Eastman Foundation logo

Eastman Foundation

KINGSPORT, TN EIN: 62-1614800 Website

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

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

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

21states
+13 more states

Cities

AbingdonAkronAlexandriaAndalusiaAnnistonArlingtonAustinAxtonBassettBlountvilleBluff CityBridgetonBristolBulls GapChapel HillCharleroiCharlottesvilleChestertownChicagoChuckey

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.

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$614K$1M$2M$2M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
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

$0$485K$970K$1M$2M150 grants2020140 grants202133 grants20226 grants20236 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 6 recipients in 2024

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CH…$120KFIRST TENNESSEE DEVELOPM…$100KUNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST …$100KETSU$8KMILLIGAN UNIVERSITY$2KNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSH…$635

Grant Size Distribution

145 grants across all recorded years

124<$50K14$50–100K4$100–250K3$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Open Grants

1 open opportunity from Eastman Foundation

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
KRISTI BENNETTFORMER CORPORATE SECRETARY0.25
PAULA BULCAOEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR15
KELLYE WALKERDIRECTOR0.25
WILLIE MCLAINDIRECTOR & PRESIDENT0.25
STEVE G CRAWFORDDIRECTOR0.25
GREGORY A RIDDLEDIRECTOR0.25
MICHELLE CAVENESSDIRECTOR0.25
LAURA DURBINCORPORATE SECRETARY AS OF 12/17/240.25

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

2024

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

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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