Speer Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- Speer Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests, so a small charity should not send it a cold application and should look for an introduction through someone who already knows it.
- Its stated themes are medical needs, education, youth, military, Christian concerns and community welfare, so work in those areas is the best fit.
- No geographic focus is stated in the filing, so location alone should not rule a charity out.
- About 8 in 10 of its grants fall between $10,000 and $330,000, with a median of $50,000, so a request near that middle figure is the most realistic; the band is not a ceiling, as its largest grant was $3,000,000.
- Most of its grant dollars, 86%, went to organisations it had also funded in earlier filings, so the foundation appears to be relationship-led and repeat funding is central to how it gives.
Overview
Speer Foundation is a US private foundation based in Brentwood, TN.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Speer Foundation describes its mission as witnessing for Jesus Christ through contributions to causes that enrich spiritual, medical and educational needs, as well as other needs, in communities, the nation and the world. It responds to charitable organisations serving the general welfare of the community, education, youth, military and Christian concerns. Its approach is to identify opportunities to make a difference and evaluate their effectiveness. The Foundation presents its giving as Christian service across community, national and wider-world settings.
Themes
- Medical needs
- Education
- Youth
- Military
- Christian concerns
- Community welfare
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Florida, Tennessee, California and Arizona.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 86% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 176 grants to organisations were $50,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- It identifies opportunities to make a difference and evaluates their effectiveness.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 2%
- The largest single recipient received 28% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 86% of grant dollars went to organisations Speer Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 3% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 60 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $37,500 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Young Mens Christian Association Of Greater ST Petersburg · Operating support$3,000,0002024 tax year
- Tennessee Wildlife Federation · Operating support$505,0002024 tax year
- Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville · Operating support$500,0002024 tax year
- Cumberland Heights Foundation · Operating support$500,0002024 tax year
- Christ Presbyterian Church · Operating support$450,0002024 tax year
- Presidential Prayer Team · Operating support$400,0002024 tax year
- Lighthouse Media Na Inc · Operating support$375,0002024 tax year
- Nashville Zoo · Operating support$330,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Cabot P Pyle — Executive Director
- Mark Walker — Treasurer, Secretary
- Richard M Speer — Trustee
- Lynnda L Speer — Trustee
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $10,648,352 | $7,595,800 | $132,643,032 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $9,695,716 | $6,827,225 | $140,762,946 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $10,649,756 | $8,678,672 | $141,156,422 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.
Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.
Data privacy and security by default
Your organisation's past successful grants and experience
AI analysis of what reviewers want to see
A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours
Spotted something that needs correcting? Let us know
At a glance
Applying to Speer Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
Applying to Speer Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required