Skip to content
Bradford Family Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Bradford Family Foundation

Its FY2024 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$1.2M
Granted FY2024still arriving
51
Grants FY2024still arriving
12
States reached
$306k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0183% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2020 to 2024.

Education$1.9MArts & Culture$826kReligion$94kEnvironment$67kPhilanthropy$66kHealth$59kHuman Services$54kCivil Rights$45kOther$0
02FY2024 · 51 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2024

  • Under $10k25 grants · $57k
  • $10k–50k22 grants · $408k
  • $50k–250k3 grants · $382k
  • $250k+1 grant · $306k
$10,000
Median grant
12
States reached
$16M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
MONTGOMERY BELL ACADEMY$305,700
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY$200,000
CHEEKWOOD$131,950
ST BONAVENTURE UNIVERSITY$50,000
ST GEORGE'S$42,000
FRONTLINE POLICY COUNCIL$40,000
NASHVILLE SYMPHONY$40,000
FRIENDS OF WARNER PARK$26,175
UNITED WAY (DESIGNATION BELOW) 1000 EACH ORGANIZATION$25,000
EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF NASHVILLE$20,000
TRINITY SCHOOL$20,000
BERKLEY INSTITUTE$20,000
AUSTIN INSTITUTE$20,000
ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH LINVILLE$19,000
AMERICAN RED CROSS$15,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY21–24, $98k) land where the poverty rate runs at 13%, against an area that typically sits at 9%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 9%AMERICAN RED CROSS: $15k → 9%AMERICAN RED CROSS: $10k → 9%APHESIS HOUSE: $15k → 14%APHESIS HOUSE: $5k → 14%ALIVE HOSPICE: $50k → 14%ALIVE HOSPICE: $3k → 14%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

NY
IA
NJ
CA
VA
MD
AR
TN
NC
AL
GA
TX
FL
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

97%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$3.6M · 44 repeat orgs$106k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +59% since the first grant, against +56% for those funded once.

44 repeat relationships: 40 still active in FY2024, 4 since wound down; 11 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

44
15

Total granted

$3.6M
$57k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+59%
+56%

Still filing today

52%
40%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 96% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $50k went to new ones.

50%100%’20’21’22’23’24
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’20’21’22’23’24
EducationArts & CultureHuman ServicesEnvironmentAnimalsHealthOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • Vanderbilt University
    5× · 2020–2024 · $1.0M · revenue +65%
  • CB
    CHEEKWOOD BOTANICAL GARDEN AND MUSEUM OF ART
    5× · 2020–2024 · $711k · revenue +82%
  • NS
    Nashville Symphony Association
    4× · 2020–2024 · $84k · revenue +76%

Funded once

  • THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LANDgraduated
    one grant, 2022 · $50k · revenue +56%
  • PS
    PORTRAIT SOCIETY OF AMERICA INC
    one grant, 2022 · $3k · revenue +3%
  • CP
    CENTENNIAL PARK CONSERVANCYgraduated
    one grant, 2021 · $1k · revenue +37%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Nashville Public Radio

Nashville public radio's mission is to be the most trusted & independent nashville voice, connecting our communities through non-partisan journalism, compelling storytelling, civil conversation and music discovery.

Arts & Culture
2
Boston Architectural College

The bac is committed to provide excellence in design education grounded in practice and accessible to diverse communities.

—
3
Wilson College

Wilson college empowers students to be confident and critical thinkers, creative visionaries, effective communicators, honorable leaders, and agents of justice.

Education
4
Furman University

The primary mission of furman as a liberal arts institution is to provide a distinctive education in fine arts, humanities, social sciences, mathematics and the sciences, as well as selected professional disciplines.

Education
5
University of New Haven

The University of New Haven is a student-centered comprehensive university with an emphasis on excellence in liberal arts and professional education. Our mission is to prepare our students to lead purposeful and fulfilling lives in a…

Education
6
Barton College

Founded in 1902, barton college is a four-year, private, liberal arts college located in wilson, n.c. the barton experience focuses on academic excellence within a wide range of professional and liberal arts programs leading to…

Education
7
Manhattanville University

To educate students to be ethical and socially responsible leaders in a global community.

