Elgin Children's Foundation Inc
Elgin Children's Foundation Inc is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Knoxville, Tennessee, operating as a child organization under the National Christian Foundation. The foundation was created in 2003 by B. R. Thompson to deliver dental care and reading assistance to impoverished children in rural Southern Appalachia. The organization has expanded its work to include medical programs, child protection advocacy, and discipleship initiatives across a multi-state region.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$15.1M
+11.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.4M
+4.1% YoY
Grant Count
36
+2.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$38K
+1.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Serving the youngest, poorest, most vulnerable, and most rurally isolated children in designated counties in East Tennessee, Eastern Kentucky, and Southwest Virginia by funding programs focused on academics, dental health, child protection, and discipleship.
Primary Program Areas:
Academic & Discipleship: Provides Christ-centered early academic foundation in reading and mathematics for grades K-3. Works with school districts to develop principal leadership and partners with daycares and preschools to prepare children for kindergarten.
Dental Health: Operates school-based dental programs that facilitate screenings and treatment from local dental providers. Supports dental care across over 150 schools in three states, helping children develop healthy oral hygiene habits and freeing them from dental pain.
Child Protection: Committed to rescuing distressed children from sexual and physical abuse through coordinated community response efforts.
Medical Programs: Provides basic pediatric healthcare and screenings to children in underserved areas.
Grantmaking
The foundation made total grants of $1,393,258 in 2024. Grant awards typically range from $5,453 to $152,763.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation serves children in ten Southern Appalachian counties across three states:
- East Tennessee
- Eastern Kentucky
- Southwest Virginia
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $15,071,943
- Total Revenues: $3,110,568
- Total Expenses: $2,912,934
- Total Giving: $1,393,258
- Number of Employees: 9
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $13,485,626
- Total Revenues: $3,142,700
- Total Expenses: $2,867,781
- Number of Employees: 9
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $15,071,943 | $13,485,626 | $11,620,867 |
| Revenue | $3,110,568 | $3,142,700 | $3,047,909 |
| Expenses | $2,912,934 | $2,867,781 | $2,695,372 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $355,368 | $344,031 | $261,472 |
| 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
168 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Adella Thompson - Principal Officer
- Rebekah Thompson Palmer - Daughter of founder, oversees operations
- Vance Thompson - Daughter of founder, oversees operations
- Adella Thompson - Daughter of founder, oversees operations
The board of directors comprises members of the Thompson family and members of the National Christian Foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADELLA THOMPSON | PRESIDENT/CHAIR/DIRECTOR | 30 | — |
| REBEKAH THOMPSON PALMER | TREASURER/DIRECTOR | 10 | — |
| CATHERINE VANCE THOMPSON | SECRETARY/DIRECTOR | 10 | — |
| TERRILL A PARKER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KELLY G SHEPARD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DANA E RING | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RICK SMITH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 10118 Parkside Dr, Suite 105 Knoxville, TN 37922
Phone: 865-862-6560
Email: dina@elginfoundation.org
Website: www.elginfoundation.org
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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