The Frist Foundation
The Frist Foundation is a private foundation based in Nashville, Tennessee. It supports nonprofit organizations working to improve quality of life in Nashville and Middle Tennessee, with an emphasis on addressing community challenges and strengthening nonprofits’ capacity and impact.
The Frist Foundation at a glance
In short: The Frist Foundation gave $58.2M across 174 grants in 2024 (avg $335K), mostly in Tennessee. 25% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $58,226,615
- +219.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 174
- +1.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $334,636
- +214.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $195,569,602
- -2.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (33 of 134, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (55% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Frist Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation’s filing says giving is not restricted to preselected organizations. Its website directs new partners to complete an eligibility quiz and returning partners to submit a request summary through its online grants process. Applicants who pass the eligibility quiz are prompted to create an account and submit a summary of the project’s need, scope, and budget; selected applicants are invited to provide a fuller application and supporting documents. Requests are accepted on a rolling basis, with review and decisions depending on the size and scope of the request.
- Review Cycle
- The Foundation says there are no deadlines for general grant applications and that general grants are given throughout the year. Larger grants are typically considered at board meetings in January, April, July, and October; approval may take up to three months depending on submission timing.
- Deadline
- The Foundation says there are no deadlines for general grant applications and that general grants are given throughout…
- Contact
Application contact: The Frist Foundation
Mailing address: 3100 West End Ave Suite 1050, Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: (615) 292-3868
Website: https://fristfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Frist Foundation
Who The Frist Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund ($24.9M across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $53.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
985 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 783 grants of 985 (79%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation says it works to improve quality of life in Nashville and the broader Middle Tennessee area and asks that applicants primarily serve Davidson County residents. In 2024, 55% of grant dollars went to recipients in Tennessee and 43% to recipients in New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 174 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Frist Foundation open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 33 of 134 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $811K; repeat grants $312K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 58% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 132% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 178% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $18.1M (2020) to $58.2M (2024). In 2024 it made 174 grants totaling $58.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund Albany, NY | Frist Foundation Donor Advised Fund Gift | $23,547,632 |
| Frist Art Museum Nashville, TN | Annual Operating Gift | $6,452,457 |
| Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee Nashville, TN | To support the launch of the nashville early education coalition (NEEC) | $5,000,000 |
| Nashville Public Library Foundation Nashville, TN | Support for the Begin Bright Program | $5,000,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville Nashville, TN | Capital Support for Bella Terra Community in Antioch | $3,000,000 |
| YWCA of Nashvillemiddle TN Nashville, TN | Support for capital upgrades and renovations of the weaver domestic violence center | $3,000,000 |
| Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund Albany, NY | Frist Foundation Donor Advised Fund Gift | $1,357,325 |
| Frist Art Museum Nashville, TN | Capital Support | $1,100,000 |
| The HCA Hope Fund Nashville, TN | To Hope Fund for Hurricane Helene Relief | $1,000,000 |
| United Way of Greater Nashville Nashville, TN | Support for recovery efforts in clarksville following the december 2023 tornadoes | $1,000,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Frist 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $195,569,602 | $55,695,044 | $60,582,599 | $58,226,615 | 174 | $59,166,123 | $23,347,534 | $33,300,002 |
| 2023 | $200,236,459 | $23,118,814 | $20,889,281 | $18,211,653 | 171 | $19,083,587 | $8,391,804 | $28,911,153 |
| 2022 | $197,507,620 | $36,088,932 | $31,322,490 | $34,154,282 | 226 | $30,185,727 | $20,894,718 | $27,080,894 |
| 2021 | $198,128,014 | $36,312,656 | $29,841,302 | $25,052,398 | 207 | $25,992,694 | $24,943,535 | $27,057,986 |
| 2020 | $191,545,299 | $19,370,920 | $19,518,890 | $18,106,985 | 207 | — | $11,375,579 | $19,773,500 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Frist Foundation reported a distributable amount of $33.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to sustain and improve quality of life in Nashville and the broader Middle Tennessee area by investing in nonprofit organizations. Its website identifies community challenges including housing, food insecurity, and access to childcare, and highlights collaborative community efforts. Its grant information also identifies arts and culture, health disparities, immigrants and refugees, nonprofit infrastructure, and unhoused neighbors as areas of focus.
