The Assisi Foundation Grant

The Assisi Foundation of Memphis, Inc. is a private, independent philanthropic organization based in Memphis, Tennessee. It is dedicated to funding nonprofit initiatives that lead to healthy, positive transformation throughout the Greater Memphis area. The Foundation collaborates with nonprofit organizations to address deeply rooted challenges and invites creative and mission-aligned ideas that may not fall neatly within their listed categories. These categories include Health & Human Services, Education & Lifelong Learning, Social Justice & Ethics, Cultural Enrichment & The Arts, and Community Enhancement & Capacity Building. The Foundation emphasizes impact and sustainability in all funded projects. It sets clear exclusions to maintain focus and efficiency, explicitly not funding individuals, national campaigns, one-off events, political or religious outreach, financial deficits, charter schools, or summer camps. The Foundation's funding strategy prioritizes structural and long-term change, and discourages reliance on grants for ongoing or recurring program expenses. To be eligible, applicants must be tax-exempt under IRS Section 501(c)(3), located in one of the specified counties: Shelby, Fayette, or Tipton in Tennessee; Crittenden in Arkansas; or DeSoto in Mississippi. In addition, organizations must not discriminate based on religious faith and are required to affirm that they welcome individuals of all faith traditions. Organizations that impose religious requirements on participants, staff, or board members are deemed ineligible. Applications are submitted exclusively through the Foundation’s online portal and are time-stamped upon receipt. Submission deadlines vary depending on the type of program being proposed. For instance, digital media organizations may only apply during the third quarter, education-related proposals are reviewed in the second quarter, and arts and culture initiatives are considered in the first quarter. Proposals that do not fit within these predefined areas are accepted during the fourth quarter. The specific deadlines for the current and upcoming cycles are: August 8, 2025 (Q4 2025), November 7, 2025 (Q1 2026), February 6, 2026 (Q2 2026), and May 8, 2026 (Q3 2026). Notifications are typically issued approximately three months after each deadline. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult the Foundation’s Grantseeker Resource Packet before submitting a proposal, which contains detailed information on eligibility and timelines. Questions about the submission process or proposal fit may be directed to a Program Officer. Contact information includes the Foundation’s main phone number, (901) 684-1564, and their grants-specific email address, grants@assisifoundation.org. New applicants must register on the Foundation’s portal, while returning applicants whose awards were active as of March 2025 can log in using their email addresses after resetting their password. The Assisi Foundation continues to promote philanthropy with intention and effectiveness, seeking not just to fund services but to enable enduring, transformational impact within the communities they serve.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Grantseeker Resource Packet and consult a Program Officer prior to applying.