Eastman Foundation
The Eastman Foundation is a private foundation based in Kingsport, Tennessee. It supports qualified nonprofit charitable organizations and projects intended to improve quality of life and create sustainable community improvement, with stated focus areas including education, environment, empowerment, and economic development.
Eastman Foundation at a glance
In short: Eastman Foundation gave $330K across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $55K), top state Texas. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $329,885
- -54.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $54,981
- -54.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $53,750
- Total assets
- $1,828,860
- -15.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Texas (36% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Eastman Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The 2024 filing lists a grant application, a copy of the organization’s 501(c)(3) tax-exempt letter, and an invoice as materials, while also stating that the foundation is moving away from application submissions.
- Review Cycle
- The 2024 filing lists July 31 of the previous year; that stated deadline is in the past.
- Deadline
- The 2024 filing lists July 31 of the previous year; that stated deadline is in the past.
- Contact
Application contact: Paula Bulcao
Mailing address: PO Box 431, Kingsport, TN 37662
Phone: (423) 229-2000
Website: HTTPS://EASTMANFOUNDATION.COM/
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Eastman Foundation
Who Eastman Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was American Institute of Chemical Engineers ($120K). Together the top 6 received $330K.
Grant Size Distribution
335 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 308 grants of 335 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Kingsport, Tennessee. In 2024, grant dollars went to recipients in Texas (36%), Tennessee (33%), and Virginia (30%); Illinois accounted for 0% as reported in the filing.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Eastman Foundation gives
- Giving fell 83% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 126% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $330K (2024) to $1.9M (2021). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $330K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Institute of Chemical Engineers Longview, TX | Fossi/HBCU Scholarship Program | $120,000 |
| First Tennessee Development District Foundation for Region Ahead Johnson City, TN | Hurricane Helene Relief | $100,000 |
| United Way of Southwest Virginia Abingdon, VA | Hurricane Helene Relief | $100,000 |
| Etsu Johnson City, TN | Mountain Mission Scholarship | $7,500 |
| Milligan University Milligan College, TN | Mountain Mission Scholarship | $1,750 |
| National Merit Scholarship Corporation Chicago, IL | National Merit Scholarship Support | $635 |
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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 | $1,828,860 | $898,009 | $737,629 | $329,885 | 6 | $329,885 | $148,516 | $262,727 |
| 2023 | $2,173,480 | $330,904 | $2,113,036 | $718,650 | 6 | $718,650 | $187,365 | $207,307 |
| 2022 | $2,887,662 | $2,233,867 | $985,203 | $773,363 | 33 | $773,363 | $157,245 | $250,352 |
| 2021 | $1,967,401 | $1,572,628 | $1,998,345 | $1,939,477 | 140 | $1,936,977 | $114,621 | $283,502 |
| 2020 | $2,087,303 | $256,257 | $2,099,829 | $1,814,059 | 150 | — | $107,882 | $248,677 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Eastman Foundation reported a distributable amount of $263K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is “to enhance the quality of life for people and society.” Its website organizes its priorities under economic success, social wellbeing, and environmental integrity. Its giving guidelines identify education, environment, empowerment, and economic development as funding areas. The website also describes education initiatives in math and science and a program that sends care packages to deployed U.S. military personnel; these are described as foundation initiatives, not grant opportunities for outside applicants.
The 2024 grants illustrate support for different kinds of organizations. The American Institute of Chemical Engineers received support for a FOSSI/HBCU scholarship program, and two regional organizations received Hurricane Helene relief grants. Milligan University describes its mission as educating men and women to be servant-leaders, while National Merit Scholarship Corporation describes its mission as recognizing and honoring academically talented U.S. students through nationwide scholarship programs. United Way of Southwest Virginia says it works to advance health, education, and financial stability in Southwest Virginia.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported six grants totaling $329,885. Grant amounts ranged from $635 to $120,000, with a median of $53,750. The largest awards were $120,000 to the American Institute of Chemical Engineers for its FOSSI/HBCU scholarship program, and $100,000 each to the First Tennessee Development District Foundation for Region Ahead and United Way of Southwest Virginia for Hurricane Helene relief. Other listed awards included $7,500 to ETSU and $1,750 to Milligan University for Mountain Mission scholarships, and $635 to National Merit Scholarship Corporation for scholarship support.
The 2024 filing states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations, but also says it is moving away from an application-submission process and identifying potential recipients tied to its strategic-plan pillars. It says contributions to fraternal, social, religious, or national health organizations may be made only when the organization benefits community members who are not members of that organization. The website says funded organizations must adhere to Eastman’s Code of Business Conduct.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Paula Bulcao as executive director; Willie McLain as director and president; Kellye Walker, Steve G. Crawford, Gregory A. Riddle, and Michelle Caveness as directors; Kristi Bennett as former corporate secretary; and Laura Durbin as corporate secretary as of December 17, 2024.
Eastman Foundation is led by Willie McLain, Director & President since 2021 (on filings since 2020); none of the 8 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Willie McLain
Director & President
Director → Director & President, 2021
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paula Bulcao
Executive Director
Director → Executive Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gregory A. Riddle
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steve G. Crawford
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kellye Walker
Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Caveness
Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kristi Bennett
Former Corporate Secretary
Corporate Secretary → Former Corporate Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laura Durbin
Corporate Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Donny Chia (2020–2022) — Director & Treasurer
- Former: Perry Stuckey (2020–2022) — Director & Vice President
- Former: Ceegee McCord (2020) — Director & Vice President
- Former: David Golden (2020) — Director & President
- Former: Shalini Rajoo (2020) — Corporate Secretary
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.
Frequently asked questions about Eastman Foundation
How much does Eastman Foundation give each year?
Eastman Foundation gave $330K across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $719K across 6 grants.
What is Eastman Foundation's typical grant size?
Eastman Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $53,750, and its average grant was $54,981, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Eastman Foundation give grants?
Eastman Foundation's top state is Texas, with 36% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Tennessee (33%) and Virginia (30%). The most frequent recipient cities were Johnson City, TN (2 grants).
Does Eastman Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on Eastman Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Eastman Foundation's largest grantees?
Eastman Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include American Institute of Chemical Engineers ($120,000), First Tennessee Development District Foundation for Region Ahead ($100,000) and United Way of Southwest Virginia ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 97% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Eastman Foundation?
Eastman Foundation reported $1.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $330K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $263K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Eastman Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is “to enhance the quality of life for people and society.” Its website organizes its priorities under economic success, social wellbeing, and environmental integrity. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Eastman Foundation?
The 2024 filing lists a grant application, a copy of the organization’s 501(c)(3) tax-exempt letter, and an invoice as materials, while also stating that the foundation is moving away from application submissions. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Eastman Foundation's EIN?
Eastman Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-1614800. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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