Encore Ministry Foundation
ENCORE Ministry Foundation is a Brentwood, Tennessee–based public charity that supports intentional ministry by, with, and for older adults, including through grants to churches and organizations in the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference of The United Methodist Church. Its website describes the ministry’s roots as dating to 2013; its 2025 filing says it separated from a former supporting organization and began operating independently under a new EIN.
Encore Ministry Foundation at a glance
In short: Encore Ministry Foundation gave $110K across 10 grants in 2025 (avg $11K), mostly in Tennessee. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $110,000
- Grants made (2025)
- 10
- Average grant
- $11,000
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $834,695
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (91% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Encore Ministry Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s website provides a grant application form and checklist for applicants.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1250 Old Hickory Blvd, Brentwood, TN 37027
Phone: (615) 660-3509
Website: https://encoreministry.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Encore Ministry Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was First UMC Columbia ($15K). Together the top 10 received $110K.
Grant Size Distribution
10 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 10 grants of 10 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The website identifies the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference of The United Methodist Church as the grantmaking area. In 2025, 91% of grant dollars went to recipients in Tennessee and 9% to recipients in Kentucky.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2025 it made 10 grants totaling $110K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| First UMC Columbia Columbia, TN | — | $15,000 |
| Lafayette UMC Lafayette, TN | — | $15,000 |
| Calvert City UMC Calvert City, KY | — | $10,000 |
| Christ United Methodist Church Franklin, TN | — | $10,000 |
| Cooks United Methodist Church Mount Juliet, TN | — | $10,000 |
| First UMC Woodbury Woodbury, TN | — | $10,000 |
| Forest Hills UMC Brentwood, TN | — | $10,000 |
| Gordon Memorial UMC Nashville, TN | — | $10,000 |
| Lawrenceburg First UMC Lawrenceburg, TN | — | $10,000 |
| St Marks UMC Murfreesboro, TN | — | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Encore Ministry Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2025 filing reports the following financials. The filing also notes that the foundation carried forward book balances from its predecessor organization as it separated and began operating under a new EIN.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $834,695 | $1,271,533 | $653,848 | $110,000 | 10 | $95,478 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to provide resources and collaborative solutions that empower older adults to experience grace-filled lives. Its 2025 filing describes work that includes one-on-one consultation, training and support for older adult ministries, resources for establishing or building ministries, matching grant funding, workshops, and networking opportunities.
The foundation’s grant materials describe support for older-adult ministry, including accessibility, food security, transportation, healthcare, affordable housing, and spiritual development. Its website identifies Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference United Methodist churches and organizations as eligible partners for grant funding. The 2025 filing reports grants supporting a food ministry, an exercise program, fellowship and wellness activities for seniors, and food pantry and other essential services for seniors facing isolation, medical challenges, or emotional strain.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation gave 10 grants totaling $110,000. Grants ranged from $10,000 to $15,000, with a median of $10,000.
The largest grants listed were $15,000 to First UMC Columbia and $15,000 to Lafayette UMC. The other eight listed recipients each received $10,000: Calvert City UMC; Christ United Methodist Church; Cooks United Methodist Church; First UMC Woodbury; Forest Hills UMC; Gordon Memorial UMC; Lawrenceburg First UMC; and St Marks UMC.
The application page describes several grant options for Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference United Methodist churches: one-time $1,000 grants to start a new older-adult ministry, without a required match; grants of up to $2,500 to expand an existing ministry, with dollar-for-dollar matching funds; and community-service grants of up to $10,000 for work such as training, advocacy, food security, transportation, healthcare, affordable housing, or spiritual development, also with dollar-for-dollar matching funds. The page also describes a Bill and Lynn McAlilly grant program for church accessibility, but the available description does not state its award terms.
The application page asks applicants to complete and submit its form and checklist; incomplete applications may be returned and delay review. Within one year after a funded project or ministry is completed, recipients are asked to provide an evaluation and, where appropriate, photographs and a short article about the project, including quotes from people who benefited.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists John Rivas as executive director; Cindy Solomon as operations director; Charles Hewgley as chairman; Cliff Steger as vice chairman; Tom Adkinson as secretary; and David Morgan as treasurer. It also lists Richard Gentzler, Courtney Lawson, Sarah Carty, and Marie C King as directors.
