The Formanek Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2008 and based in Memphis, Tennessee. Operating with a lean organizational structure, the foundation maintains a low public profile and does not maintain a public website.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$155.4M
+7.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$7.6M
+2.2% YoY
Grant Count
28
+21.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$271K
-16.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Formanek Foundation reported a distributable amount of $8.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission focuses on two primary areas:
- Public Education: Promoting public education and academic progress for Tennessee students from kindergarten through career
- Healthcare: Providing healthcare to underinsured and working people
Grantmaking
The foundation does not have a public website or publicly listed email address. Inquiries can be directed to the foundation's phone line.
Grant Range
$30,000 - $1,780,241
Average Grant
amount: $323,247
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Formanek Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
While primarily focused on Tennessee, the foundation has expanded its geographic reach to support select initiatives across multiple U.S. cities and international locations.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Giving (2024)
- Total assets: $155,420,222
- Total annual giving: $7,567,725
Assets & Giving (2023)
- Total assets: $144,351,130
- Total revenues: $12,023,174
- Total expenses: $10,692,860
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $155,420,222 | $144,351,130 | $143,020,816 |
| Revenue | $21,317,306 | $12,023,174 | $2,423,782 |
| Expenses | $10,248,214 | $10,692,860 | $11,506,038 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $7,569,628 | $7,434,674 | $7,684,241 |
| Net Investment Income | $19,377,225 | $9,318,978 | $5,786,387 |
| Distributable Amount | $8,531,322 | $8,545,680 | $6,335,585 |
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
130 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Youth Villages ($1,300,000), Brooks Museum ($1,000,000), Church Health Center ($750,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ASSET FUNDERS NETWORK CHICAGO, IL | TO ADVANCE EQUITABLE WEALTH BUILDING AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY | $20,000 |
| BROOKS MUSEUM MEMPHIS, TN | TO PROMOTE THE PROVISION OF VISUAL ART MEDIUM THROUGH DIVERSE EXHIBITS | $1,000,000 |
| CEO WORKS NEW YORK, NY | TO SUPPORT COMPREHENSIVE EMPLOYMENT ACCESS FOR NEWLY RELEASED INMATES FROM TENNESSEE PRISONS AND CORRECTION CENTERS | $175,000 |
| CHURCH HEALTH CENTER MEMPHIS, TN | TO SUPPORT THE PROVISION OF HEALTH CARE FOR UNDERINSURED PEOPLE | $750,000 |
| COMMUNITY LIFT MEMPHIS, TN | TO IMPROVE MEMPHIS BY THE REVIVAL OF ITS DISINVESTED NEIGHBORHOODS | $165,000 |
| EDUCATE DENVER, CO | TO PREPARE YOUTH IN AFRICA WITH THE SKILLS TO SUCCEED IN TODAY'S ECONOMY | $75,000 |
| HEALTHY LEARNERS COLUMBIA, SC | TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN THROUGH SCHOOL-BASED COMMUNITY IN ZAMBIA | $250,000 |
| HOMEBOY INDUSTRIES LOS ANGELES, CA | TO PROVIDE HOPE, TRAINING, AND SUPPORT TO PREVIOUSLY INCARCERATED AND FORMERLY GANG INVOLVED MEN AND WOMEN, ALLOWING THEM TO REDIRECT THEIR LIVES AND BECOME CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY | $250,000 |
| INTEGRATE HEALTH BRUNSWICK, ME | TO HELP REMOVE CHILDREN'S HEALTH BARRIERS TO LEARNING | $200,000 |
| JACARANDA HEALTH | TO HELP REACH UNDER-SERVED MOTHERS AND BABIES THROUGH GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS | $250,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Eric Robertson was appointed to lead the Formanek Foundation, transitioning from his previous role at Community LIFT.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| WALTER W ROTCHILD | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR/EXEC COMM | 5 | — |
| J MICHAEL HOWARD II | SEC-TREASURER/DIRECTOR/EXEC COMM | 10 | — |
| JONATHAN SPITZER | DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE | 2 | — |
| MARY LEE COPP | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RYAN CARROLL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ROBIN L FORMANEK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 6075 Poplar Ave, Suite 726, Memphis, TN 38119-4750
Phone: 901-616-1529
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Formanek Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission focuses on two primary areas: • **Public Education**: Promoting public education and academic progress for Tennessee students from kindergarten through career • **Healthcare**: Providing healthcare to underinsured and working people
How do I apply for a grant from Formanek Foundation?
**Grant Activity (2023)** • Total annual giving: $7.6 million • Number of grants: 41 grants awarded • Grant range: $30,000 - $1,780,241 • Average grant amount: $323,247 • Median grant amount: $206,500 **Recent Grants (2023)** • Memphis River Parks Partnership: $600,000 (to promote the transformative power of the Mississippi by supporting public events on the river) • Church Health: $500,000 (to support provision of health care for underinsured people) • Muso: $400,000 (to promote effort to elim…
Where does Formanek Foundation make grants?
While primarily focused on Tennessee, the foundation has expanded its geographic reach to support select initiatives across multiple U.S. cities and international locations.
What size grants does Formanek Foundation award?
In 2024, Formanek Foundation awarded 28 grants totaling $7.6M — an average of about $271K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Formanek Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Formanek Foundation reported a distributable amount of $8.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Formanek Foundation's EIN?
Formanek Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-1565007. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Formanek Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Maclellan Center for Global Christian Ed
CHATTANOOGA, TN
Assets
$592K
Grants
1
Total Given
$48K
Anne Bransford Wallace Foundation
NASHVILLE, TN
Assets
$553K
Grants
40
Total Given
$43K
Springplace Presbyterian Church 280-5019032
KNOXVILLE, TN
Assets
$140K
Grants
1
Total Given
$6K
United Way of East Tennessee
JOHNSON CITY, TN
Assets
$3.4M
Grants
12
Total Given
$202K
One Family Memphis
MEMPHIS, TN
Assets
$6.4M
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Southeast Center for Cooperative Development
NASHVILLE, TN
Assets
$388K
Grants
1
Total Given
$20K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Formanek Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Formanek Foundation to a real strategy.