Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation
Chattanooga Christian Community, legally known as The Generosity Trust, is based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Its stated purpose is to empower Christian generosity through donor-advised funds, ministry-student scholarships, support for new Christian ministries, and community-connection services.
Key facts about Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation
In short: Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation gave $36.4M across 567 grants in 2024 (avg $64K), mostly in Tennessee. 21% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 62-1536731
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $36,405,358
- Grants made (2024)
- 567
- Average grant
- $64,207
- Median grant
- $18,250
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (121 of 564, 2024)
- Total assets
- $136,092,846
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (55% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$136.1M
+22.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$36.4M
+11.7% YoY
Grant Count
567
+5.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$64K
+5.8% YoY
Is Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 121 of 564 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $54K; repeat grants $67K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $20K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). 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 Generosity Trust describes itself as a donor-driven community foundation founded in 1965 by Dora Maclellan Brown. Its stated purpose is to empower Christian generosity, guided by the values Diligent, Aware, Faithful, and Strategic.
Its giving supports ministries and nonprofits, including organizations with religious, educational, community, and human-service missions. For example, Covenant College describes its mission as exploring and expressing the preeminence of Jesus Christ, educating Christians to engage culture, and pursuing biblical justice and mercy. Chattanooga Christian School says it prepares students to lead and serve while representing Christ; First Things First says it provides relationship resources; and On Point says it partners with schools and communities to help youth thrive.
The Trust also operates community initiatives. Sharing God’s Goodness supports small area ministries and nonprofits that are African American-led and/or serve African Americans. Unidos en Compasión focuses on churches, ministries, and nonprofits serving Latino families and individuals in the Chattanooga metro area.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the filing lists 567 grants totaling $36,405,358. The listed grants ranged from $5,002 to $2.5 million, with a median of $18,250. Separately, the organization reports making $38.1 million in grants to 1,350 organizations through 10,614 grants that year.
Invitation Only
, after which a leadership committee vets and selects grantees and presents recommendations to members. The circle says it typically grants to 4–8 organizations per year. For Unidos en Compasión, applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits or churches doing work in the greater Chattanooga area; applications are by invitation only, and organizations are asked to introduce themselves with a one-page description letter.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation
Dora Maclellan Brown Ministry Scholarships
Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Elevate Chattanooga Scholarship
Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
GeneroCity COVID-19 Fund Grants
Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation
Amount
Various (over $89,000 dispersed in multiple rounds)
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to take the next step with Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Trust reports that more than $19 million of its 2024 grantmaking stayed in the Chattanooga area, while its giving also reached organizations nationwide. In the 2024 filing’s grant-dollar distribution, Tennessee received 55%, Georgia 15%, North Carolina 12%, Texas 4%, and Florida 3%.
Some initiatives have narrower geographic requirements: the Dora Maclellan Brown Ministry Scholarships are for candidates from the greater Chattanooga area, and Unidos en Compasión serves the greater Chattanooga area.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 567 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $24.4M (2021) to $36.4M (2024). In 2024 it made 567 grants totaling $36.4M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Crossnore School & Children's Home ($2.5M). Together the top 10 received $12.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
3,093 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 2,481 grants of 3,093 (80%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Crossnore School & Children's Home Crossnore, NC | Organizational Support | $2,500,000 |
| Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church Lookout Mountain, TN | Organizational Support | $1,991,461 |
| Bible in the Schools Chattanooga, TN | Organizational Support | $1,530,282 |
| Covenant College Lookout Mountain, GA | Organizational Support | $1,162,441 |
| Grace Peace Church Ooltewah, TN | Organizational Support | $1,046,475 |
| 100FOLD Waco, TX | Organizational Support | $1,035,000 |
| Chattanooga Chamber Foundation Chattanooga, TN | Organizational Support | $860,250 |
| Bethlehem Centers Chattanooga, TN | Organizational Support | $737,413 |
| Chattanooga Christian School Chattanooga, TN | Organizational Support | $644,188 |
| National Christian Foundation Atlanta Alpharetta, GA | Organizational Support | $526,100 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grant sum | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $136,092,846 | $53,564,266 | $39,611,404 | $36,405,358 | 567 |
| 2023 | $111,393,597 | $35,668,780 | $35,283,633 | $32,595,526 | 537 |
| 2022 | $101,270,137 | $38,520,924 | $31,190,251 | $29,852,811 | 468 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $136,092,846 | $111,393,597 | $101,270,137 |
| Revenue | $53,564,266 | $35,668,780 | $38,520,924 |
| Expenses | $39,611,404 | $35,283,633 | $31,190,251 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,771,332 | $2,770,059 | $3,417,053 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Bruce Zeiser as chair, Betsy Brown as vice chair, Karen Welborn as treasurer, and Eric Youngblood as secretary. It also lists John Gandy, Reggie Madison, Michael Mathis, Bart Rolen, Michael Tremain, and David Worland as board members.
Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation is led by James R. Barber, President on every filing since 2020; 2 of 12 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
James R. Barber
President
On filings since 2020
60 hrs/week
$145K (2020) → $165K (2024)
Bruce Zeiser
Chair
Secretary → Chairman, 2023
Chairman → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rhonda Burditt
Director of Finance & Accounting
New on the 2024 filing
45 hrs/week
$90K (2024)
Bart Rolen
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Betsy Brown
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chairman, 2023
Vice Chairman → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eric Youngblood
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen Welborn
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Gandy
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Reggie Madison
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Tremain
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Worland
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Mathis
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Tom Glenn (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: John Baney (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Charles F. Monroe (2020–2022) — Vice Chairman
- Former: Bill Lane (2020) — Chairman
- Former: Gary L. Hathaway (2020) — Board Member
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $165K, to James R Barber (President). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 345 Frazier Avenue Unit 205, Chattanooga, TN 37405
Phone: (423) 266-5257
Website: https://thegenerositytrust.org
Frequently asked questions about Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation
How much does Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation give each year?
Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation gave $36.4M across 567 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $32.6M across 537 grants.
What is Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation's typical grant size?
Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $18,250, and its average grant was $64,207, across 567 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation that year got $54K on average.
Where does Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation give grants?
Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation gives mostly in Tennessee: 55% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Georgia (15%) and North Carolina (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chattanooga, TN (175 grants), Atlanta, GA (18 grants), Hixson, TN (12 grants) and Colorado Springs, CO (10 grants).
Does Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 567 grants with a stated purpose on Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Organizational Support" (567 grants).
Who are Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation's largest grantees?
Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Crossnore School & Children's Home ($2,500,000), Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church ($1,991,461) and Bible in the Schools ($1,530,282), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation?
Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation reported $136.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $53.6M.
What does Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation fund?
The Generosity Trust describes itself as a donor-driven community foundation founded in 1965 by Dora Maclellan Brown. Its stated purpose is to empower Christian generosity, guided by the values Diligent, Aware, Faithful, and Strategic. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation?
Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check thegenerositytrust.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation's EIN?
Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-1536731. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation by hand.
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