The Urban Child Institute
The Urban Child Institute is a public charity based in Memphis, Tennessee, formed in 1983. It supports the education, health, and well-being of young children in Shelby County through community engagement and funding for early-childhood-focused nonprofits and designated support organizations.
The Urban Child Institute at a glance
In short: The Urban Child Institute gave $5.1M across 49 grants in 2024 (avg $105K), mostly in Tennessee. 29% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $5,128,500
- -8.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 49
- +14.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $104,663
- -19.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $133,203,433
- +3.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (14 of 49, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (97% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Urban Child Institute
- Contact
Mailing address: 1350 Concourse Avenue 481, Memphis, TN 38104
Phone: (901) 523-9199
Website: https://theurbanchildinstitute.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Urban Child Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Uthsc ($1.1M). Together the top 10 received $3.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
185 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 80 grants of 185 (43%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Institute’s stated mission focuses on young children in Shelby County. In 2024, 97% of grant dollars went to recipients in Tennessee; the remaining reported shares were 1% each to Oregon and Washington, and 0% each to Colorado and Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 49 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Urban Child Institute open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 14 of 49 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $16K; repeat grants $140K. How we count
Medians: $9K first-time, $51K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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 $5.1M (2024) to $10.8M (2022). In 2024 it made 49 grants totaling $5.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Uthsc Memphis, TN | Program Support | $1,055,000 |
| LeBonheur Children's Hospital Memphis, TN | Program Support | $861,000 |
| UM Research Foundation Memphis, TN | Program Support | $600,500 |
| Porter Leath Memphis, TN | Program Support | $405,000 |
| ALL Memphis Memphis, TN | Program Support | $305,000 |
| Tennesseans for Quality Early Education Memphis, TN | Program Support | $200,000 |
| Literacy MidSouth Memphis, TN | Program Support | $140,000 |
| Believe Academy Memphis, TN | Program Support | $100,000 |
| Memphis Teacher Residency Memphis, TN | Program Support | $100,000 |
| Mid-South Food Bank Memphis, TN | Program Support | $100,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
In 2024, the Institute reported 49 grants.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $133,203,433 | $12,044,822 | $6,706,605 | $5,128,500 | 49 | $12,021,722 |
| 2023 | $129,030,737 | $15,242,430 | $7,108,716 | $5,600,000 | 43 | $15,129,599 |
| 2022 | $122,446,565 | $-21,732,635 | $12,291,034 | $10,825,100 | 43 | $-21,880,205 |
| 2021 | $154,632,068 | $23,035,901 | $8,076,591 | $6,597,270 | 34 | $23,003,901 |
| 2020 | $142,913,369 | $7,151,914 | $8,836,910 | $7,000,070 | 16 | $7,151,914 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Institute’s stated mission is to promote the education, health, and well-being of young children in Shelby County. Its activities include presentations and discussions on children’s health and social and emotional development, participation in child-related coalitions, and funding for nonprofits focused on early childhood.
In 2024, the Institute also funded designated support organizations: LeBonheur Children’s Hospital, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and the University of Memphis. Porter Leath, which the Institute describes as a major provider of Early Head Start services, received funds for early-childhood initiatives.
Examples of other funded organizations illustrate the range of work among its grantees. Literacy Mid-South says its mission is to mobilize the community to maximize the impact of literacy and learning services. Seeding Success describes its work as supporting a “cradle to career” education agenda in Shelby County. Memphis Child Advocacy Center says it serves children who are victims of sexual and severe physical abuse through prevention, education, and intervention. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the Institute’s.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Institute reported 49 grants totaling $5,128,500. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $1,055,000, with a median of $50,000.
The largest reported grants included $1,055,000 to UTHSC, $861,000 to LeBonheur Children’s Hospital, $600,500 to UM Research Foundation, and $405,000 to Porter Leath, each for program support. Other notable grants included $305,000 to ALL Memphis; $200,000 to Tennesseans for Quality Early Education; $140,000 to Literacy Mid-South; and $100,000 each to Believe Academy, Memphis Teacher Residency, Mid-South Food Bank, MLH Foundation, and Seeding Success.
The Institute’s filing describes funding for early-childhood nonprofits in Shelby County and for designated support organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Kathy Buckman-Gibson as Board Chair, Calvin Anderson as Secretary, and Kathleen Mooney as Treasurer. Listed board members are Altha Stewart, Archie Willis, Blair Taylor, Cynthia Cross, Eraina Schauss, John Pontius, and Mary McDonald.
The Urban Child Institute is led by Kathy Buckman-Gibson, Board Chair since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 4 of 17 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Kathy Buckman-Gibson
Board Chair
Director → Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gary Shorb
Executuve Director
Executive Director → Executuve Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$165K (2020) → $190K (2024)
Jean Phebus
Chief Financial Officer
CFO → Chief Financial Officer, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$150K (2020) → $176K (2024)
Katherine Bryan
Program Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$103K (2020) → $124K (2024)
Katherine Spurlock
Deputy Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$150K (2020) → $179K (2024)
Altha Stewart
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Blair Taylor
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Calvin Anderson
Secretary
Director → Board Member, 2021
Board Member → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Pontius
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathleen Mooney
Treasurer
Director → Board Member, 2021
Board Member → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary McDonald
Board Member
Board Chairman → Board Chair, 2021
Board Chair → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Archie Willis
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia Cross
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Elswick
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Trey Eubanks MD
Board Member
President → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eraina Schauss
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Terri Finkel
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Kathy Buckman Gibson (2021–2023) — Board Chair
- Former: Deputy Director Spurlock (2023) — Deputy Director
- Former: Program Officer Bryan (2023) — Program Officer
- Former: Jon McCullers (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Loretta Rudd (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Michael Wiggins (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: James Gurney (2020–2021) — Retired June
- Former: Monroe Ballard (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 $190K, to Gary Shorb (Executuve Director). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Urban Child Institute
How much does The Urban Child Institute give each year?
The Urban Child Institute gave $5.1M across 49 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $5.6M across 43 grants.
What is The Urban Child Institute's typical grant size?
The Urban Child Institute's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $104,663, across 49 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Urban Child Institute that year got $16K on average.
Where does The Urban Child Institute give grants?
The Urban Child Institute gives mostly in Tennessee: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Memphis, TN (38 grants), Nashville, TN (3 grants) and Cordova, TN (2 grants).
Does The Urban Child Institute give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 49 grants with a stated purpose on The Urban Child Institute's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (49 grants).
Who are The Urban Child Institute's largest grantees?
The Urban Child Institute's largest 2024 grantees include Uthsc ($1,055,000), LeBonheur Children's Hospital ($861,000) and UM Research Foundation ($600,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 49% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Urban Child Institute?
The Urban Child Institute reported $133.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $12.0M.
What does The Urban Child Institute fund?
The Institute’s stated mission is to promote the education, health, and well-being of young children in Shelby County. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Urban Child Institute?
The Urban Child Institute has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check theurbanchildinstitute.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Urban Child Institute's EIN?
The Urban Child Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-1514037. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Other open foundation grants in Tennessee
Tennessee Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Urban Child Institute's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Urban Child Institute funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-urban-child-institute-morg_546b4eec55c34ef0940e6689638d8b0c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_581514037_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Urban Child Institute funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-urban-child-institute-morg_546b4eec55c34ef0940e6689638d8b0c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. 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 Urban Child Institute'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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