Dobbs Foundation
Dobbs Foundation is a private foundation, based in Memphis, TN. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $9.9M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 6 grants totaling $2.2M. Net investment income was $315K.
Dobbs Foundation at a glance
In short: Dobbs Foundation gave $2.2M across 6 grants in 2025 (avg $372K), mostly in Tennessee. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,230,000
- Grants made (2025)
- 6
- Average grant
- $371,667
- Median grant
- $130,000
- Total assets
- $9,914,671
- +371.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Dobbs Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Hutchison School ($1.5M). Together the top 6 received $2.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
7 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 3 grants of 7 (43%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How Dobbs Foundation gives
- In 2025 it paid out 765% of 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 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $100K (2023) to $2.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 6 grants totaling $2.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hutchison School Memphis, TN | General Operating | $1,505,000 |
| St Georges Independent School Foundation Collierville, TN | General Operating | $450,000 |
| Memphis University School Memphis, TN | General Operating | $250,000 |
| Young Life Colorado Springs, CO | General Operating | $10,000 |
| Carnival Education Fund Memphis, TN | General Operating | $10,000 |
| Downline Ministries Germantown, TN | General Operating | $5,000 |
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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 | $9,914,671 | $10,089,132 | $2,275,348 | $2,230,000 | 6 | $2,230,000 | $314,879 | $291,526 |
| 2024 | $2,101,710 | $92,863 | $12,964 | — | — | $2,500 | $78,863 | $100,453 |
| 2023 | $2,022,118 | $104,110 | $101,492 | $100,000 | 1 | $100,000 | $102,713 | $100,136 |
| 2022 | $2,016,484 | $2,016,484 | — | — | — | — | $16,484 | $41,020 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Dobbs Foundation reported a distributable amount of $292K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Dobbs Foundation is led by Edward J. Dobbs, President & Director on every filing since 2019; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Edward J. Dobbs
President & Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Michael A. Orians
Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
W. Christopher Crosby
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 Dobbs Foundation
How much does Dobbs Foundation give each year?
Dobbs Foundation gave $2.2M across 6 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
What is Dobbs Foundation's typical grant size?
Dobbs Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $130,000, and its average grant was $371,667, across 6 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Dobbs Foundation give grants?
Dobbs Foundation gives mostly in Tennessee: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Memphis, TN (3 grants).
Does Dobbs Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Dobbs Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 6) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Dobbs Foundation's largest grantees?
Dobbs Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Hutchison School ($1,505,000), St Georges Independent School Foundation ($450,000) and Memphis University School ($250,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 99% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Dobbs Foundation?
Dobbs Foundation reported $9.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $292K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Dobbs Foundation's EIN?
Dobbs Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-3406107. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 8, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Dobbs Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Dobbs Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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