Funding search · higher education access · Tennessee
Who funds higher education access work in Tennessee
13 funders have a record of paying for higher education access work by Tennessee recipients: 25 grants totaling $29.2M, most recently in 2025 — mostly grantmaking charities, which often run real application cycles. The largest by matched giving are The Kresge Foundation ($353,300), Dollar General Literacy Foundation ($275,000) and Governors Rural Education Foundation ($27.5M).
From IRS Form 990-PF and 990 Schedule I filings, 2019–2025. Grants already paid to Tennessee recipients — evidence of what these funders back, not open calls.
Largest: $149,500 to TENNESSEE COLLEGE ACCESS AND SUCCESS NETWORK — to support the tennessee college access and success networks pilot program that supports part-time college students in nashville, as part of the copro2.0 initiative.
Dollar General Literacy FoundationGoodlettsville, TNCharity · may take applications
3 matching grants · $275,000 · through 2025Largest: $100,000 to GOAL COLLECTIVE (TENNESSEE COLLEGE ACCESS & SUCCESS NETWORK FISCAL AGENT) — adult literacy partner
Governors Rural Education FoundationNashville, TNCharity · may take applications
2 matching grants · $27.5M · through 2024Largest: $15.0M to TAF Rural Expansion Foundation — recipient has established and proven programs in place that provide services that advance the mission of the taxpayer in improving college access and college readiness for tennesse…
The Nashville Chamber Public BenefitNashville, TNCharity · may take applications
3 matching grants · $273,696 · through 2023Largest: $167,500 to TENNESSEE COLLEGE ACCESS & SUCCESS NETWORK — k-12 education - new skills ready initiative (jpmorgan chase)
Largest: $75,000 to TN COLLEGE ACCESS & SUCCESS NETWORK — operational funding request
Largest: $75,000 to TN COLLEGE ACCESS & SUCCESS NETWORK — nashville scholars initiative
Largest: $170,000 to TENNESSEE COLLEGE ACCESS AND SUCCESS NETWORK — support for mira program and operations
City FundBeaverton, ORCharity · may take applications
1 matching grant · $150,000 · through 2024Largest: $150,000 to PERSIST NASHVILLE — to support nashville charter college access and success institute's which aim to increase college enrollment and persistence by supporting coaching participants and school leaders
Educational CreditMinneapolis, MNCharity · may take applications
1 matching grant · $120,000 · through 2024Largest: $120,000 to TENNESSEE COLLEGE ACCESS & SUCCESS NETWORK — fafsa student support
The Community Foundation of MiddleNashville, TNCharity · may take applications
1 matching grant · $30,000 · through 2024Largest: $30,000 to CONEXION AMERICAS — conexin amricas college access and success after-school program supports first-generation immigrant and refugee high school students becoming the first in their families to complet…
Largest: $50,000 to TN College Access and Success Network — general charitable purpose
Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TNCharity · may take applications
1 matching grant · $10,000 · through 2024Largest: $10,000 to Tennessee College Access & Success Network (TCASN) — program support
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Start with one paperBroader: higher education access funders nationally · all Tennessee-based grantmakers