The Grace Foundation of Memphis concentrates its giving on conservative evangelical Christian institutions, primarily supporting faith-based K–12 schools, a Christian university, and prominent local churches in the Memphis/Mid‑South region. Grants are large and targeted, often funding capital or major program needs at named institutions and occasionally routed through a Christian community foundation/donor‑advised vehicle. The foundation’s pattern and grantee list indicate an emphasis on sustaining evangelical education and church infrastructure rather than broad-based community services.
Highly concentrated giving: a very small number of large grants account for most of annual giving. Funds are targeted to a narrow set of repeatable types of recipients (faith-based schools, a Christian university, and major churches) and include direct institutional support and gifts routed through a Christian community foundation.
A $1.2 million program support grant to Evangelical Christian School stands out as the largest recent award for The Grace Foundation of Memphis Inc, and it captures the foundation’s emphasis on evangelical education and faith-based institutions. The grant list shows a recurring pattern of large, targeted gifts to Christian schools, Christian higher education, and Baptist churches across the Memphis and Mid-South area, with some support extending into Alabama and other Southern states. Recent awards also include $601,000 to Union University, $397,000 to Bellevue Baptist Church, and $250,000 to Shoals Christian School, all of which point to a consistent preference for named institutions with clear religious or educational missions. The foundation also appears to support Christian network infrastructure, including a $200,000 contribution to the Christian Community Foundation of Memphis and the Mid-south Inc as a donor-advised fund vehicle. Alongside education and church support, the recent record includes gifts for health-related and general operating needs at Memphis-area organizations, showing that the giving profile is broader than a single institution while still rooted in conservative evangelical priorities.
Education is a major thread in the grant record. The foundation gave $185,000 to University of North Alabama Foundation for educational support, and $100,000 to Arise2read for educational purposes. Faith-based K–12 schooling appears repeatedly as well, including $250,000 to Shoals Christian School for program support and $50,000 to Restoration Academy Inc for educational support. Church-related funding is another clear area. Recent awards include $301,000 to Bellevue Baptist Church for religion, $109,000 to Bellevue Foundation Inc for religion, and $100,000 to First Baptist Church of Florence for religion. The record also includes health-oriented grants, such as $1,000,000 to Church Health for health, general, and $66,000 to West Cancer Foundation for health, general. These grants show a mix of educational, religious, and health support tied to named institutions.
The typical grant size is modest relative to the largest awards: p25 is $4,375, median is $5,000, and p75 is $15,000. At the same time, the recent record includes multiple six- and seven-figure gifts, which suggests a two-tier pattern of many smaller grants alongside a few major commitments. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Recipients appear across multiple years, including Bellevue Baptist Church, Union University, University of North Alabama Foundation, Stand for Truth Inc, and Favor International Inc, indicating repeat relationships rather than one-time awards. A contribution to the Christian Community Foundation of Memphis and the Mid-south Inc also shows use of a donor-advised fund mechanism.
$3M
$30.9M
$2.4M
$3.3M
Most grants fall between $4K and $15K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$4K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$15K
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Notable grantees: Evangelical Christian School, Union University, Bellevue Baptist Church, Shoals Christian School, Christian Community Foundation of Memphis and the Mid‑South Inc.
Grantmaking is regional, with 69% of grants going to recipients in Tennessee. Alabama is the top state by grant count, and Florence, AL appears several times in the recipient list through Shoals Christian School, University of North Alabama Foundation, Woodmont Baptist Church, and First Baptist Church of Florence. Memphis is another major destination, including Church Health, Arise2read, Disciple Makers Network, Agape Child & Family Services Inc, and Mid South Food Bank. Other recipient locations include Cordova, Germantown, Jackson, Fairfield, Valdosta, and Blue Mountain, all in the United States.
The recent grants point to Christian schools, Christian higher education, Baptist churches, and a few health-related organizations. Examples include Evangelical Christian School, Union University, Bellevue Baptist Church, Church Health, and West Cancer Foundation. The pattern is centered on conservative evangelical Christian institutions in the Memphis and Mid-South region.
Typical awards are much smaller than the largest grants: the 25th percentile is $4,375, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $15,000. The recent record also includes several much larger grants, including seven-figure and six-figure awards.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Bellevue Baptist Church, Union University, University of North Alabama Foundation, Stand for Truth Inc, and Favor International Inc. That pattern suggests recurring relationships rather than isolated one-time gifts.
