University of Memphis Foundation
The foundation accepts, manages, and disburses private support to the university of memphis.
University of Memphis Foundation at a glance
In short: University of Memphis Foundation gave $28.5M across 3 grants in 2025 (avg $9.5M), mostly in Tennessee. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $28,528,195
- +32.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 3
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $9,509,398
- +32.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,475,721
- Total assets
- $347,186,036
- +31.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who University of Memphis Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University of Memphis ($28.5M across 3 grants).
Grant Size Distribution
9 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was $5M or more: 8 grants of 9 (89%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How University of Memphis Foundation gives
- Giving grew 279% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $5.8M (2021) to $28.5M (2025). In 2025 it made 3 grants totaling $28.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Memphis Memphis, TN | University Awards and Scholarships | $11,780,442 |
| University of Memphis Memphis, TN | University General Support (See Part IV) | $10,475,721 |
| University of Memphis Memphis, TN | University Support, Advancement, and Special Projects | $6,272,032 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $347,186,036 | $66,402,207 | $30,158,057 | $28,528,195 | 3 | $8,440,361 |
| 2024 | $264,333,656 | $40,949,256 | $22,804,922 | $21,569,885 | 3 | $6,502,424 |
| 2023 | $222,735,067 | $47,641,079 | $32,781,998 | $12,684,362 | 1 | $3,757,992 |
| 2022 | $184,697,152 | $55,956,820 | $28,038,572 | $7,528,626 | 1 | $3,193,268 |
| 2021 | $175,396,802 | $38,710,840 | $32,519,523 | $5,798,031 | 1 | $5,588,687 |
| 2020 | $142,154,480 | $23,075,721 | $26,255,373 | $6,148,432 | 1 | $4,952,521 |
| 2019 | $152,560,360 | $36,020,997 | $35,294,847 | $10,361,093 | 1 | $2,268,549 |
About University of Memphis Foundation
Based on IRS filings
University of Memphis Foundation is a public charity focused on Education, based in Memphis, TN. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $347.2M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 3 grants totaling $28.5M. Net investment income was $8.4M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
University of Memphis Foundation is led by Holly Ford, Foundation CEO on every filing since 2022; 2 of 20 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Holly Ford
Foundation CEO
On filings since 2022
30 hrs/week
$170K (2024) → $174K (2025)
David Tate
President
Director → Vice President, 2021
Vice President → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Douglas Scarboro
Director
Director → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Harry L. Smith
Director
Vice President → President, 2020
President → Director, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Monica Wharton
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Mickey Robinson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rene Bustamante
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sudhir Agrawal
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bill Hardgrave
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daphne Large
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lauralan Grisoni
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Scully
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Holly Goughnour
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Christopher
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Nicell
Foundation Cbo
On filings since 2023
30 hrs/week
$136K (2024) → $145K (2025)
Fred Towler
Immediate Past President
Vice President → President, 2021
President → Immediate Past President, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Wilfong
Vice President
Secretary → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tanya L. Hart
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Glynna Christian
Vice President Elect
Director → Secretary, 2024
Secretary → Vice President Elect, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Reginald Porter
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (17)
- Former: Raajkumar Kurapati (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Tyree Daniels (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Byron Morgan (2019–2022) — Managing Director
- Former: Carolyn Stanley (2019–2022) — Foundation Director
- Former: Jason Little (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: M. David Rudd (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: David C. Perdue (2019–2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Fred Hodges (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: James D. Lackie (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: James Wiertelak (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Judith Edge (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Robert F. Fogelman (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Carolyn Hardy (2019) — Director
- Former: Gary S. Shorb (2019) — Treasurer & Secretary
- Former: George T. Johnson (2019) — President
- Former: Tarit Lim (2019) — Foundation Director
- Former: Thomas G. Kadien (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $174K, to Holly Ford (Foundation CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about University of Memphis Foundation
How much does University of Memphis Foundation give each year?
University of Memphis Foundation gave $28.5M across 3 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $21.6M across 3 grants.
What is University of Memphis Foundation's typical grant size?
University of Memphis Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,475,721, and its average grant was $9,509,398, across 3 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does University of Memphis Foundation give grants?
University of Memphis Foundation gives mostly in Tennessee: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Memphis, TN (3 grants).
Does University of Memphis Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 33% of University of Memphis Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 3) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
How large is University of Memphis Foundation?
University of Memphis Foundation reported $347.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $66.4M.
What is University of Memphis Foundation?
University of Memphis Foundation is a public charity focused on Education, based in Memphis, TN. It holds $347.2M in total assets as of 2025.
What is University of Memphis Foundation's EIN?
University of Memphis Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-6048540. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 2, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 26, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 9, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 1, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work University of Memphis Foundation funds
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University of Memphis Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?