The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation
The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Memphis, Tennessee. Created in Memphis in 1960, it supports work intended to create tangible, lasting change for families and communities in the city.
The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation gave $1.9M across 54 grants in 2024 (avg $36K), mostly in Tennessee. 26% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,929,177
- +34.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 54
- -1.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $35,726
- +37.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $17,500
- Total assets
- $39,762,949
- +2.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 26% first-time grantees (14 of 54, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (98% 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 Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Review the application process and materials on the foundation’s website. The filing lists Tate Wilson as the application contact and directs applicants to him for information about award restrictions.
- Review Cycle
- The 2024 filing lists January 15 and August 15. Both dates have passed in 2026; the next application deadlines are not specified here.
- Deadline
- The 2024 filing lists January 15 and August 15.
- Contact
Application contact: Tate Wilson
Mailing address: 802 Rozelle Street, Memphis, TN 38104
Phone: (901) 346-8800
Email: twilson@kwff.org
Website: https://www.kwff.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 Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation
Who The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was University of Tennessee Foundation Inc ($650K). Together the top 10 received $1.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
267 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 234 grants of 267 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its work as focused on Memphis. Its Building Strong Families initiative targets the Soulsville/South City area and identifies ZIP codes 38126 and 38106 in its criteria. In 2024, 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in Tennessee, 1% to Ohio, and 1% to New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 54 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation open to new grantees?
26%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 14 of 54 grantees (26%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $62K; repeat grants $26K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 70% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+5%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 145% 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 $1.3M (2020) to $1.9M (2024). In 2024 it made 54 grants totaling $1.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Tennessee Foundation Inc Knoxville, TN | General - Operating | $650,000 |
| Emmanuel Center Inc Memphis, TN | General - Operating | $150,000 |
| Knowledge Quest Memphis, TN | General - Operating | $105,000 |
| Memphis Brooks Museum of Art Inc Memphis, TN | General - Operating | $102,500 |
| The Works Inc Memphis, TN | General - Operating | $100,000 |
| Advance Memphis Memphis, TN | General - Operating | $50,000 |
| Christian Community Foundation of Memphis Memphis, TN | General - Operating | $50,000 |
| Urban Renaissance Partners Inc Memphis, TN | General - Operating | $50,000 |
| Soulsville Charter School Memphis, TN | General - Operating | $32,000 |
| Memphis Delta Preparatory Charter School Inc Memphis, TN | General - Operating | $30,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Kemmons Wilson Family 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 | $39,762,949 | $7,705,366 | $2,892,535 | $1,929,177 | 54 | $2,323,690 | $7,195,819 | $1,603,590 |
| 2023 | $38,685,232 | $801,384 | $2,286,207 | $1,429,869 | 55 | $1,829,517 | $341,605 | $1,843,947 |
| 2022 | $36,539,189 | $1,181 | $2,186,944 | $1,292,500 | 49 | $1,717,423 | $236,207 | $1,933,460 |
| 2021 | $43,664,458 | $3,439,186 | $2,571,021 | $1,836,795 | 54 | $2,108,742 | $2,995,504 | $2,054,647 |
| 2020 | $41,372,793 | $1,135,579 | $2,027,665 | $1,281,820 | 55 | — | $730,692 | $1,863,405 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.6M 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 vision is a joyful and just city where families can thrive. Its Building Strong Families initiative provides multi-year operating funds to organizations working to break generational cycles of poverty in Memphis’s Soulsville/South City area, with anchor investments in affordable housing, food equity, childhood and adult education, and employment pathways. The initiative describes eligibility criteria that include current or planned work in ZIP codes 38126 and 38106.
Innovation Grants are one-time awards of $10,000 to $25,000 for original projects, programs, or organizations. The foundation says it gives preference to proposals aligned with Building Strong Families and those involving nonprofit partnerships. Big Bets are larger investments intended to improve quality of life in Memphis and may support the capacity, infrastructure, or reach of key local institutions. First-time applicants are not eligible for Big Bets gifts.
