THE BALANCE OF THE FIRST INSTALLMENT OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL |
| HOLLY STREET DAYCARE | NASHVILLE, TN | $275,000 | 2025 | TO ASSIST WITH HOLLY STREET REPAIR/REBUILD NEEDED FOLLOWING DIRECT IMPACT FROM THE MARCH 2020 TORNADO. |
| AMERICAN ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION | HUDSON, OH | $266,333 | 2025 | FOR THE LIMBIRD FAMILY ADVISED FUND. |
| SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $250,000 | 2025 | DONATION |
| NASHVILLE SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $250,000 | 2025 | ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR 2024 TO BE PAID BEFORE NOV 7, 2024 |
| RAZOM | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2025 | 2024 SUPPORT. THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU ARE DOING CARING FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY THE WAR IN UKRAINE |
| NAMI TENNESSEE | HENDERSONVILLE, TN | $250,000 | 2025 | WITH LOVE AND SUPPORT FROM JELLY ROLL AND THE BUDDY DEFORD FUND FOR THE BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN ALBUM LAUNCH. |
THE NASHVILLE CATALYST FUND
$19,500,000TO SUPPORT AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN NASHVILLE
NASHVILLE POLICE PUBLIC SAFETY ALLIANCE
$1,640,000DISTRIBUTION NOW THAT NPPSA HAS ITS OWN 501C3. THIS IS BULK OF FUNDS--ONE MORE FINAL DISTRIBUTION WILL TAKE PLACE ONCE A/P AND ADMIN FEE SETTLE.
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
$1,200,000TO PURCHASE THE EDISON HISTOTRIPSY SYSTEM
TO ESTABLISH THE PAPEL FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP AT VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL. PLEASE NOTIFY CLAY CLINE AND CHRIS GUTHRIE UPON RECEIPT OF THIS GIFT.
$900,000 TO ESTABLISH LAW SCHOOL CHAIR AND $150,000 FOR PROGRAM FUND RELATED TO LAW SCHOOL CHAIR PURPOSE
TO TRANSFER FUNDS TO HARRODS CREEK FUND (ACCT: #7678-2095) AT SCHWAB CHARITABLE. THIS GRANT REPRESENTS THE CASH ASSETS TO BE DELIVERED.
MARTHA AND JOHN M RIVERS PERFORMANCE HALL FOUNDATION
$1,000,000AS A MATCHING GIFT TO THE RIVERS ENDOWMENT (ANONYMOUS DONOR)
MARTHA AND JOHN M RIVERS PERFORMANCE HALL FOUNDATION
$1,000,000AS A MATCHING GIFT TO THE RIVERS ENDOWMENT (ANONYMOUS DONOR)
TO TRANSFER FUNDS TO BORROWED EARTH FUND (ACCT: #1126-9949) AT SCHWAB CHARITABLE. THIS GRANT REPRESENTS THE CASH ASSETS TO BE DELIVERED.
CITY OF DICKSON PARKS AND RECREATION
$919,164DONATION FOR NEW TENNIS COURTS
NASHVILLE REPERTORY THEATRE
$600,000FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE 2024-2025 SEASON
TN CONFERENCE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$532,000TO FULLY STAFF THE DISASTER CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY OVER FIFTEEN MONTHS SERVING SURVIVORS OF THE DECEMBER 9, 2023 TORNADOES
TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR HURRICANE HELENE HOME REBUILDS IN TENNESSEE
HARDING ACADEMY
$500,000CAPITAL AND ENDOWMENT SUPPORT
MOUNT BETHEL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
$500,000TO ASSIST WITH MOUNT BETHEL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH REPAIR/REBUILD NEEDED FOLLOWING DIRECT IMPACT FROM THE MARCH 2020 TORNADO.
CONGREGATION MICAH
$500,000FINAL BEQUEST FROM RICHARD J ESKIND TO THE CONGREGATION MICAH PERMANENT ENDOWMENT FUND.
ST JOHN AME CHURCH
$500,000TO ASSIST WITH ST. JOHN AME REPAIR/REBUILD NEEDED FOLLOWING DIRECT IMPACT FROM THE MARCH 2020 TORNADO.
HARDING ACADEMY
$500,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN NEW KINDERGARTEN
ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH
$430,000TO ASSIST WITH ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN REPAIR/REBUILD NEEDED FOLLOWING DIRECT IMPACT FROM THE MARCH 2020 TORNADO.
WITH SUPPORT FROM THE CHIEF CARES FUND.
HILLSBORO PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$402,642FOR THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY ADJACENT TO VILLAGE HOPE, ZIMBABWE.
NASHVILLE SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION
$400,000FOR GENERAL SUPPORT (GRANT CORRECTION DUE TO CONVERSION) FUNDS PAID IN OCTOBER.
NASHVILLE SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION
$350,000ADDITIONAL 2024 SUPPORT. THIS GRANT WAS WIRED ON10/16. FOUNDANT JUST NEEDS TO BE UPDATED TO SHOW THAT IT HAS POSTED.
HOLLY STREET DAYCARE
$275,000TO ASSIST WITH HOLLY STREET REPAIR/REBUILD NEEDED FOLLOWING DIRECT IMPACT FROM THE MARCH 2020 TORNADO.
NASHVILLE SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION
$250,000ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR 2024 TO BE PAID BEFORE NOV 7, 2024
2024 SUPPORT. THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU ARE DOING CARING FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY THE WAR IN UKRAINE
NAMI TENNESSEE
$250,000WITH LOVE AND SUPPORT FROM JELLY ROLL AND THE BUDDY DEFORD FUND FOR THE BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN ALBUM LAUNCH.
