Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation
The Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation is a private foundation based in Nashville, Tennessee. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including educational, religious, and community organizations, with most grant dollars going to recipients in Tennessee.
Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation at a glance
In short: Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation gave $1.6M across 15 grants in 2025 (avg $109K), mostly in Tennessee. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,634,061
- +2078.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 15
- +650.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $108,937
- +190.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (72% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. This policy is reported in the filing marked as the final return and should not be taken as a current application process.
- Contact
Mailing address: 617 Plantation Court, Nashville, TN 37221
Phone: (615) 423-1288
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Bryan College Clara Ward School of Nursing ($799K). Together the top 10 received $1.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
54 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 43 grants of 54 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 72% of grant dollars went to recipients in Tennessee. Other recipient-state shares were Illinois, 18%; Virginia, 6%; Georgia, 2%; and Michigan, 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
Cities
How Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation gives
- Giving grew 484% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $75K (2024) to $1.6M (2025). In 2025 it made 15 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bryan College Clara Ward School of Nursing Dayton, TN | Endowment for the Clara Ward School of Nursing | $799,061 |
| Community Foundation of Fox River Valley Aurora, IL | Opearting Fund | $200,000 |
| The Generosity Trust Chattanooga, TN | Operating Fund | $135,000 |
| CASA Kane County Geneva, IL | Operating Fund | $100,000 |
| Williamsburg Community Chapel Williamsburg, VA | Operating Fund | $100,000 |
| Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN | Operating Fund | $75,000 |
| Lipscomb University Nashville, TN | Opearting Fund | $75,000 |
| Haggai Institute for Advanced Leadership Training Atlanta, GA | Operating Fund | $25,000 |
| Ankerberg Theological Research Institute Chattanooga, TN | Operating Fund | $20,000 |
| Bethel Bible Village Hixson, TN | Operating Fund | $20,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | $69,811 | $1,659,175 | $1,634,061 | 15 | $1,645,862 | $67,902 | $12,962 |
| 2024 | $1,589,364 | $734,303 | $89,843 | $75,000 | 2 | $78,106 | $722,566 | $69,204 |
| 2023 | $943,306 | $175,668 | $346,571 | $315,000 | 12 | $323,873 | $152,970 | $75,029 |
| 2022 | $1,114,209 | $328,805 | $310,308 | $280,000 | 12 | $284,434 | $302,931 | $88,163 |
| 2021 | $1,095,712 | $213,794 | $395,530 | $360,000 | 13 | — | $188,573 | $95,726 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation reported a distributable amount of $13K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation did not state a mission in the provided information. Its 2025 grants included support for a nursing school endowment and operating funds for educational, religious, and community organizations.
Grantee missions illustrate the range of organizations supported. CASA Kane County says it trains volunteers to represent the best interests of abused and neglected children in court. Lipscomb University describes itself as a Christ-centered community preparing learners for purposeful lives through rigorous academics and transformative experiences. Bethel Bible Village says it provides Christ-centered homes and education for children. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own work, not statements of the foundation’s mission.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 15 grants totaling $1,634,061. Grant amounts ranged from $15,000 to $799,061, with a median of $25,000. The largest award was $799,061 to Bryan College Clara Ward School of Nursing for an endowment. Other large awards included $200,000 to the Community Foundation of Fox River Valley for an operating fund, $135,000 to The Generosity Trust for an operating fund, and $100,000 each to CASA Kane County and Williamsburg Community Chapel for operating funds.
Other 2025 grants included $75,000 to Lipscomb University for an operating fund, and $20,000 each to Ankerberg Theological Research Institute and Bethel Bible Village. The foundation also gave $15,000 to IDEALS Foundation, whose stated mission is leadership and life-skills training for high school students, and $15,000 to the National Center for Youth Issues, which describes its work as character and life-skills development training and education.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing listed Glenn C. Stophel as president and trustee; Leslie S. MacLellan as vice president and trustee; Mark D. Yates as secretary, treasurer, and trustee; Timothy R. Thompson, Kimberly S. Wendell, and Rebecca T. Allen as trustees; and Pam Phillips as assistant secretary.
Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation is led by Glenn C. Stophel, President & Trusee on every filing since 2021; none of the 7 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Glenn C. Stophel
President & Trusee
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kimberly S. Wendell
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leslie S. Maclellan
Vice President & Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark D. Yates
Secretary, Treasurer & Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca T. Allen
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Timothy R. Thompson
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pam Phillips
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2021
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation
How much does Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation give each year?
Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation gave $1.6M across 15 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $75K across 2 grants.
What is Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation's typical grant size?
Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $108,937, across 15 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation give grants?
Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation gives mostly in Tennessee: 72% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Illinois (18%) and Virginia (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chattanooga, TN (5 grants).
Does Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 80% of Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (12 of 15) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation's largest grantees?
Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Bryan College Clara Ward School of Nursing ($799,061), Community Foundation of Fox River Valley ($200,000) and The Generosity Trust ($135,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 69% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
What does Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation fund?
The foundation did not state a mission in the provided information. Its 2025 grants included support for a nursing school endowment and operating funds for educational, religious, and community organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation reported a distributable amount of $13K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation's EIN?
Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-1917676. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/clifton-and-clara-ward-foundation-morg_4d7331aef5a24b86ba5ca1ad638d542f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_581917676_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/clifton-and-clara-ward-foundation-morg_4d7331aef5a24b86ba5ca1ad638d542f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Clifton and Clara Ward Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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