Athens Federal Foundation
The Athens Federal Foundation is a private foundation based in Athens, Tennessee, established in 2011. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to invest in and support charitable work within its service communities.
Key facts about Athens Federal Foundation
- EIN
- 27-1569250
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $372,222
- Grants made (2024)
- 39
- Average grant
- $9,544
- Median grant
- $5,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 26% first-time grantees (10 of 39, 2024)
- Total assets
- $6,004,480
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The foundation accepts applications from new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Athens Federal Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Athens Federal Foundation's 39 itemized 2024 grants were Tennessee (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Athens, TN (23 grants), Etowah, TN (4 grants), Cleveland, TN (3 grants) and Madisonville, TN (3 grants). 3% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Is Athens Federal Foundation open to new grantees?
26%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 10 of 39 grantees (26%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $15K; repeat grants $8K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 72% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 109% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 144% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Athens Federal Foundation
- How to evaluate Athens Federal Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.0M
+16.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$372K
+36.7% YoY
Grant Count
39
+18.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$10K
+15.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Athens Federal Foundation reported a distributable amount of $259K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation focuses its grantmaking on:
- Education
- Health
- Human Services
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
The foundation prioritizes support for organizations addressing community needs ranging from healthcare access to food security and social services.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
reported at $26 (based on high volume of grants)
Average Grant
reported at $26 (based on high volume of grants)
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Athens Federal Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Athens Federal Foundation primarily supports organizations within the Athens Federal Community Bank's service area in Tennessee, including:
- Athens
- Benton
- Cleveland
- Decatur
- Englewood
- Etowah
- Madisonville
- Milligan College
- Niota
- Sweetwater
- Monroe County
- Bradley County
- McMinn County
- Polk County
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 39 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue:
- Total assets: $6,004,480 (as of most recent filing)
- Total annual giving: $272,000–$372,222
- Annual expenses: $285,640
- Annual revenue: $1,046,872
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,004,480 | $5,138,184 | $5,140,172 |
| Revenue | $1,119,144 | $1,046,872 | $104,813 |
| Expenses | $409,144 | $285,640 | $265,666 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $373,197 | $273,225 | $257,650 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,010,169 | $1,035,947 | $93,963 |
| Distributable Amount | $259,198 | $207,736 | $287,014 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
163 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Athens Federal Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include YMCA - Locker Room Project ($100,000), Miracle Lake Inc ($25,000), Tennessee Wesleyan University ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| YMCA - LOCKER ROOM PROJECT Athens, TN | SPECIAL GRANT TO BE USED TOWARD $1.7 MILLION CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO ADD 2 ADA ACCESSIBLE FAMILY LOCKER ROOMS, 4 ADA ACCESSIBLE FAMILY RESTROOMS, UPDATE MENS AND WOMENS LOCKER ROOMS WITH ADA ACCESSIBLE SHOWERS, AND 2 HANDICAP LIFTS TO CONNECT THE UPPER LOBBY AND POOL DECK TO RESTROOM / LOCKER ROOM LEVEL. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO PROVIDE UPDATES TO HVAC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AND PLUMBING SYSTEMS TO THESE AREAS. | $100,000 |
| MIRACLE LAKE INC Etowah, TN | FUNDING FOR FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS FOR MIRACLE LAKE, WHICH IS A 12-WEEK RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM FOLLOWED BY 6-12 MONTH TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO ALCOHOLD, DRUGS AND CRIMINAL MINDED BEHAVIOR. | $25,000 |
