Pencil Foundation
Nashville, Tennessee · EIN 581475675 · Private foundation
Pencil Foundation is a private foundation based in Nashville, Tennessee. Its most recent IRS Form 990-PF reports $2.6M in grants paid and $2.5M in total assets. Bespoke Grants tracks 5 individual grants from this funder — $8.2M awarded across 2018–2024 — including its support for libraries & literacy. Below is its full funding profile.
What Pencil Foundation funds
Pencil Foundation's giving carries a documented focus on libraries & literacy.
Grant history
The largest grants Bespoke Grants has on record for Pencil Foundation, by amount:
| Recipient | Location | Grant | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools LITERACY GRANT, SUMMER/FALL TUTOR STIPENDS, REIMAGINING COMMUNITY SPACES | Nashville, TN | $6.5M | 2024 |
| Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools LITERACY GRANT, SUMMER/FALL TUTOR STIPENDS | Nashville, TN | $1.6M | 2023 |
| Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools CASH GRANT WAS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MAPLEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL CLINIC | Nashville, TN | $66K | 2018 |
| Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools CASH GRANTS WERE FOR SUPPORT OF INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS WITHIN THE METRO NASHVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM | Nashville, TN | $16K | 2019 |
| Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools CASH GRANTS WERE FOR SUPPORT OF INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS WITHIN THE METRO NASHVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM | Nashville, TN | $4K | 2021 |
Pencil Foundation giving by year
Total grants Bespoke Grants has indexed for each filing year:
How to apply for funding from Pencil Foundation
Pencil Foundation's public IRS filing does not spell out a formal application process. Foundations of this size often give primarily to organizations they already know, so a concise letter of inquiry or a warm introduction is usually the best first contact — not a full proposal. You can review the foundation directly at pencilforschools.org.
Is Pencil Foundation the right funder for your nonprofit?
This page shows what Pencil Foundation has funded. Bespoke Grants tells you whether it fits your mission — and finds every other foundation that does. Free, no credit card.
Match my nonprofit to funders →Frequently asked questions about Pencil Foundation
- Does Pencil Foundation accept grant applications?
- Pencil Foundation's public filing does not specify an application process. A brief letter of inquiry or a warm introduction is usually the best first step with a private foundation of this size.
- What does Pencil Foundation fund?
- Pencil Foundation's grants focus on libraries & literacy. Recent recipients include Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools. Its full grant history is listed above.
- How much does Pencil Foundation give in grants?
- Pencil Foundation reported $2.6M in grants in its most recent IRS filing (FY2021). Across all years in our data it has awarded $8.2M over 5 grants.
- Where is Pencil Foundation located?
- Pencil Foundation is based in Nashville, Tennessee. Its IRS employer identification number (EIN) is 581475675.
- How can I find foundations similar to Pencil Foundation?
- Bespoke Grants matches your nonprofit against 225,000+ foundations like Pencil Foundation, ranking each by how well it fits your mission, location, and budget — with the reasoning shown. It is free to search.
Find more funders like Pencil Foundation
Foundations similar to Pencil Foundation
Other Tennessee grantmakers with overlapping priorities: