Shoba Foundation
Shoba Foundation is a private foundation based in Nashville, Tennessee. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including organizations working in conservation, public media, food access, education, and community services.
Shoba Foundation at a glance
In short: Shoba Foundation gave $129K across 14 grants in 2025 (avg $9K), mostly in Tennessee. 7% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $129,000
- +5.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 14
- -12.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $9,214
- +20.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $2,335,741
- -2.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 7% first-time grantees (1 of 14, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (97% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Shoba Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 826 Bresslyn Rd, Nashville, TN 37205
Phone: (423) 314-6170
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Shoba Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Nature Conservancy ($45K). Together the top 10 received $120K.
Grant Size Distribution
72 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 70 grants of 72 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 97% of grant dollars went to recipients in Tennessee, 2% to New York, and 2% to California. Listed Tennessee grantees were primarily in Nashville.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Shoba Foundation open to new grantees?
7%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 14 grantees (7%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $9K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 93% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−11%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 96% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $64K (2021) to $145K (2022). In 2025 it made 14 grants totaling $129K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Nature Conservancy Brentwood, TN | Donation | $45,000 |
| WPLN Nashville Public Radio Nashville, TN | Donation | $15,000 |
| Crossroads Campus Nashville, TN | Donation | $10,000 |
| Nashville Food Project Nashville, TN | Donation | $10,000 |
| WNPT Nashville Public Television Nashville, TN | Donation | $10,000 |
| Pencil Nashville, TN | Donation | $10,000 |
| Jewish Middle School of Nashville Nashville, TN | Donation | $5,000 |
| Metro Nashville Parks Nashville, TN | Donation | $5,000 |
| Nashville Aquatic Club Nashville, TN | Donation | $5,000 |
| Room in the Inn Nashville, TN | Donation | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Shoba 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,335,741 | $100,357 | $166,114 | $129,000 | 14 | $131,250 | $67,611 | $136,459 |
| 2024 | $2,401,498 | $176,931 | $152,080 | $122,500 | 16 | $124,730 | $150,727 | $130,055 |
| 2023 | $2,376,647 | $39,413 | $156,724 | $127,853 | 15 | $129,453 | $29,633 | $123,697 |
| 2022 | $2,493,958 | $23,659 | $179,027 | $145,095 | 17 | $146,595 | $23,171 | $129,353 |
| 2021 | $2,649,326 | $80,194 | $99,589 | $64,000 | 10 | $65,500 | $46,200 | $145,391 |
| 2020 | $2,668,721 | $2,685,347 | $16,626 | — | — | — | — | $65,204 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Shoba Foundation reported a distributable amount of $136K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations with varied missions. For example, the Nashville Food Project says it brings people together to grow, cook, and share nourishing food to cultivate community and alleviate hunger. The Nature Conservancy and TennGreen Land Conservancy received grants; TennGreen describes its mission as conserving land where people and nature can thrive. Other grantees include public media, a school, an aquatic sports organization, and organizations providing community services.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave $129,000 through 14 grants. Grants ranged from $2,000 to $45,000, with a median grant of $5,000. Among the largest were $45,000 to The Nature Conservancy, $15,000 to WPLN Nashville Public Radio, and $10,000 each to Crossroads Campus, the Nashville Food Project, WNPT Nashville Public Television, and PENCIL. Other listed grants included $5,000 each to Jewish Middle School of Nashville, Metro Nashville Parks, Nashville Aquatic Club, and Room in the Inn; $3,000 to TennGreen Land Conservancy; and $2,000 to the Natural Resource Defense Council.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Lisa Richardson-Calfee as president, Earl Franklin Calfee III as secretary, and Christy Smith as director.
Shoba Foundation is led by Lisa Richardson-Calfee, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Lisa Richardson-Calfee
President
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christy Smith
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Earl Franklin Calfee III
Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Shoba Foundation
How much does Shoba Foundation give each year?
Shoba Foundation gave $129K across 14 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $123K across 16 grants.
What is Shoba Foundation's typical grant size?
Shoba Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $9,214, across 14 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Shoba Foundation that year got $10K on average.
Where does Shoba Foundation give grants?
Shoba Foundation gives mostly in Tennessee: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Nashville, TN (11 grants).
Does Shoba Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on Shoba Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donation" (14 grants).
Who are Shoba Foundation's largest grantees?
Shoba Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Nature Conservancy ($45,000), WPLN Nashville Public Radio ($15,000) and Crossroads Campus ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 54% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Shoba Foundation?
Shoba Foundation reported $2.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $131K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $136K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Shoba Foundation fund?
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations with varied missions. For example, the Nashville Food Project says it brings people together to grow, cook, and share nourishing food to cultivate community and alleviate hunger. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Shoba Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Shoba Foundation's EIN?
Shoba Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-4025392. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Shoba Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Shoba Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee Inc
Nashville, TN
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee supports nonprofits across a range of needs, including housing, disaster relief, education, health, public safety, and the arts. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $8,500, with amounts ranging widely; it primarily serves Middle Tennessee, with 76% of 2024 grant dollars going to Tennessee recipients. Special Interest Grant applications are submitted through its grants portal; no new competitive Community Impact cycle is planned for fiscal year 2026–2027.
Assets
$832.0M
Grants
2,450
Total Given
$107.1M
United Way of Middle Tennessee Inc
Nashville, TN
United Way of Middle Tennessee funds nonprofit programs in education, financial stability, and health, especially those serving low-income families and vulnerable children and adults; it also supports HIV care and disaster recovery. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,015 to $697,309, with a median of $22,500. Its Community Impact Funding serves nine Middle Tennessee counties, while some programs serve people statewide; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$68.1M
Grants
347
Total Given
$19.7M
HCA Healthcare Foundation
Nashville, TN
HCA Healthcare Foundation funds community health and health equity, including primary care, basic needs, education, and the arts; its Middle Tennessee Fund serves nine counties, while other initiatives support communities served by HCA Healthcare. In 2024, grants ranged from $1,000 to $9.65 million, with a median of $5,000. It accepts requests through an Applicant Inquiry Form for new applicants and organizations that have not received funding in 18 months; staff provide next steps after review.
Assets
$192.7M
Grants
999
Total Given
$25.4M
Memorial Foundation Inc
Madison, TN
Memorial Foundation Inc funds nonprofit work in health care, human and social services, education, senior enrichment, youth development, substance abuse, and community services, primarily serving Davidson, Sumner, and Robertson counties in Tennessee. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,000 to $200,000, with a median of $15,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; organizations must contact the Foundation to discuss eligibility before applying.
Assets
$135.1M
Grants
182
Total Given
$4.4M
Joe C Davis Foundation
Nashville, TN
The Joe C. Davis Foundation supports Nashville-area nonprofits in education, community and social services, and healthcare, including operating and transformational grants. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $2.2 million, with a median of $23,000; new or returning applicants may submit a letter of interest for operational funding during the stated application window.
Assets
$151.9M
Grants
108
Total Given
$8.2M
Dorothy Cate and Thomas F Frist
Nashville, TN
The foundation supports a broad range of organizations and projects, including education, conservation, counseling, community funds, and other community initiatives; most of its 2025 grant dollars went to Tennessee, with some support in other states. Grants ranged from $250 to $325,000, with a median of $2,500. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$37.9M
Grants
309
Total Given
$2.8M
More similar funders
More Funders in Tennessee
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Shoba Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/shoba-foundation-morg_b85ca73f11404afa9e0ac99a277938a4
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_844025392_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Shoba Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/shoba-foundation-morg_b85ca73f11404afa9e0ac99a277938a4},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Shoba 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.
Shoba Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?