The Yarbrough Family Foundation makes very large, highly concentrated gifts focused on regional charitable infrastructure and urgent humanitarian response. Their giving channels significant dollars through intermediary vehicles (a regional community foundation and a donor-advised/charitable fund) and also supports national disaster relief. This indicates a strategy of empowering local grantmaking capacity in Middle Tennessee while retaining flexibility to address large-scale emergencies.
Very concentrated: only three large grants dominate giving. Prefers intermediary vehicles (community foundation, donor-advised fund) to distribute funds regionally or flexibly, with occasional direct large gifts to national emergency-response organizations.
Yarbrough Family Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by a $5,270,000 unrestricted grant to the Community Foundation of Middle Tn, a signal that regional philanthropic infrastructure sits at the center of its strategy. The foundation pairs that large local commitment with major support for humanitarian response, including repeated grants to the American Red Cross, and with funding that moves through donor-advised or charitable fund vehicles. Across the recent grants list, the foundation’s approach looks concentrated rather than broad. It gives large unrestricted awards, often at six figures and above, to a small set of organizations that serve Middle Tennessee and related regional needs. Nashville and Franklin recipients appear repeatedly, alongside a handful of national and cross-border charities such as UNICEF USA, USA for Unhcr, and CARE. That mix suggests a funder that supports local grantmaking capacity, urgent relief efforts, and selected institutional partners through flexible, unrestricted support. The foundation also appears willing to make multi-year commitments, as several recipients received grants in both 2023 and 2024.
One clear theme is philanthropic infrastructure. The foundation gave $5,270,000 unrestricted to Community Foundation of Middle Tn and also supported Community Foundation Ocalamarion County with a $340,000 unrestricted grant. That pattern points to a preference for intermediary organizations that can distribute funds locally. Humanitarian relief is another recurring area. American Red Cross received $700,000 in 2025, $250,000 in 2023, and $120,000 in 2024, all unrestricted. The foundation also backed international relief groups, including $250,000 to UNICEF USA and $250,000 to USA for Unhcr in 2023. A third cluster is education and civic institutions in Tennessee. Grants went to Battle Ground Academy for $150,000 in both 2023 and 2024, to American Educational Assistance Foundation for $250,000 in 2025, and to Nashville Entrepreneur Center for $150,000 in both 2023 and 2024.
Typical grants are large for a foundation with a regional footprint: the 25th percentile is $1,506, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $25,000. The recent list shows a highly skewed pattern, with a small number of seven-figure and six-figure grants carrying most of the dollars. Recurring support is visible in multiple consecutive years for several recipients, including the American Red Cross, Battle Ground Academy, Nashville Entrepreneur Center, United Way of Greater Nashville, Beacon Center of Tennessee, Hrc Foundation, and Thurgood Marshall College Fund. The foundation is classified as a regular funder and gives unrestricted support.
$6.7M
$28.5M
$45.8M
$6.8M
Most grants fall between $2K and $25K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Notable grantees: Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, Yarbrough Family Charitable Fund at Fidelity Charitable, American Red Cross
Grants are overwhelmingly domestic, with 192 grants going to U.S. recipients. Tennessee is the main giving state, accounting for 65% of grants, and Nashville appears frequently in the recipient list, along with Franklin. Outside Tennessee, recent grants reached New York, Washington, DC, Ohio, Florida, Virginia, Puerto Rico, and one recipient in San Juan. The list also includes intermediaries such as Globalgiving and USA for Unhcr, which broaden the geographic reach of the foundation’s funded partners.
The recent grants point to intermediary philanthropy, humanitarian relief, education, and Tennessee-based civic and community institutions. Examples include Community Foundation of Middle Tn, the American Red Cross, Battle Ground Academy, Nashville Entrepreneur Center, and United Way of Greater Nashville.
Yes. Several recipients appear in more than one year. American Red Cross received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Battle Ground Academy and Nashville Entrepreneur Center each appear in 2023 and 2024; and United Way of Greater Nashville, Beacon Center of Tennessee, Hrc Foundation, and Thurgood Marshall College Fund also repeat across years.
The grant-size distribution is $1,506 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent awards also include much larger grants, so the overall pattern is highly concentrated at the top end.
Tennessee is the top giving state, with 65% of grants going to recipients in TN. Nashville appears often in the recipient list, and Franklin also appears among recent grantees.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF MIDDLE TN | NASHVILLE, TN | $3,589,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| TENNESSEE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY | COOKEVILLE, TN | $2,500,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $250,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OCALAMARION COUNTY | OCALA, FL | $200,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| TRANSITIONS LIFE CENTER | OCALA, FL | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MARION THERAPEUTIC RIDING ASSOCIATION | OCALA, FL | $25,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| NAMI | BALTIMORE, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CANARY IMPACT LABS | NEW YORK CITY, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| SMYRNA ROTARY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | SMYRNA, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| LOVE ON WHEELS | FRANKLIN, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| NATIONAL CENTER FOR FAMILY PHILANTHROPY | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL BAND BOOSTERS | FRANKLIN, TN | $8,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| LIVING WATERS FOR THE WORLD | SPRING HILL, TN | $3,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| SHEPHERDS OF HOPE | FAIRVIEW, TN | $2,500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $1,524 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL XC TRACK BOOSTER | FRANKLIN, TN | $400 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $360 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL | FRANKLIN, TN | $350 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $324 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| NASHVILLE HUMANE ASSOCIATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $324 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| NASHVILLE RESCUE MISSION | NASHVILLE, TN | $324 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CENTER FOR COURAGEOUS KIDS | SCOTTSVILLE, KY | $250 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| GRASSLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENTS CLUB | FRANKLIN, TN | $200 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | NASHVILLE, TN | $100 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| YMCA OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE | NASHVILLE, TN | $100 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CHAINSAWS FOR JESUS | NASHVILLE, TN | $100 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| WILLIAMSON COUNTY ANIMAL CENTER | FRANKLIN, TN | $50 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| TN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | COOKEVILLE, TN | $20 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF MIDDLE TN | NASHVILLE, TN | $5,270,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | NASHVILLE, TN | $700,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OCALAMARION COUNTY | OCALA, FL | $340,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $250,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| FOOSBALL CLUBS USA | OSWEGO, NY | $75,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| SAMARITAN'S PURSE | BOONE, NC | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| THE CENTER FOR LIVING & LEARNING | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| TRANSITIONS LIFE CENTER | OCALA, FL | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| YOUTH VILLAGES | NASHVILLE, TN | $30,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| COTTAGE COVE URBAN MINISTRIES | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MY FATHERS HOUSE NASHVILLE | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | NASHVILLE, TN | $15,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| NATIONAL CENTER FOR FAMILY PHILANTHROPY | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| SMYRNA ROTARY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | SMYRNA, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| LIVING WATERS FOR THE WORLD | SPRING HILL, TN | $3,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $1,713 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| EAST TENNESSEE FOUNDATION | KNOXVILLE, TN | $1,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY | RYE BROOK, NY | $500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $360 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| NASHVILLE HUMANE ASSOCIATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $349 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
TENNESSEE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
$2,500,000UNRESTRICTED
AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION
$250,000UNRESTRICTED
TRANSITIONS LIFE CENTER
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
MARION THERAPEUTIC RIDING ASSOCIATION
$25,000UNRESTRICTED
NAMI
$25,000UNRESTRICTED
CANARY IMPACT LABS
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
SMYRNA ROTARY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
LOVE ON WHEELS
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL BAND BOOSTERS
$8,000UNRESTRICTED
LIVING WATERS FOR THE WORLD
$3,000UNRESTRICTED
SHEPHERDS OF HOPE
$2,500UNRESTRICTED
COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL
$1,524UNRESTRICTED
FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL XC TRACK BOOSTER
$400UNRESTRICTED
FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL
$350UNRESTRICTED
GRASSLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENTS CLUB
$200UNRESTRICTED
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$100UNRESTRICTED
YMCA OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE
$100UNRESTRICTED
CHAINSAWS FOR JESUS
$100UNRESTRICTED
WILLIAMSON COUNTY ANIMAL CENTER
$50UNRESTRICTED
TN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$20UNRESTRICTED
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$700,000UNRESTRICTED
AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION
$250,000UNRESTRICTED
FOOSBALL CLUBS USA
$75,000UNRESTRICTED
THE CENTER FOR LIVING & LEARNING
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
TRANSITIONS LIFE CENTER
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
YOUTH VILLAGES
$30,000UNRESTRICTED
COTTAGE COVE URBAN MINISTRIES
$25,000UNRESTRICTED
MY FATHERS HOUSE NASHVILLE
$25,000UNRESTRICTED
CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$15,000UNRESTRICTED
SMYRNA ROTARY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
LIVING WATERS FOR THE WORLD
$3,000UNRESTRICTED
COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL
$1,713UNRESTRICTED
THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY
$500UNRESTRICTED