The Jane and Richard Eskind and Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• EIN: 621289998
• Founded: 1986
• Foundation Type: Private Family Foundation
• Geographic Focus: Nashville and Middle Tennessee
• Primary Focus Areas: Jewish organizations, education, community development
• Application Process: No public application process - preselected organizations only

Contact Details

Address: 104 Lynnwood Blvd., Nashville, TN 37205-2904

Note: This foundation does not have a public website or published contact information for grant inquiries. The foundation operates through trustee discretion and does not accept unsolicited grant applications.

Overview

The Jane and Richard Eskind and Family Foundation was established in 1986 as a private family foundation in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded by Jane Eskind (1933-2016), a political pioneer who was the first woman and only Jewish person elected to statewide office in Tennessee, and Richard Eskind (1930-2023), a prominent Nashville businessman and philanthropist, the foundation represents the family's deep commitment to Nashville's Jewish community, education, and civic institutions.

Richard Eskind was among the founders of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT), which began operations in 1991 in the garage of the Eskinds' daughter, Ellen Lehman. The Eskinds established numerous funds at CFMT beginning with the Jane and Richard Eskind and Family Fund in 1992. Their philanthropic legacy includes significant support for Jewish institutions, educational organizations, and community development in Middle Tennessee. The foundation operates as a private grantmaking entity, classified under NTEE code T20, and files annual Form 990-PF returns with the IRS.

Funding Priorities

Known Beneficiary Organizations

Based on endowment funds established through the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, the Eskind family has demonstrated sustained support for:

• Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee (endowment established 2013)
• Congregation Micah (endowment established)
• Ensworth School (endowment established 2014)
• Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (major donor contributing to CFMT's new campus in April 2023)

Priority Areas

The foundation's giving pattern, consistent with the broader Eskind family philanthropic focus, appears to emphasize:

• Jewish agencies and temples
• Educational institutions
• Federated giving programs
• Community development in Nashville and Middle Tennessee
• Health care and human services

What They Don't Fund

As a private family foundation operating with preselected beneficiaries, the foundation does not fund organizations outside their pre-established relationships and giving priorities.

Governance and Leadership

Historical Leadership

Jane Greenebaum Eskind (1933-2016) - Co-founder

• First woman and only Jewish person elected to statewide office in Tennessee (Public Service Commission, 1980)
• Political and civic leader active in Democratic Party politics
• Attended Brandeis University

Richard Jerome Eskind (1930-2023) - Co-founder

• Stockbroker and businessman
• Co-founder of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
• Longtime member of CFMT Board of Trustees
• Director of Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee
• Harvard University alumnus

Family Leadership

The foundation is now managed by the Eskind children and family:

Ellen Eskind Lehman - Daughter

• Founder and former President of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (1991-2022)
• Led CFMT to distribute more than $1.1 billion to nonprofit organizations
• Harvard Business School alumna
• Named Nashville Lifestyles' Nashvillian of the Year

William "Billy" H. Eskind - Son

• Active in Nashville Jewish community
• Member of Jewish Federation & Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee Professional Advisory Council

The foundation's governance follows the pattern of similar Eskind family foundations operating in Nashville, all of which are managed as private family foundations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. Based on the operational model of related Eskind family foundations (The Jeffrey and Donna Eskind Family Foundation and The Annette and Irwin Eskind Family Foundation), this foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grant recipients appear to be selected through trustee discretion based on the family's longstanding philanthropic relationships and priorities, particularly in Nashville's Jewish community and educational institutions.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation operates through established relationships and family-selected charitable priorities. Organizations that have historically benefited from Eskind family philanthropy include:

• Established Nashville Jewish institutions where the family has long-term involvement
• Educational institutions with which the family has connections (such as Ensworth School)
• Organizations working through The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, which the family helped establish

Given both founders have passed away (Jane in 2016, Richard in 2023), the foundation is now managed by their children and family members, who continue the family's philanthropic legacy through their own networks and relationships in Nashville's civic and Jewish communities.

Application Success Factors

Understanding This Foundation's Approach

As a private family foundation that does not accept unsolicited applications, success in receiving support from this foundation requires:

1. Pre-existing Relationships: The foundation operates through trustee discretion and established relationships, particularly with Nashville Jewish institutions and educational organizations.

2. Alignment with Family Legacy: Organizations that align with Jane and Richard Eskind's demonstrated priorities—Jewish community support, education, and Nashville civic institutions—are most likely to benefit.

3. Connection to Family Members: With Ellen Lehman's extensive network through The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and Billy Eskind's involvement in the Jewish community, connections to these family members and their networks may be relevant.

4. Long-term Partnership Approach: The Eskind family's philanthropic pattern shows sustained support through endowment funds rather than one-time grants, suggesting preference for long-term institutional relationships.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications and operates through trustee discretion with preselected organizations.

• Private Family Foundation: Established in 1986 by the late Jane and Richard Eskind, now managed by their children Ellen Lehman and Billy Eskind.

• Focus on Jewish Community: Strong historical support for Nashville Jewish institutions including Jewish Federation and Congregation Micah.

• Education Priority: Demonstrated support for educational institutions like Ensworth School through endowment funds.

• Nashville Focus: Concentrates giving in Nashville and Middle Tennessee region.

• Endowment Approach: Prefers establishing endowment funds at The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee for sustained support rather than one-time grants.

• Relationship-Driven: Grant decisions made through family networks and long-standing institutional relationships rather than competitive application processes.

References

• Charity Navigator. (2024). The Jane and Richard Eskind and Family Foundation Profile. Retrieved from https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/621289998

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. (2024). The Jane And Richard Eskind And Family Foundation - EIN 621289998. Retrieved from https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/621289998

• Crawford Funeral Home. (2023). Obituary: Richard Jerome Eskind of Nashville, Tennessee. Retrieved from https://www.crawfordservices.com/obituary/richard-eskind

• The Jewish Observer. (2024). Obituaries January 2024. Retrieved from https://www.jewishobservernashville.org/article/2023/12/obituaries-january-2024

• Nashville Post. (2023). Civic giant Richard Eskind dies at 93. Retrieved from https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/people/civic-giant-richard-eskind-dies-at-93/article_8530a258-8d4f-11ee-8563-3f291fe1d3a4.html

• Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. (2024). The Jane and Richard Eskind and Family Endowment Funds. Retrieved from https://www.cfmt.org/

• Nashville Post. (2022). Ellen Lehman, Community Foundation president, to retire. Retrieved from https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/nonprofits/ellen-lehman-community-foundation-president-to-retire/article_aa416f3c-17da-11ed-a024-43e6c4fc6cea.html

• Grantmakers.io. (2024). The Jeffrey And Donna Eskind Family Foundation Profile. Retrieved from https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/621306904-the-jeffrey-and-donna-eskind-family-foundation/

• Tennessee Encyclopedia. Jane Greenebaum Eskind. Retrieved from https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entries/jane-greenebaum-eskind/

• Candid Foundation Directory. (2024). The Jane and Richard Eskind and Family Foundation. Retrieved from https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=ESKI004