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.
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
The foundation accepts applications from new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding.
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
**
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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
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 |
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 include Ymca - Locker Room Project ($100,000), Miracle Lake Inc ($25,000), Tennessee Wesleyan University ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| CASA CORRIDOR OF EAST TN ATHENS, TN | FUNDS TO BE USED TO RECRUIT AND TRAIN VOLUNTEER ADVOCATES WHO WILL BE CHARGED THROUGH JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT TO ADVOCATE FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF ABUSED AND/OR NEGLECTED CHILDREN WHO ARE BEFORE THE JUVENILE COURTS OF MCMINN, MEIGS AND RHEA COUNTIES. | $6,000 |
| CASA MONROE INC MADISONVILLE, TN | RECRUITMENT, SCREENING AND TRAINING OF VOLUNTEER ADVOCATES FOR THE MONROE COUNTY AREA | $6,000 |
| CASA OF BRADLEY COUNTY TN CLEVELAND, TN | RECRUITMENT, SCREENING AND TRAINING OF VOLUNTEER ADVOCATES FOR BRADLEY COUNTY AREA | $6,000 |
| COORDINATED CHARITIES INC ATHENS, TN | FUNDS FOR PURCHASE OF FOOD TO BE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE ORGANIZATIONS FOOD PANTRY. | $5,000 |
| ETOWAH AREA SENIOR CITIZEN'S CENTER ETOWAH, TN | BREAKFAST FOOD PROGRAM FOR CLIENTS OF THE ETOWAH SENIOR CENTER | $3,000 |
| FRIENDS OF ETOWAH CARNEGIE ETOWAH, TN | FUNDS TO PURCHASE BOOKS FOR ACCELERATED YOUND READERS, CLASSIC BOOKS FOR OLDER STUDENTS AND AUDIOBOOKS FOR SENIORS. | $3,000 |
| GOOD FAITH CLINIC INC ATHENS, TN | FUNDING FOR 2025 COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR IN CONJUNCTION WITH REMOTE AREA MEDICAL | $5,500 |
| GRACE & MERCY MINISTRIES ATHENS, TN | FUNDS TO PURCHASE FOOD AND SUPPLIES FOR FEEDING FOOD INSECURE INDIVIDUALS AT THE COOKE MINISTRY BUILDING. | $10,000 |
| HELPING HANDS MINISTRIES OF MCMINN COUNTY ATHENS, TN | FUNDS WILL BE UTILIZED TO PURCHASE BUILDING MATERIALS TO MINOR HOME REPAIRS AND ACCESS RAMP CONSTRUCTION FOR LOW INCOME HOMEOWNERS. THE ORGANIZATIONS MISSION IS TO PROVIDE THESE SERVICES THROUGH VOLUNTEER LABOR, TO CREATE A SAFE LIVING ENVIRONMENT ENABELING INDIVIDUALS TO REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES. | $5,000 |
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
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 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?
**Grant Amounts & Activity:** • Typical grant awards range from $1,500 to $100,000 • In 2020, the foundation distributed $126,644 across 31 local charitable and nonprofit organizations • Recent annual giving totals approximately $272,000–$372,222 • Average grant size reported at $26 (based on high volume of grants) **Application Process:** The foundation accepts applications from new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding.
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.
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