The Knapp Foundation concentrates local, faith-informed philanthropy in the Memphis/Bartlett region, prioritizing direct support for children and youth, emergency social services, and faith-based ministries. Their grants frequently cover general operating needs for schools, residential child services, food and homeless ministries, and community health providers — often through repeat, multi-year support. The foundation favors organizations with clear service delivery to vulnerable populations (children, families, homeless) and a mix of civic/youth development groups (JROTC, scouting, leadership).
Scholarships to Alice Lloyd College and repeated operating support for Palmer Home for Children show how The Knapp Foundation mixes education and child-focused care with practical support for Memphis-area nonprofits. In the recent grants list, the foundation also backs food assistance, homeless services, school operating budgets, and community health providers, usually through general operating support rather than narrowly targeted project grants. Its giving reflects a regional strategy centered on vulnerable children, families, and community-based ministries. The pattern is steady across years. Palmer Home for Children appears in multiple grant years, alongside organizations such as Mid-South Food Bank, Church Health Center, Memphis Union Mission, and Tipton-Rosemark Academy. The foundation also supports youth-development and faith-linked organizations, including Raleigh Egypt Air Force JROTC, Native American Indigenous Ministry, and St Paul Catholic School. These grants suggest a funder that prioritizes direct service delivery and ongoing organizational capacity more than one-time program pilots. With annual grants of $841,770 and a $5,000 median grant size, The Knapp Foundation operates at a modest-to-middle scale while maintaining a clear regional focus.
Education is a visible part of the portfolio. The foundation gave $25,000 to Alice Lloyd College in 2025 for scholarships, after making the same scholarship grant in 2024 and 2023. It also supported Tipton-Rosemark Academy with $16,500 in 2023 and $15,000 in 2024, both for general operating support, indicating attention to school stability as well as student aid. Emergency social services are another recurring theme. Mid-South Food Bank received $25,000 in 2023 and $10,000 in both 2024 and 2025 for general operating support. Memphis Union Mission received $15,000 in 2023 and $10,000 in 2024, while The Salvation Army received $10,000 in 2023 and 2025. Community health also appears through grants to Church Health Center in Memphis, including $25,000 in 2024 and $20,000 in 2023.
Typical grant size centers at $5,000, with a median of $5,000 and a p75 of $10,000, so the foundation usually gives in relatively small increments and reserves larger awards for selected recipients. The recent record shows repeat support across multiple years for several organizations, including Palmer Home for Children, Mid-South Food Bank, Church Health Center, and Tipton-Rosemark Academy. That recurring pattern points to ongoing relationships rather than one-off gifts. The foundation is a private foundation, not a funder of individuals, and it does not make program-related investments.
$230K
$8.6M
$1.3M
$767K
Most grants fall between $5K and $10K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$10K
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.
Concentrated, locally focused grantmaking with many repeat grants to a core set of service providers; predominately modest-to-medium sized unrestricted operating grants rather than project-restricted awards.
Notable grantees: Alice Lloyd College, Palmer Home for Children, Church Health Center, Mid-South Food Bank, Memphis Union Mission
The Knapp Foundation gives overwhelmingly in Tennessee, with 76% of grants going to recipients in its top giving state. Memphis appears often, including awards to Mid-South Food Bank, Church Health Center, Memphis Union Mission, Mifa, and The Salvation Army. Other Tennessee recipients include Bartlett, Millington, and Johnson City. Outside Tennessee, recent grants went to Lake Cormorant, Mississippi; Pippa Passes, Kentucky; Arlington, Virginia; Phoenix, Arizona; Dallas, Texas; and Staten Island, New York.
The recent grants show support for schools and scholarship programs, food and homeless services, child-focused residential care, community health, and youth-development groups. Examples in the record include general operating support for schools, scholarships for Alice Lloyd College, and operating grants for ministries and service providers in Memphis and nearby communities.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years. Palmer Home for Children appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Mid-South Food Bank appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and Church Health Center appears in 2023 and 2024. That suggests repeat relationship-based giving.
The typical grant is small-to-mid sized: p25 is $5,000, median is $5,000, and p75 is $10,000. Recent grants also include larger awards of $15,000, $20,000, and $25,000 for selected recipients.
