Tennessee State Museum Foundation Inc
To support and extend activities of the tn state museum
Tennessee State Museum Foundation Inc at a glance
- Total assets
- $2,829,839
- +5.4% vs 2024
- Revenue (2025)
- $477,135
- +123.8% vs 2024
- Net investment income (2025)
- $71,312
- +141.1% vs 2024
- Expenses (2025)
- $287,917
- +61.8% vs 2024
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Tennessee State Museum Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
3 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 2 grants of 3 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
How Tennessee State Museum Foundation Inc gives
- Giving fell 75% from 2020 to 2023. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $1.6M (2023) to $6.5M (2020). In 2023 it made 1 grant totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| State of Tennessee Nashville, TN | Building Fund | $1,625,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Tennessee State Museum Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,829,839 | $477,135 | $287,917 | — | — | $71,312 |
| 2024 | $2,685,027 | $213,244 | $177,985 | — | — | $29,582 |
| 2023 | $2,529,744 | $295,947 | $1,696,399 | $1,625,000 | 1 | $11,384 |
| 2022 | $3,931,321 | $367,996 | $2,748,538 | $2,640,000 | 1 | $37,563 |
| 2021 | $6,574,867 | $116,981 | $5,314,057 | $5,247,050 | 1 | $-34,545 |
| 2020 | $11,544,347 | $1,983,500 | $6,697,239 | $6,534,611 | 1 | $40,715 |
| 2019 | $16,315,876 | $995,076 | $6,247,363 | $5,500,000 | 1 | $28,643 |
About Tennessee State Museum Foundation Inc
Based on IRS filings
Tennessee State Museum Foundation Inc is a public charity focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Nashville, TN. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $2.8M in total assets. Net investment income was $71K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Tennessee State Museum Foundation Inc is led by Thomas S. Smith, Chairman since 2023 (on filings since 2022); none of the 16 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Thomas S. Smith
Chairman
Voted Chair → Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ashley Howell
Secretary
Museum Executive Director & Acting Secretary → Museaum Executive Director & Acting Secretary, 2023
Museaum Executive Director & Acting Secretary → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Pearce
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pamela Lewis
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
The Hon Howard Gentry
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Trudy Caldwell Byrd
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Douglas Ch Henry
Vice Chair
Vice Chair & Acting Chair → Acting Chair, 2022
Acting Chair → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Senator Dawn White
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert P. Thomas
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bill Hickerson
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emily Reynolds
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ginger Terry
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Curcio
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Hill
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Verner
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joe Emert
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (19)
- Former: Claire Armistead (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Representative Michael Curcio (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Charles B. Welch Jr. (2019–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Cristine Karbowiak (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: David Preston (2019–2021) — Vice Chair
- Former: Dianne Neal (2019–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Mary Ann Clark (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Mike Kelly (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Ruth Johnson (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Mayor Bill Ketron (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Angel Cropper (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Paul McCombs (2019–2020) — Board Chair
- Former: Chairman Michael Curcio (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Pat Kerr Tigrett (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Commissioner Many Bears Grinder (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Howard Herndon (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Rep Gerald McCormick (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Rich Roberts (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Senator Bill Ketron (2019) — Board Member
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 Tennessee State Museum Foundation Inc
How large is Tennessee State Museum Foundation Inc?
Tennessee State Museum Foundation Inc reported $2.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $477K.
What is Tennessee State Museum Foundation Inc?
Tennessee State Museum Foundation Inc is a public charity focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Nashville, TN. It holds $2.8M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Tennessee State Museum Foundation Inc operate?
Tennessee State Museum Foundation Inc has awarded grants in Tennessee.
What is Tennessee State Museum Foundation Inc's EIN?
Tennessee State Museum Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-0200584. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
Live grants for the work Tennessee State Museum Foundation Inc funds
Arts, Culture & Humanities Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Tennessee State Museum Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Tennessee
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
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
Dollar General Employee Assistance
Goodletsville, TN
The foundation provides emergency financial assistance to active Dollar General employees and their families facing qualifying hardships, such as a home loss, a death, or a serious illness or injury. In 2026, grants ranged from $37 to $6,000, with a median of $2,000; all reported recipients were in Tennessee. It accepts applications from eligible employees, who must submit supporting documentation.
Assets
$5.8M
Grants
957
Total Given
$1.7M
The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Inc
Chattanooga, TN
The foundation supports scholarships and community needs including affordable housing, health and wellness, workforce development, education, culture, and hunger relief, with a focus on Chattanooga and surrounding areas; Fund for Chattanooga grants prioritize organizations serving Hamilton County residents. Its 2024 grants had a median of $10,000, and a separate program offers unrestricted grants of up to $30,000. It does not describe an open unsolicited application process: prospective applicants are asked to discuss a proposal with staff, who may invite them to apply.
Assets
$245.3M
Grants
810
Total Given
$25.8M
Community Foundation of Greater Memphis Inc
Memphis, TN
The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis supports community needs, nonprofit capacity building, and donor-directed and theme-based grants, with awards across West Tennessee, eastern Arkansas, and northern Mississippi. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,200, though amounts varied widely; unsolicited requests are accepted only through specific application-based opportunities, not stated as a general process.
Assets
$953.1M
Grants
761
Total Given
$134.3M
Christian Community Foundation of Memphis
Memphis, TN
The foundation supports a broad range of U.S. charities through donor-advised funds, with a particular focus on Christian ministries and community transformation in Memphis; its Hope for Memphis Fund serves eligible Gospel-centered nonprofits in the Memphis metro area. Its 2025 grants had a median of $22,050, and it accepts applications for the Hope for Memphis Fund during its stated application cycle.
Assets
$229.0M
Grants
636
Total Given
$109.7M
More similar funders
More Funders in Tennessee
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Tennessee State Museum Foundation Inc'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.
Tennessee State Museum Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?