Encore Ministry Foundation is led by John Rivas, Executive Director on the 2025 filing; 3 of 25 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
John Rivas
Executive Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$78K (2025)
Charles Hewgley
Chairman
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cindy Solomon
Operations Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
$40K (2025)
Richard Gentzler
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
$67K (2025)
Al Partee
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bill Wheeler
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Courtney Lawson
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ed Trimmer
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ed Van Voorhees
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Janice Boyko
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Collett
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kay Bowers
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda West Schumann
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Harper
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Luci Cromer
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marie C. King
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Lorance
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Engle
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Neil Dobson
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pat Brandenstein
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Carty
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sonnye Dixon
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cliff Steger
Vice Chairman
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Morgan
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tom Adkinson
Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $78K, to John Rivas (Executive Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Encore Ministry Foundation
How much does Encore Ministry Foundation give each year?
Encore Ministry Foundation gave $110K across 10 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990.
What is Encore Ministry Foundation's typical grant size?
Encore Ministry Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $11,000, across 10 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Encore Ministry Foundation give grants?
Encore Ministry Foundation gives mostly in Tennessee: 91% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Kentucky (9%).
Who are Encore Ministry Foundation's largest grantees?
Encore Ministry Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include First UMC Columbia ($15,000), Lafayette UMC ($15,000) and Calvert City UMC ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Encore Ministry Foundation?
Encore Ministry Foundation reported $835K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.3M.
What does Encore Ministry Foundation fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to provide resources and collaborative solutions that empower older adults to experience grace-filled lives. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Encore Ministry Foundation?
The foundation’s website provides a grant application form and checklist for applicants. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Encore Ministry Foundation's EIN?
Encore Ministry Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-2083797. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 17, 2026)
Other open foundation grants in Tennessee
Tennessee Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Encore Ministry Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Tennessee
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee Inc
Nashville, TN
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee supports nonprofits across a range of needs, including housing, disaster relief, education, health, public safety, and the arts. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $8,500, with amounts ranging widely; it primarily serves Middle Tennessee, with 76% of 2024 grant dollars going to Tennessee recipients. Special Interest Grant applications are submitted through its grants portal; no new competitive Community Impact cycle is planned for fiscal year 2026–2027.
Assets
$832.0M
Grants
2,450
Total Given
$107.1M
HCA Healthcare Foundation
Nashville, TN
HCA Healthcare Foundation funds community health and health equity, including primary care, basic needs, education, and the arts; its Middle Tennessee Fund serves nine counties, while other initiatives support communities served by HCA Healthcare. In 2024, grants ranged from $1,000 to $9.65 million, with a median of $5,000. It accepts requests through an Applicant Inquiry Form for new applicants and organizations that have not received funding in 18 months; staff provide next steps after review.
Assets
$192.7M
Grants
999
Total Given
$25.4M
Dollar General Employee Assistance
Goodletsville, TN
The foundation provides emergency financial assistance to active Dollar General employees and their families facing qualifying hardships, such as a home loss, a death, or a serious illness or injury. In 2026, grants ranged from $37 to $6,000, with a median of $2,000; all reported recipients were in Tennessee. It accepts applications from eligible employees, who must submit supporting documentation.
Assets
$5.8M
Grants
957
Total Given
$1.7M
The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Inc
Chattanooga, TN
The foundation supports scholarships and community needs including affordable housing, health and wellness, workforce development, education, culture, and hunger relief, with a focus on Chattanooga and surrounding areas; Fund for Chattanooga grants prioritize organizations serving Hamilton County residents. Its 2024 grants had a median of $10,000, and a separate program offers unrestricted grants of up to $30,000. It does not describe an open unsolicited application process: prospective applicants are asked to discuss a proposal with staff, who may invite them to apply.
Assets
$245.3M
Grants
810
Total Given
$25.8M
Community Foundation of Greater Memphis Inc
Memphis, TN
The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis supports community needs, nonprofit capacity building, and donor-directed and theme-based grants, with awards across West Tennessee, eastern Arkansas, and northern Mississippi. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,200, though amounts varied widely; unsolicited requests are accepted only through specific application-based opportunities, not stated as a general process.
Assets
$953.1M
Grants
761
Total Given
$134.3M
Christian Community Foundation of Memphis
Memphis, TN
The foundation supports a broad range of U.S. charities through donor-advised funds, with a particular focus on Christian ministries and community transformation in Memphis; its Hope for Memphis Fund serves eligible Gospel-centered nonprofits in the Memphis metro area. Its 2025 grants had a median of $22,050, and it accepts applications for the Hope for Memphis Fund during its stated application cycle.
Assets
$229.0M
Grants
636
Total Given
$109.7M
More similar funders
More Funders in Tennessee
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Encore Ministry Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Encore Ministry Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?