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Rhodes Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.1M
Grant Range
$100K - $2.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $100,000 - $2,022,390 (varies significantly year to year)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $100,000 - $2,067,948
  • Geographic Focus: Memphis, Tennessee (primarily)

Contact Details

Address: Garden City, NY

Note: The Rhodes Family Foundation does not maintain a public website or application portal. This is a private family foundation operating on an invitation-only basis.

Overview

The Rhodes Family Foundation was established in 2017 as a 501(c)(3) private grantmaking foundation based in Garden City, New York. With assets exceeding $49.8 million as of 2024, the foundation supports philanthropic initiatives primarily in Memphis, Tennessee. Led by William C. Rhodes III, former President and CEO of AutoZone (now Executive Chairman), and his wife Amy P. Rhodes, the foundation reflects the family's deep ties to Memphis, where Bill Rhodes has lived for over 50 years. The foundation's giving focuses on education, career development, and community welfare, with recent major gifts including a $2 million endowment to Rhodes College in 2025 to support career and professional development. The family's philanthropic approach has been shaped by mentorship from AutoZone founder Pitt Hyde and his wife Barbara.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Rhodes Family Foundation operates as a private family foundation without formal grant programs or public application processes. Grant sizes vary significantly based on the foundation's strategic priorities:

  • Major Gifts: $2,000,000+ (institutional endowments)
  • Typical Awards: $100,000 - $2,067,948
  • Application Method: Invitation only/trustee discretion

Priority Areas

Based on publicly documented grants, the foundation prioritizes:

  • Education: Higher education institutions, career development, and student support programs
  • Community Development: Memphis-based initiatives
  • Arts and Culture: Support for local artistic endeavors (Amy Rhodes has been involved with ARTSmemphis)
  • Civic Engagement: Organizations supporting community welfare

What They Don't Fund

As a private family foundation with no public application process, the foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. Funding decisions are made at the discretion of the board of trustees based on their strategic priorities and community connections.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

  • William C. Rhodes III - Director/President: Former President and CEO of AutoZone, currently Executive Chairman; served on Rhodes College Board of Trustees; received honorary Doctor of Humanities from Rhodes College in 2024; serves on multiple nonprofit boards including Youth Programs, Inc., the National Civil Rights Museum, and the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees; also serves on the J.R. Hyde III Family Foundation Board of Trustees
  • Amy P. Rhodes - Director/Secretary: Active in Memphis arts and cultural community; parent of 2018 Rhodes College graduate Madison Rhodes
  • Harvey F. Greer Jr. - Director/Treasurer
  • Madison Rhodes - Director: 2018 Rhodes College graduate

All directors serve without compensation and dedicate their time to foundation governance.

Leadership Philosophy: The Rhodes family's philanthropic approach emphasizes targeted giving to education, community welfare, and cultural preservation, guided by Bill Rhodes' long-term residency in Memphis and mentorship from local philanthropists like AutoZone founder Pitt Hyde.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Rhodes Family Foundation does not have a public application process. This is a private family foundation that operates on an invitation-only basis. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of trustees, typically to organizations with which the family has established relationships or strategic alignment with their philanthropic priorities.

The foundation made only 1-2 grants annually in recent years (2020-2024), with significant variation in grant amounts, reflecting a highly selective and strategic approach to grantmaking focused on major institutional gifts rather than broad distribution.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Given the private nature of the foundation, grant decisions are made by the board of trustees on their own timeline.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since the Rhodes Family Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that have received support share these characteristics:

Connection to Memphis: The foundation prioritizes Memphis-based organizations and initiatives. Bill Rhodes has lived in Memphis for over 50 years and maintains deep community ties.

Educational Mission: The foundation's $2 million gift to Rhodes College specifically supported career and professional development, with President Jennifer Collins stating: "We are so grateful to Amy, Bill, Madison, and Charlie Rhodes and their foundation for the continued commitment to Rhodes." The gift supports the vision of "ensuring all students graduate from Rhodes College prepared, engaged, self-aware, and confident in their abilities both to lead and to fulfill professional, academic, and personal goals."

Family Connection: The foundation's major gift to Rhodes College followed their daughter Madison's graduation from the institution in 2018, demonstrating how personal connections influence giving decisions.

Strategic Institutional Support: Rather than making numerous small grants, the foundation focuses on major strategic gifts that create lasting impact through endowed positions and institutional capacity building.

Alignment with Leadership Values: Bill Rhodes serves on multiple nonprofit boards (Youth Programs, Inc., National Civil Rights Museum, University of Tennessee Board of Trustees), suggesting that organizations in these sectors - youth development, civil rights, education - align with the family's values.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals - do not submit applications or letters of inquiry
  • Memphis focus is paramount - the foundation primarily supports Memphis-based initiatives despite being headquartered in New York
  • Major institutional giving model - the foundation makes very few grants (1-2 per year) but these are substantial, transformational gifts
  • Education is a core priority - demonstrated through major support for Rhodes College and Bill Rhodes' service on education-focused boards
  • Personal relationships matter - family connections (their daughter's attendance at Rhodes College) and board service inform giving decisions
  • Multi-year strategic approach - the foundation makes long-term commitments through endowments rather than annual operating grants
  • Mentorship influences approach - the Rhodes family's philanthropy has been shaped by Pitt Hyde (AutoZone founder), suggesting they value strategic, impactful giving

References

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