Urban League of Middle Tennessee
The Urban League of Middle Tennessee is a public charity based in Nashville, Tennessee, founded in 1968. It describes itself as a civil rights organization working on economic empowerment, equality, and social justice for African Americans and other historically underserved communities.
Urban League of Middle Tennessee at a glance
In short: Urban League of Middle Tennessee gave $1.7M across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $152K), mostly in Tennessee. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,669,829
- -57.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- -38.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $151,803
- -30.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $86,000
- Total assets
- $5,734,797
- -29.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Urban League of Middle Tennessee
- Contact
Mailing address: 50 Vantage Way 201, Nashville, TN 37228
Phone: (615) 254-0525
Website: https://ulmt.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Urban League of Middle Tennessee funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was If I Had a Hammer ($848K). Together the top 10 received $1.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
29 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 9 grants of 29 (31%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s website identifies a nine-county service area: Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson counties. In filing year 2025, 99% of its grant dollars went to recipients in Tennessee and 1% to recipients in Alabama.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
How Urban League of Middle Tennessee gives
- 0% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). 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 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $132K (2022) to $3.9M (2024). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $1.7M.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| If I Had a Hammer Franklin, TN | — | $848,100 |
| West End Community Nashville, TN | — | $238,312 |
| Conexion Americas Nashville, TN | — | $185,434 |
| Project Return Nashville, TN | — | $155,476 |
| The Housing Fund Madison, TN | — | $100,000 |
| Pivot Technology Nashville, TN | — | $86,000 |
| Morecomputing Learning Servic Cane Ridge, TN | — | $16,947 |
| The City Juicery Antioch, TN | — | $11,960 |
| Dawn Stone dba The Conflict C Birmingham, AL | — | $10,000 |
| Tipsy ToGo Clarksville, TN | — | $9,600 |
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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 | $5,734,797 | $9,454,025 | $9,319,011 | $1,669,829 | 11 | $182,048 |
| 2024 | $8,140,657 | $9,005,611 | $8,451,372 | $3,941,974 | 18 | $103,827 |
| 2023 | $6,617,743 | $2,762,516 | $2,644,407 | — | — | $74,923 |
| 2022 | $5,962,009 | $1,476,248 | $1,431,010 | $132,000 | Total only | — |
| 2021 | $654,193 | $1,025,764 | $975,808 | — | — | — |
| 2020 | $375,180 | $658,232 | $517,328 | — | — | — |
| 2019 | $137,319 | $347,731 | $393,292 | — | — | — |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to help African Americans and others in underserved communities achieve social parity, economic self-reliance, power, and civil rights. Its stated areas of work include education and job training, housing and community development, workforce development, entrepreneurship, health, and quality of life.
Programs described in its 2024 filing include the Real Estate Developers Academy, which supports diverse developers with knowledge, resources, and connections, with an emphasis on affordable and attainable housing in Davidson County; Advancing Workforce Equity, which provides job-readiness and career-advancement services; and the Tennessee Youth Employment Program, which connects young people ages 14–24 with career exploration and paid work experiences. The filing also describes other training and supportive services intended to help participants achieve economic stability.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Urban League reported making 11 grants totaling $1,669,829. Grant amounts ranged from $8,000 to $848,100, with a median of $86,000.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $848,100 to If I Had a Hammer, $238,312 to West End Community, $185,434 to Conexion Americas, $155,476 to Project Return, and $100,000 to The Housing Fund. Conexion Americas describes its mission as building a welcoming community and creating opportunities for Latino families to belong, contribute, and succeed. Project Return describes its work as supporting people released from prison who may be stigmatized or overlooked. The Housing Fund says it provides resources and leadership to help low- and moderate-income individuals and communities create and maintain affordable, healthy places to live.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Clifton Harris as President and CEO, Tempest Utley as COO, and Jazmyn Daigle as YP President. It lists Herbert Brown, Derek Jones, Ann Hatcher, Howard Gentry Jr., Dr. Johnnah Williams, Deana Ivey, and James McCarroll as board members.
