How the First Horizon Foundation Gives to Local Groups in Tennessee

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In 1993, the First Horizon National Corporation created the First Horizon Foundation (FHF) to give back to the communities where the company operates. First Horizon Bank is part of the First Horizon National Corporation family of companies and got its start in Memphis, Tennessee back in 1884. Since that time, the foundation has awarded over $100 million to organizations in select communities, with many grants going to groups in its home state.

Here's a look at how the First Horizon Foundation operates and what it supports in Tennessee.

Five areas of interest

The first of FHF’s five areas of interest is arts and culture — the foundation focuses on promoting arts and culture to enrich communities. Past grantees in Tennessee include ArtsMemphis, the Asian Culture Center of Tennessee and La Paz Chattanooga.

FHF’s education and leadership grants provide after-school programming for underserved youth, educational resources, scholarships and professorships. Local grantees include Central Piedmont Community College and Coalition for Kids.

FHF also gives to environmental groups in Tennessee, including the Land Trust for Tennessee and Legacy Parks Foundation. The focus there is on reducing carbon footprints, preserving green spaces and using green energy.

As a bank-affiliated funder, FHF is also concerned with financial literacy and awards grants to promote good money habits among people of all ages. Past financial literacy grants have gone to the University of Tennessee for a youth program and to the Knoxville Area Urban League to help minority groups secure economic self-reliance.

Finally, FHF also supports healthcare institutions across the southern United States. Examples include Homeward Bound of Western North Carolina and the Institute for Child and Family Health of Miami.  

A focus on Tennessee

Tennessee is one of the primary geographic focus areas for FHF grantmaking, but it’s just one of 11 states where the foundation gives. The other states within FHF’s footprint are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas.

In Tennessee, the following regions receive FHF funding:

  • Memphis/Shelby County

  • Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Clarksville, Gallatin, Murfreesboro, Lebanon and Columbia

  • Knoxville, Maryville and Athens

  • Bristol, Johnson City, Kingsport, Washington County and Sullivan County

  • Chattanooga

  • Jackson, Waverly, Cookeville, Sparta, Morristown – Dandridge, Greeneville, Newport, Gatlinburg – Pigeon Forge – Sevierville and Cleveland

Applying for a grant

FHF is an accessible funder that has an annual grant application cycle. The cycle typically opens up for applications on October 1. For most parts of Tennessee, the application period closes on January 31, and the foundation announces award decisions by April 30. Although FHF awards grants for numerous purposes, it does not fund K-12 schools, individuals, trips, solely religious organizations, political organizations or operating budget deficits.

For full profiles and insights about more funders that work locally in Tennessee, check out IP’s Southeast Funding Guide.