The Assisi Foundation of Memphis, Inc.

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $10,499,512 (2023)
Total Assets: $222,933,424 (2023)
Grant Range: Varies widely - from $75,000 to $500,000+ depending on project scope
Average Award: Approximately $244,000 (based on 43 awards in 2023)
Decision Time: Approximately 3 months from application deadline
Geographic Focus: Greater Memphis area (Shelby, Fayette, and Tipton Counties, TN; Crittenden County, AR; DeSoto County, MS)
Application Method: Quarterly deadlines with focus area priorities

Contact Details

Website: https://assisifoundation.org

Email: grants@assisifoundation.org

Phone: (901) 684-1564

Address: 515 Erin Dr, Memphis, TN 38117-4211

Pre-Application Support:

For eligibility questions and program guidance: Dr. Jan Young, Executive Director (jyoung@assisifoundation.org)
For "Before You Ask" educational series: Ernestine Smith, Sr. Programs Officer (esmith@assisifoundation.org)

Overview

The Assisi Foundation of Memphis, Inc. was formed in March 1994 from the proceeds of the sale of St. Francis Hospital. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $280 million to nonprofit organizations serving people located primarily in the Greater Memphis area. With total assets exceeding $222 million as of 2023, the Foundation distributed $10.5 million across 43 grants in that year.

The Foundation's mission emphasizes "philanthropy, done well" with guiding principles of respect, compassion, service, and stewardship. According to their leadership, "We strive to effectively and to the best of our abilities, allocate resources to support the diverse needs of our community in a way that improves the quality of life for all." The Foundation focuses on addressing pressing challenges while seeking root causes for community-wide transformation through strategic partnerships with nonprofit organizations.

The Foundation operates with a 23-member Board of Directors that meets quarterly to review applications and make funding decisions, supported by a staff of seven professionals including program officers, grants management, and accounting personnel.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation offers both program grants and capital grants across five focus areas:

Program Grants - Support for program operations, capacity building, and technical assistance

Capital Grants - Building construction/renovation, technology installation or upgrade, and fixtures, furnishings, and equipment

Grant amounts vary significantly based on project scope:

Small to medium projects: $75,000 - $100,000
Major initiatives: $100,000 - $291,600
Large capital projects: $500,000+

Recent examples include:

Southwest Tennessee Community College: $500,000 for the Southwest Entertainment Production Initiative to modernize theatre and music facilities
Partners in Public Education: $291,600 over three years for teacher hiring and leadership development
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art: $100,000
Memphis Area Legal Services: $75,000

Priority Areas

Health & Human Services Organizations addressing spiritual, mental, and physical health through direct care, research, or preventive initiatives.

Education & Lifelong Learning Programs developing life skills and promoting social responsibility. Note: Charter schools are explicitly ineligible, and academic institutions face specific deadline requirements.

Social Justice & Ethics Projects strengthening ethical values and responding to economic/social challenges affecting Mid-South residents.

Cultural Enrichment & The Arts Support for capital campaigns, renovations, and special programming. Applications for audience development or arts education are referred to Arts Memphis.

Community Enhancement & Capacity Building Projects offering community benefit that don't fit neatly within other categories, including organizational capacity building and professional development initiatives.

Special Focus Areas:

Literacy Service Providers: Applications resume in Q2 of each cycle
Digital Media Organizations: Only reviewed in Q3 annually

The Foundation welcomes exploration of innovative ideas that align with their mission, even if they don't fit neatly within established categories.

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation maintains clear exclusions:

Individual scholarships or personal financial assistance
National fundraising campaigns
Event-related expenses (auctions, dinners, fundraisers, conferences)
Individual church operations or religious ministries
Political organizations or lobbying efforts
Budget deficits
Athletic competitions and tournament fees
Evangelization efforts
Ongoing program expenses (operational support)
Sponsorships
Emergency funding
Charter schools
Summer camps

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Dr. Jan Young, Executive Director - Leads the Foundation's strategic direction and grantmaking operations. Available to assist with eligibility questions and qualification for training seminars.

Board of Directors (23 Members)

Harry Goldsmith, Chairman
Philip R. Zanone Jr., Vice Chairman
Barbara Daush, Secretary
David Scully, Treasurer

Board members represent diverse professional backgrounds and convene quarterly to review applications and determine funding approvals. The late Dr. Russel L. Wiener, D.D.S., was a founding board member.

