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Scarlett Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$7.6M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.0M
Decision Time
4mo

Scarlett Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7.6 million (2024)
  • Total Assets: $240.3 million (2024)
  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $30,000 (scholarships); organizational grants vary
  • Number of Awards: 216 (2024)
  • Geographic Focus: Middle Tennessee (40 counties)
  • Application Method: Scholarships - online application; Organizational grants - invitation only

Contact Details

Overview

The Scarlett Family Foundation was established in 2005 by Joe and Dorothy Scarlett, who are strong believers in the power of education to transform lives. Joe Scarlett is the former President and Chairman of Tractor Supply Company, where he served for nearly thirty years and was recognized as Ernst & Young's Southeast Entrepreneur of the Year. The Foundation began by providing merit and need-based college scholarships to Middle Tennessee students pursuing business degrees, and expanded in 2008 to include grant-making to nonprofit organizations. In 2015, the scholarship program was broadened to include STEM majors, and later added Education majors.

With total assets of $240.3 million (2024), the Foundation has awarded over $27 million in college scholarships to more than 1,000 students since its founding. The Foundation has also awarded 475+ grants to local organizations, with 99 grant recipients to date. The Foundation's mission is: "We advocate, invest, and work to ensure that all students in Middle Tennessee have access to a high-quality education."

Funding Priorities

Scholarship Program (Primary Focus)

The college scholarship program is the Foundation's primary funding priority.

  • Business, Education, and STEM Scholarships: $2,500 - $30,000 per academic year
    • Renewable for up to four years or until degree completion
    • Covers tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment
    • Application via online portal (September 15 - December 15)

Grant Programs (Invitation Only)

Organizational grants align with three key initiatives:

Career Readiness

Programs fostering career pathways and workplace skills. Grant recipients include: Communities in Schools TN, Conexión Américas, Equal Chance for Education, Girl Scouts of Middle TN, Jobs For America's Graduates TN, Junior Achievement of Middle TN, Nashville State Community College Foundation, SCORE, Teach for America Nashville, and Youth Villages.

Literacy

Initiatives improving reading proficiency and literacy rates. Grant recipients include: Adopt-A-Book Literacy Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle TN, Boys and Girls Clubs of Middle TN, Learning Matters, Nashville Adult Literacy Council, and United Way Nashville's Imagination Library program.

Principal & Teacher Leadership (Talent)

Professional development for school leaders and educators. Grant recipients include: Deans For Impact, Education Pioneers, KIPP Academy Nashville, LEAD Public Schools, Nashville Teacher Residency, Purpose Preparatory Academy, Relay Nashville, and Teach for America.

Priority Areas

  • K-12 education (primary focus)
  • Pre-K literacy programs
  • Adult literacy programs
  • Advocacy initiatives
  • Mentorship programs

What They Don't Fund

  • Building or capital campaigns
  • Debt retirement
  • Individual grants (outside scholarship program)
  • Legislative lobbying or political activities

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

  • Tara Scarlett - President and Chief Executive Officer
  • Joe Scarlett - Chairman and Founder (former President/Chairman of Tractor Supply Company)
  • Tom Parrish - Chief Operating Officer and Secretary
  • Katie Hazelwood - Director of Programs
  • Haley Miller - Finance and Operations Manager

Board of Directors

  • Joe Scarlett (Chairman)
  • Dorothy Scarlett (Co-Founder)
  • Tara Scarlett
  • Jennifer Scarlett (Treasurer)
  • Michael Peacock
  • Karla Jackson
  • Keri Randolph (Chattanooga 2.0)
  • Jamie Woodson (TriStar Strategies)
  • Andrew S. Scarlett

Trustees

Dorothy F. Scarlett, Joseph H. Scarlett Jr., and Tara Anne Scarlett

Joe Scarlett on leadership: "Surround yourself with stars, and you will be a star."

