About this foundation

The Marlene and Spencer Hays Foundation supports efforts to improve people’s lives through the arts, health-care research and innovation, education and programs for at-risk youth, and by encouraging economic achievement. The foundation was created in 2017 following the death of Spencer Hays; trustees manage grant selection and Franklin Gaglione handles day-to-day grantmaking. Since beginning grants in 2018 the foundation reports awarding over 500 grants totaling more than $30,450,000, with many awards to Nashville and Middle Tennessee organizations and additional grants in New York and Fort Worth. The site describes a yearly LOI/application timeline and an evaluation process tied to the foundation mission.

Funding focus

The Marlene and Spencer Hays Foundation was established to support efforts to improve peoples’ lives through the arts; research and innovations in health care; education and programs to help at-risk youth; and to promote enhanced economic achievement by encouraging discipline, ambition and commitment to goals and principles.

Grant programs