The Foundation prioritizes support that enhances nonprofits’ capacity, reach, and impact. Examples of supported organizations illustrate a range of activities: the Frist Art Museum says its mission is to present and originate exhibitions with educational programs and community outreach; the Nashville Public Library Foundation says it supports library programs that foster learning and children’s imagination; and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville says it brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 174 grants totaling $58,226,615. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $23,547,632, with a median of $20,000. The largest reported grant was $23,547,632 to Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund for a Frist Foundation donor-advised fund gift. Other notable awards included $6,452,457 to the Frist Art Museum for an annual operating gift; $5 million to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to support the launch of the Nashville Early Education Coalition; and $5 million to the Nashville Public Library Foundation for the Begin Bright program. The filing also lists $3 million to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville for capital support for the Bella Terra community in Antioch and $3 million to YWCA of Nashville-Middle TN for capital upgrades and renovations to the Weaver Domestic Violence Center.
The Foundation describes capacity-building grants as support for strengthening organizational systems and capabilities, including strategic planning, earned revenue development, and technology improvements. Capital grants support physical assets such as construction, renovation, and land acquisition. Operating grants are by invitation only. Its grant information says organizations should primarily serve Davidson County residents, be registered 501(c)(3) organizations, have operated for at least three years, and have budgets of at least $250,000. Stated exclusions include event sponsorships, hospitals or nursing homes, and religious organizations for religious purposes. The Foundation also says it does not ordinarily support operational or programmatic expenses, including salaries; endowment or scholarship funding; individual schools; or statewide initiatives.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Patricia Frist Elcan as president and chairman and Corinne Bergeron as executive director and CEO. Other listed officers and directors are Charles Elcan, Jennifer Frist, Julie Frist, Thomas F. Frist Jr. (director emeritus), Thomas F. Frist III, William R. Frist, Lauren Elcan Ingram, and Colette Easter (treasurer).
The Frist Foundation is led by Corinne Bergeron, Executive Director & CEO on every filing since 2022; 3 of 11 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Corinne Bergeron
Executive Director & CEO
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$250K (2022) → $300K (2024)
Patricia Frist Elcan
President & Chairman
Director → President & Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles Elcan
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Frist
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie Frist
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas F. Frist III
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William R. Frist
Director
Chairman → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Elcan Ingram
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Colette Easter
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$74K (2020) → $102K (2024)
Anne Reeves Axe
Secretary
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$70K (2022) → $84K (2024)
Thomas F. Frist Jr.
Director Emeritus
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Anne Reeves (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Lauren Elcan (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Peter F. Bird Jr. (2020–2021) — President & CEO · Filing note: Thru 12/31/2021
- Former: Barbara W. Baker (2020) — Former Secretary · Filing note: Thru 1202020
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $300K, to Corinne Bergeron (Executive Director and CEO). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Frist Foundation
How much does The Frist Foundation give each year?
The Frist Foundation gave $58.2M across 174 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $18.2M across 171 grants.
What is The Frist Foundation's typical grant size?
The Frist Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $334,636, across 174 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Frist Foundation that year got $811K on average.
Where does The Frist Foundation give grants?
The Frist Foundation gives mostly in Tennessee: 55% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (43%). The most frequent recipient cities were Nashville, TN (117 grants), Franklin, TN (4 grants), New York, NY (4 grants) and Princeton, NJ (4 grants).
Does The Frist Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 49% of The Frist Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (85 of 174) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Emergency Response - 2023 Tornadoes" (3 grants).
Who are The Frist Foundation's largest grantees?
The Frist Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund ($24,904,957 across 2 grants), Frist Art Museum ($7,678,338 across 4 grants) and Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee ($5,225,000 across 7 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 65% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Frist Foundation?
The Frist Foundation reported $195.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $59.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $33.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Frist Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to sustain and improve quality of life in Nashville and the broader Middle Tennessee area by investing in nonprofit organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Frist Foundation?
The Foundation’s filing says giving is not restricted to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Frist Foundation's EIN?
The Frist Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-1134070. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Frist Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
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
Duke Energy Foundation
Charlotte, NC
The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce and local economic development, disaster resilience, conservation, clean water, and economic opportunity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000; applications for grants of $20,000 or less are accepted year-round, after applicants discuss proposals with a state representative.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
41
Total Given
$25.6M
The Steven & Laurie Eskind
Nashville, TN
Assets
$5.2M
Grants
130
Total Given
$450K
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
Milton and Denice Johnson Family
Nashville, TN
The Milton and Denice Johnson Family funds charitable organizations in areas including education, arts, conservation, health, and food assistance, with nearly all 2025 giving going to Tennessee. Grants ranged from $2,500 to $2.5 million, with a median of $10,000. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$37.9M
Grants
54
Total Given
$3.9M
More similar funders
More Funders in Tennessee
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Frist Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-frist-foundation-morg_8b3347ae4d5e4999a4a1ef8e451eea0a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_621134070_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Frist Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-frist-foundation-morg_8b3347ae4d5e4999a4a1ef8e451eea0a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 The Frist 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.
The Frist Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?