The Frist Foundation
Accepts applications
The Frist Foundation is a private foundation in Nashville, Tennessee. In tax year 2024 it gave $58.0 million in 174 grants; the typical grant was $20,000 and the largest $23.5 million. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$58.0 million
- Number of grants174
- Typical grant$20,000
- Largest grant$23.5 million
- Assets$621 million
- New grantees42%
Giving in 2024 was up from $18.1 million the year before.
42% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $18.1 million | 171 | $609 million |
| 2024 | $58.0 million | 174 | $621 million |
How to apply
| Contact | The Frist Foundation 3100 West End Ave Suite 1050, Nashville, TN 37203 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (615) 292-3868 |
| What to submit | While there are no deadlines on general grant applications, larger grants are typically approved at board meetings taking place in january, april, july and october. Depending on the timing of submission of a grant application, it could take as long as three months for grant approval. Applicants may obtain information needed to apply for a grant at our website: www.fristfoundation.org. |
| Deadlines | General grants are given throughout the year. There are no deadlines on general grant applications. |
| Restrictions | For legal reasons, the foundation does not support individuals or their projects, private foundations, political activities, advertising or sponsorships. As a matter of policy, the foundation does not ordinarily support: *operational or programmatic expenses, including salaries. *endowment or scholarship funding. *event sponsorships. *individual schools. *hospitals or nursing homes. *religious organizations for religious purposes. *statewide initiatives. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What The Frist Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 19 states, the most to Tennessee.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 128 | $32.2 million |
| New York | 9 | $25.1 million |
| New Jersey | 4 | $150,000 |
| Virginia | 3 | $110,000 |
| Maryland | 4 | $100,000 |
| Missouri | 1 | $100,000 |
| North Dakota | 1 | $100,000 |
| Texas | 1 | $62,000 |
| Georgia | 4 | $50,920 |
| District of Columbia | 3 | $50,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund | Frist foundation donor advised fund gift | $23.5 million |
| Frist Art Museum | Annual operating gift | $6.5 million |
| Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee | To support the launch of the nashville early education coalition (neec) | $5.0 million |
| Nashville Public Library Foundation | Support for the begin bright program | $5.0 million |
| Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville | Capital support for bella terra community in antioch | $3.0 million |
| YWCA of Nashvillemiddle TN | Support for capital upgrades and renovations of the weaver domestic violence center | $3.0 million |
| Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund | Frist foundation donor advised fund gift | $1.4 million |
| Frist Art Museum | Capital support | $1.1 million |
| The Hca Hope Fund | To hope fund for hurricane helene relief | $1.0 million |
| United Way of Greater Nashville | Support for recovery efforts in clarksville following the december 2023 tornadoes | $1.0 million |
| Friends of Warner Parks Inc | Support for renovation and expansion of warner parks headquarters | $700,000 |
| Thistle Farms | Support for capital campaign to renovate and reconstruct housing | $500,000 |
| United Way of Greater Nashville | Support for the family collective | $500,000 |
| The Refuge Center for Counseling | Capital support | $430,000 |
| Rebuilding Together Nashville | Support for the multiplier fund | $350,000 |
| Inspiritus | Support for programming, operational capacity needs for senior housing expansion | $300,000 |
| Friends of Warner Parks Inc | Support for renovation and expansion of warner parks headquarters | $250,000 |
| Tennessee Justice Center Inc | Additional support toward the ongoing capital campaign | $250,000 |
| Friends Life | Capital investments | $200,000 |
| United Way of Greater Nashville | Operating support for hands on nashville and geekcause | $200,000 |
| Youth Encouragement Services | Capital investments | $200,000 |
| Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee | Three years of operating support for the nashville early education coalition | $150,000 |
| Teach for America | Support for tfa's teacher training program for the fiscal year beginning june 1, 2024 | $150,000 |
| The Heimerdinger Foundation | Capital needs ($100,000) and consulting support ($25,000) | $125,000 |
| Frist Art Museum | Annual operating gift | $115,881 |
| Cheekwood | Support for maintenance of the frist learning center | $115,000 |
| Corner to Corner | Support for technology work with nashville analytics | $105,000 |
| Delta Waterfowl Foundation | General support directed by chuck elcan | $100,000 |
| Princeton University | Princeton golf support directed by julie and tommy frist | $100,000 |
| Rooftop Foundation | To establish a cash reserve exclusively for reimbursement purposes | $100,000 |
| Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee | Technology support to create a data dashboard for leadership and staff | $100,000 |
| Uva School of Education and Human Development Foundation | Support for the faculty excellence fund directed by trisha elcan | $100,000 |
| Washington University in St Louis | Support for the danforth circle chancellors fund for excellence, directed gift | $100,000 |
| Lymphoma Research Foundation | General support directed by trisha and chuck elcan | $81,000 |
| Community Resource Center | Operating support for 2024 | $75,000 |
| Nashville Adult Literacy Council | Capacity building support | $75,000 |
| United Way of Greater Nashville | Operating support for 2024, half comes from the ansley fund | $75,000 |
| MD Anderson Cancer Center | General support directed by trisha and chuck elcan | $62,000 |
| Needlink Nashville | Operating support for 2024 | $60,000 |
| Charity Water | General support directed by julie and tommy frist | $50,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Patricia Frist Elcan
- Charles Elcan
- Jennifer Frist
- Julie Frist
- Thomas F Frist Jr
- Thomas F Frist III
- William R Frist
- Lauren Elcan Ingram
- Corinne Bergeron
- Colette Easter
- Anne Reeves Axe
Questions people ask
Does The Frist Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: General grants are given throughout the year. There are no deadlines on general grant applications..
How much does The Frist Foundation give?
$58.0 million in tax year 2024, across 174 grants, with a typical grant of $20,000.
Who runs The Frist Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Patricia Frist Elcan (President and Chairman), Charles Elcan (Director), Jennifer Frist (Director) and Julie Frist (Director) among 11 officers and trustees.
What does The Frist Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, arts and culture and human services.