| TENNESSEE WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY Athens, TN | FUNDING TO THE GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND TO BE DISTRUBUTED TO STUDENTS QUALIFYING FOR FINANCIAL AID. MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS ARE BASED ON COMBINATION OF GRADES AND FINANCIAL NEED. | $25,000 |
| ATHENS-MCMINN FAMILY YMCA Athens, TN | RELOCATION AND FURNISHING OF "CHILD WATCH" AREA TO A LARGER SPACE TO ACCOMMODATE CARE FOR DESIGNATED AGE GROUPS. THE SPACE IS USED TO PROVIDE CHILD CARE WHILE PARENTS ARE UTILIZING THE YMCA FACILITIES. WHEN THE SPACE IS NOT IN USE FOR "CHILD WATCH" IT CAN ALSO BE USED FOR AFTER SCHOOL, SUMMER DAY CAMP AND Y-CAP PROGRAMING. | $20,000 |
| MCMINN COUNTY EDUCATION & COMMUNITY FOUNDATION - MCMINN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOO Athens, TN | FUNDS ADMINISTRED BY MECF WILL BE USED TO FUND COMPASSION CLOSET PROVIDING CLOTHING, SHOES, LAUNDRY DETERGENT, PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS. FUNDS WILL BE DIVIDED AMONG 13 SCHOOLS BASED ON STUDENT POPULATION | $17,000 |
| TENNESSEE WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY - LOVE THY NEIGHBOR Athens, TN | FUNDS TO BE UTILIZED FOR BACKSACKS PROGRAM FOR COUNTY SCHOOLS, CAMPUS FOOD PANTRY, MOBILE FOOD PANTRY AND THRIFT STORE. | $15,000 |
| GRACE & MERCY MINISTRIES Athens, TN | FUNDS TO PURCHASE FOOD AND SUPPLIES FOR FEEDING FOOD INSECURE INDIVIDUALS AT THE COOKE MINISTRY BUILDING. | $10,000 |
| STRAIGHTWAY MINISTRY INC Englewood, TN | TUITION ASSISTANCE FOR CLIENTS ATTENDING TENNEESSE COLLEGE OF APPLIED TECHNOLOGY | $10,000 |
| THE HOPE CENTER Athens, TN | FUNDING FOR DARKNESS TO LIGHT PROGRAM TO FACILITATE DISCUSSION WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE PREVENTION. ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER AND SEXUAL ASSULT CENTER. | $10,000 |
| MCMINN COUNTY SENIOR CITIZENS INC Athens, TN | FUNDING FOR THE LUNCH WITH FRIENDS PROGRAM, AND FUNDING FOR SENIOR ADVOCATE TO ASSIST CLEINTS IN APPLYING FOR BENEFIT PROGRAMS. | $8,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Directors:
- President: Jeffrey L. Cunningham
- Treasurer/Director: Michael R. Hutsell
- Secretary: Nicole Gibbs
All board members serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeffrey L Cunningham | President | 0.25 | — |
| Michael R Hutsell | Treasurer/Director | 0.25 | — |
| Nicole Gibbs | Secretary | 0.25 | — |
| Laurne Cunningham | Director | 0.25 | — |
| Elaine M Cathcart | Director | 0.25 | — |
| Lyn B Thompson | Director | 0.25 | — |
| Allen Carter | Director | 0.25 | — |
| Kathy Clark | Director | 0.25 | — |
| Jason Robertson | Director | 0.25 | — |
| Ray Grant | Director | 0.25 | — |
| Vant Hardaway | Director | 0.25 | — |
| M Bailey Turner | Director | 0.25 | — |
| Moises Contrares | Director | 0.25 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2020, the Athens Federal Foundation awarded over $126,000 in grants to 31 local charitable and nonprofit organizations. Recipients included organizations focused on homelessness, food security, healthcare access, child welfare, and community education.
Athens Federal Foundation awards over $126,000 in grants | Habitat for HumanityThe foundation has maintained consistent grantmaking activity over a decade of operations, with a volunteer board directing philanthropic investments in the region.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Athens Federal Foundation fund?
The foundation focuses its grantmaking on: • Education • Health • Human Services • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking The foundation prioritizes support for organizations addressing community needs ranging from healthcare access to food security and social services.
How do I apply for a grant from Athens Federal Foundation?
The foundation accepts applications from new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does Athens Federal Foundation make grants?
The Athens Federal Foundation primarily supports organizations within the Athens Federal Community Bank's service area in Tennessee, including: • Athens • Benton • Cleveland • Decatur • Englewood • Etowah • Madisonville • Milligan College • Niota • Sweetwater • Monroe County • Bradley County • McMinn County • Polk County
What size grants does Athens Federal Foundation award?
In 2024, Athens Federal Foundation awarded 39 grants totaling $372K — an average of about $10K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Athens Federal Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Athens Federal Foundation reported a distributable amount of $259K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Athens Federal Foundation's EIN?
Athens Federal Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-1569250. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Athens Federal Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.