The Samuel M Fleming Foundation
The Samuel M Fleming Foundation is a private, independent foundation established in 1993 and based in Nashville, Tennessee. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and is designated for religious, educational, charitable, scientific, literary, and other qualifying philanthropic purposes.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.3M
+19.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$715K
+16.3% YoY
Grant Count
42
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$17K
+16.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Samuel M Fleming Foundation reported a distributable amount of $726K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's grant-making focuses on:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
Grantmaking
The foundation distributed $715,000 in grants during the most recent fiscal year (2024).
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Kentucky
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $8,303,818
- Total Revenue: $2,157,992
- Total Expenses: $886,909
- Net Income: $1,271,083
- Total Liabilities: $33,100
Tax-Exempt Status: The foundation has maintained tax-exempt status since March 1993.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,303,818 | $6,977,233 | $7,431,460 |
| Revenue | $2,157,992 | $329,482 | $130,270 |
| Expenses | $886,909 | $772,716 | $819,292 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $764,250 | $663,392 | $684,120 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,048,512 | $228,491 | $187,494 |
| Distributable Amount | $725,600 | $649,887 | $666,936 |
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
196 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Miss Porter's School ($85,000), Kipp Academy ($70,000), Teacher for America ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| '26 CLUB FORT WORTH, TX | CHARITABLE | $5,000 |
| BATTLE GROUND ACADEMY FRANKLIN, TN | CHARITABLE | $10,000 |
| BATTLE OF FRANKLIN TRUST FRANKLIN, TN | CHARITABLE | $13,500 |
| BELLE MEADE MANSION NASHVILLE, TN | CHARITABLE | $4,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB COLUMBIA, TN | CHARITABLE | $3,500 |
| CHEEKWOOD BOTANICAL GARDEN NASHVILLE, TN | CHARITABLE | $5,000 |
| CUMBERLAND HEIGHTS FOUNDATION INC NASHVILLE, TN | CHARITABLE | $48,000 |
| ENSWORTH SCHOOL NASHVILLE, TN | CHARITABLE | $20,000 |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH NASHVILLE, TN | CHARITABLE | $32,500 |
| FOLDS OF HONOR FOUNDATION OWASSO, OK | CHARITABLE | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAMUEL FLEMING WILT | CO-TRUSTEE | 5 | $50,000 |
| JOANNE F HAYES | CO-TRUSTEE | — | $250 |
| SAM ANDERSON BANKS | CO-TRUSTEE | — | $250 |
| TOBY WILT III | CO-TRUSTEE | — | $250 |
| MARSHALL ELIZABETH WILT | CO-TRUSTEE | — | — |
Contact Information
- Location: PO Box 59324, Nashville, TN 37205-9324
- Telephone: 615-386-7302
- EIN: 58-2026295
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Samuel M Fleming Foundation fund?
The foundation's grant-making focuses on: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services
How do I apply for a grant from The Samuel M Fleming Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** • Typical awards range from $42,000 to $85,000 • Total giving in 2024: $715,000 **Recent Activity:** The foundation distributed $715,000 in grants during the most recent fiscal year (2024).
Where does The Samuel M Fleming Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Tennessee • Texas • Kentucky
What size grants does The Samuel M Fleming Foundation award?
In 2024, The Samuel M Fleming Foundation awarded 42 grants totaling $715K — an average of about $17K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Samuel M Fleming Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Samuel M Fleming Foundation reported a distributable amount of $726K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Samuel M Fleming Foundation's EIN?
The Samuel M Fleming Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-2026295. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Samuel M Fleming Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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