The Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation is a public charity based in Cleveland, Tennessee. Established in 2004, it partners with Bradley County and Cleveland City Schools to raise community awareness and private financial support for teaching and learning.
Key facts about Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation
In short: Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation gave $153K across 12 grants in 2025 (avg $13K), mostly in Tennessee. 25% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 20-0585134
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $153,408
- Grants made (2025)
- 12
- Average grant
- $12,784
- Median grant
- $8,095
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (3 of 12, 2025; small sample)
- Total assets
- $735,085
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The website describes an online teacher-grant application process, with principal approval and a teacher grant writing workshop. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- September 11, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 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.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$735K
+1.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$153K
-55.4% YoY
Grant Count
12
+9.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$13K
-59.1% YoY
Is Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 12 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $9K; repeat grants $14K. How we count
Medians: $9K first-time, $8K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to support students and teachers in the Cleveland City and Bradley County community, with a focus on classroom and academic support. Its 2024 filing describes its purpose as promoting and supporting the educational and developmental objectives of the two school systems, including programs and materials not funded through regular school budgets.
The foundation’s website describes its teacher grants as funding innovative classroom projects intended to enrich student learning. Other stated focus areas include professional development, educator leadership, and instructional collaboration. Its Don Goff Innovative Instruction Award supports Cleveland City Schools classroom teachers’ projects aligned with the district’s “Portrait of a Graduate” initiative.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 12 grants totaling $153,408. Grants ranged from $5,059 to $50,000, with a median of $8,095. The largest awards included $50,000 to Cleveland City Schools for school support and $26,104 to Bradley County Schools for PIE-Center support. Other listed recipients included Lake Forest Middle School ($11,000), Park View Elementary School ($9,802), and Arnold Memorial Elementary School ($8,992).
The foundation’s website describes individual teacher grants of up to $1,000 and team grants of up to $5,000 for eligible full-time, certified teachers or administrators in Cleveland City and Bradley County schools. Applicants are directed to submit a cover sheet and application, and principal approval is required. The application asks for a project description, anticipated impact, measurable goals, evidence related to student need, relevant research, alignment with at least one specified school or standards plan, and implementation and evaluation details. Teacher-grant funds cannot be used for capital improvements, travel, salaries or salary supplements, playground equipment, athletic programs, postage or shipping, or pre-K programs; classroom furnishings are excluded unless integral to the project.
Review Cycle
September 11, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. for the 2026 teacher-grant cycle; this deadline has passed.
How to Apply
The website describes an online teacher-grant application process, with principal approval and a teacher grant writing workshop. The application deadline shown for the 2026 cycle was September 11, 2026, which has passed.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation
Don Goff Innovative Instruction Award
Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Don Goff Professional Development Fund
Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation
Amount
$2,500
Deadline
Deadline not published
Fitzgerald Innovation Award (FIA)
Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation
Amount
$15,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Ready to take the next step with Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated school partnerships and teacher-grant eligibility cover Cleveland City and Bradley County schools in Tennessee. All grant dollars itemized for filing year 2025 went to recipients in Tennessee.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $153K (2025) to $1.6M (2023). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $153K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Cleveland City Schools ($50K). Together the top 10 received $142K.
Grant Size Distribution
45 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 37 grants of 45 (82%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland City Schools Cleveland, TN | Support Cleveland City Schools | $50,000 |
| Bradley County Schools Cleveland, TN | Pie-Center Support Bradley County Schools | $26,104 |
| Lake Forest Middle School Cleveland, TN | Support Bradley County Schools | $11,000 |
| Park View Elementary School Cleveland, TN | Support Bradley County Schools | $9,802 |
| Arnold Memorial Elementary School Cleveland, TN | Support Cleveland City Schools | $8,992 |
| Ocoee Middle School Cleveland, TN | Support Bradley County Schools | $8,223 |
| Cleveland High School Cleveland, TN | Support Cleveland City Schools | $7,967 |
| North Lee Elementary School Cleveland, TN | Support Bradley County Schools | $7,819 |
| Valley View Elementary School Cleveland, TN | Support Bradley County Schools | $6,503 |
| Walker Valley High School Cleveland, TN | Support Bradley County Schools | $6,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $735,085 | $561,987 | $573,289 | $153,408 |
| 2024 | $725,968 | $640,306 | $736,298 | $344,177 |
| 2023 | $835,297 | $2,092,104 | $2,012,108 | $1,645,882 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $735,085 | $725,968 | $835,297 |
| Revenue | $561,987 | $640,306 | $2,092,104 |
| Expenses | $573,289 | $736,298 | $2,012,108 |
| Net Investment Income | $25,549 | $44,437 | $15,986 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Christopher Anziano as president and Catherine Boettner as secretary/treasurer. Directors listed are Vanessa Hammond, Nancy Blank, David Beckler, Matt Bentley, Prisavia Croft, Jeff Elliott, Chari Buckner, and Dianna Calfee.
Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation is led by Mary Lynn Voelz, Executive Director since 2024 (on filings since 2021); 1 of 16 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Mary Lynn Voelz
Executive Director
Executive Di → Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$57K (2021) → $66K (2025)
Christopher Anziano
President
Director → President, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chari Buckner
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Beckler
Director
Director → Vice President, 2022
Vice President → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dianna Calfee
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda Cash
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matt Bentley
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Blank
Director
Vice President → President, 2022
President → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca McIntire
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Vanessa Hammond
Director
President → Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Debby Torres
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bill Martin
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Prisavia Croft
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Elliott
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Catherine Boettner
Secretary & Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
Treasurer → Secretary & Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laurie McNulty
Vice President
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: John Haile (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Sheryl Jaggers (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Kelly Kiser (2024) — Director
- Former: Keith Barrett (2021–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Ron Braam (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Russell Dyer (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Laura McNulty (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Brad Emendorfer (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Key Waller (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Will Jones (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $66K, to Mary Lynn Voelz (Executive Director).
Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 4354, Cleveland, TN 37320
Phone: (423) 476-0034
Website: https://bcpef.org
Frequently asked questions about Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation
How much does Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation give each year?
Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation gave $153K across 12 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $344K across 11 grants.
What is Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation's typical grant size?
Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $8,095, and its average grant was $12,784, across 12 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation that year got $9K on average.
Where does Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation give grants?
Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation gives mostly in Tennessee: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Cleveland, TN (12 grants).
Does Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support Bradley County Schools" (8 grants) and "Support Cleveland City Schools" (3 grants).
Who are Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation's largest grantees?
Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Cleveland City Schools ($50,000), Bradley County Schools ($26,104) and Lake Forest Middle School ($11,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 57% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation?
Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation reported $735K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $562K.
What does Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to support students and teachers in the Cleveland City and Bradley County community, with a focus on classroom and academic support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation?
The website describes an online teacher-grant application process, with principal approval and a teacher grant writing workshop. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation's EIN?
Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-0585134. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Here's the math on researching Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation by hand.
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