East Tennessee Foundation
East Tennessee Foundation is a public charity based in Knoxville, Tennessee. Established in 1986, it describes itself as the region’s community foundation and says its mission is to build permanent resources for the benefit of the region. Its grantmaking includes competitive programs, county and affiliate funds, designated and donor-advised funds, and scholarships.
East Tennessee Foundation at a glance
In short: East Tennessee Foundation gave $14.4M across 298 grants in 2024 (avg $48K), mostly in Tennessee. 38% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $14,427,647
- -32.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 298
- -1.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $48,415
- -31.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $17,317
- Total assets
- $282,537,401
- +10.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 38% first-time grantees (113 of 297, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (91% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to East Tennessee Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Submit an application through the Foundation’s online grant management system and check the individual program’s requirements and qualifications. Organizations may apply to every program for which they are eligible, but may submit only one application per grant cycle for each specific program.
- Contact
Mailing address: 520 W Summit Hill Dr Suite 1101, Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 524-1223
Website: https://easttennesseefoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
18 open opportunities from East Tennessee Foundation
Affordable Housing Trust Fund Grant
East Tennessee Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Arts Fund for East Tennessee Grant Program
East Tennessee Foundation
Amount
US $5,000 - US $15,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Campbell Enhancement Fund Grant
East Tennessee Foundation
Amount
Up to US $3,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who East Tennessee Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Niswonger Foundation ($1.9M). Together the top 10 received $5.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,485 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,212 grants of 1,485 (82%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s general competitive grant service area comprises Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, McMinn, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union, and Washington counties in Tennessee. The Foundation notes that a limited number of funds serve a broader area, including some that award grants nationally.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 298 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is East Tennessee Foundation open to new grantees?
38%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 113 of 297 grantees (38%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $34K; repeat grants $58K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $18K 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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $14.4M (2024) to $25.9M (2020). In 2024 it made 298 grants totaling $14.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Niswonger Foundation Greeneville, TN | Education | $1,900,000 |
| United Way of Greater Knoxville Knoxville, TN | Philanthropy | $555,522 |
| The Univ of Tennessee Knoxville Knoxville, TN | Education | $446,585 |
| Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Knoxville, TN | Arts & Culture | $439,237 |
| University Health System Inc Knoxville, TN | Medical Disciplines | $437,000 |
| Sunshine Services Knoxville, TN | Human Services | $398,000 |
| Morgan County Trustee Wartburg, TN | Education | $327,000 |
| Schwab Charitable San Francisco, CA | Philanthropy | $312,622 |
| RMHC of Knoxville Tennessee Inc Knoxville, TN | Health General | $310,432 |
| Vanguard Charitable Warwick, RI | Philanthropy | $284,750 |
Ready to take the next step with East Tennessee Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $282,537,401 | $27,657,283 | $19,148,820 | $14,427,647 | 298 | $13,383,539 |
| 2023 | $255,707,303 | $19,791,090 | $25,626,645 | $21,319,476 | 302 | $8,669,134 |
| 2022 | $239,276,526 | $25,934,976 | $23,046,762 | $18,693,616 | 281 | $11,229,406 |
| 2021 | $333,652,631 | $23,055,951 | $23,340,516 | $19,189,773 | 293 | $6,200,234 |
| 2020 | $300,745,774 | $18,630,033 | $30,463,057 | $25,912,167 | 311 | $6,336,391 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation says it provides philanthropic leadership to inspire donors to make lives better and communities stronger across generations. It does this by receiving contributions, managing and investing assets, and awarding grants and scholarships. Its 2024 filing identifies competitive grantmaking in affordable housing, youth-at-risk, racial justice, women and children, and health. Its website also lists programs related to arts, economic development, and county community needs.
The Foundation reports supporting 501(c)(3) organizations, government entities, and churches through donor-advised and designated funds, as well as 501(c)(3) organizations through competitive programs. Examples of grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of work supported: United Way of Greater Knoxville says it unites people and resources to strengthen communities and solve systemic issues; University Health System says its mission is to serve through healing, education, and discovery; and Knoxville Habitat for Humanity says it works to bring people together to build homes, communities, and hope.
Grantmaking
For filing year 2024, itemized grants totaled $14,427,647 across 298 grants. The median itemized grant was $17,316, with amounts ranging from $5,010 to $1,900,000. The Foundation’s filing separately reports $16,140,007 granted for a wide variety of charitable purposes and describes several program categories, including 863 donor-advised grants, 152 grants from designated organization and agency endowment funds, and 125 competitive grants in field-of-interest areas.
Among the largest itemized 2024 grants were $1,900,000 to Niswonger Foundation for education; $555,522 to United Way of Greater Knoxville for philanthropy; $446,585 to the University of Tennessee Knoxville for education; $439,237 to Knoxville Symphony Orchestra for arts and culture; and $437,000 to University Health System for medical disciplines.
