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
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
No grants recorded for .
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
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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