East Tennessee Foundation
East Tennessee Foundation (ETF) is a public charity and community foundation established in 1986, headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee. The organization was granted tax-exempt status in December 1963. ETF serves a 25-county region in East Tennessee through approximately 500 charitable funds, operating as a 501(c)(3) organization that builds charitable resources to strengthen communities and improve lives through thoughtful giving.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$282.5M
+10.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$14.4M
-32.3% YoY
Grant Count
298
-1.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$48K
-31.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To build charitable resources to make communities stronger and lives better through thoughtful giving, with a vision of thriving communities powered by thoughtful giving.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Affordable housing
- Youth-at-risk
- Racial justice
- Women and children
- Health
- Arts and culture
- Disaster recovery
- Education
- Rural resources
- Economic development
Grantmaking
ETF operates multiple grantmaking programs and fund types:
Grant Range
$2,500 - $5,340,546
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
ETF serves 25 counties in East Tennessee, including:
- Anderson County
- Blount County
- Bradley County
- Campbell County
- Carter County
- Claiborne County
- Cocke County
- Cumberland County
- Fentress County
- Grainger County
- Greene County
- Hamblen County
- Hancock County
- Hawkins County
- Jefferson County
- Johnson County
- Knox County
- Loudon County
- McMinn County
- Meigs County
- Monroe County
- Morgan County
- Pickett County
- Roane County
- Scott County
- Sevier County
- Shelby County
- Sullivan County
- Unicoi County
- Union County
- Washington County
The foundation also serves select counties in Kentucky, Virginia, Missouri, Ohio, and Kansas.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Resources:
- Total assets: $282.5 million (2024)
- Total assets under management: $647 million (2024)
- More than 85% of assets are endowed to ensure long-term sustainability
Revenue & Expenses (2024):
- Total revenues: $27.7 million
- Total expenses: $19.1 million
- Annual giving: $18 million
Historical Financials (2023):
- Revenue: $19.8 million
- Expenses: $25.6 million
- Total assets: $256 million
- Total liabilities: $3.67 million
Staffing: 25 employees (as of 2024)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $282,537,401 | $255,707,303 | $239,276,526 |
| Revenue | $27,657,283 | $19,791,090 | $25,934,976 |
| Expenses | $19,148,820 | $25,626,645 | $23,046,762 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $13,383,539 | $8,669,134 | $11,229,406 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
18 open opportunities from East Tennessee Foundation
Affordable Housing Trust Fund Grant
EAST TENNESSEE FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Arts Fund for East Tennessee Grant Program
EAST TENNESSEE FOUNDATION
Amount
US $5,000 - US $15,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Campbell Enhancement Fund Grant
EAST TENNESSEE FOUNDATION
Amount
Up to US $3,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church ($157,193), Cancer Support Community East Tn ($120,150), Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tn Valley ($106,400).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1907 FOUNDATION KNOXVILLE, TN | DISASTER RELIEF | $7,000 |
| 4TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT RCVRY SVC INC WHITE PINE, TN | HUMAN SERVICES | $24,525 |
| AIDNET OF GREENE COUNTY GREENEVILLE, TN | DISASTER RELIEF | $50,000 |
| AID TO DSTRSSD FAM APPALACHIAN CTY OAK RIDGE, TN | HUMAN SERVICES | $8,400 |
| ALZHEIMER'S TENNESSEE INC KNOXVILLE, TN | MEDICAL DISCIPLINES | $11,400 |
| AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND BROOKLYN CENTER, MN | MEDICAL DISCIPLINES | $8,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS - EAST TENNESSEE KNOXVILLE, TN | DISASTER RELIEF | $26,000 |
| ANDERSON COUNTY GOVERNMENT CLINTON, TN | HUMAN SERVICES | $7,500 |
| APPALACHIAN ARTS CRAFT CENTER INC CLINTON, TN | ARTS & CULTURE | $9,900 |
| APPALACHIAN RESOUR CONSERV & DEVEL JOHNSON CITY, TN | DISASTER RELIEF | $100,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President & CEO: Dr. Keith Barber (joined 2023)
