Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation
Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Chattanooga, TN. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $5.6M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 3 grants totaling $145K. Net investment income was $2.3M.
Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation at a glance
In short: Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation gave $145K across 3 grants in 2024 (avg $48K), mostly in Tennessee. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $145,164
- -35.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 3
- -50.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $48,388
- +29.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $32,000
- Total assets
- $5,585,199
- +58.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Erlanger Health System ($107K). Together the top 3 received $145K.
Grant Size Distribution
18 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 13 grants of 18 (72%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation gives
- Giving fell 24% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 93% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $145K (2024) to $266K (2022). In 2024 it made 3 grants totaling $145K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Erlanger Health System Chattanooga, TN | Replacement of outdated microscope to assist in patient surgeries | $107,164 |
| Volunteers in Medicine Chattanooga, TN | Providing eye care to low income, uninsured patients in the greater chattanooga are | $32,000 |
| Lifespring Community Health Chattanooga, TN | To provide eye care to undeserved children in the chattanooga area | $6,000 |
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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 | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5,585,199 | $2,321,153 | $299,706 | $145,164 | 3 | $204,733 | $2,254,304 | $220,359 |
| 2023 | $3,534,990 | $201,351 | $337,438 | $223,582 | 6 | $277,734 | $140,707 | $226,069 |
| 2022 | $3,969,516 | $377,842 | $355,596 | $266,120 | 5 | $294,964 | $330,407 | $250,373 |
| 2021 | $3,933,821 | $655,281 | $288,598 | $190,984 | 4 | — | $591,280 | $251,424 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation reported a distributable amount of $220K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation is led by Steve M. Thomas, President & Director since 2024 (on filings since 2023); 1 of 8 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Steve M. Thomas
President & Director
Director → President & Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles A. Kirby MD
Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patrick J. Bowers Jr. MD
Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard I. Breazeale MD
Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas M. Reynolds MD
Director
Director → President & Director, 2023
President & Director → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Caleb Hildebrand MD
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Molly R. Seal MD
Former President
President & Director → Former President, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$12K (2021) → $1K (2024)
James L. Catanzaro
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Camden B. Scearce (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: E. Stephen Jett (2021–2022) — Vice President & Director
- Former: Richard T. Sullivan (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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 $1K, to Molly R Seal MD (Former President).
Frequently asked questions about Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation
How much does Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation give each year?
Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation gave $145K across 3 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $224K across 6 grants.
What is Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation's typical grant size?
Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $32,000, and its average grant was $48,388, across 3 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation give grants?
Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation gives mostly in Tennessee: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chattanooga, TN (3 grants).
Does Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
How large is Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation?
Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation reported $5.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $205K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $220K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What is Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation?
Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Chattanooga, TN. It holds $5.6M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation's EIN?
Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7038515. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Live grants for the work Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- UK Annual Writing Award: 'Pleasure in the Task of Writing' £250 (1st prize); £50 (runners-up); books for school library · Due November 5, 2026
- Nellie Mae Event Sponsorship Fund Grant Up to US $5,000 · Due November 5, 2026
- Rubin and Gloria Feldman Family Educational Institute Up to $5,000 · Due November 5, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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