Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker Chattanooga, TN EIN: 23-7038515

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.

Key facts about Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation

EIN: 23-7038515
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024): $145,164
Grants made (2024): 3
Average grant: $48,388
Median grant: $32,000
Total assets: $5,585,199
Primary geography: Tennessee (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Who Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation's 3 itemized 2024 grants were Tennessee (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chattanooga, TN (3 grants). None of its 3 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support.

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.

Next steps with Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation

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Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$5.6M

+58.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$145K

-35.1% YoY

Grant Count

-50.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$48K

+29.9% YoY

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.

About Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation

Based on IRS filings

Focus Areas

Education

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

Tennessee $145K (100%)

Share of all 3 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

States

Tennessee

Cities

Chattanooga

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$5,585,199	$3,534,990	$3,969,516
Revenue	$2,321,153	$201,351	$377,842
Expenses	$299,706	$337,438	$355,596
Qualifying Distributions	$204,733	$277,734	$294,964
Net Investment Income	$2,254,304	$140,707	$330,407
Distributable Amount	$220,359	$226,069	$250,373

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

March 2, 2026 IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 3 recipients in 2024

Grant Size Distribution

18 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Erlanger Health System ($107,164), Volunteers in Medicine ($32,000), Lifespring Community Health ($6,000).

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

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
Dr Steve M Thomas	President and Director	1	—
Molly R Seal MD	Former President	1	$1,000
James L Catanzaro	Secretary/Treasurer	1	—
Charles a Kirby MD	Director	0.25	—
Richard I Breazeale MD	Director	0.25	—
Patrick J Bowers Jr MD	Director	0.25	—
Thomas M Reynolds MD	Director	0.25	—
John Caleb Hildebrand MD	Director	0.25	—

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Education

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

How large is Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation?

As of 2024, Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation holds $5.6M in total assets with $2.3M in annual revenue. It awarded 3 grants totaling $145K in 2024.

Where does Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation operate?

Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation has awarded grants in Tennessee.

What size grants does Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation award?

In 2024, Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation awarded 3 grants totaling $145K — an average of about $48K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Chattanooga Ophthalmological Foundation reported a distributable amount of $220K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

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.