Highlander Research & Education Center Inc logo

Highlander Research & Education Center Inc

Public charity · Grantmaker New Market, TN EIN: 62-0646373 Website

Highlander Research & Education Center is a public charity based in New Market, Tennessee. It serves as a catalyst for grassroots organizing and movement building in Appalachia and the U.S. South, using popular education, participatory research, and cultural work to support people working for social and economic justice.

Key facts about Highlander Research & Education Center Inc

In short: Highlander Research & Education Center Inc gave $10.3M across 142 grants in 2025 (avg $72K). Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.

EIN
62-0646373
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$10,288,119
Grants made (2025)
142
Average grant
$72,452
Median grant
$40,000
Total assets
$37,987,961
How to apply
The website lists Requests for Proposals for Community Partners, Cultural Organizers, and a Documentation Team. Full details ↓

Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$38.0M

-7.6% YoY

Annual Giving

$10.3M

+45.5% YoY

Grant Count

142

Avg Grant Size

$72K

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

Mission & Focus Areas

Highlander states that it works with people fighting for justice, equality, and sustainability, supporting their efforts to take collective action and shape their own destiny. Its website describes work that brings leaders and movement networks together through workshops, relationship-building, documentation, cultural engagement, and other forms of support.

The We Shall Overcome Fund supports organizing in the South at the intersection of culture and social change, with the stated requirement that African American communities benefit from supported projects. Its described project areas include arts and activism, workshops and research using culture to build coalitions and mobilize action, and preserving and documenting Civil Rights Movement history. The website lists eligible request locations as Alabama, Arkansas, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2025, Highlander reported 142 grants totaling $10,288,119. Grants ranged from $7,000 to $1,035,000, with a median of $40,000. The largest listed grants included $1,035,000 to People’s Advocacy Institute, $540,000 to Taproot Earth, and $470,000 to The Ordinary People Society. Other listed grants included $290,000 each to Southern Vision Alliance and The Smile Trust Inc., and $250,000 each to AgitArte Inc., Foundation for Louisiana, Grantmakers for Southern Progress, Project South, and Southerners on New Ground. The filing lists the purposes of these grants as general support of charitable activities and programs.

Review Cycle

; those are past application dates, and the form does not establish a current application cycle.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Highlander Research & Education Center Inc?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Highlander describes its organizing and movement-building work as focused on Appalachia and the U.S. South. Its We Shall Overcome Fund lists eligible requests from the states and District of Columbia named above. The 2025 filing’s recipient-state share is not identified in the provided data.

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$5M$10M$15MTotal only2020 Total only2021 Total only2022 Total only2023 Total only2024 142 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.9M (2020) to $10.3M (2025). In 2025 it made 142 grants totaling $10.3M.

Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

People's Advocacy Institute: $1.0MPeople's Advocacy Institute$1.0MTaproot Earth: $540KTaproot Earth$540KThe Ordinary People Society: $470KThe Ordinary People Society$470KSouthern Vision Alliance: $290KSouthern Vision Alliance$290KThe Smile Trust Inc: $290KThe Smile Trust Inc$290KAgitarte Inc: $250KAgitarte Inc$250KFoundation for Louisiana: $250KFoundation for Louisiana$250KGrantmakers for Southern Progress: $250KGrantmakers for SouthernProgress$250KProject South: $250KProject South$250KSoutherners on New Ground: $250KSoutherners on New Ground$250K

The largest 2025 recipient was People's Advocacy Institute ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $3.9M.

