The Tennessee State Capitol

Form 990-PFTax year 2025EIN 84-2294558

Esme Foundation

A private foundation in Cookeville, TN. Its return for tax year 2025 lists 17 grants and $190,000 paid in grants.

Tax year 2025 (period ending Dec 31, 2025), read from the IRS e-file on Nov 11, 2026. Returns reach the IRS 5 to 18 months after the year they describe.

How to apply

Preselected only

The return checks the box saying the foundation gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets and giving by year

6 returns on file
Grants paid by tax year. The latest year is in blue.
  • Tax year 2025

    $190,000

    Grants listed
    17
    Assets, end of year
    $3,858,736
  • Tax year 2024

    $183,000

    Grants listed
    14
    Assets, end of year
    $3,704,516
  • Tax year 2023

    $225,000

    Grants listed
    14
    Assets, end of year
    $3,635,684
  • Tax year 2022

    $221,000

    Grants listed
    10
    Assets, end of year
    $3,604,873
  • Tax year 2021

    $252,500

    Grants listed
    11
    Assets, end of year
    $3,258,747
  • Tax year 2020

    $186,500

    Grants listed
    12
    Assets, end of year
    $3,151,840

Grants paid in 2025

17 grants, largest first

As listed on the return.

  1. 1st United Methodist ChurchCookeville, TN

    Church activitieschurch activitieschurch activitieschurch activitiesreligious church activitiesdonation for church activities

    $45,000
  2. Mustard Seed RanchCookeville, TN

    Home for abused children

    $30,700
  3. Smiles of HopeSidney, OH

    Ministry of dental services to needy

    $25,000
  4. Hope House of TennesseeNashville, TN

    Provide housing & resources to homeless pregnant teens and children

    $20,000
  5. Young LifeColorado SPGS, CO

    Church activites

    $11,000
  6. Crisis Pregnancy CenterCookeville, TN

    Support pregnancy crisis

    $10,700
  7. International Justice MissionArlington, VA

    Provide for people in poverty from violence and slavery

    $10,000
  8. Hope 27Searcy, AR

    Support orphaned and abused childreneducation, food, spiritual needs for young boyseducation, spiritual needs for young boys

    $5,000
  9. Westminister Home ConnectionNashville, TN

    Counseling and financial assistance for child loss

    $5,000
  10. Game onCookeville, TN

    Programs for handicapped adults and children to play tennis

    $5,000
  11. Heart of the CumberlandCookeville, TN

    Hope and healing for the grieving

    $5,000
  12. Cookeville Rescue MissionCookeville, TN

    Restore broken lives by providing a reputable haven of hope

    $5,000
  13. Siloam HealthNashville, TN

    Cure for cystic fibrosis

    $4,000
  14. Genesis HouseCookeville, TN

    Provide for the welfare of victims of domestic and sexual violence

    $3,500
  15. Hope Center AdoptionCookeville, TN

    Adoption services for unwanted pregnacies

    $2,000
  16. Wesley College FoundationCookeville, TN

    Spiritual growth and personal development for students

    $1,600
  17. Utk Chi AlphaKnoxville, TN

    Campus ministries

    $1,500

Where the money goes

By cause: grants to organizations we matched to the IRS list of exempt organizations, by their category.

  1. International aid2 grants $35,00034% of the total
  2. Human services1 grant $30,70030% of the total
  3. Housing and shelter1 grant $20,00020% of the total
  4. Youth development1 grant $11,00011% of the total
  5. Mental health1 grant $5,0005% of the total

By State

Grants to organizations with a US address, latest year.

  1. Tennessee14 grants $150,000
  2. Ohio1 grant $25,000
  3. Virginia1 grant $10,000
  4. Arkansas1 grant $5,000

Officers, directors and trustees

3 people as filed

As filed on the return, with average hours per week and pay from the foundation.

  • Lisa L JonesDIRECTOR, PRESIDENT Hours 2Pay $0
  • Sarah AuvilleDIRECTOR, SECRETARY Hours 0.1Pay $0
  • Gary D LeftwichDIRECTOR, TREASURER Hours 4Pay $0

The return

More foundations

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Same main cause (international aid), giving between a quarter and four times this foundation’s where possible, nearby first.

  1. In Him Resources FoundationChattanooga, TN 36 grants Accepts applications $213,500 giving
  2. The Herson-Stirman Family Foundation IncKnoxville, TN 30 grants Preselected only $233,000 giving
  3. Faith Hope and LoveNashville, TN 2 grants Preselected only $124,480 giving
  4. The Tom Sullivan Foundation IncLawrenceburg, TN 2 grants Preselected only $120,000 giving
  5. VF FoundationHermitage, TN 22 grants Preselected only $326,500 giving