Davison Bruce Foundation
The Davison Bruce Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2005 and formally registered as the Davidson Bruce Charitable Irrevocable Trust (EIN: 20-6565366). Based in Nashville, Tennessee, the foundation is administered through Cumberland Trust Company. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization classified as a private independent foundation under the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$21.8M
+1.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
+0.7% YoY
Grant Count
52
-3.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$21K
+4.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Davison Bruce Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to "invest in the mind, body, and spirit of humankind, blessing others that they may bless the world." The foundation acknowledges its maternal forerunner, Elizabeth Davison Bruce, as inspiration for its generous giving approach.
The foundation's primary funding priorities include:
- Education — scholarships and educational programs
- Health and Wellness Services — rehabilitation and health-focused initiatives
- Christian Ministry and Outreach — faith-connected community programs
- General Charitable Purposes — community-centric programs serving children and families in need
- Economic Empowerment — programs supporting vulnerable populations
The foundation specifically targets vulnerable populations and faith-connected communities, with a focus on the intersection of health, wellness, economic empowerment, and Christian outreach.
Grantmaking
The foundation distributes approximately $1.1 million annually across 49-54 grants.
Grant Range
$500 to $72,250
Average Grant
amount varies by year
Review Cycle
February 1
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's primary geographic footprint is in the southeastern United States, with the heaviest concentration of grants in:
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Texas
The foundation also funds organizations in Mississippi and operates with a broader U.S. focus for eligible applicants.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $21,795,279
- Total Revenues: $1,826,115
- Total Expenses: $1,568,617
- Total Giving: $1,102,200
Historical Context (2023):
- Total Assets: $21.5 million
- Revenue: $2.47 million
- Expenses: $1.57 million
The foundation has maintained substantial assets and consistent annual giving levels over recent years, with tax-exempt status since July 2005.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $21,795,279 | $21,519,978 | $20,499,301 |
| Revenue | $1,826,115 | $2,473,485 | $676,453 |
| Expenses | $1,568,617 | $1,572,662 | $1,679,817 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,402,496 | $1,425,242 | $1,533,992 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,662,038 | $2,271,801 | $502,023 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,550,380 | $1,372,246 | $1,419,491 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
246 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Davison Bruce Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Living Hope International ($66,000), Homes of Hope for Children ($65,000), Bracken Christian School ($53,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AGORA MINISTRIE SAN ANTONIO, TX | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $10,000 |
| ALABAMA KIDNEY FOUNDATION HOOVER, AL | FIGHTS KIDNEY DISEASES | $20,000 |
| AUBURN ASK AUBURN, AL | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $1,200 |
| BIGHOUSE INC OPELIKA, AL | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $500 |
| BRACKEN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL BULVERDE, TX | EDUCATION | $53,500 |
| CRESTWOOD DAY SCHOOL BIRMINGHAM, AL | EDUCATION | $52,500 |
| EASTLAKE INITIATIVE BIRMINGHAM, AL | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $15,000 |
| ESPERANZA HOUSE INC ARTESIA, NM | HELPING VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE | $40,000 |
| EXCEPTIONAL WAY BIRMINGHAM, AL | SERVING INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEE | $12,000 |
| FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES AUBURN, AL | FAITH AND ATHLETICS | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Carolyn Bruce Reid — President (as of 2024)
The foundation maintains zero employees and operates through its administrative structure at Cumberland Trust Company.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAROLYN REID | PRESIDENT | 20 | $45,000 |
| KENDALL CLINTON | SECRETARY | 10 | $27,000 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Davison Bruce Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to "invest in the mind, body, and spirit of humankind, blessing others that they may bless the world." The foundation acknowledges its maternal forerunner, Elizabeth Davison Bruce, as inspiration for its generous giving approach. The foundation's primary funding priorities include: • **Education** — scholarships and educational programs • **Health and Wellness Services** — rehabilitation and health-focused initiatives • **Christian Ministry and Outreach** — faith-con…
How do I apply for a grant from Davison Bruce Foundation?
The foundation distributes approximately $1.1 million annually across 49-54 grants. **Grant Characteristics:** • Grant range: $500 to $72,250 • Average grant amount varies by year • Typical awards fall within $500–$72,250 **Recent Grant Examples (2024):** • Living Hope International Christian Center: $66,000 • Homes of Hope for Children: $65,000 • Bracken Christian School of Bulverde: $53,500 **Application Process:** • Annual deadline: February 1 • Application method: Online via website or lett…
Where does Davison Bruce Foundation make grants?
The foundation's primary geographic footprint is in the southeastern United States, with the heaviest concentration of grants in: • Alabama • Georgia • Texas The foundation also funds organizations in Mississippi and operates with a broader U.S. focus for eligible applicants.
What size grants does Davison Bruce Foundation award?
In 2024, Davison Bruce Foundation awarded 52 grants totaling $1.1M — an average of about $21K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Davison Bruce Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Davison Bruce Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Davison Bruce Foundation's EIN?
Davison Bruce Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-6565366. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Davison Bruce Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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