Application Process & Timeline

Scholarship Program (Public Application)

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a resident of one of 40 eligible Middle Tennessee counties: Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Clay, Coffee, Cumberland, Davidson, Dekalb, Dickson, Fentress, Franklin, Giles, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Jackson, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Montgomery, Moore, Overton, Perry, Pickett, Putnam, Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Van Buren, Warren, Wayne, White, Williamson, and Wilson
  • High school diploma or GED obtained as a Middle Tennessee resident
  • Planning to pursue a Business, Education, or STEM degree at a 4-year, not-for-profit college or university
  • Full-time enrollment as college freshman through 4th-year senior
  • Demonstrate financial need (tax returns required)
  • For high school seniors: minimum ACT score of 21 and GPA of 2.5 or higher

How to Apply

  1. Application portal opens September 15
  2. Complete online application at scarlettscholars.applyists.net
  3. Submit required documents: high school/college transcript, ACT scores, IRS Form 1040 (top 2 pages)
  4. Application deadline: December 15 (11:59 PM)
  5. All documents must be submitted online—no other methods accepted

The Foundation partners with International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc. (ISTS) to manage the scholarship program.

Decision Timeline

  • Awards typically announced by mid-April
  • Scholarship checks mailed directly to institutions (not students)
  • Payments issued per semester: July for fall, December for spring

Renewal Requirements

  • Complete renewal form by April 21 deadline
  • Maintain positive academic performance
  • Continue full-time enrollment
  • Remain enrolled in a Business, Education, or STEM major

Organizational Grants (Invitation Only)

Important: Grant applications are by invitation only. The scholarship program is the Foundation's funding priority, which limits available dollars for organizational grants.

How the Process Works

  1. Review the Grant Eligibility Checklist on the Foundation's website
  2. Complete the grant interest form (accepted year-round)
  3. Foundation reviews submission and follows up if aligned with priorities
  4. If appropriate, the Foundation extends a formal grant invitation with timeline details
  5. Complete full grant application upon invitation

Eligibility Requirements for Organizations

  • Programs must align with at least one key initiative (Career Readiness, Literacy, or Talent Leadership)
  • Operate within Middle Tennessee's 40 eligible counties
  • Demonstrate clear and measurable outcomes
  • Show minimum two years of financial and programmatic results
  • Minimum operating budget requirements:
    • Davidson and Williamson Counties: $250,000+
    • Other 38 Middle TN counties: $100,000+
  • Have at least three revenue sources

Application Success Factors

For Scholarship Applicants

  • Monitor your application: Check the ISTS portal daily for status updates
  • Email management: Add ISTS email addresses to your address book to prevent important communications from going to spam
  • Document formatting: Submit documents in accepted formats (.pdf, .jpg, .png, etc.)
  • Transcript requirements: Ensure your full name appears on all transcripts
  • Update contact information: Immediately update any changes to address or contact details
  • Selection criteria: Committee evaluates financial need, academic achievement, community service, extracurricular involvement, and essay quality
  • Award determination: Amounts consider Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), estimated family contribution, and institution costs

For Organizational Grant Seekers

  • Alignment is critical: Projects must clearly align with one of the three key initiatives—Career Readiness, Literacy, or Principal & Teacher Leadership
  • Geographic focus: Primary focus is K-12 education in Middle Tennessee, though pre-K and adult literacy programs have received support
  • Demonstrated impact: Organizations must show clear, measurable outcomes with at least two years of track record
  • Financial stability: Multiple revenue sources required; don't rely solely on foundation funding
  • Local partnerships: The Foundation values organizations that forge partnerships with local nonprofits and institutions
  • Expression of Interest: Submit the online interest form to begin the relationship, even if you don't receive an immediate invitation

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Scholarships are the priority: The Foundation's primary mission is its scholarship program, with over $27 million awarded to date. Organizational grants are secondary and invitation-only.

  2. Middle Tennessee focus is strict: All programs must serve the 40 eligible Middle Tennessee counties. Davidson County (Nashville) has the highest concentration of scholars (392).

  3. Invitation-only grants require patience: Submit an interest form and wait for the Foundation to reach out. Do not expect an open application process for organizational grants.

  4. Budget thresholds matter: Organizations in Davidson/Williamson counties need $250,000+ operating budgets; others need $100,000+. Organizations must have at least three revenue sources.

  5. Three pillars only: Grants exclusively support Career Readiness, Literacy, or Principal & Teacher Leadership initiatives. Projects outside these areas will not be considered.

  6. K-12 is the sweet spot: While they fund some pre-K and adult literacy programs, K-12 education is the primary focus for organizational grants.

  7. Build relationships strategically: Given the invitation-only nature, organizations should focus on demonstrating measurable impact in their focus areas and building visibility in the Middle Tennessee education community.

References

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