Established in 1982, The Frist Foundation is dedicated to sustaining and improving the quality of life in Nashville, Tennessee. As one of the larger foundations in Tennessee, it has been a philanthropic leader, serving as initiator, convener and catalyst among donors and nonprofit organizations.

Since 2001, much of the Foundation's funding has been focused on the Frist Center for the Visual Arts. However, in 2010 the Foundation is also focused on support for Nashville agencies that serve vulnerable populations, especially victims of the historic floods that struck Middle Tennessee in May. The emphasis reflects the extraordinary challenges facing both the organizations and their clients.