First Horizon Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $15,709,765 (2023)
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
Decision Time: 90 days
Grant Range: $500 - $50,000 (six-figure grants for public health and higher education institutions)
Geographic Focus: 12-state footprint (Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, New York, Alabama, Georgia)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.firsthorizonfoundation.com
Phone: 901-523-4112
Address: 165 Madison Ave, 12th Floor, Memphis, TN 38103
Mailing Address: PO Box 2078, Memphis, TN 38101-2078
Contact Person: Alana Hu

Overview

First Horizon Foundation is the private, charitable foundation of First Horizon Corporation, established in 1993 to serve communities across the bank's operational footprint. Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed more than $150 million in grants. In 2023, the Foundation awarded $15,709,765 in grants to nonprofit organizations. The Foundation operates across a 12-state footprint, with the bulk of funding remaining in Tennessee, particularly in Memphis where it is headquartered. In 2024, the Foundation celebrated the bank's 160th anniversary with a special "Grants for Good" campaign, awarding $1.6 million to 160 nonprofits after receiving over 3,500 applications. The Foundation focuses on five strategic impact areas that align with community needs and the bank's commitment to corporate social responsibility.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grant Program: $500 - $50,000 (online application portal, annual cycle)

Standard grants typically range from $500 to $50,000
Six-figure grants available for public health and higher education institutions
Application period: October 1 - January 31 (certain regions have narrower windows)
Decisions made within 90 days of submission

ArtsFirst Grants (Memphis/Shelby County): $5,000 - $30,000 (annual cycle)

Partnership with ARTSmemphis established in 2012
Over $5.8 million awarded to date to Memphis arts community
Open to 501(c)(3) organizations in Shelby County with arts-based mission
Requires minimum three-year history and active board of directors
Application opens Fall 2025 for 2026 grants

Grants for Good: Variable (special initiative)

Special campaign tied to bank milestones
2024 campaign awarded $1.6 million to 160 nonprofits

Priority Areas

The Foundation invests in five impact areas:

Arts & Culture: "Emphasizing excellence and enrichment in the arts"

Support for arts organizations, programs, and sponsorships
Focus on artistic excellence and community enrichment
ArtsFirst program serves as core vehicle for Memphis arts funding

Education & Leadership: "Educating and developing the next generation of leaders"

Large portion of Foundation giving
Focus on teacher effectiveness
Youth enrichment and after-school programs
Higher education institutions (including six-figure grants)
Note: K-12 schools not directly funded, but education-focused nonprofits serving K-12 students are eligible

Environmental Sustainability: "Fostering a more sustainable future"

Programs promoting environmental stewardship
Sustainability initiatives

Financial Literacy: "Promoting financial literacy within our communities"

Youth and adult financial education programs
Financial literacy classes and training programs
Strong alignment with bank's core expertise

Health & Human Services: "Improving the well-being of our communities"

Community health programs
Human services organizations
Public health institutions (including six-figure grants)

What They Don't Fund

K-12 schools (directly)
Individuals
Trips or tours
Solely religious organizations
Political organizations
Operating budget deficits
Charities that redistribute funds to other charitable organizations (except recognized united-fund type organizations)

Governance and Leadership

The Foundation is led by key personnel from First Horizon Corporation. Historical board members have included:

Clyde Billings: Assistant General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at First Horizon National Corp
Candace Steele Flippin: Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer for First Horizon National Corp, who leads corporate social responsibility and corporate giving

The ArtsFirst grant panel is composed of First Horizon Foundation representatives who make all funding decisions for that program.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the Foundation's online grant portal at firsthorizonfoundation.com/Apply-for-a-Grant. Organizations must be eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits located in communities served by First Horizon Corporation across their 12-state footprint.

Application Period: October 1 - January 31

Note: Certain regions have narrower application windows
Check the Foundation website for region-specific deadlines

Eligibility Requirements:

501(c)(3) nonprofit status
Located in First Horizon's service area (12-state footprint)
Alignment with one or more of the five impact areas
No funding restrictions (see "What They Don't Fund" section)

Application Components:

Formal submission through online grant portal
All requests must be formally submitted through the Foundation's online process

Decision Timeline

Response Time: Applicants can expect a response within 90 days of the request's submission
Notification Method: Recipients of the Grants for Good campaign were contacted by local First Horizon associates regarding their grant award
Standard grant recipients notified through the online portal system

Success Rates

While specific success rates are not publicly disclosed, the 2024 Grants for Good campaign provides some insight into competitiveness:

Over 3,500 applications received
160 grants awarded
Approximately 4.6% success rate for this special campaign (note: this may not reflect typical success rates for general grants)

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly disclosed. Organizations are encouraged to contact the Foundation directly for guidance on reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Financial Literacy and Education Focus: According to Inside Philanthropy, "grant seekers with focused proposals on teacher effectiveness and financial literacy for youth may have success." The Foundation has a particular interest in these areas given the bank's core mission and expertise.

Community Connection: The Foundation prioritizes nonprofits in communities where First Horizon operates. Organizations located in the bank's 12-state footprint and demonstrating strong community ties have better alignment with the Foundation's mission.

Education Grants Strategy: While K-12 schools are not directly funded, the Foundation "tends to fund other education-focused nonprofits, after school programs and youth enrichment activities." Education-focused organizations serving K-12 populations should frame their work through this lens.

Financial Literacy Programs: Both youth and adult financial literacy programs are prioritized. The Foundation supports "financial literacy classes and training programs" targeting diverse populations.

Recent Grant Examples:

Baptist Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine: $1 million grant (paid over five years) - the single largest donation made to BHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine
Memphis Urban League: Recipient of Grants for Good funding
18 Memphis Arts Organizations: $450,000 total through ArtsFirst program in 2024

Arts & Culture Applicants: For Memphis-area arts organizations, the ArtsFirst program requires "a minimum three-year history of presenting quality arts projects and programs, and an active board of directors." Demonstrating organizational stability and governance is critical.

Application Volume: The Grants for Good campaign received over 3,500 applications for 160 grants, demonstrating high competition. Strong alignment with funding priorities and clear demonstration of impact are essential.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Focus on priority areas with proven need: Financial literacy and education programs, particularly those addressing teacher effectiveness or youth financial literacy, align strongly with Foundation interests
Demonstrate community impact: The Foundation has distributed over $150 million since 1993 and prioritizes organizations serving communities in their 12-state footprint
Apply within the deadline window: October 1 - January 31 is the standard application period, though regional variations exist
Plan for 90-day decision timeline: Build this timeframe into your project planning and budget cycles
Consider grant size appropriately: While most grants range from $500-$50,000, public health and higher education institutions may request six-figure amounts for major initiatives
Leverage partnership opportunities: The ArtsFirst program demonstrates the Foundation's willingness to create structured partnerships (like with ARTSmemphis) for focused impact
Understand geographic priorities: While the Foundation operates across 12 states, Tennessee (particularly Memphis) receives substantial funding attention as the headquarters location

References

Accessed: December 2025