Education
8
United States Naval Institute

Provide an independent forum for those who dare to read, think, speak, and write to advance the professional, literary, and scientific understanding of sea power and other issues critical to global security.

—
9
National Public Radio Inc

National public radio, inc. ("npr") works collaboratively with member public radio station licensees ("member stations") to create a more informed public, one that is challenged and invigorated by a deeper understanding and appreciation of…

Arts & Culture
10
New York School of Interior Design

New york school of interior design provides the most innovative, immersive, and transformative interior design education in the world, demonstrating the impact of professionally designed interiors on the health, happiness, and well-being…

Education
11
Nashville Zoo Inc

In fulfillment of our mission to inspire a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation and leadership, our goal is to build a first class zoo for middle tennessee and to develop a facility…

Animals
12
New York Botanical Garden

The new york botanical garden is a museum of plants and a scientific research center devoted to the study of plants and their uses. it is the garden's mission to improve public understanding of the natural world, horticulture, and the…

Environment
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Centennial Park Conservancy; the most unlike its peers is Arborcrest Gardens. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

34 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 34 of the 70 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
11
Early backer (in before they grew)
34/34
Grantees still filing
26/34
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

Vanderbilt University: $1,010,000 · EducationVanderbilt UniversityMONTGOMERY BELL ACADEMY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NASHVILLE: $674,550 · EducationMONTGOMERY BELL ACADEMY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NASHVILLE+10 more: $234,525 · Education+10 moreST GEORGE'S: $387,000 · OtherST GEORGE'SST BONAVENTURE UNIVERSITY: $65,000 · OtherST BONAVENTURE UNIVERSITYUNITED WAY (DESIGNATION BELOW) 1000 EACH ORGANIZATION: $55,000 · OtherUNITED WAY (DESIGNATION B…Individual grant recipient: $53,000 · OtherIndividual grant recipien…AUSTIN INSTITUTE: $40,000 · OtherALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH LINVILLE: $37,200 · OtherEASTERN EUROPEAN MISSION: $35,000 · OtherFRIENDS OF WARNER PARK: $33,315 · Other+32 more: $130,499 · Other+32 moreCHEEKWOOD BOTANICAL GARDEN AND MUSEUM OF ART: $711,100 · Arts & CultureCHEEKWOOD BOTANICAL GARD…Nashville Symphony Association: $84,178 · Arts & CultureNashville Symphony Assoc…+6 more: $28,450 · Arts & CultureALIVE HOSPICE INC: $53,000 · Human ServicesAmerican National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches: $25,000 · Human ServicesAPHESIS HOUSE INC: $20,000 · Human ServicesTHE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND: $50,000 · EnvironmentTHE GARDEN CLUB OF NASHVILLE: $2,200 · Environment+1 more: $100 · EnvironmentNASHVILLE HUMANE ASSOCIATION AKA NASHVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY: $5,750 · AnimalsWALDENS PUDDLE WILDLIFE REHABILITATION & EDUCATIO: $1,100 · AnimalsSADDLE UP: $5,000 · Health+1 more: $100 · Health
Education$1,919,075Other$836,014Arts & Culture$823,728Human Services$98,000Environment$52,300Animals$6,850Health$5,100

