Education & Literacy Grants in Tennessee

Explore verified institutional foundations, typical award distributions, and active grantmakers supporting education programs across Tennessee.

Total Capital Deployed
$5.43B

Across 97,534 verified foundation awards

Typical Grant Size
$55,694

Median award for education in Tennessee

Open to New Applicants
27%

Of active education foundations accept unsolicited proposals

Education & Literacy Grant Funding Landscape in Tennessee

Nonprofits focused on Education & Literacy in Tennessee received $5.43B across 97,534 verified foundation grants over recent tax filings. The typical (median) education grant in Tennessee is $55,694, though awards range from smaller $5,000–$25,000 community programming grants up to multi-million-dollar institutional and endowment commitments.

Major Tennessee funders actively supporting education initiatives include Silicon Valley Community Foundation, The Bloomberg Family Foundation INC, The Andrew W Mellon Foundation, alongside national foundations funding Tennessee organizations, youth initiatives, and community programs. Of the active institutional grantmakers funding education in Tennessee, 27% accept unsolicited grant proposals from new applicants, offering immediate funding opportunities for growing 501(c)(3) organizations.

Top Funded Cities in TennesseeBy Total Capital
Nashville24,373 grants awarded
$1.71B
Memphis21,799 grants awarded
$1.21B
Knoxville6,684 grants awarded
$688.5M
Chattanooga5,342 grants awarded
$309.8M
Franklin2,673 grants awarded
$178.4M
Grant Size Distribution TiersBy Grant Count
Grassroots & Seed (<$25,000)77%
Ideal for emerging nonprofits, project pilots, and local programming
Mid-Tier & Capacity ($25K – $100K)15%
Core operational funding, staff expansion, and multi-year programs
Major Endowments ($100,000+)8%
Capital campaigns, statewide initiatives, and major institutional grants
Top Institutional Foundations Funding Education & Literacy in TennesseeRanked by annual charitable capital distribution • Form 990-PF & Community Foundations
FoundationHeadquartersAnnual GivingTypical GrantApplication StatusAction
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
EIN: 205205488
Mountain View, CA$3.16B$52KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
The Bloomberg Family Foundation INC
EIN: 205602483
New York, NY$1.02B$1.5MInvitation OnlyView Profile →
The Andrew W Mellon Foundation
EIN: 131879954
New York, NY$555M$500KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Carnegie Corporation of New York
EIN: 131628151
New York, NY$174.4M$225KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Charter Fund INC
EIN: 050620063
Denver, CO$143.5M$250KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Save the Children Federation INC
EIN: 060726487
Fairfield, CT$55.5M$71KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
American Educational Assistance
EIN: 061688758
Nashville, TN$11.7M$11.7MInvitation OnlyView Profile →
The Robert E & Jenny D Kirkland
EIN: 134228589
Union City, TN$11.2M$3KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Bill and Carol Latimer Charitable
EIN: 203450991
Union City, TN$10.3M$20KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Booth Foundation INC
EIN: 200667161
Hobe Sound, FL$6.4M$15KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Tennessee Rural Health Recruitment &
EIN: 203037016
Brentwood, TN$4.6M$50KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Elgin Foundation
EIN: 200337919
Knoxville, TN$2.1M$2.1MInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Promethean Foundation INC
EIN: 201690784
Union City, TN$1.9M$106KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Cigarran Family Foundation
EIN: 205348055
Nashville, TN$1.6M$5KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Walton Family Foundation INC
EIN: 133441466
Bentonville, AR$1K$650Invitation OnlyView Profile →
Showing verified grantmakers • Commercial DAFs & university endowments excludedView all in Tennessee directory →

Frequently Asked Questions About Education & Literacy Grants in Tennessee

How much grant funding is available for education in Tennessee?

Over $5.43B has been deployed across 97,534 verified foundation grants in Tennessee according to recent Form 990-PF and 990 filings.

What is the typical education grant size in Tennessee?

The median grant award is approximately $55,694. However, local grassroots initiatives often receive $5,000–$25,000, while regional endowments can exceed $250,000+.

Which foundations in Tennessee accept unsolicited proposals?

Approximately 27% of verified institutional grantmakers funding education in Tennessee accept unsolicited applications without a pre-existing relationship.

How can my nonprofit find foundations that match our mission?

Use NPO Grant to analyze peer award ledgers in Tennessee, identify foundations with active giving history in your city, and contact verified program officers directly.