The Foundation’s website lists programs such as the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which supports low-income housing in the City of Knoxville, and county community funds. It also describes a grantmaking process that can include a request for proposals, an online letter of intent or application, optional technical assistance, due diligence, panel or advisory-board review, and approval by the Foundation’s president and CEO. Applications are submitted through its online grant management system. General eligibility materials include an organization’s EIN, financial statements or audit or Form 990, current operating budget, governing-board list, project staff list, and confirmation of compliance with the Foundation’s nondiscrimination requirements. The Foundation says it does not fund grants to individuals, debt retirement or budget deficits, endowment funds or general fundraising campaigns, or capital campaigns. Faith-based organizations may apply, but projects with specified religious content or participation requirements are not considered.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Sam Albritton as treasurer; R. Bruce Hartmann as chair; Natalie L. Haslam as lifetime honoree; and Patsy Carson, Amy Cathey, Kay Clayton, Richard Dapaah, Steve M. Darden, Denise J. Dean, and Harry Gross as directors.
East Tennessee Foundation is led by Keith Barber, President since 2023 (on filings since 2022); 4 of 32 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Keith Barber
President
President An → President, 2023
On filings since 2022
35 hrs/week
$148K (2023) → $159K (2024)
R. Bruce Hartmann
Chair
Director → Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Cathey
Director
Chair → Past Board C, 2021
Past Board C → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Denise J. Dean
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Drocella Mugorewera
Director
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kay Clayton
Director
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patsy Carson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard H. Roberts
Director
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rocio A. Huet
Director
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Rosen
Director
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steve M. Darden
Director
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Donde Plowman
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Kiran Singh Sirah
Director
On filings since 2021
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nathaniel Shelso
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Diondre Jackson
Director
On filings since 2022
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Harry Gross
Director
On filings since 2022
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard Dapaah
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susanna Hoskins
Director
On filings since 2022
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kristopher P. Yarlett
Director
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Adrian Jay
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barrett Simonis
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matt Schaefer
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Trudy Hughes
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melissa A. Tschanz
CFO
On filings since 2022
35 hrs/week
$107K (2022) → $116K (2024)
Angelia Nystrom
Vice President & Chief Legal
New on the 2024 filing
35 hrs/week
$160K (2024)
Katharine Killen
Vice President & COO
New on the 2024 filing
35 hrs/week
$152K (2024)
A. David Martin
Lifetime Honorary
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David V. White
Lifetime Honorary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Natalie L. Haslam
Lifetime Honorary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Sam Albritton
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stuart Worden
Lifetime Honorary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Karen Walker
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (30)
- Former: Charles M. Peccolo (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Gene Patterson (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Logan Hickman (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Rick T. Fox (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Sharon Y. Hannum (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Benjamin Lewis (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Jeanette Kelleher (2021–2023) — Executive Vice President
- Former: Carolyn Schwenn (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Cassandra McGee Stuart (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: David Bradshaw (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: James Harlan (2020–2022) — Vice Chair
- Former: Keith Gray (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Kris Yarlett (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Lisa Bingham (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Michael T. McClamroch (2020–2022) — President An
- Former: Catherine Biggs (2020–2021) — Chair
- Former: Claudia Caballero (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Joe Petre (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Mark Heinz (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Avice Reid (2020) — Director
- Former: Bobby Congleton (2020) — Lifetime Honorary
- Former: Carol Transou (2020) — Director
- Former: Ellen Markman (2020) — Director
- Former: Jan McNally (2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Joe Marlette (2020) — Director
- Former: Ken Avent (2020) — Director
- Former: Margit Worsham (2020) — Director
- Former: Paige Preston (2020) — Director
- Former: Paul Willson (2020) — Past Chair
- Former: Thomas Boyd (2020) — 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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $160K, to Angelia Nystrom (VP/Chief Leg). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about East Tennessee Foundation
How much does East Tennessee Foundation give each year?
East Tennessee Foundation gave $14.4M across 298 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $21.3M across 302 grants.
What is East Tennessee Foundation's typical grant size?
East Tennessee Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $17,317, and its average grant was $48,415, across 298 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from East Tennessee Foundation that year got $34K on average.
Where does East Tennessee Foundation give grants?
East Tennessee Foundation gives mostly in Tennessee: 91% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Knoxville, TN (99 grants), Greeneville, TN (13 grants), Johnson City, TN (13 grants) and Kingsport, TN (10 grants).
Does East Tennessee Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 5% of East Tennessee Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (16 of 298) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Human Services" (51 grants), "Disaster Relief" (42 grants) and "Arts & Culture" (37 grants).
Who are East Tennessee Foundation's largest grantees?
East Tennessee Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Niswonger Foundation ($1,900,000), United Way of Greater Knoxville ($555,522) and The Univ of Tennessee Knoxville ($446,585), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is East Tennessee Foundation?
East Tennessee Foundation reported $282.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $27.7M.
What does East Tennessee Foundation fund?
The Foundation says it provides philanthropic leadership to inspire donors to make lives better and communities stronger across generations. It does this by receiving contributions, managing and investing assets, and awarding grants and scholarships. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from East Tennessee Foundation?
Submit an application through the Foundation’s online grant management system and check the individual program’s requirements and qualifications. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is East Tennessee Foundation's EIN?
East Tennessee Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-0807696. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- 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 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 28, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in East Tennessee Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). East Tennessee Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/east-tennessee-foundation-morg_0fd7afa5e0eb4bf28d2abaddfc1a0a93
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_620807696_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{East Tennessee Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/east-tennessee-foundation-morg_0fd7afa5e0eb4bf28d2abaddfc1a0a93},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from East Tennessee 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.
East Tennessee Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?