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.
Ready to take the next step with Elgin Children's Foundation Inc?
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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Southeast South-central Education Coop ($145,491), Clay County Public Schools ($124,000), Emmanuel Methodist Church ($95,330).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| APPALACHIAN LIFE QUALITY INITIATIVE INC ONEIDA, TN | DENTAL WELLNESS | $31,292 |
| APPALACHIAN LITERACY INITIATIVE BRISTOL, TN | ACADEMIC | $25,000 |
| BELL COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION PINEVILLE, KY | ACADEMIC | $7,656 |
| BELL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS PINEVILLE, KY | ACADEMIC | $36,377 |
| CALLIHAN MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH BARBOURVILLE, KY | DISCIPLESHIP | $15,000 |
| CAMPBELL COUNTY CHILDREN'S CENTER LAFOLLETTE, TN | ACADEMIC | $30,000 |
| CARE COTTAGE CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER HAZARD, KY | CHILD PROTECTION | $20,000 |
| CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HYDEN, KY | DISCIPLESHIP | $16,000 |
| CHILD ABUSE REPORTING AND ENFORCEMENT (CENTER OF SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA) RICHLANDS, VA | CHILD PROTECTION | $30,000 |
| CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER 9TH DISTRICT OF TN LENOIR CITY, TN | CHILD PROTECTION | $20,000 |
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Elgin Children's Foundation Inc fund?
**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 wi…
How do I apply for a grant from Elgin Children's Foundation Inc?
The foundation made total grants of $1,393,258 in 2024. Grant awards typically range from $5,453 to $152,763. The related Elgin Foundation (a private foundation) made a grant of $2,139,000 to Elgin Children's Foundation in 2024 for faith-based organization work in counties served.
Where does Elgin Children's Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation serves children in ten Southern Appalachian counties across three states: • East Tennessee • Eastern Kentucky • Southwest Virginia
What size grants does Elgin Children's Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Elgin Children's Foundation Inc awarded 36 grants totaling $1.4M — an average of about $38K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Elgin Children's Foundation Inc's EIN?
Elgin Children's Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-1599287. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Elgin Children's Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Maclellan Center for Global Christian Ed
CHATTANOOGA, TN
Assets
$592K
Grants
1
Total Given
$48K
Anne Bransford Wallace Foundation
NASHVILLE, TN
Assets
$553K
Grants
40
Total Given
$43K
Springplace Presbyterian Church 280-5019032
KNOXVILLE, TN
Assets
$140K
Grants
1
Total Given
$6K
United Way of East Tennessee
JOHNSON CITY, TN
Assets
$3.4M
Grants
12
Total Given
$202K
One Family Memphis
MEMPHIS, TN
Assets
$6.4M
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Southeast Center for Cooperative Development
NASHVILLE, TN
Assets
$388K
Grants
1
Total Given
$20K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Elgin Children's Foundation Inc on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Elgin Children's Foundation Inc to a real strategy.