The foundation’s giving is regional, and 69% of grants go to recipients in Tennessee. Alabama is the top state by grant count, with repeated grants to organizations in Florence and Fairfield. Memphis is also a frequent recipient city.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHURCH HEALTH | MEMPHIS, TN | $1,000,000 | 2026 | HEALTH, GENERAL |
| BELLEVUE BAPTIST CHURCH | CORDOVA, TN | $301,000 | 2026 | RELIGION |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA FOUNDATION | FLORENCE, AL | $185,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL |
| LIFEWISE INC | HILLIARD, OH | $150,000 | 2026 | YOUTH DEVEL |
| UNION UNIVERSITY | JACKSON, TN | $125,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL |
| BELLEVUE FOUNDATION INC | CORDOVA, TN | $109,000 | 2026 | RELIGION |
| THE MAILBOX CLUB | VALDOSTA, GA | $100,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL |
| WOODMONT BAPTIST CHURCH | FLORENCE, AL | $100,000 | 2026 | RELIGION |
| FAVOR INTERNATIONAL INC | VALRICO, FL | $100,000 | 2026 | INTERNATIONAL |
| FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF FLORENCE | FLORENCE, AL | $100,000 | 2026 | RELIGION |
| ARISE2READ | MEMPHIS, TN | $100,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL |
| DISCIPLE MAKERS NETWORK | MEMPHIS, TN | $70,000 | 2026 | RELIGION |
| WEST CANCER FOUNDATION | GERMANTOWN, TN | $66,000 | 2026 | HEALTH, GENERAL |
| AGAPE CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES INC | MEMPHIS, TN | $50,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| RESTORATION ACADEMY INC | FAIRFIELD, AL | $50,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL |
| NEIGHBORHOOD CHRISTIAN CENTERS | MEMPHIS, TN | $45,000 | 2026 | HUMAN SERVICE |
| BLUFF PARK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | HOOVER, AL | $35,000 | 2026 | RELIGION |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | MEMPHIS, TN | $25,000 | 2026 | HUMAN SERVICE |
| MID SOUTH FOOD BANK | MEMPHIS, TN | $25,000 | 2026 | FOOD, NUTRITION |
| CALVARY RESCUE MISSION | MEMPHIS, TN | $20,000 | 2026 | HUMAN SERVICE |
| MEMPHIS UNION MISSION | MEMPHIS, TN | $15,000 | 2026 | RELIGION |
| THE CENTER FOR EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $10,000 | 2026 | MENTAL HEALTH |
| MORNING CENTER - MEMPHIS | MEMPHIS, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | HEALTH, GENERAL |
| THE COLLEGIATE SCHOOL OF MEMPHIS | MEMPHIS, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL |
| HIGHLAND CHURCH OF CHRIST | CORDOVA, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | RELIGION |
| MEMPHIS TEACHER RESIDENCY | MEMPHIS, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL |
| DOWNLINE MINISTRIES | MEMPHIS, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | RELIGION |
| RONNIE TULLOS EVANGELISTIC ASSOCIATION INC | ELLENDALE, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | RELIGION |
| FRIENDS OF NAZARETH | FLORENCE, AL | $10,000 | 2026 | RELIGION |
| BLUE MOUNTAIN COLLEGE | BLUE MOUNTAIN, MS | $10,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL |
| EIKON MINISTRIES INC | MEMPHIS, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | HOUSING, SHELTER |
| CHRIST COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES | MEMPHIS, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | HEALTH, GENERAL |
| PIONEER MISSIONS GLOBAL | JACKSON, TN | $9,000 | 2026 | RELIGION |
| CAPE BIBLE CHAPEL INC | CAPE GIRADEAU, MO | $7,500 | 2026 | RELIGION |
| RED ZONE MINISTRIES | MEMPHIS, TN | $7,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MEMPHIS ORAL SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF | GERMANTOWN, TN | $7,500 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL |
| STANDING NEAR THE CROSS INC | OAKLAND, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | RELIGION |
| REFUGEE MEMPHIS | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| REDEEMER CITY TO CITY | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | RELIGION |
| ADVANCE MEMPHIS | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL |
| MIFA | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | HUMAN SERVICE |
| QUARTERBACKING CHILDREN'S HEALTH FOUNDATION | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $5,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FOR THE KINGDOM CAMP | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | SPORTS/LEISURE |
| SECRETS SAVORED INC | COLLIERVILLE, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | HUMAN SERVICE |
| GLOBAL BANJARA BAPTIST MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL INC | CHINA SPRINGS, TX | $5,000 | 2026 | RELIGION |
| ONE BY ONE MINISTRIES | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | CRIME |
| REEL LIFE INTERNATIONAL INC | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $5,000 | 2026 | INTERNATIONAL |
| CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF MEMPHIS | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CROSSLINK MEMPHIS INC | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | RELIGION |
| SHEPHERD'S HAVEN | ARLINGTON, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | HUMAN SERVICE |
CHURCH HEALTH
$1,000,000HEALTH, GENERAL
BELLEVUE BAPTIST CHURCH
$301,000RELIGION
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA FOUNDATION
$185,000EDUCATIONAL
UNION UNIVERSITY
$125,000EDUCATIONAL
BELLEVUE FOUNDATION INC
$109,000RELIGION
EDUCATIONAL
WOODMONT BAPTIST CHURCH
$100,000RELIGION
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF FLORENCE
$100,000RELIGION
ARISE2READ
$100,000EDUCATIONAL
BLUFF PARK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$35,000RELIGION
THE SALVATION ARMY
$25,000HUMAN SERVICE
MEMPHIS UNION MISSION
$15,000RELIGION
MORNING CENTER - MEMPHIS
$10,000HEALTH, GENERAL
HIGHLAND CHURCH OF CHRIST
$10,000RELIGION
DOWNLINE MINISTRIES
$10,000RELIGION
RONNIE TULLOS EVANGELISTIC ASSOCIATION INC
$10,000RELIGION
FRIENDS OF NAZARETH
$10,000RELIGION
BLUE MOUNTAIN COLLEGE
$10,000EDUCATIONAL
EIKON MINISTRIES INC
$10,000HOUSING, SHELTER
PIONEER MISSIONS GLOBAL
$9,000RELIGION
CAPE BIBLE CHAPEL INC
$7,500RELIGION
RED ZONE MINISTRIES
$7,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
MEMPHIS ORAL SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF
$7,500EDUCATIONAL
STANDING NEAR THE CROSS INC
$5,000RELIGION
REFUGEE MEMPHIS
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
MIFA
$5,000HUMAN SERVICE
QUARTERBACKING CHILDREN'S HEALTH FOUNDATION
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
FOR THE KINGDOM CAMP
$5,000SPORTS/LEISURE
SECRETS SAVORED INC
$5,000HUMAN SERVICE
GLOBAL BANJARA BAPTIST MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL INC
$5,000RELIGION
REEL LIFE INTERNATIONAL INC
$5,000INTERNATIONAL
CROSSLINK MEMPHIS INC
$5,000RELIGION
SHEPHERD'S HAVEN
$5,000HUMAN SERVICE