Grant Size Distribution

142 grants across all recorded years

107<$50K9$50–100K16$100–250K8$250–500K1$500K–1M1$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 107 grants of 142 (75%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
People's Advocacy Institute General Support of Charitable Activities and Programs$1,035,000
Taproot Earth General Support of Charitable Activities and Programs$540,000
The Ordinary People Society General Support of Charitable Activities and Programs$470,000
Southern Vision Alliance General Support of Charitable Activities and Programs$290,000
The Smile Trust Inc General Support of Charitable Activities and Programs$290,000
Agitarte Inc General Support of Charitable Activities and Programs$250,000
Foundation for Louisiana General Support of Charitable Activities and Programs$250,000
Grantmakers for Southern Progress General Support of Charitable Activities and Programs$250,000
Project South General Support of Charitable Activities and Programs$250,000
Southerners on New Ground General Support of Charitable Activities and Programs$250,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants reported
2025 $37,987,961 $24,240,944 $27,158,650 $10,288,119; 142 grants
2024 $41,112,180 $25,045,875 $24,020,877 0 grants
2023 $43,881,387 $23,678,971 $23,597,596 0 grants
Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$10M$20M$30M$40M2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$37,987,961$41,112,180$43,881,387
Revenue$24,240,944$25,045,875$23,678,971
Expenses$27,158,650$24,020,877$23,597,596
Net Investment Income$334,398$495,942$425,118

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 15, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 23, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 17, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 11, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 18, 2025)
  6. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 17, 2026)

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Adrian Reyna Chavoya as Executive Committee Chair; Alethia Jones, Alfredo Lopez, Andrew Munn, Inca Mohamed, and Jennifer Hill as board members; Allyn Maxfield-Steele as director/ex-officio; Charles Price as secretary; Claudia Eloisa Munz Castellano as Committee Chair for Development & Nominations; and Felix Skip Bivens as Committee Chair for Buildings & Grounds.

Highlander Research & Education Center Inc is led by Tara Shuai Ellison, Committee Chair - Personnel since 2025 (on filings since 2020); none of the 17 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Tara Shuai Ellison

    Committee Chair - Personnel

    Director → Committee Chair - Personnel, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Claudia Eloisa Munz Castellano

    Committee Chair - Development & Nominations

    Director → Committee Chair - Development & Nominations, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Felix Skip Bivens

    Committee Chair - Buildings & Grounds

    Director → Committee Chair - Buildings & Grounds, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Adrian Reyna Chavoya

    Committee Chair Executive

    New on the 2025 filing

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Allyn Maxfield-Steele

    Director & Ex-Officio

    Director → Ex-Officio, 2024

    Ex-Officio → Director & Ex-Officio, 2025

    On filings since 2023

    40 hrs/week

    $95K (2023) → $0 (2025)

  • Salimah Salaam Muhammad

    Director & Ex-Officio

    Ex-Officio → Director & Ex-Officio, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    40 hrs/week

    $107K (2024) → $0 (2025)

  • Alfredo Lopez

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Inca Mohamed

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Reece Chenault

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Scott Douglas

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Andrew Munn

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2025

    On filings since 2021

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Alethia Jones

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Charles Price

    Secretary

    On filings since 2024

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jennifer Hill

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Loan Tran

    Co-Chair

    On filings since 2024

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ruth Jeannoel

    Treasurer

    On filings since 2024

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Veronica Limeberry

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (20)
  • Former: Adrian Reyna (2020–2024) — Co-Chair
  • Former: Makani Themba (2020–2024) — Board Treasurer
  • Former: Pancho Arguelles (2020–2024) — Board Chair
  • Former: Reilly Morse (2021–2024) — Director
  • Former: Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson (2023–2024) — Co-Executive Director
  • Former: Tamieka Mosley (2023–2024)
  • Former: Amelie Ratliff (2020–2023) — Chairman
  • Former: Diana Marie Lee (2020–2023) — Director
  • Former: Eric Dixon (2020–2023) — Director
  • Former: Joann Chase (2020–2023) — Director
  • Former: Leila Hessini (2020–2023) — Director
  • Former: Claudi Munoz (2023) — Director
  • Former: Shane Morrow (2023) — Director
  • Former: Carly Hare (2020–2022) — Treasurer
  • Former: Collettee Pichon-Battle (2020–2022) — Director
  • Former: Hollis Watkins Sr. (2020–2022) — Director
  • Former: Lis-Marie Alvarado (2020–2022) — Director
  • Former: Susan Wefald (2020–2022) — Director
  • Former: Monica Simpson (2020–2021) — Vice Chair
  • Former: Ngoc Loan Tran (2020–2021) — Chairman

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Tamieka Mosley: $179KTamieka Mosley$179KAshlee Henderson — Co-Executive Direc: $161KAshlee HendersonCo-Executive Direc$161KAllyn Maxfield-Steele — Ex-Officio: $107KAllyn Maxfield-SteeleEx-Officio$107KSalimah Muhammad — Ex-Officio: $107KSalimah MuhammadEx-Officio$107K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $179K, to Tamieka Mosley. 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Contact

Mailing address: 1959 Highlander Way, New Market, TN 37820
Phone: (865) 933-3443
Website: https://highlandercenter.org

Frequently asked questions about Highlander Research & Education Center Inc

How much does Highlander Research & Education Center Inc give each year?

