Grace Foundation of Memphis Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,702,335 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: $7,500 (median) - Higher amounts available
• Average Grant: $34,100 (based on 2023 data)
• Total Assets: $31.9 million (2024)
• Geographic Focus: Memphis, TN and surrounding region
• Number of Grants: 65 awards (2024)

Contact Details

Address: 4515 Poplar Ave Suite 324, Memphis, TN 38117

Note: No public website, email, or phone contact information is available through public sources. This foundation does not maintain a public-facing web presence.

Overview

The Grace Foundation of Memphis Inc was established in 1992 as a private independent foundation with a specific mission: to assist the Hope Christian Community Foundation (now known as the Christian Community Foundation of Memphis and the Mid-South) to carry out its charitable mission. With total assets of $31.9 million and annual giving of approximately $1.7 million, the foundation operates primarily through investment income, with 77.6% of its revenue coming from dividends. The foundation made 65 grants in 2024, demonstrating consistent grantmaking activity. The foundation is classified as a private grantmaking foundation (NTEE code T22) and files IRS Form 990-PF annually. As a former related organization of the Christian Community Foundation, the Grace Foundation maintains close ties to Christian ministry and nonprofit work in Memphis and beyond.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. Grantmaking appears to be conducted through board discretion, with a historical focus on supporting the Christian Community Foundation and potentially related Christian ministries and charitable organizations.

Grant Size Range:

• Median grant: $7,500
• Average grant: $34,100
• Range varies significantly based on organizational needs

Priority Areas

Based on the foundation's stated mission:

• Support for the Christian Community Foundation of Memphis and the Mid-South
• Christian ministries and faith-based organizations
• Charitable organizations aligned with the foundation's mission in the Memphis region

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. As a private foundation with a focused mission supporting Christian Community Foundation activities, funding likely prioritizes Christian-oriented charitable work.

Governance and Leadership

Board Leadership (as of 2024):

• Harry L Smith: Chairman of the Board
• Mary Elizabeth Smith: Vice Chairman
• B Rex Jones: President/CEO
• Leslie Jones: Secretary/Treasurer
• Shana R South: Chief Financial Officer

Compensation: No officer compensation is reported in recent tax filings, suggesting volunteer leadership.

The board maintains conservative financial management, with the foundation's assets growing steadily while maintaining consistent annual grantmaking distributions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Grace Foundation of Memphis operates as a private foundation with grantmaking decisions made at the discretion of the board of trustees. There is no public website, published application guidelines, or open solicitation for grant proposals. The foundation's primary stated purpose is to support the Hope Christian Community Foundation (Christian Community Foundation of Memphis), and grantmaking appears to be conducted through board initiative rather than in response to external applications.

Organizations seeking support would need to have existing relationships with board members or be identified through the foundation's connection to the Christian Community Foundation network.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. As a private foundation with trustee-directed grantmaking, decisions are likely made during periodic board meetings throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The foundation made 65 grants in 2024, 63 in 2023, 49 in 2022, and 52 in 2021, showing relatively consistent grantmaking volume.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the absence of a public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, based on available information:

Alignment Factors:

• Connection to the Christian Community Foundation of Memphis and its network is the primary pathway to funding
• Organizations serving Memphis and the Mid-South region with Christian mission-oriented work may align with foundation priorities
• The foundation's mission explicitly focuses on assisting Hope Christian Community Foundation, suggesting alignment with CCF's priorities is essential

Financial Patterns:

• The foundation maintains a balanced approach, distributing approximately 5% of assets annually in grants
• Grant sizes vary significantly (median $7,500, average $34,100), suggesting flexibility based on need and project scope
• Consistent year-over-year grantmaking indicates reliable funding capacity

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications or maintain public contact information
• Relationship-Driven Grantmaking: Funding decisions appear to be made through trustee discretion and existing relationships, particularly through the Christian Community Foundation network
• Mission Alignment Critical: The foundation's explicit purpose is supporting Hope Christian Community Foundation's charitable mission, making alignment with CCF priorities essential
• Consistent Grantmaker: With 65 grants distributed in 2024 and total giving of $1.7 million, the foundation demonstrates sustained grantmaking activity
• Christian Focus: As a former related organization to the Christian Community Foundation, the foundation's work likely prioritizes Christian ministries and faith-based charitable organizations
• Alternative Pathway: Organizations seeking support may be better served by applying directly to the Christian Community Foundation of Memphis, which does have a public application process and maintains the relationship with Grace Foundation

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Grace Foundation of Memphis Inc (EIN 62-1469984). Available at: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/621469984 [Accessed January 2026]
• GuideStar Profile: Grace Foundation of Memphis Inc. Available at: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/62-1469984 [Accessed January 2026]
• Cause IQ: The Grace Foundation of Memphis. Available at: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-grace-foundation-of-memphis,621469984/ [Accessed January 2026]
• IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021-2024) for The Grace Foundation of Memphis Inc, EIN 62-1469984
• Christian Community Foundation website: https://ccfmemphis.com/ [Accessed January 2026]
• InfluenceWatch: Christian Community Foundation of Memphis and the Mid-South. Available at: https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/christian-community-foundation-of-memphis-and-the-mid-south/ [Accessed January 2026]