Cole Foundation Robert H & Monica M
The organization is a private foundation dedicated to providing operational support primarily to healthcare, educational, and cultural institutions. Its mission reflects a commitment to enhancing community services, particularly through funding for hospitals, religious organizations, and museums. The foundation supports a diverse range of recipients, including universities, community foundations, and various nonprofit organizations focused on education and cultural heritage. While its primary operations are based in Tennessee, it also extends its support to organizations across multiple states.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Established nonprofits seeking operational/general support, especially hospitals or community organizations in Tennessee and a handful of historically funded states; applicants with an existing local relationship or referral are particularly aligned.
Good Fit
- • Requests primarily for operational or general operating support.
- • Based in Tennessee or one of the states historically funded (VA, NY, FL, DC, ME, MD, CA).
- • An established organizational track record and references or connection to existing grantees.
- • Capacity to submit a concise mailed application including organization description and intended beneficiaries.
Geography
Grants appear across eight states, but a majority of dollars (about 55%) go to the foundation's home state of Tennessee; the footprint is multi-state but clearly state-weighted.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows 31 distinct independent recipients across healthcare, education, cultural and religious organizations, indicating a broad recipient set for the foundation's size despite dollar concentration to a few grantees.
New Applicants
The foundation publishes application instructions and a mailing contact and has funded a handful of new recipients each year, but most dollars go to repeat grantees, so new entrants have a plausible path but face relationship-driven selection dynamics.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
