Thomas W Briggs Foundation Inc
The Thomas W Briggs Foundation is a private foundation based in Memphis, Tennessee, dedicated to supporting the nonprofit ecosystem and community development in the Memphis area. Established in 1957 by Thomas Winston Briggs, founder of the Welcome Wagon Company, the foundation carries forward its founder's belief in the power of community and the importance of hospitality and neighborly connection.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$17.1M
+8.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$635K
+33.7% YoY
Grant Count
30
+20.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$21K
+11.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Thomas W Briggs Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $791K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To create and sustain a welcoming community for all Memphis by supporting and leveraging non-profit organizations and leaders.
The foundation supports Memphis area organizations whose initiatives and programs:
- Further the legacy of making all individuals feel welcome and encouraging neighborly actions
- Promote pride in the Memphis community
- Contribute to socioeconomic advancement
- Elevate educational achievement
- Transform and impact the city of Memphis and its constituencies
The foundation maintains a specific focus on youth and young adult financial well-being, with investment interests including:
- Direct Services: Educational programs in financial education, financial capability, job readiness, and mentorship; workforce development programs, internships, apprenticeships, and labor market onramps
- Policy and Advocacy: Nonprofit support and leadership development for youth-serving organizations
- Capacity Building: Funding to strengthen organizations serving youth and empower youth leaders
The foundation primarily funds organizations in underresourced communities and supports program or project funding.
Grantmaking
1. **Core Funding** - Available to eligible nonprofits meeting general requirements
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $10,000 to $80,000, with a median grant amount of $15,000.
Review Cycle
for applicant discussions; June 25, 2025 application invitations sent; August 1, 2025 proposals due
Grant Types
How to Apply
** The foundation operates on a biennial funding cycle with two application periods annually:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Memphis, Tennessee. The foundation exclusively serves organizations that primarily serve the city of Memphis and do not extend beyond Shelby County, Tennessee.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $17,513,616 (as of 2024)
- Total Annual Giving: $691,550
- Total Revenues: $1,045,596 (FYE 09/2024)
- Total Expenses: $1,110,696 (FYE 09/2024)
- Staff: 1 full-time employee (Executive Director)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $17,073,239 | $15,738,522 | $14,922,943 |
| Revenue | $1,045,596 | $954,754 | $1,400,812 |
| Expenses | $1,110,696 | $980,690 | $1,157,967 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $741,075 | $569,921 | $865,719 |
| Net Investment Income | $834,807 | $724,629 | $1,066,567 |
| Distributable Amount | $790,849 | $763,507 | $799,656 |
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
158 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Thomas W Briggs Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Brooks Museum ($80,000), Alpha Omega Veterans Services ($50,000), National Civil Rights Museum ($40,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Advance Memphis Memphis, TN | Program Support | $25,000 |
| MIFA Memphis, TN | Program Support | $10,000 |
| Orpheum Memphis, TN | Program Support | $10,000 |
| Volunteer Odyssey Memphis, TN | Program Support | $10,000 |
| Brooks Museum Memphis, TN | Program Support | $80,000 |
| Indie Memphis Memphis, TN | Program Support | $10,000 |
| MAM Memphis, TN | Program Support | $25,000 |
| Alpha Omega Veterans Services Memphis, TN | Program Support | $50,000 |
| Carpenter Art Garden Memphis, TN | Program Support | $15,000 |
| Collage Dance Collective Memphis, TN | Program Support | $15,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Donna Nash - Executive Director
- Allison Cates - Chair/Director
- Meg Crosby - Vice Chair
- Hunter Witherington - Treasurer/Director
- Douglas Scarboro - Director
- V Lynn Evans - Director
- Larry Jensen - Director
- Demetri Patikas - Director
- Dr Kenneth S Robinson - Director
- Carol Seamons - Director
- Keva Latham - Director
- Rufus Smith - Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Contact Information
- Website: www.briggsmemphis.org
- Phone: 901-680-0276
- Address: 802 Rozelle Street, Memphis, TN 38104-5052
- EIN: 62-6039986
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Thomas W Briggs Foundation Inc fund?
**Mission:** To create and sustain a welcoming community for all Memphis by supporting and leveraging non-profit organizations and leaders. The foundation supports Memphis area organizations whose initiatives and programs: • Further the legacy of making all individuals feel welcome and encouraging neighborly actions • Promote pride in the Memphis community • Contribute to socioeconomic advancement • Elevate educational achievement • Transform and impact the city of Memphis and its constituencies
How do I apply for a grant from Thomas W Briggs Foundation Inc?
**Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $10,000 to $80,000, with a median grant amount of $15,000. **Grant Types:** The foundation offers two types of grants: 1. **Core Funding** - Available to eligible nonprofits meeting general requirements 2. **Equity Fund** - Specifically for organizations led by BIPOC Executive Directors serving primarily BIPOC communities (more than 50% of population served) **Application Process:** The foundation operates on a biennial funding cycle with two applicati…
Where does Thomas W Briggs Foundation Inc make grants?
Memphis, Tennessee. The foundation exclusively serves organizations that primarily serve the city of Memphis and do not extend beyond Shelby County, Tennessee.
What size grants does Thomas W Briggs Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Thomas W Briggs Foundation Inc awarded 30 grants totaling $635K — an average of about $21K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Thomas W Briggs Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Thomas W Briggs Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $791K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Thomas W Briggs Foundation Inc's EIN?
Thomas W Briggs Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-6039986. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Thomas W Briggs Foundation Inc'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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