The Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Charitable Foundation was established in 1985 as a private foundation to honor its founders, Mr. and Mrs. Adams. The foundation is dedicated to supporting charitable organizations, with a primary focus on the arts, culture, humanities, and education. Its grantmaking efforts are directed toward organizations operating in Memphis, Miami, and New York City, though there are no official geographic restrictions. However, priority is given to organizations within these cities.

The foundation provides funding exclusively for project sponsorships and does not accept requests for general operating support, capital campaigns, or endowment funding. It prioritizes proposals for innovative programs, performances, and publications in the fields of arts, music, culture, and education. To be eligible for funding, the proposed project must commence at least 12 months after the application deadline. For the 2025 application cycle, projects must begin after February 15, 2026.

Grant requests over $50,000 are generally not approved, with rare exceptions. Additionally, multi-year grants are discouraged and less likely to be awarded. Organizations that receive a grant must wait a minimum of one year before reapplying. For example, if a grantee receives funding in 2024, they cannot submit another application until 2026.

Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Applications are accepted year-round, but to be considered for review at the foundation’s annual spring meeting, submissions must be received by February 15, 2025.

Applicants will receive an automated email confirmation upon submission. If awarded funding, recipients are required to submit a progress report within six months of receiving funds, unless otherwise specified in their grant agreement. The foundation does not fund individuals or for-profit entities.

The grant is administered by Wells Fargo Wealth Management, and all inquiries should be directed to the Grant Administration team at their Winston-Salem, NC office. The foundation remains committed to fostering artistic and educational initiatives through its structured and selective grantmaking process.