Ayers Foundation
The Ayers Foundation is a private foundation based in Parsons, Tennessee. Its stated mission is to improve the quality of life of rural Tennesseans through education, conservation, and social welfare.
Ayers Foundation at a glance
- Total assets
- $9,447,339
- -2.8% vs 2023
- Revenue (2024)
- $26,114
- -82.2% vs 2023
- Qualifying distributions (2024)
- $11,968
- -99.5% vs 2023
- Expenses (2024)
- $255,796
- -90.3% vs 2023
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Ayers Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The 2024 filing lists Janet Ayers as the application contact, says no specific form is required, and states that applications are accepted at any time. The filing says donations are primarily, but not exclusively, limited to organizations located in Davidson, Decatur, Henderson, Lawrence, Perry, and Unicoi counties in Tennessee.
- Contact
Application contact: Janet Ayers
Mailing address: 643 Tennessee Ave, Parsons, TN 38363
Phone: (731) 847-4962
Website: https://theayersfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Ayers Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
124 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 87 grants of 124 (70%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The filing identifies six Tennessee counties as the primary, but not exclusive, locations for donations: Davidson, Decatur, Henderson, Lawrence, Perry, and Unicoi. Separately, the foundation’s website describes its Ayers Scholars Program as operating in 40 high schools across 28 rural Tennessee counties.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
How Ayers Foundation gives
- Giving fell 94% from 2020 to 2023. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $311K (2023) to $5.1M (2020). In 2023 it made 9 grants totaling $311K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN | General/Operating | $200,000 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $28,000 |
| Foundation for the College System of Tennessee Nashville, TN | General/Operating | $25,000 |
| Freed-Hardman University Henderson, TN | General/Operating | $25,000 |
| TAF CRF Parsons, TN | General/Operating | $17,068 |
| Small Miracles Therapeutic Equestrian Center Inc Kingsport, TN | General/Operating | $12,000 |
| Mental Health America of the Mid-South Nashville, TN | General/Operating | $2,000 |
| Second Harvest Food Nashville, TN | General/Operating | $1,723 |
| Tennessee Children's Home Donation Brentwood, TN | General/Operating | $500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $9,447,339 | $26,114 | $255,796 | — | — | $11,968 | $15,442 |
| 2023 | $9,716,792 | $146,732 | $2,633,645 | $311,291 | 9 | $2,403,045 | $47,837 |
| 2022 | $12,225,583 | $8,450,649 | $7,585,256 | $4,632,011 | 31 | $7,358,496 | $16,247 |
| 2021 | $11,206,154 | $10,940,393 | $8,144,024 | $5,008,046 | 38 | $7,920,033 | $4,497 |
| 2020 | $8,387,137 | $11,493,587 | $7,991,293 | $5,054,086 | 46 | — | $9,415 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says it helps students remove barriers, access quality education, and earn a degree or credential. Its stated areas of work are education, conservation, and social welfare.
The 2023 grants included support for East Tennessee State University, whose stated mission is to support university research, scholarly and artistic activities. Another grantee, Small Miracles Therapeutic, says it promotes the growth of individuals with special needs through equine-assisted services and therapies.
Grantmaking
The foundation reported 9 grants totaling $311,291 in 2023, with an average grant of about $34,588. In 2024, it reported no grants. In 2022, it reported 31 grants totaling $4,632,011.
Notable 2023 grants included $200,000 to East Tennessee State University and $12,000 to Small Miracles Therapeutic.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists James W. Ayers as chairman; Janet Ayers as president; Dr. Michael Price as vice president; Dr. Agenia Clark as secretary; and Joann Lynn, Kristy Ayers, Lin Howard Andrews, Lee Ann Ingram, Cassie Lynn Foote, and Winnie Bunch as directors.
Ayers Foundation is led by Burton Williams, Chief Executive Officer on the 2024 filing; none of the 15 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Burton Williams
Chief Executive Officer
New on the 2024 filing
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Janet Ayers
President
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James W. Ayers
Chairman
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cassie Lynn Foote
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joann Lynn
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristy Ayers
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lee Ann Ingram
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lin Howard Andrews
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Winnie Bunch
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Agenia Clark
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Price
Vice President
On filings since 2020
16 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Blake Dill
Chief Operating Officer
New on the 2024 filing
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Troy Grant
Chief Scholars Officer
New on the 2024 filing
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lorisa Williams
Org Effectiveness Advisor
New on the 2024 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shannon Haynes
Chief Prosperity Officer
New on the 2024 filing
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Jon Ayers (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Susan Johnson Rhodes (2020–2022) — Executive Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Ayers Foundation
How large is Ayers Foundation?
Ayers Foundation reported $9.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $26K.
What does Ayers Foundation fund?
The foundation says it helps students remove barriers, access quality education, and earn a degree or credential. Its stated areas of work are education, conservation, and social welfare. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ayers Foundation?
The 2024 filing lists Janet Ayers as the application contact, says no specific form is required, and states that applications are accepted at any time. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does Ayers Foundation make grants?
The filing identifies six Tennessee counties as the primary, but not exclusive, locations for donations: Davidson, Decatur, Henderson, Lawrence, Perry, and Unicoi. Separately, the foundation’s website describes its Ayers Scholars Program as operating in 40 high schools across 28 rural Tennessee counties.
What is Ayers Foundation's EIN?
Ayers Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-1773033. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Figures come from Ayers Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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