The 2024 grantees illustrate several kinds of work supported. Emmanuel Center says it prepares youth with resources, educational support, and encouragement; Knowledge Quest says it equips youth and families through education, wellness, and economic mobility. The Works describes its work as rebuilding, restoring, and renewing Memphis neighborhoods, while Urban Renaissance Partners describes itself as a community development intermediary working in low-income neighborhoods. Other 2024 grantees include organizations whose stated missions involve employment and economic stability, Christian ministry, and education through charter schools.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation made 54 grants totaling $1,929,177. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $650,000, with a median of $17,500. The largest awards included $650,000 to the University of Tennessee Foundation for general operating support; $150,000 to Emmanuel Center; $105,000 to Knowledge Quest; $102,500 to Memphis Brooks Museum of Art; and $100,000 to The Works. Each of these grants was listed for general operating support.
The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It directs applicants to its website for forms and materials and lists Tate Wilson as the contact for the application process. The filing says to contact him for more information about award restrictions. For Innovation Grants, the website asks prospective applicants to contact Tate Wilson before applying. The website lists an application period of July 1 through August 1 for that program; those dates have passed for 2026.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Tate Wilson as president and CEO and Carole Wilson West as chairperson of the board. Kevin Geshke is listed as finance chair. Directors listed are Adrian C. Blackney, Margaret W. Hodges, Wilson Moore, Mclean T. Wilson, Robert A. Wilson, Stephanie B. Wilson, and Susan C. Wilson.
The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation is led by Tate Wilson, President & CEO since 2024 (on filings since 2021); 1 of 11 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Tate Wilson
President & CEO
Director → Executive Director, 2023
Executive Director → President & CEO, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$17K (2022) → $50K (2024)
Carole Wilson West
Chairperson of the Board
Director → President, 2023
President → Chairperson of the Board, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Geshke
Finance Chair
Vice President & Treasurer → Finance Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert A. Wilson
Director
Vice President → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan C. Wilson
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Adrian C. Blackney
Director
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Margaret W. Hodges
Director
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
McLean T. Wilson
Director
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie B. Wilson
Director
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Webb Wilson
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Wilson Moore
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Betty W. Moore (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Carrie Burke (2021–2023) — Former Executive Director
- Former: Donald W. Wilson (2023) — Director
- Former: C. Kemmons Wilson Jr. (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Carey W. Snider (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Eliot Morris (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Zach Ogale (2020–2022) — Assistant Secretary
- Former: Alison M. Buccini (2022) — Director of Programs
- Former: Cecil E. Carney III (2020) — Vice President & Treasurer
- Former: Elizabeth Wilson Moore (2020) — President
- Former: Gary C. McClain (2020) — Secretary & Assistant Treasurer
- Former: Jack Moore (2020) — Director
- Former: Rebecca Macsovits (2020) — Director
- Former: Spence L. Wilson (2020) — Director
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 $50K, to Tate Wilson (President/CEO).
Frequently asked questions about The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation
How much does The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation give each year?
The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation gave $1.9M across 54 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.4M across 55 grants.
What is The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $17,500, and its average grant was $35,726, across 54 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation that year got $62K on average.
Where does The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation give grants?
The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation gives mostly in Tennessee: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Memphis, TN (48 grants) and Germantown, TN (2 grants).
Does The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (54 of 54) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include University of Tennessee Foundation Inc ($650,000), Emmanuel Center Inc ($150,000) and Knowledge Quest ($105,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 47% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation?
The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation reported $39.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s vision is a joyful and just city where families can thrive. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation?
Review the application process and materials on the foundation’s website. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation's EIN?
The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-6046687. 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
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 6, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-kemmons-wilson-family-foundation-morg_35f3aae3c47c4bca93179ab10a9d2454
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_626046687_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-kemmons-wilson-family-foundation-morg_35f3aae3c47c4bca93179ab10a9d2454},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-06. 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 Kemmons Wilson Family 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.
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