The Melkus Family Foundation
The Melkus Family Foundation is a private foundation established in 1993 and based in Nashville, Tennessee. Operating as a 501(c)(3) organization, it functions as a family foundation with a focus on philanthropic giving across multiple sectors and geographic regions.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$61.4M
-3.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$7.3M
+31.6% YoY
Grant Count
75
+4.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$98K
+26.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Melkus Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's giving priorities include:
- United Way support
- Arts
- Health associations and healthcare
- Children, youth, and social services
- Education
- Human services
- Food security and hunger relief
- Immigration-related initiatives
Grantmaking
The foundation made 50 grants totaling approximately $4.8 million in documented activity, with additional grants bringing the annual total to over $5.6 million.
Grant Range
$8 to $1,250,000
Average Grant
$282
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports initiatives across multiple U.S. states and major cities, including:
- Tennessee (primary location)
- New York
- Florida
- Illinois
- California
- Maryland
- North Carolina
- Kentucky
- Washington
- And additional states including Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Most Recent Filing (2023–2024):
- Total assets: $61.4–$63.9 million
- Total annual revenue: $29,790,597
- Total annual expenses: $5,811,785
- Expense ratio: 19.5% of total revenue
- Number of employees: 1
Asset Growth: Assets increased 2.6% from the previous year.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $61,375,549 | $63,861,503 | $39,234,849 |
| Revenue | $5,675,356 | $29,790,597 | $1,158,794 |
| Expenses | $8,189,441 | $5,811,785 | $5,224,401 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $7,587,190 | $5,696,025 | $5,118,777 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,704,894 | $29,674,863 | $1,677,627 |
| Distributable Amount | $7,589,798 | $6,519,543 | $5,991,265 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include International Rescue Committee ($1,000,000), Doctors Without Borders ($500,000), City Harvest ($300,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION MERRIFIELD, VA | TO FURTHER ONE OR MORE OF THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE CHARITY | $5,000 |
| AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION NEW YORK, NY | TO FURTHER ONE OR MORE OF THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE CHARITY | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN IMMIGRATION COUNCIL WASHINGTON, DC | TO FURTHER ONE OR MORE OF THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE CHARITY | $60,000 |
| AWAKE NASHVILLE, TN | TO FURTHER ONE OR MORE OF THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE CHARITY | $40,000 |
| BAY COLONY DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS NAPLES, TN | TO FURTHER ONE OR MORE OF THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE CHARITY | $2,500 |
| BOSTON COLLEGE CHESTNUT HILL, MA | TO FURTHER ONE OR MORE OF THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE CHARITY | $100,000 |
| BRIDGES FOR THE DEAF & HARD OF HEARING NASHVILLE, TN | TO FURTHER ONE OR MORE OF THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE CHARITY | $5,000 |
| CAMP ONE STEP CHICAGO, IL | TO FURTHER ONE OR MORE OF THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE CHARITY | $25,000 |
| CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETY NEW YORK, NY | TO FURTHER ONE OR MORE OF THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE CHARITY | $214,534 |
| CHINA RESCUE DOGS VASS, NC | TO FURTHER ONE OR MORE OF THE EXEMPT PURPOSES OF THE CHARITY | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Kenneth J. Melkus – Chairman and Treasurer
- Barbara L. Melkus – Vice President and Secretary
- Lauren E. Melkus – President
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KENNETH J MELKUS | CHAIRMAN AND TREASURER | 20 | — |
| BARBARA L MELKUS | VP AND SECRETARY | 2.5 | — |
| LAUREN E MELKUS | PRESIDENT | 20 | $110,000 |
Contact Information
Address: 102 Woodmont Blvd, Suite 110 Nashville, TN 37205-5248
Telephone: 646-285-4430
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Melkus Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's giving priorities include: • United Way support • Arts • Health associations and healthcare • Children, youth, and social services • Education • Human services • Food security and hunger relief • Immigration-related initiatives
How do I apply for a grant from The Melkus Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total annual grants awarded: approximately $5.6–$7.3 million • Typical grant range: $8 to $1,250,000 • Number of grants: 72 grants awarded in 2024 • Average grant size: $282 • Median grant size: Data not specified **Recent Notable Grants (2023):** • International Rescue Committee: $1,250,000 • City Harvest: $625,000 • Doctors Without Borders USA: $500,000 The foundation made 50 grants totaling approximately $4.8 million in documented activity, with additional grants bringi…
Where does The Melkus Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports initiatives across multiple U.S. states and major cities, including: • Tennessee (primary location) • New York • Florida • Illinois • California • Maryland • North Carolina • Kentucky • Washington • And additional states including Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin
What size grants does The Melkus Family Foundation award?
In 2024, The Melkus Family Foundation awarded 75 grants totaling $7.3M — an average of about $98K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Melkus Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Melkus Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Melkus Family Foundation's EIN?
The Melkus Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-1518285. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
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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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