The Dunavant Foundation
The Dunavant Foundation is a Memphis, Tennessee-based public charity that supports the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis in carrying out its charitable mission. Its filing describes its program as accepting property for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes, primarily for the benefit of Memphis and Shelby County.
The Dunavant Foundation at a glance
In short: The Dunavant Foundation gave $157K across 6 grants in 2025 (avg $26K), mostly in Tennessee. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $157,000
- -93.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 6
- -33.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $26,167
- -89.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $18,500
- Total assets
- $1,644,059
- -7.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (94% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Dunavant Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 1900 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104
Phone: (901) 728-4600
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Dunavant Foundation
Who The Dunavant Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was St Michael Catholic Church ($50K). Together the top 6 received $157K.
Grant Size Distribution
31 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $500K–1M range: 7 grants of 31 (23%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s filing describes its charitable purposes as primarily benefiting Memphis and Shelby County. In 2025, 94% of grant dollars went to recipients in Tennessee and 6% to a recipient in North Dakota.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $157K (2025) to $21.5M (2023). In 2025 it made 6 grants totaling $157K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| St Michael Catholic Church Memphis, TN | General Operational Support | $50,000 |
| The Cotton Museum Inc Memphis, TN | General Operational Support | $50,000 |
| Artsmemphis Memphis, TN | General Operational Support | $25,000 |
| The First Tee of Tennessee in Memphis Memphis, TN | General Operational Support | $12,000 |
| University of Memphis Foundation Memphis, TN | General Operational Support | $10,000 |
| Delta Waterfowl Foundation Bismarck, ND | General Operational Support | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,644,059 | $55,053 | $184,141 | $157,000 | 6 | $55,053 |
| 2024 | $1,773,147 | $125,269 | $2,273,359 | $2,240,000 | 9 | $125,269 |
| 2023 | $3,922,212 | $5,251,810 | $21,523,284 | $21,455,500 | 16 | $395,031 |
| 2022 | $24,464,247 | $11,785,246 | $140,048 | — | — | $-28,359 |
| 2021 | $9,289,730 | $103,275 | $454,566 | — | — | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation states that its primary exempt purpose is to assist the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis in carrying out its charitable mission. Its filing describes its only program as accepting property for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes, primarily in and for the benefit of Memphis and Shelby County.
The 2025 recipients illustrate several kinds of organizations it supports. The Cotton Museum describes its mission as preserving the history, heritage, and culture of the cotton industry, including its impact on Memphis. ArtsMemphis says it supports the arts to strengthen the Memphis community. The University of Memphis Foundation says it accepts, manages, and disburses private support to the university. Delta Waterfowl Foundation describes its mission as producing ducks and securing the future of waterfowl hunting.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported six grants totaling $157,000. Grants ranged from $10,000 to $50,000, with a median of $18,500. Each was listed as general operational support. The largest grants were $50,000 each to St. Michael Catholic Church and The Cotton Museum, both in Memphis, followed by $25,000 to ArtsMemphis.
The foundation’s 2024 filing describes a grant-review process in which a director submits a written recommendation to the treasurer, who verifies that the proposed recipient is a legitimate 501(c)(3) organization. The president, treasurer, or secretary must approve disbursement, with approval by two of those three officers; the full board then votes to ratify the grant at its next scheduled meeting. Staff of the supported organization monitor the grant through completion of its designated purpose.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Tommie Smith Dunavant as chair, Robert M. Fockler as president, Barbara S. Mora as secretary, Gary Zwierzynski as treasurer, and J. Martin Regan Jr. and Kelli Dunavant as directors.
The Dunavant Foundation is led by Robert M. Fockler, President on every filing since 2021; none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Robert M. Fockler
President
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tommie Smith Dunavant
Chair
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
J. Martin Regan Jr.
Director
Secretary → Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kelli Dunavant
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barbara S. Mora
Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gary Zwierzynski
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: George Lumm (2023–2024) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 The Dunavant Foundation
How much does The Dunavant Foundation give each year?
The Dunavant Foundation gave $157K across 6 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $2.2M across 9 grants.
What is The Dunavant Foundation's typical grant size?
The Dunavant Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $18,500, and its average grant was $26,167, across 6 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Dunavant Foundation give grants?
The Dunavant Foundation gives mostly in Tennessee: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was North Dakota (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Memphis, TN (5 grants).
Does The Dunavant Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Dunavant Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 6) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are The Dunavant Foundation's largest grantees?
The Dunavant Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include St Michael Catholic Church ($50,000), The Cotton Museum Inc ($50,000) and Artsmemphis ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 80% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Dunavant Foundation?
The Dunavant Foundation reported $1.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $55K.
What does The Dunavant Foundation fund?
The foundation states that its primary exempt purpose is to assist the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis in carrying out its charitable mission. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Dunavant Foundation?
The Dunavant Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Dunavant Foundation's EIN?
The Dunavant Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-1528504. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 30, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 30, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 12, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Dunavant Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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