Grants Overview
For 50 years, the Foundation has made contributions to charitable organizations exemplifying the core values of Joe C. Davis: the importance of personal initiative, perseverance, hard work, education, and entrepreneurship.
The Foundation provides grants to organizations that are located in and directly serving Nashville, Tennessee. Its primary focus areas are:
Education
Community and Social Services
Healthcare
Grantee Requirements
- 501(c)(3) active status with the IRS
- Organization has an EIN registered with a Davidson County address and/or provides a major portion of its services to Davidson County residents
- Current and complete profile on GivingMatters.com
- Organization’s focus is in one of the following: Education, Community and Social Services, Healthcare
Exclusions
The Foundation does not provide funding to the following:
- Individuals
- Event sponsorships and fundraising events
- Organizations or programs primarily focused on:
- Arts and Culture
- Environmental Causes
- Religious Purposes
- Programs primarily serving communities outside of Nashville, TN
TYPES OF GRANTS
Operational Grants
The Joe C. Davis Foundation’s Operating Grant Portfolio provides unrestricted operating support to well-run, community-anchored nonprofits. The Foundation prioritizes organizations with strong leadership, financial discipline, and proven outcomes that deliver accessible, affordable services to low-income and vulnerable populations. Through a focus on early childhood and youth development, social services, and health, this portfolio helps individuals and families stabilize, strengthen, and achieve long-term success — honoring Mr. Davis’s intent to provide opportunity for motivated individuals to build better lives.
Current funding priorities include: Early childhood education, out-of-school time programs, adult education, workforce development, housing stability, basic needs, healthcare clinics, mental health counseling, community-based resource centers, immigration and refugee-serving organizations, and victim and survivor support services.
Not Eligible: Operational grants are not available to organizations with a mission or programs related to the following: higher education, children and /or adults with disabilities, disease-specific, older adults, advocacy, research projects and programs, national and/or international organizations
Transformational Grants
The Joe C. Davis Foundation’s Transformational Grant Portfolio provides one-time funding for high-impact projects that strengthen an organization’s long-term capacity and sustainability. These grants are designed to support “strategic capacity building” including capital improvements, major technology or infrastructure upgrades, and large-scale program expansions that meaningfully advance an organization’s mission.
While proposals are welcomed from all nonprofit partners, priority is given to organizations with which the Foundation has a well-established, trusted relationship developed through years of collaboration and shared impact. Because Transformational Grants are a one-time award, applicants are encouraged to apply at the most strategic moment for their organization.