Its giving is regional and heavily concentrated in Tennessee. Tennessee recipients account for 76% of grants in the data, with Memphis appearing most often among recipient cities. The recent record also includes grants in Mississippi, Kentucky, Virginia, Arizona, Texas, and New York.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALICE LLOYD COLLEGE | PIPPA PASSES, KY | $25,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| PALMER HOME FOR CHILDREN | LAKE CORMORANT, MS | $17,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| ST PAUL CATHOLIC SCHOOL | MEMPHIS, TN | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | MEMPHIS, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| MEMPHIS UNION MISSION | MEMPHIS, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| HARWOOD CENTER | MEMPHIS, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| TURNING POINT USA | PHOENIX, AZ | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| MID-SOUTH FOOD BANK | MEMPHIS, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| BARTLETT PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | BARTLETT, TN | $9,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| A WAY OUT MINISTRIES | MEMPHIS, TN | $7,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| AVE MARIA HOME | BARTLETT, TN | $7,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $7,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| GRACE HOUSE OF MEMPHIS | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| SHRINE HOSPITAL BURN CENTER | CINCINNATI, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| CLAYTON DABNEY FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| CALVARY RESCUE MISSION | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| AMERCIAN HERITAGE GIRLS | CINCINNATI, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| BRINKLEY HEIGHTS MINISTRIES | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| CHURCH HEALTH CENTER | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| MERITAN | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| MIFA | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| SHEPHERD'S HAVEN | ARLINGTON, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| MEMPHIS CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| APPALACHIA SERVICE PROJECT | BARTLETT, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| SHRINE HOSPITAL CRIPPLE CHILDREN | LEXINGTON, KY | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| ROOM IN THE INN | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| THE MAILBOX CLUB | VALDOSTA, GA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| TRAIL LIFE | BELTON, SC | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| MEMPHIS JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER | MEMPHIS, TN | $3,000 | 2026 | SENIOR WORKSHOP SERIES |
| DIXON MUSEUMS AND GARDENS | MEMPHIS, TN | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| PORTER LEATH CHILDREN'S HOME | MEMPHIS, TN | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM | MEMPHIS, TN | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| GOODWILL INDUSTRIES | MEMPHIS, TN | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| ALICE LLOYD COLLEGE | PIPPA PASSES, KY | $25,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| PALMER HOME FOR CHILDREN | LAKE CORMORANT, MS | $17,000 | 2025 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| ST PAUL CATHOLIC SCHOOL | MEMPHIS, TN | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| MID-SOUTH FOOD BANK | MEMPHIS, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| MEMPHIS UNION MISSION | MEMPHIS, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| HARWOOD CENTER | MEMPHIS, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | MEMPHIS, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| TURNING POINT USA | PHOENIX, AZ | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| BARTLETT PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | BARTLETT, TN | $9,000 | 2025 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| AVE MARIA HOME | BARTLETT, TN | $7,000 | 2025 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $7,000 | 2025 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| A WAY OUT MINISTRIES | MEMPHIS, TN | $7,000 | 2025 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| SHRINE HOSPITAL BURN CENTER | CINCINNATI, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| MEMPHIS CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| BRINKLEY HEIGHTS MINISTRIES | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
| THE MAILBOX CLUB | VALDOSTA, GA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL/OPERATING |
ALICE LLOYD COLLEGE
$25,000SCHOLARSHIPS
PALMER HOME FOR CHILDREN
$17,000GENERAL/OPERATING
ST PAUL CATHOLIC SCHOOL
$15,000GENERAL/OPERATING
THE SALVATION ARMY
$10,000GENERAL/OPERATING
MEMPHIS UNION MISSION
$10,000GENERAL/OPERATING
HARWOOD CENTER
$10,000GENERAL/OPERATING
TURNING POINT USA
$10,000GENERAL/OPERATING
BARTLETT PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
$9,000GENERAL/OPERATING
A WAY OUT MINISTRIES
$7,000GENERAL/OPERATING
GRACE HOUSE OF MEMPHIS
$5,000GENERAL/OPERATING
SHRINE HOSPITAL BURN CENTER
$5,000GENERAL/OPERATING
CLAYTON DABNEY FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL/OPERATING
AMERCIAN HERITAGE GIRLS
$5,000GENERAL/OPERATING
BRINKLEY HEIGHTS MINISTRIES
$5,000GENERAL/OPERATING
SHEPHERD'S HAVEN
$5,000GENERAL/OPERATING
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
$5,000GENERAL/OPERATING
APPALACHIA SERVICE PROJECT
$5,000GENERAL/OPERATING
SHRINE HOSPITAL CRIPPLE CHILDREN
$5,000GENERAL/OPERATING
ROOM IN THE INN
$5,000GENERAL/OPERATING
TRAIL LIFE
$5,000GENERAL/OPERATING
DIXON MUSEUMS AND GARDENS
$2,000GENERAL/OPERATING
PORTER LEATH CHILDREN'S HOME
$1,000GENERAL/OPERATING
MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM
$1,000GENERAL/OPERATING
GOODWILL INDUSTRIES
$1,000GENERAL/OPERATING
PALMER HOME FOR CHILDREN
$17,000GENERAL/OPERATING
ST PAUL CATHOLIC SCHOOL
$15,000GENERAL/OPERATING
MEMPHIS UNION MISSION
$10,000GENERAL/OPERATING
HARWOOD CENTER
$10,000GENERAL/OPERATING
THE SALVATION ARMY
$10,000GENERAL/OPERATING
TURNING POINT USA
$10,000GENERAL/OPERATING
BARTLETT PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
$9,000GENERAL/OPERATING
A WAY OUT MINISTRIES
$7,000GENERAL/OPERATING
SHRINE HOSPITAL BURN CENTER
$5,000GENERAL/OPERATING
BRINKLEY HEIGHTS MINISTRIES
$5,000GENERAL/OPERATING