Ruth Tankersley Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $4,644,000 (2022)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly documented
• Grant Range: Median $77,400; Maximum $600,000
• Geographic Focus: Arizona (primarily Tucson area)

Contact Details

Phone: (520) 792-1181
Email: Contact person - Lynne Davies
Address: 3430 East Sunrise Drive, Suite 200, Tucson, AZ 85718
Website: No public website
Application Portal: None - invitation-only foundation

Overview

The Ruth Tankersley Charitable Trust (also known as Ruth McC Tankersley Charitable Fund) is a private foundation established to continue the philanthropic legacy of Ruth McCormick "Bazy" Tankersley (1921-2013), a notable Arabian horse breeder and Arizona philanthropist. With annual giving of approximately $4.6 million in 2022 distributed through 60 grants, the foundation focuses on education, animal welfare, human services, and healthcare primarily in the Tucson, Arizona area. The foundation operates without a public application process, making grants at trustee discretion to organizations aligned with the founder's lifelong interests in education, conservation, and community welfare. Bazy Tankersley was known for her belief in "noblesse oblige" - the obligation of the wealthy to do good works for others - a philosophy that continues to guide the foundation's giving.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate specific named grant programs but provides various types of support:

• Capital Projects: Up to $1,000,000 (major facility construction/renovation)
• Program Support: Varies widely (educational programs, arts programming)
• Institutional Support: $50,000 - $600,000 (general organizational support)
• Scholarship Support: Amount varies (through educational institutions)

Priority Areas

• Education: Schools, literacy programs, student scholarships
• Animal Welfare: Humane societies, animal rescue organizations
• Human Services: Community support programs
• Children's Healthcare: Children's hospitals and health programs
• Arts & Culture: Arts centers and cultural programming
• Environmental Conservation: Desert preservation and environmental education

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly documented, based on their giving patterns they likely do not fund:

• Organizations outside Arizona
• Individual requests (except through scholarship programs)
• Political organizations
• For-profit enterprises
• Events or sponsorships

Governance and Leadership

Founder: Ruth McCormick "Bazy" Tankersley (1921-2013) - Arabian horse breeder, philanthropist, and founder of The Gregory School in Tucson. She served as president of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in the late 1970s and was known for her commitment to education, conservation, and animal welfare.

Key Quote from Bazy Tankersley: "You see, I come from that old-fashioned background of noblesse oblige: If you're born with money, you have an obligation to do good works for others."

Current Contact: Lynne Davies serves as a contact person for the foundation. Detailed board composition is not publicly available.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. Grants are made at the trustees' discretion to organizations they identify as aligned with their mission and the founder's legacy. The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications.

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations may increase visibility through:

• Demonstrating strong alignment with Bazy Tankersley's legacy priorities (education, animal welfare, conservation)
• Building relationships with other organizations funded by the trust (e.g., Humane Society of Southern Arizona, The Gregory School)
• Establishing a strong reputation in the Tucson philanthropic community
• Sending a brief introductory letter to Lynne Davies highlighting alignment with foundation priorities (though response is not guaranteed)

Decision Timeline

Specific timelines are not publicly documented. As a private foundation operating at trustee discretion, decisions likely occur on a rolling basis or as opportunities arise.

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only foundation

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly documented

Application Success Factors

Based on documented grant patterns and the foundation's history:

• Strong Local Presence: Organizations with deep roots in the Tucson community receive preference
• Legacy Alignment: Projects that continue Bazy Tankersley's specific interests (Arabian horses, desert conservation, private education, animal welfare) have stronger appeal
• Established Track Record: The foundation favors well-established organizations with proven impact
• Capital Projects: The foundation has shown willingness to make major capital grants ($1 million to Humane Society for facility construction)
• Children and Youth Focus: Programs benefiting young people align with the founder's educational mission
• Professional Management: Organizations demonstrating strong governance and financial management

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only foundation - do not submit unsolicited proposals
• Focus on building relationships within the Tucson philanthropic community rather than direct applications
• The foundation makes substantial grants (median $77,400) to established organizations
• Strong preference for Arizona-based organizations, particularly in the Tucson area
• Projects honoring Bazy Tankersley's specific legacy areas (education, animal welfare, conservation) have the best alignment
• Consider indirect approaches through partner organizations or community leaders
• The foundation continues active grantmaking with 60 grants annually, showing consistent commitment to philanthropy

References

• Instrumentl Foundation Profile - https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/ruth-mcc-tankersley-charitable-fnd (Accessed 2024)
• Cause IQ Organization Profile - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/ruth-mcc-tankersley-charitable-fund,866224242/ (Accessed 2024)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer IRS 990-PF Filings - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/866224242 (Accessed 2024)
• Candid Foundation Directory - https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=TANK002 (Accessed 2024)
• Arizona Daily Star - "Bazy Tankersley Obituary and Legacy" - Tucson.com (2013)
• High Country News - "The right-wing heiress who changed course in the desert" (Historical profile)
• Chandler Center for the Arts - Grant acknowledgment - https://www.chandlercenter.org/ruth-mccormick-tankersley-charitable-trust (2019)
• Alexander | Carrillo Consulting Blog - "Tankersley Trust Commits $1 Million Gift to Humane Society" - https://do-good-better.com/tankersley-trust-commits-1-million-gift-to-the-humane-society-of-southern-arizona/ (2014)