Urban League of Middle Tennessee is led by Clifton Harris, President & CEO on every filing since 2019; 2 of 28 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Clifton Harris
President & CEO
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$60K (2019) → $162K (2025)
Jazmyn Daigle
Yp President
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Valinda McDaniel Burks
Board Chair
Secretary → Board Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tempest Utley
COO
Chief Operating of → COO, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$101K (2024) → $125K (2025)
Davita Taylor
Secretary
Director → Board Vice Chai, 2023
Board Vice Chai → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Derek Jones
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julian Flournoy
Board Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2022
Treasurer → Board Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Manuch Akbari
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Senator Brenda Gilmore
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shawn Hurley
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ann Hatcher
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chandra Vassar
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Herbert Brown
Board Member
Young Prof President → Yp President, 2023
Yp President → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Keishia Mashore
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Meshan Smith
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Misha Maynard
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shantavia Webb
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tom Jones
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deborah Oleshanksky
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James McCarroll
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kimberly Sasser Hayden
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vamsi Polavarpu
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deana Ivey
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Howard Gentry Jr.
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James McIntyre
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Johnnah Williams
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Sledge
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Valarie Franklin-Hernandez
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (32)
- Former: Grant L. Winrow (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Karolyn Perry (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Dewayne Scott (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Shanna Jackson (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Valarie Franklin (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Justin Maierhofer (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Pamela Magee (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Steve Jones (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Brandon K. Thompkins (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Catona Love (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Burley M. Nelson (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Cortney McKibben (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Butch Spyridon (2022) — Director
- Former: Courtney McKibben (2022) — Director
- Former: Leslie Newman (2022) — Director
- Former: Pastor James McCarroll (2022) — Director
- Former: Vamsi Polaverapu (2022) — Director
- Former: Denise Cimeley (2019–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Eric Higgs (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Jeffery Webster (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Jerry L. Maynard (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Michael Nettles (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Reginald Gardner (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Shani Glapion (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Terry Deas (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Aron Thompson (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Julia Settles (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Sam Howard (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Bea Thompson (2019) — Director
- Former: Carey L. Evans (2019) — Chairman
- Former: Dell Oliver (2019) — Secretary
- Former: Keith Alexander (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 $162K, to Clifton Harris (President & CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Urban League of Middle Tennessee
How much does Urban League of Middle Tennessee give each year?
Urban League of Middle Tennessee gave $1.7M across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $3.9M across 18 grants.
What is Urban League of Middle Tennessee's typical grant size?
Urban League of Middle Tennessee's median grant in 2025 was $86,000, and its average grant was $151,803, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Urban League of Middle Tennessee give grants?
Urban League of Middle Tennessee gives mostly in Tennessee: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Nashville, TN (5 grants).
Who are Urban League of Middle Tennessee's largest grantees?
Urban League of Middle Tennessee's largest 2025 grantees include If I Had a Hammer ($848,100), West End Community ($238,312) and Conexion Americas ($185,434), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 76% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Urban League of Middle Tennessee?
Urban League of Middle Tennessee reported $5.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $9.5M.
What does Urban League of Middle Tennessee fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to help African Americans and others in underserved communities achieve social parity, economic self-reliance, power, and civil rights. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Urban League of Middle Tennessee?
Urban League of Middle Tennessee has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check ulmt.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Urban League of Middle Tennessee's EIN?
Urban League of Middle Tennessee's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-0795167. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 17, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 30, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS December 20, 2024)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
Live grants for the work Urban League of Middle Tennessee funds
Human Services Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Urban League of Middle Tennessee's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Urban League of Middle Tennessee funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/urban-league-of-middle-tennessee-morg_e3c6854dbd0a49a4803fcaf5147605b9
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_620795167_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Urban League of Middle Tennessee funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/urban-league-of-middle-tennessee-morg_e3c6854dbd0a49a4803fcaf5147605b9},
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 Urban League of Middle Tennessee'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.
Urban League of Middle Tennessee down — hundreds of funders to go?