The Eastman Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and corporate foundation based in Kingsport, Tennessee. Established in 1996, it is designed to support and promote economic success, social well-being, and environmental integrity. The foundation places special emphasis on directing programs toward improving the quality of life in communities where Eastman operates.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.8M
-15.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$330K
-54.1% YoY
Grant Count
6
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$55K
-54.1% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To enhance the quality of life for society by working together and building healthy, vibrant, inclusive communities, inspired by the vision of a world where people and nature thrive.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Economic success
- Social well-being
- Environmental integrity
- Arts and culture
- Education
- Health
- Human services
- Community development
- Civic affairs
The foundation demonstrates particular commitment to education, including support for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI). It has committed over $1 million to establish multiyear partnerships with HBCUs that provide academic development support, mentorship, professional development opportunities, and student facilities and activities.
Grantmaking
How to Apply
** The Eastman Foundation only accepts contribution requests through an online application process. A prescreening assessment is available to determine organization or program eligibility. Decisions are communicated to organizations that submit qualified applications.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation prioritizes communities where Eastman operates and has employees. Specific recent activity includes funding in East Tennessee, including support for the Kingsport Dental Clinic serving Kingsport and Johnson City, Tennessee.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2023 Financial Data:
- Total revenues: $330,904
- Total expenses: $2,113,036
- Total assets: $2,173,480
Notable Commitment: The foundation pledged $1 million to construct the Kingsport Dental Clinic, which was completed in July 2024.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,828,860 | $2,173,480 | $2,887,662 |
| Revenue | $898,009 | $330,904 | $2,233,867 |
| Expenses | $737,629 | $2,113,036 | $985,203 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $329,885 | $718,650 | $773,363 |
| Net Investment Income | $148,516 | $187,365 | $157,245 |
| Distributable Amount | $262,727 | $207,307 | $250,352 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
145 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Eastman Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include American Institute of Chemical Engineers ($120,000), First Tennessee Development District Foundation for Region Ahead ($100,000), United Way of Southwest Virginia ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERS LONGVIEW, TX | FOSSI/HBCU SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM | $120,000 |
| ETSU JOHNSON CITY, TN | MOUNTAIN MISSION SCHOLARSHIP | $7,500 |
| FIRST TENNESSEE DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT FOUNDATION FOR REGION AHEAD JOHNSON CITY, TN | HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF | $100,000 |
| MILLIGAN UNIVERSITY MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN | MOUNTAIN MISSION SCHOLARSHIP | $1,750 |
| NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP CORPORATION CHICAGO, IL | NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT | $635 |
| UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA ABINGDON, VA | HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF | $100,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRISTI BENNETT | FORMER CORPORATE SECRETARY | 0.25 | — |
| PAULA BULCAO | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 15 | — |
| KELLYE WALKER | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| WILLIE MCLAIN | DIRECTOR & PRESIDENT | 0.25 | — |
| STEVE G CRAWFORD | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| GREGORY A RIDDLE | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| MICHELLE CAVENESS | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| LAURA DURBIN | CORPORATE SECRETARY AS OF 12/17/24 | 0.25 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In July 2024, the Eastman Foundation's $1 million pledge resulted in the completion of the Kingsport Dental Clinic of the Appalachian Highlands, operated by the University of Tennessee Health Science Center's College of Dentistry. The clinic began treating patients in September 2024, providing training opportunities for dental students and addressing a significant shortage of dental care in rural East Tennessee and Appalachian communities.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Eastman Foundation fund?
**Mission:** To enhance the quality of life for society by working together and building healthy, vibrant, inclusive communities, inspired by the vision of a world where people and nature thrive. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Economic success • Social well-being • Environmental integrity • Arts and culture • Education • Health • Human services • Community development • Civic affairs The foundation demonstrates particular commitment to education, including support for historically Black colleges an…
How do I apply for a grant from Eastman Foundation?
**Application Process:** The Eastman Foundation only accepts contribution requests through an online application process. A prescreening assessment is available to determine organization or program eligibility. Decisions are communicated to organizations that submit qualified applications. **Grant Terms:** Contributions are typically for one year unless otherwise specified. Each request is considered and compared against other requests received for that year. **Exclusions:** The foundation will…
Where does Eastman Foundation make grants?
The foundation prioritizes communities where Eastman operates and has employees. Specific recent activity includes funding in East Tennessee, including support for the Kingsport Dental Clinic serving Kingsport and Johnson City, Tennessee.
What size grants does Eastman Foundation award?
In 2024, Eastman Foundation awarded 6 grants totaling $330K — an average of about $55K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Eastman Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Eastman Foundation reported a distributable amount of $263K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Eastman 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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