The Day Foundation
The Day Foundation is a private foundation established in 1960 and designated as a 501(c)(3) organization. Based in Memphis, Tennessee, the foundation operates with a mission to improve the quality of life for people through support to nonprofit organizations. The foundation is staffed by 3 employees and operates from its office at 5100 Wheelis Drive, Suite 300, Memphis, TN 38117-4532.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$159.5M
+5.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$11.5M
-5.9% YoY
Grant Count
31
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$370K
-5.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Day Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Day Foundation's mission focuses on funding for education and community projects in the arts and social services. The foundation demonstrates particular emphasis on:
- Youth Development: Significant focus on at-risk youth and those transitioning out of foster care
- Education: Substantial scholarship programs and educational initiatives
- Arts and Culture: Community projects supporting arts initiatives
- Social Services: Major investments in youth services and programs supporting vulnerable populations
Grantmaking
The Day Foundation is an active grantmaker with consistent annual giving:
Grant Range
**: Approximately $393,000 (based on 2023 awards)
Average Grant
**: Approximately $393,000 (based on 2023 awards)
Ready to take the next step with The Day Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Day Foundation's funding priorities center on Memphis, Tennessee and the Southeastern United States.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 31, 2023:
- Total Assets: $151,808,164
- Total Revenue: $27,985,804
- Total Expenses: $13,733,293
- Net Income: $14,252,511
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Investment Income and Dividends: $2,430,313
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $159 million
The foundation maintains a strong financial position with no liabilities and significant investment income growth (193.2% increase in investment income and dividends from 2022 to 2023).
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $159,451,113 | $151,808,164 | $145,059,253 |
| Revenue | $15,661,802 | $27,985,804 | $8,500,406 |
| Expenses | $13,042,682 | $13,733,293 | $8,821,622 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $11,746,395 | $12,576,462 | $7,339,892 |
| Net Investment Income | $14,970,317 | $27,289,356 | $7,367,190 |
| Distributable Amount | $7,543,542 | $6,603,892 | $7,155,440 |
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
155 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Youth Villages ($3,000,000), St Paul Catholic School ($2,000,000), Rhodes College ($1,220,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A STEP AHEAD FOUNDATION MEMPHIS, TN | OPERATING SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| ALLIANCE HEALTHCARE SERVICES MEMPHIS, TN | OPERATING SUPPORT | $500,000 |
| ANGELSTREET MEMPHIS CORDOVA, TN | OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| CALVARY EPISCOPAL CHURCH MEMPHIS, TN | OPERATING SUPPORT | $250,000 |
| CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION MEMPHIS, TN | OPERATING SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| BINGHAMPTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY MEMPHIS, TN | OPERATING SUPPORT | $125,000 |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER MEMPHIS MEMPHIS, TN | OPERATING SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| CHRISTIAN BROTHERS HIGH SCHOOL MEMPHIS, TN | OPERATING SUPPORT | $335,000 |
| HARWOOD CENTER INC MEMPHIS, TN | OPERATING SUPPORT | $70,000 |
| IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH MEMPHIS, TN | SCHOLARSHIPS | $41,827 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation's trustees include:
- J Richard Buchignani
- William G Griesbeck
- C Thomas Whitman
- Charlotte A Henderson (Trustee, as of November 2023)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| J RICHARD BUCHIGNANI | PRESIDENT/TRUSTEE | 20 | $135,000 |
| CHARLOTTE A HENDERSON | VP-TREASURER/TRUSTEE | 20 | $135,000 |
| C THOMAS WHITMAN | TRUSTEE AS NECESSARY | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Day Foundation announced a landmark $42 million legacy challenge grant to Youth Villages, demonstrating the foundation's extraordinary commitment to youth services and its role as a major funder in the Memphis community. This grant represents one of the foundation's most significant philanthropic commitments and reflects the foundation's dedication to honoring founder Clarence Day's legacy following his death in 2009.
The Day Foundation - Grant Information & Application DetailsFrequently Asked Questions
What does The Day Foundation fund?
The Day Foundation's mission focuses on funding for education and community projects in the arts and social services. The foundation demonstrates particular emphasis on: • **Youth Development**: Significant focus on at-risk youth and those transitioning out of foster care • **Education**: Substantial scholarship programs and educational initiatives • **Arts and Culture**: Community projects supporting arts initiatives • **Social Services**: Major investments in youth services and programs suppo…
How do I apply for a grant from The Day Foundation?
The Day Foundation is an active grantmaker with consistent annual giving: • **2023 Activity**: Made 31 grants totaling $12,183,139 • **2022 Activity**: Made 28 grants • **2021 Activity**: Made 32 grants • **Average Grant Size**: Approximately $393,000 (based on 2023 awards) • **Grant Range**: Up to $42 million Recent notable grants include: • Rhodes College: $1,317,500 (Scholarships, 2023) • Alliance Healthcare Services: $500,000 (Operating Support, 2023) • Emmanuel Center: $285,000 (Operating …
Where does The Day Foundation make grants?
The Day Foundation's funding priorities center on Memphis, Tennessee and the Southeastern United States.
What size grants does The Day Foundation award?
In 2024, The Day Foundation awarded 31 grants totaling $11.5M — an average of about $370K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Day Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Day Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Day Foundation's EIN?
The Day Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 64-6025122. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Day Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Maclellan Center for Global Christian Ed
CHATTANOOGA, TN
Assets
$592K
Grants
1
Total Given
$48K
Anne Bransford Wallace Foundation
NASHVILLE, TN
Assets
$553K
Grants
40
Total Given
$43K
Springplace Presbyterian Church 280-5019032
KNOXVILLE, TN
Assets
$140K
Grants
1
Total Given
$6K
United Way of East Tennessee
JOHNSON CITY, TN
Assets
$3.4M
Grants
12
Total Given
$202K
One Family Memphis
MEMPHIS, TN
Assets
$6.4M
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Southeast Center for Cooperative Development
NASHVILLE, TN
Assets
$388K
Grants
1
Total Given
$20K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Day Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching The Day Foundation to a real strategy.