Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $1,800,500 (2023 tax year, from 990-PF Contributions, gifts, grants paid)
- Geographic Focus: Approximately one-third Nashville area, one-third broader United States, one-third international
- Application Method: Invitation only
- Typical Response Time: 45-60 days (for invited applications)
- Total Assets: $40,609,949 (2023 tax year)
Contact Details
- Website: https://www.charisfound.org
- Email: info@charisfound.org
- Address: 3835 Cleghorn Avenue, Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37215
Funding Priorities
The foundation focuses its grantmaking to concentrate attention and grant funding where they can have more impact rather than being "a mile wide and an inch deep."
Strategic Grantmaking Programme:
- Faith and Work Movement: Grants to organisations engaged in the faith and work movement, partnering with organisations and initiatives across the spectrum from thought/content leadership to practical application/training. This programme also includes grants to further the training or mentoring of impoverished, unemployed, or "unemployable" populations (individuals battling addictions, ex-offenders, etc.), where the programme includes sharing of the gospel and/or Christian theology regarding work.
The foundation also continues to support long-standing organisational partners that don't fit neatly into their strategic programme, and has limited funding available for "one-off" needs outside of strategic programme areas, such as capital campaigns and emergency relief needs.
What They Don't Fund
The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. They identify potential organisations, track them for a period of time, may request a meeting, and if the organisation seems like a good fit, they will invite them to apply for a grant. Due to limited staffing, they do not respond to unsolicited enquiries or requests to meet.
Application Process & Timeline
The Charis Foundation operates an invitation-only grantmaking process. They identify potential organisations through their own research, track them for a period of time, and may request meetings. If an organisation seems like a good fit, the foundation will invite them to apply for a grant using an online application.
The application process is designed to be straightforward, using materials that well-run nonprofits should have readily available. After application materials are submitted, the foundation typically responds with a decision within 45-60 days, depending on internal review timing and board meeting schedule. Virtually all of their grant applications result in grant awards because they learn as much as possible about organisations prior to inviting applications.
Organisations cannot submit unsolicited applications or enquiries.
References
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