Memphis Grizzlies Charitable
The Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) grantmaking foundation based in Memphis, Tennessee. Established in 2004, the organization is dedicated to harnessing the power of sport to transform lives through mentoring and youth development programs. The foundation operates as a corporate foundation with a focus on funding initiatives that help young people discover and meet their potential.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$805K
+31.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$242K
-3.7% YoY
Grant Count
20
+11.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$12K
-13.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Memphis Grizzlies Charitable reported a distributable amount of $32K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Memphis Grizzlies Foundation is focused on funding and creating youth mentoring and development programs. The foundation supports programs designed to serve youth through education and mentoring, with special emphasis directed toward organizations that:
- Operate a youth mentoring program
- Recruit or promote the retention of youth mentors
- Provide specialized or significant expertise to mentoring initiatives
Primary Program Areas:
- MENTOR Memphis Grizzlies – A mentoring partnership program with core functions including quality-based membership and training initiatives
- TEAM Mentor Program – A structured mentoring program with alumni association and community partnerships
- Memphis Grizzlies Preparatory Charter School – Provides economic support to approximately 280 male students from sixth through eighth grade, allowing them to succeed academically while upholding strong moral values
- Tickets for Kids – Facilitates distribution of Memphis Grizzlies home basketball game tickets to approximately 18,000 youth from elementary through high school, representing multiple local nonprofit agencies
- Team Up Youth Mentoring – Serves approximately 10,000 Memphis area students, with mentors assisting students in defining and achieving goals related to education, career, and personal growth
Grantmaking
The foundation made 18 grants in its most recent fiscal year. Total giving reached $241,879, with typical award ranges between $500 and $60,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Tennessee, with emphasis on the Memphis and Mid-South region.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024):
- Total Assets: $805,071
- Total Revenues: $1,022,990
- Total Expenses: $795,863
- Number of Employees: 2
Historical Financial Data (2023):
- Revenue: $859,000
- Expenses: $868,000
- Total Assets: $615,000
- Total Liabilities: $182,000
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $805,071 | $614,628 | $594,407 |
| Revenue | $1,022,990 | $859,374 | $1,102,029 |
| Expenses | $795,863 | $868,350 | $820,658 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $635,563 | $795,310 | $700,256 |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | $315 |
| Distributable Amount | $32,462 | $27,596 | $24,932 |
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
91 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Lausanne School ($30,584), St George's School ($24,295), Ucan of Memphis ($22,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MEMPHIS YOUTH ARTS INITIATIVE MEMPHIS, TN | UNDESIGNATED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT - INSPIRING AND EMPOWERING YOUNG CREATIVES THROUGH THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF THE ARTS | $2,000 |
| EXQUISITE PEARLS OF EXCELLENCE MEMPHIS, TN | UNDESIGNATED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT - MENTORING YOUNG WOMEN FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE | $2,000 |
| UCAN OF MEMPHIS MEMPHIS, TN | UNDESIGNATED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT - STRENGTHEN YOUNG ADOLESCENTS THROUGH MENTORING, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND BULLYING AWARENESS | $22,500 |
| HOPE CENTER MEMPHIS, TN | UNDESIGNATED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT - PREVENT ILLNESS AND PROMOTE WELL-BEING AMONG THE COMMUNITY | $10,000 |
| STREETS MINISTRIES MEMPHIS, TN | UNDESIGNATED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT - EDUCATION AND MENTORING UNDERRESOURCED YOUTH | $15,000 |
| JUVENILE INTERVENTION & FAITH-BASED FOLLOW-UP INC MEMPHIS, TN | UNDESIGNATED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT - CHILDREN'S WELFARE | $15,000 |
| PEER POWER FOUNDATION MEMPHIS, TN | UNDESIGNATED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT - TO MENTOR AND TRAIN HIGH PERFORMING COLLEGE STUDENTS TO TUTOR IN HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOMS | $10,000 |
| MEMPHIS INNER CITY RUGBY MEMPHIS, TN | UNDESIGNATED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT - MENTORING RUGBY PLAYERS | $5,000 |
| WORLD RELIEF MEMPHIS MEMPHIS, TN | UNDESIGNATED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT - MENTORING PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT YOUTH AND FAMILIES | $15,000 |
| INDIE MEMPHIS MEMPHIS, TN | UNDESIGNATED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT - PERFORMING ARTS | $15,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PETE PRANICA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SEAN TUOHY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| G STALEY CATES | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ELLIOT PERRY | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| ABUSHERI OHWOFASA | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / SECRETARY | 40 | $72,722 |
| J MARTIN REGAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TERESA SLOYAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Memphis Grizzlies Foundation has maintained active grantmaking operations, hosting Grant Night events to honor grantees and announcing substantial funding commitments to mentoring and youth development programs across the Mid-South. The foundation continues to expand its mentoring initiatives, including hosting the Mentoring Matters Summit of Tennessee focused on "The Art of Mentoring."
Memphis Grizzlies Foundation hosts Grant Night to honor 2025 ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Memphis Grizzlies Charitable fund?
The Memphis Grizzlies Foundation is focused on funding and creating youth mentoring and development programs. The foundation supports programs designed to serve youth through education and mentoring, with special emphasis directed toward organizations that: • Operate a youth mentoring program • Recruit or promote the retention of youth mentors • Provide specialized or significant expertise to mentoring initiatives **Primary Program Areas:** • **MENTOR Memphis Grizzlies** – A mentoring partnersh…
How do I apply for a grant from Memphis Grizzlies Charitable?
**Grant Activity:** The foundation made 18 grants in its most recent fiscal year. Total giving reached $241,879, with typical award ranges between $500 and $60,000. **Recent Grant Distribution:** The foundation has announced significant grant commitments, including donations exceeding $500,000 and $600,000 to mentoring and youth development programs across the Mid-South region.
Where does Memphis Grizzlies Charitable make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Tennessee, with emphasis on the Memphis and Mid-South region.
What size grants does Memphis Grizzlies Charitable award?
In 2024, Memphis Grizzlies Charitable awarded 20 grants totaling $242K — an average of about $12K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Memphis Grizzlies Charitable required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Memphis Grizzlies Charitable reported a distributable amount of $32K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Memphis Grizzlies Charitable's EIN?
Memphis Grizzlies Charitable's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1356702. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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