ETF underwent an operational reorganization in early 2024 and revitalized its Affiliate Fund program to better address critical community-level initiatives.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAM ALBRITTON | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| PATSY CARSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| AMY CATHEY | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| KAY CLAYTON | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| RICHARD DAPAAH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| STEVE M DARDEN | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| DENISE J DEAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| HARRY GROSS | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| R BRUCE HARTMANN | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| NATALIE L HASLAM | LIFETIME HON | — | — |
| SUSANNA HOSKINS | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| ROCIO A HUET | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| ADRIAN JAY | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| TRUDY HUGHES | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| DIONDRE JACKSON | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| A DAVID MARTIN | LIFETIME HON | 0.2 | — |
| DROCELLA MUGOREWERA | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| DONDE PLOWMAN | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| RICHARD H ROBERTS | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| STEPHEN ROSEN | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| MATT SCHAEFER | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| NATHANIEL SHELSO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BARRETT SIMONIS | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| KIRAN SINGH SIRAH | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| KAREN WALKER | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| DAVID V WHITE | LIFETIME HON | — | — |
| STUART WORDEN | LIFETIME HON | — | — |
| KRISTOPHER P YARLETT | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| KEITH BARBER | PRESIDENT + | 35 | $158,887 |
| ANGELIA NYSTROM | VP/CHIEF LEG | 35 | $159,863 |
| MELISSA A TSCHANZ | CFO | 35 | $116,160 |
| KATHARINE KILLEN | VP & COO | 35 | $152,391 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2026 Norris Area Community Foundation Competitive Grant Cycle** announced
The East Tennessee Foundation Announces 2026 Norris Area ...**Jefferson Health Care Foundation Fund** awarded over $705,000 in grants
Jefferson Health Care Foundation Fund Awards over $705000 in ...**Morgan County Community Fund (MCCF)** awarded more than $63,000 to nonprofits serving Morgan County
MCCF to award more than $63,000 to nonprofits serving Morgan ...**Washington County Grant Funding Opportunity** announced
The East Tennessee Foundation Announces Grant Funding ...**Jefferson County Health & Wellness Initiatives Grant Funding Opportunity** announced
The East Tennessee Foundation Announces Grant Funding ...Contact Information
Address: 520 W Summit Hill Dr, Suite 1101, Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone:
- Toll-free: (877) 524-1223
- Local: (865) 524-1223
Email: [email protected]
Website: easttennesseefoundation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does East Tennessee Foundation fund?
**Mission:** To build charitable resources to make communities stronger and lives better through thoughtful giving, with a vision of thriving communities powered by thoughtful giving. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Affordable housing • Youth-at-risk • Racial justice • Women and children • Health • Arts and culture • Disaster recovery • Education • Rural resources • Economic development
How do I apply for a grant from East Tennessee Foundation?
ETF operates multiple grantmaking programs and fund types: **Grant Activity (2024):** • 1,396 total grants awarded • $18 million in annual giving • Grant range: $2,500 - $5,340,546 **Program Types:** • **Donor-Advised Funds:** Provided 863 grants from donor-advised funds to 458 501(c)(3) organizations, government entities, and churches supporting a wide range of charitable purposes both locally and outside the region • **Competitive Grantmaking Programs:** Conducted 125 grants to 105 organizati…
Where does East Tennessee Foundation make grants?
ETF serves 25 counties in East Tennessee, including: • Anderson County • Blount County • Bradley County • Campbell County • Carter County • Claiborne County • Cocke County • Cumberland County • Fentress County • Grainger County • Greene County • Hamblen County • Hancock County • Hawkins County • Jefferson County • Johnson County • Knox County • Loudon County • McMinn County • Meigs County • Monroe County • Morgan County • Pickett County • Roane County • Scott County • Sevier County • Shelby Cou…
What size grants does East Tennessee Foundation award?
In 2024, East Tennessee Foundation awarded 298 grants totaling $14.4M — an average of about $48K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in East Tennessee Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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