Staff Team

Ernestine Berry Smith, Sr. Programs Officer
Tiffanie Grier, Program Officer
Alyssa Nucaro, Program Officer
Taylor Wamble, Director of Grants Management
Jaclyn White, Director of Accounting & Finance
John I. Mansfield, Director of First Impressions

The team emphasizes a collaborative approach, with staff available to answer questions about eligibility, application category placement, and specific project inquiries.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation uses a quarterly application system with specific deadlines and focus areas:

2026 Application Deadlines (All deadlines close at 5:00 PM local time):

Quarter	Focus Areas	Deadline	Notification Date
Q1 2026	Arts/Culture + General	November 7, 2025	February 1, 2026
Q2 2026	Education + Literacy + General	February 6, 2026	May 1, 2026
Q3 2026	Digital News + General	May 8, 2026	August 1, 2026
Q4 2026	General	August 7, 2026	November 1, 2026

Application Requirements:

Mandatory Pre-Application Review: All applicants must review the Grantseeker Resource Packet before applying
Online Portal: Applications must be submitted through the Foundation's online portal
Registration: New applicants must register; returning users from March 2025 onward need to verify account status
Application Template: Review the Application Word Doc template to prepare responses
Best Practices Guide: Consult the Application Best Practices Guide for strategic guidance

Core Eligibility Requirements:

Current 501(c)(3) IRS tax-exempt status
Located in Shelby, Fayette, or Tipton Counties (TN), Crittenden County (AR), or DeSoto County (MS)
Faith nondiscrimination policy: Organizations cannot exclude individuals based on faith, require faith statements, or limit services to particular faith traditions. Must certify welcoming individuals of all faith traditions, both Christian and non-Christian.

Decision Timeline

Application to Decision: Approximately 3 months
Notification Method: Applicants receive notification on the scheduled notification date for their quarter
Board Review: The 23-member Board of Directors convenes quarterly to review applications
Staff Support: Throughout the process, staff are available at grants@assisifoundation.org for questions about application status, category placement, or project specifics

Success Rates

While the Foundation does not publish specific acceptance rates, recent data provides context:

2023: 43 grants awarded from $10.5 million total giving
2022: 44 grants awarded
2021: 64 grants awarded
2020: 70 grants awarded

The declining number of awards with relatively stable total giving suggests the Foundation may be making larger strategic investments in fewer organizations, indicating a competitive process where strong alignment with mission and strategic impact are critical.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation's specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented. Organizations with questions about reapplying after a declined application should contact grants@assisifoundation.org or call (901) 684-1564 for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Guidance

"Before You Ask" Educational Series The Foundation offers a unique 12-session educational program at no cost to select organizations, particularly first-time applicants. Facilitated by a local nonprofit consultant with more than 30 years of sector experience, the series covers what every nonprofit should know before applying for a grant, helping organizations "further define and refine goals and strategy before asking for necessary funding." To inquire about eligibility, contact Ernestine Smith at esmith@assisifoundation.org or (901) 684-1564.

Mission Alignment is Paramount The Foundation emphasizes that "whether or not an organization falls neatly within one of their categories, they always invite the exploration of good ideas that align with their mission of philanthropy, done well." This suggests flexibility for innovative approaches that demonstrate strategic thinking about community transformation.

Geographic Specificity Matters All funded projects must serve populations within their defined five-county service area. Applications should clearly demonstrate how the project benefits residents of Shelby, Fayette, or Tipton Counties (TN), Crittenden County (AR), or DeSoto County (MS).

Faith-Based Organizations Welcome, With Clear Boundaries The Foundation funds faith-based organizations but requires they operate with inclusive practices. Organizations must certify they "welcome individuals of all faith traditions, both Christian and non-Christian" and do not exclude participants, staff, or board members based on faith.

Root Causes Over Symptoms The Foundation's approach focuses on "addressing pressing challenges and searching for root causes with the goal of creating community-wide transformation." Applications should demonstrate understanding of underlying community issues rather than only treating symptoms.

Capacity Building is Valued The Foundation explicitly supports "organizational capacity of provider agencies, professional development, and collaboration" alongside programmatic work, suggesting they value investments in nonprofit infrastructure.

Strategic Use of Educational Resources First-time applicants are "encouraged to take advantage" of the "Before You Ask" series, indicating the Foundation values organizations that invest time in strategic planning before requesting funding.

Leverage and Collaboration The Foundation mentions supporting initiatives that "leverage local, state and federal resources," suggesting they favor projects that maximize impact through partnerships and matched funding.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Time your application strategically: Match your project type to the appropriate quarter when that focus area is prioritized (e.g., Arts/Culture in Q1, Education in Q2, Digital Media in Q3).
Demonstrate root cause thinking: Don't just describe program activities - articulate how your approach addresses underlying community challenges for transformative impact across the Mid-South.
Consider the "Before You Ask" series: Especially valuable for first-time applicants, this 12-session program signals the Foundation's commitment to building nonprofit capacity and suggests they favor well-prepared applications.
Geographic specificity is non-negotiable: Clearly demonstrate service to the five-county region (Shelby, Fayette, Tipton, Crittenden, DeSoto) - this is a hard boundary, not a preference.
Faith-inclusive practices required: If you're a faith-based organization, be prepared to certify inclusive practices that welcome people of all faith traditions without requiring faith statements.
Average grant size is substantial: With approximately $244,000 average awards and examples ranging from $75,000 to $500,000+, the Foundation makes significant investments - ensure your request matches project scale and organizational capacity.
Plan for a 3-month timeline: Build this timeline into your project planning, as decisions come approximately three months after quarterly deadlines.

References

Research completed December 2024