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetVanderbilt University: $1,010,000 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetCHEEKWOOD BOTANICAL GARDEN AND MUSEUM OF ART: $711,100 over 5y, 2.0% of budgetMONTGOMERY BELL ACADEMY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NASHVILLE: $674,550 over 4y, 0.9% of budgetNashville Symphony Association: $84,178 over 4y, 0.1% of budgetST BONAVENTURE UNIVERSITY: $65,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetALIVE HOSPICE INC: $53,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetTHE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND: $50,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTRINITY SCHOOL INC: $49,000 over 5y, 0.1% of budgetFRONTLINE POLICY COUNCIL INC: $45,000 over 2y, 3.1% of budgetTHE BERKELEY INSTITUTE: $40,000 over 3y, 4.4% of budgetEPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF NASHVILLE: $39,000 over 5y, 0.4% of budgetCOLGATE UNIVERSITY: $25,000 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetAmerican National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches: $25,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetThe Trustees of Princeton University: $20,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetAPHESIS HOUSE INC: $20,000 over 2y, 1.6% of budgetNASHVILLE OPERA ASSOCIATION: $10,000 over 4y, 0.1% of budgetWitherspoon Institute Inc: $10,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetFRIST ART MUSEUM: $8,500 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetNASHVILLE HUMANE ASSOCIATION AKA NASHVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY: $5,750 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetLINVILLE FOUNDATION INC: $5,325 over 5y, 0.3% of budgetSADDLE UP: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetNASHVILLE PUBLIC TELEVISION INC: $5,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetPORTRAIT SOCIETY OF AMERICA INC: $2,500 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetTHE GARDEN CLUB OF NASHVILLE: $2,200 over 4y, 0.6% of budgetNASHVILLE BALLET: $1,450 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetWALDENS PUDDLE WILDLIFE REHABILITATION & EDUCATIO: $1,100 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetNASHVILLE TREE FOUNDATION: $1,100 over 5y, 0.2% of budgetCENTENNIAL PARK CONSERVANCY: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBRIGHTSTONE INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWESTMINSTER HOME CONNECTION: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetCURREY INGRAM ACADEMY: $200 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetHopeWay Foundation: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetARBORCREST GARDENS: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetFRIENDS OF RADNOR LAKE: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

  • Who funds Vanderbilt University ↗
  • Who funds CHEEKWOOD BOTANICAL GARDEN AND MUSEUM OF ART ↗
  • Who funds MONTGOMERY BELL ACADEMY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NASHVILLE ↗
  • Who funds Nashville Symphony Association ↗
  • Who funds ST BONAVENTURE UNIVERSITY ↗
  • Who funds ALIVE HOSPICE INC ↗
  • Who funds THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND ↗
  • Who funds TRINITY SCHOOL INC ↗
  • Who funds FRONTLINE POLICY COUNCIL INC ↗
  • Who funds THE BERKELEY INSTITUTE ↗
  • Who funds EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF NASHVILLE ↗
  • Who funds COLGATE UNIVERSITY ↗
  • Who funds American National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches ↗
  • Who funds The Trustees of Princeton University ↗
  • Who funds APHESIS HOUSE INC ↗
  • Who funds NASHVILLE OPERA ASSOCIATION ↗
  • Who funds Witherspoon Institute Inc ↗
  • Who funds FRIST ART MUSEUM ↗
  • Who funds NASHVILLE HUMANE ASSOCIATION AKA NASHVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY ↗
  • Who funds LINVILLE FOUNDATION INC ↗
  • Who funds SADDLE UP ↗
  • Who funds NASHVILLE PUBLIC TELEVISION INC ↗

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

The Community Foundat…The Steven & Laurie E…The Frist FoundationMemorial Foundation I…Hca Healthcare Founda…Enchiridion FoundationDettwiller FoundationEbs FoundationThe Annette & Irwin E…The Danner FoundationThe Wade-Buntin Famil…Thomas & Mamie Houser…
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee IncTN29.7× affinity14 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee Inc · The Steven & Laurie Eskind Family Foundation · The Frist Foundation · Memorial Foundation Inc · Hca Healthcare Foundation · Enchiridion Foundation · Dettwiller Foundation · Ebs Foundation · The Annette & Irwin Eskind Family Foundation · The Danner Foundation · The Wade-Buntin Family Foundation · Thomas & Mamie Houser Charitable Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Bradford Family Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Bradford Family Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 20%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%5%10%15%20%share of the org’s income from government →median 11%
  • The Trustees of Princeton University: 11% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
2get no government money at all
8report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
⤢ axis zoomed · 0–20%
typical government reliance, FY20–25
How this is measured
Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 70 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Bradford Family’s filings →

More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home