Gause Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Gause Foundation is a private foundation in Nashville, Tennessee. In tax year 2025 it gave $122,550 in 75 grants; the typical grant was $1,000 and the largest $20,500. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$122,550
- Number of grants75
- Typical grant$1,000
- Largest grant$20,500
- Assets$2.6 million
- New grantees19%
Giving in 2025 was down from $130,650 the year before.
19% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $126,500 | 76 | $2.3 million |
| 2024 | $130,650 | 85 | $2.7 million |
| 2025 | $122,550 | 75 | $2.6 million |
How to apply
Gause Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What Gause Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 8 states, the most to Tennessee.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 49 | $90,050 |
| Georgia | 18 | $25,500 |
| North Carolina | 1 | $2,500 |
| Mississippi | 2 | $1,500 |
| Virginia | 2 | $1,500 |
| California | 1 | $500 |
| Colorado | 1 | $500 |
| New York | 1 | $500 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| St George Episcopal Church | General Charitable and Educational | $20,500 |
| Nashville Opera | General Charitable and Educational | $6,000 |
| Crossroads Campus | General Charitable and Educational | $5,000 |
| St Marys Episcopal Cathedral | General Charitable and Educational | $5,000 |
| Nashville Symphony | General Charitable and Educational | $5,000 |
| Candler School of Theology | General Charitable and Educational | $2,500 |
| Vanderbilt University | General Charitable and Educational | $2,500 |
| Chattahoochee Riverkeeper | General Charitable and Educational | $2,500 |
| Clark Atanta University | General Charitable and Educational | $2,500 |
| Morehouse College | General Charitable and Educational | $2,500 |
| Spelman College | General Charitable and Educational | $2,500 |
| University of North Carolina1 | General Charitable and Educational | $2,500 |
| Morris Brown College | General Charitable and Educational | $2,500 |
| Nashville Food Project | General Charitable and Educational | $2,000 |
| Peer Power Foundation | General Charitable and Educational | $2,000 |
| Pet Community Center | General Charitable and Educational | $2,000 |
| Wags and Walks of Nashville | General Charitable and Educational | $2,000 |
| Community Foundation of Middle TN | Community development | $2,000 |
| Friends of Macc | Community development | $2,000 |
| Nations Ministry Center | General Charitable and Educational | $1,800 |
| Music Health Alliance | General Charitable and Educational | $1,500 |
| St Jude Childrens Research | General Charitable and Educational | $1,500 |
| Individual | General Charitable and Educational | $1,500 |
| The Forge Nashville | General educational and support | $1,500 |
| Nashville Humane Association | General Charitable and Educational | $1,200 |
| Renewal House | General Charitable and Educational | $1,200 |
| Room at the Inn | General Charitable and Educational | $1,200 |
| Safe Haven Family Shelter | General Charitable and Educational | $1,200 |
| A Step Ahead Foundation Middle TN | General Charitable and Educational | $1,000 |
| Atlanta Beltline Partners | General Charitable and Educational | $1,000 |
| Baddour Center | General Charitable and Educational | $1,000 |
| First Presbyterian Church | General Charitable and Educational | $1,000 |
| Friends of Warner Parks | General Charitable and Educational | $1,000 |
| Globe Village School | General Charitable and Educational | $1,000 |
| International Community School | General Charitable and Educational | $1,000 |
| Memphis Opportunity Scholarship Trust | General Charitable and Educational | $1,000 |
| Mending Hearts | General Charitable and Educational | $1,000 |
| Nashville Dolphins | General Charitable and Educational | $1,000 |
| Nashville Resue Mission | General Charitable and Educational | $1,000 |
| Porter Leath Home | General Charitable and Educational | $1,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Luther P Gause
- Dorothea O Gause
- Nan Gause Evans
- Sidney Gause Childress
Questions people ask
Does Gause Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Gause Foundation give?
$122,550 in tax year 2025, across 75 grants, with a typical grant of $1,000.
Who runs Gause Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Luther P Gause (Foundation Mgr.), Dorothea O Gause (Trustee), Nan Gause Evans (Trustee) and Sidney Gause Childress (Trustee).
What does Gause Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, faith communities and arts and culture.