The Assisi Foundation of Memphis Inc
The Assisi Foundation of Memphis, Inc. is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1994 from the proceeds of the sale of St. Francis Hospital. Based in Memphis, Tennessee, the foundation serves nonprofit organizations working to improve Memphis and the Mid-South region. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and has become one of the region's significant philanthropic institutions.
Financial Overview
From 2023 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$222.9M
+8.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$10.5M
+0.0% YoY
Grant Count
43
-2.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$244K
+2.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Assisi Foundation of Memphis Inc reported a distributable amount of $10.5M for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to support health, lifelong learning, social justice, and responsible use of resources with respect and compassion for all.
The foundation's primary areas of focus include:
Health & Human Services The foundation supports initiatives that enhance the spiritual, mental, and physical health and well-being of the Mid-South community. Grantees include organizations that address social determinants through direct care, research, or preventive measures.
Education & Lifelong Learning The foundation strives to strengthen the community's educational well-being through programs that develop tools for life and focus on social responsibility. The foundation funds nonprofits that build organizational capacity, provide professional development, promote collaboration, and leverage local, state, and federal resources.
Social Justice & Ethics The foundation values organizations that help individuals reach their greatest human potential.
Cultural Enrichment and the Arts The foundation supports the area's cultural institutions and groups that promote the cultural and artistic heritage of Greater Memphis. Requests may be considered for capital campaigns, endowments, renovations and repairs, and underwriting special programming.
Grantmaking
The foundation has awarded more than $280 million to nonprofit organizations since its formation in 1994. In 2023, the foundation made total grants of approximately $10.5 million.
Review Cycle
apply annually
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with The Assisi Foundation of Memphis Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily serves the Greater Memphis area and the Mid-South region surrounding Memphis, Tennessee.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $222,933,424
- Total Revenues: $3,847,596
- Total Expenses: $15,632,302
- Total Liabilities: $3,770,000
- Total Giving: $10,499,512
| Metric | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $222,933,424 | $205,049,009 | $238,137,134 |
| Revenue | $3,847,596 | $18,670,140 | $32,851,811 |
| Expenses | $15,632,302 | $12,420,647 | $12,649,468 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $11,367,805 | $11,799,152 | $11,769,954 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,839,522 | $3,635,659 | $31,406,000 |
| Distributable Amount | $10,474,642 | $10,200,491 | $11,077,806 |
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 2023
Grant Size Distribution
187 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Assisi Foundation of Memphis Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2023 grants, the largest include University of Memphis Foundation ($1,650,000), Alpha Omega Veterans Services ($750,000), St Jude Children's Research Hospita ($750,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BOYS GIRLS CLUB OF HATCHIE RIVER COVINGTON, TN | PROJECT LEARN | $10,000 |
| MOMENTUM NONPROFIT PARTNERS MEMPHIS, TN | BUILDING CAPACITY IN NONPROFITS | $200,000 |
| ARROW CREATIVE MEMPHIS, TN | PHASE II CONSTRUCTION | $50,000 |
| SULTANA HISTORICAL PRESERVATION SOC WEST MEMPHIS, AR | SULTANA DISASTER MUSEUM | $100,000 |
| AFM INITIATIVES MEMPHIS, TN | BOD AFM INITIATIVES | $103,341 |
| PRIZM ENSEMBLE MEMPHIS, TN | OPERATING SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| WREG MEMPHIS, TN | KNOWLEDGE BOWL | $15,000 |
| OVERTON PARK CONSERVANCY MEMPHIS, TN | ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMMING | $60,000 |
| MAYOR'S INSTITUTE FOR EXCELLENCE IN MEMPHIS, TN | DATA MID-SOUTH: CIVIC DATA PLATFORM | $110,000 |
| OUTMEMPHIS MEMPHIS, TN | METAMORPHOSIS PROJECT | $125,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Dr. Jan Young - Executive Director
Staff:
- Ernestine Berry Smith - Senior Programs Officer
- Tiffanie Grier - Program Officer
- Alyssa Nucaro - Program Officer
- Taylor Wamble - Director of Grants Management
- Jaclyn White - Director of Accounting & Finance
- John I. Mansfield - Director of First Impressions
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
From 2023 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JACK A BELZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| THOMAS C FARNSWORTH III | Director | 1 | — |
| HARRY GOLDSMITH | Director | 1 | — |
| NISHA POWERS | Director | 1 | — |
| CAROL JOHNSON DEAN | Director | 1 | — |
| MOLITOR FORD JR | Director | 1 | — |
| MARVIN DAVIS | Director | 1 | — |
| RONALD A BELZ | Director | 1 | — |
| DAVID SCULLY | Director | 1 | — |
| MARTIN REGAN | Director | 1 | — |
| BARBARA DAUSH | Director | 1 | — |
| ELLEN KLYCE | Director | 1 | — |
| BEVERLY ROBERTSON | Director | 1 | — |
| CHARLES D SCHAFFLER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| FRANK GUSMUS | Director | 1 | — |
| CATO JOHNSON | Director | 1 | — |
| WILLIE GREGORY | Director | 1 | — |
| MARTIN F THOMPSON | Director | 1 | — |
| PHILIP R ZANONE JR | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PEGGY VEESER | Chairman | 1 | — |
| ROBERT GOOCH | Director | 1 | — |
| JAN YOUNG | Executive Direc | 45 | $311,916 |
| SUSAN AGUILLARD | Director | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2025, Southwest Tennessee Community College received a $500,000 grant from the Assisi Foundation for a major entertainment project related to arts programming.
Southwest Tennessee Community College receives Assisi Foundation of MemphisSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Assisi Foundation of Memphis Inc fund?
The foundation's mission is to support health, lifelong learning, social justice, and responsible use of resources with respect and compassion for all. The foundation's primary areas of focus include: **Health & Human Services** The foundation supports initiatives that enhance the spiritual, mental, and physical health and well-being of the Mid-South community. Grantees include organizations that address social determinants through direct care, research, or preventive measures. **Education & Li…
How do I apply for a grant from The Assisi Foundation of Memphis Inc?
**Grant Activity** The foundation has awarded more than $280 million to nonprofit organizations since its formation in 1994. In 2023, the foundation made total grants of approximately $10.5 million. **Recent Grants** Notable recent grants include: • University of Memphis Foundation: $1,650,000 for Sustaining R1 and Community Based Research (2023) • Alpha Omega Veterans Services: $750,000 for Operation Homes for Heroes (2023) • St Jude Children's Research Hospital: $750,000 for Cell + Gene Thera…
Where does The Assisi Foundation of Memphis Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily serves the Greater Memphis area and the Mid-South region surrounding Memphis, Tennessee.
What size grants does The Assisi Foundation of Memphis Inc award?
In 2023, The Assisi Foundation of Memphis Inc awarded 43 grants totaling $10.5M — an average of about $244K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Assisi Foundation of Memphis Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, The Assisi Foundation of Memphis Inc reported a distributable amount of $10.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Assisi Foundation of Memphis Inc's EIN?
The Assisi Foundation of Memphis Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-1558722. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Assisi Foundation of Memphis Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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