James Stephen Turner Family Foundation
The James Stephen Turner Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2024, it made grants to organizations including a public library foundation, a university, arts and media organizations, and organizations addressing recovery and early learning.
James Stephen Turner Family Foundation at a glance
In short: James Stephen Turner Family Foundation gave $2.0M across 29 grants in 2024 (avg $69K), mostly in Tennessee. 56% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,007,123
- +116.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 29
- +31.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $69,211
- +64.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $21,194,316
- -0.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 56% first-time grantees (15 of 27, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to James Stephen Turner Family Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The filing names Lizzy Martin as the contact and says the foundation provides an application form. Applicants should include documentation of tax-exempt status, a list of officers and directors, the most recent audited financial statement, internal financial statements and operating budget, and a projected budget. The foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It does not make grants to individuals, or for loans, travel or seminars, government agencies, political purposes, dinner events, other private foundations, or telethons.
- Contact
Application contact: Lizzy Martin
Mailing address: 333 11Th Avenue South Suite 500, Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: (615) 846-2103
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who James Stephen Turner Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Nashville Public Library Foundation ($700K). Together the top 10 received $1.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
101 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 56 grants of 101 (55%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2024, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Tennessee; Florida, Massachusetts, and Indiana each accounted for 0% as reported.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 29 itemized grants.
Cities
Is James Stephen Turner Family Foundation open to new grantees?
56%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 15 of 27 grantees (56%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $36K; repeat grants $123K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $38K repeat.
- 30% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 42% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 178% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $691K (2022) to $2.0M (2020). In 2024 it made 29 grants totaling $2.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville Public Library Foundation Nashville, TN | Nashville Public Library's Literary Award Gala Endowment | $700,000 |
| Governor Frank G Clement Railroad Hotel Museum Dickson, TN | Governor frank g. Clement railroad hotel museum endowment campaign | $250,000 |
| Vu - Vanderbilt University - Athletic Department Nashville, TN | Vandy United: Envisioning the Future of Vanderbilt Golf | $250,000 |
| Lipscomb University Nashville, TN | The turner family distinguished visting professor of public policy | $167,000 |
| Friends of Warner Parks Nashville, TN | Capital Fund Support - New Building | $100,000 |
| Nashville Public Television Nashville, TN | NPT'S a Word on Words | $75,000 |
| American Red Cross - Nashville Area Chapter Nashville, TN | Relief efforts in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee from hurricane helene | $50,000 |
| Cumberland Heights Foundation Nashville, TN | Recovery in Community Capital Campaign | $50,000 |
| Renewal House Inc Nashville, TN | Matching Grant for Early Learning Center Capital Campaign | $50,000 |
| Tennessee Performing Arts Center Nashville, TN | Tpacs annual family day and further programmatic support for tpac | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with James Stephen Turner Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $21,194,316 | $2,303,848 | $2,476,734 | $2,007,123 | 29 | $2,009,054 | $1,886,220 | $1,125,576 |
| 2023 | $21,338,641 | $3,024,348 | $1,464,202 | $927,500 | 22 | $952,909 | $2,493,167 | $1,051,835 |
| 2022 | $19,778,495 | $537,539 | $1,162,303 | $691,000 | 13 | $728,070 | — | $1,070,128 |
| 2021 | $20,403,259 | $2,024,300 | $1,957,811 | $1,414,800 | 17 | $1,447,977 | $1,637,259 | $1,131,022 |
| 2020 | $20,336,770 | $1,414,170 | $2,433,790 | $2,010,000 | 20 | — | $659,389 | $928,580 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, James Stephen Turner Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No formal mission statement is provided. The 2024 grants show support for a range of organizations and projects, including library programming and an endowment, a university professorship, parks, public media, performing arts, recovery services, early learning, and disaster relief.
The grantees describe their work in their own terms: Nashville Public Library Foundation says it invests in programs that help Nashville Public Library empower the community, ignite children’s imaginations, and foster lifelong learning. Lipscomb University describes itself as a Christ-centered community preparing learners for purposeful lives. Renewal House says it treats, promotes healing, and provides housing to women and children affected by substance use disorders; Cumberland Heights Foundation describes its work as giving hope and healing to people affected by alcohol or drug addiction.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 29 grants totaling $2,007,123. Grants ranged from $456 to $700,000, with a median award of $25,000.
The largest 2024 grants included $700,000 to Nashville Public Library Foundation for its Literary Award Gala Endowment; $250,000 to Governor Frank G. Clement Railroad Hotel Museum for its endowment campaign; $250,000 to Vanderbilt University’s athletic department for “Vandy United: Envisioning the Future of Vanderbilt Golf”; and $167,000 to Lipscomb University for the Turner Family Distinguished Visiting Professor of Public Policy. Other awards included $100,000 to Friends of Warner Parks for capital fund support for a new building and $75,000 to Nashville Public Television for *A Word on Words*.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists James Stephen Turner Sr. as vice-president, director, and member; James Stephen Turner Jr. as president, director, and member; Christi Turner as secretary, director, and member; Katherine Turner as treasurer and director; Stephen Turner as director; and Rachel Crenshaw as assistant secretary.
James Stephen Turner Family Foundation is led by James Stephen Turner Jr., President, Director & Member since 2021 (on filings since 2020); none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
James Stephen Turner Jr.
President, Director & Member
Treasurer → President, Director & Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christi Turner
Secretary, Director & Member
Secretary → Secretary, Director & Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Stephen Turner Sr.
Vice President, Director & Member
Vice President → Vice President, Director & Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katherine Turner
Treasurer & Director
Director → Treasurer & Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Turner
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rachel Crenshaw
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Judith Payne Turner (2020–2023) — Director & Member
- Former: Laura Anne Turner (2020–2021) — Treasurer, Director & Member
- Former: Pam Carris (2021) — Assistant Secretary
- Former: Judy Miller (2020) — Assistant Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 James Stephen Turner Family Foundation
How much does James Stephen Turner Family Foundation give each year?
James Stephen Turner Family Foundation gave $2.0M across 29 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $928K across 22 grants.
What is James Stephen Turner Family Foundation's typical grant size?
James Stephen Turner Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $69,211, across 29 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from James Stephen Turner Family Foundation that year got $36K on average.
Where does James Stephen Turner Family Foundation give grants?
James Stephen Turner Family Foundation gives mostly in Tennessee: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Nashville, TN (22 grants).
Does James Stephen Turner Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 21% of James Stephen Turner Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 29) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are James Stephen Turner Family Foundation's largest grantees?
James Stephen Turner Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Nashville Public Library Foundation ($700,000), Governor Frank G Clement Railroad Hotel Museum ($250,000) and Vu - Vanderbilt University - Athletic Department ($250,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 60% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is James Stephen Turner Family Foundation?
James Stephen Turner Family Foundation reported $21.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does James Stephen Turner Family Foundation fund?
No formal mission statement is provided. The 2024 grants show support for a range of organizations and projects, including library programming and an endowment, a university professorship, parks, public media, performing arts, recovery services, early learning, and disaster relief. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from James Stephen Turner Family Foundation?
The filing names Lizzy Martin as the contact and says the foundation provides an application form. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is James Stephen Turner Family Foundation's EIN?
James Stephen Turner Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-4386453. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). James Stephen Turner Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/james-stephen-turner-family-foundation-morg_27dd569cb863455599ff071797d08cc5
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_264386453_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{James Stephen Turner Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/james-stephen-turner-family-foundation-morg_27dd569cb863455599ff071797d08cc5},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. 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 James Stephen Turner Family 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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