Highlander Research & Education Center Inc gave $10.3M across 142 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it reported $7.1M in grants paid.

What is Highlander Research & Education Center Inc's typical grant size?

Highlander Research & Education Center Inc's median grant in 2025 was $40,000, and its average grant was $72,452, across 142 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.

Does Highlander Research & Education Center Inc give general operating support?

Yes: 100% of Highlander Research & Education Center Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (142 of 142) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.

Who are Highlander Research & Education Center Inc's largest grantees?

Highlander Research & Education Center Inc's largest 2025 grantees include People's Advocacy Institute ($1,035,000), Taproot Earth ($540,000) and The Ordinary People Society ($470,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Highlander Research & Education Center Inc?

Highlander Research & Education Center Inc reported $38.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $24.2M.

What does Highlander Research & Education Center Inc fund?

Highlander states that it works with people fighting for justice, equality, and sustainability, supporting their efforts to take collective action and shape their own destiny. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Highlander Research & Education Center Inc?

The website lists Requests for Proposals for Community Partners, Cultural Organizers, and a Documentation Team. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

Where does Highlander Research & Education Center Inc make grants?

Highlander describes its organizing and movement-building work as focused on Appalachia and the U.S. South. Its We Shall Overcome Fund lists eligible requests from the states and District of Columbia named above. The 2025 filing’s recipient-state share is not identified in the provided data.

What is Highlander Research & Education Center Inc's EIN?

Highlander Research & Education Center Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-0646373. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching Highlander Research & Education Center Inc by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Highlander Research & Education Center Inc's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee Inc

Nashville, TN

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee supports nonprofits through community impact and fund-specific grants across a range of charitable areas, primarily serving Middle Tennessee. Its 2024 grants had a median of $8,500, though awards varied widely; it accepts applications for annual Special Interest Grants, but is not opening a new competitive Community Impact cycle for 2026–2027.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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.

Human Services

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 nonprofits serving West Tennessee, eastern Arkansas, and northern Mississippi across a range of community needs, with grants made mainly through donor-advised funds and several focused programs. Grant sizes vary widely; the 2025 median was $20,200, while its Nonprofit Capacity Building program averages about $15,000 and Community Solutions Grants ranged from $50,000 to $150,000. Some programs accept applications, but the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted generally.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$229.0M

Grants

636

Total Given

$109.7M

Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation

Chattanooga, TN

The Generosity Trust supports Christian ministries and other nonprofits, education, community and human services, and ministry students, with a strong focus on the Chattanooga area but grants nationwide. Its 2024 listed grants had a median of $18,250 and ranged from $5,002 to $2.5 million; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$136.1M

Grants

567

Total Given

$36.4M

Dollar General Literacy Foundation

Goodlettsville, TN

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation funds direct literacy and education programs for learners of all ages, including adult, family, youth, and summer reading programs, as well as disaster relief for eligible K–12 public school libraries. Its reported median grant was $10,000; most program awards are capped at $3,000–$10,000, and it supports eligible organizations in states where Dollar General operates, generally within 15 miles of a store.

Education

Assets

$84.6M

Grants

564

Total Given

$14.5M

International Paper Company Foundation

Memphis, TN

The foundation funds education, hunger relief, health and wellness, and disaster relief, primarily in communities where International Paper operates and has a significant employee presence. In 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $250,000, with a median of $3,500. It accepts unsolicited requests, except Memphis-area requests are by invitation only.

Assets

$76.4M

Grants

472

Total Given

$3.4M

United Way of Middle Tennessee Inc

Nashville, TN

United Way of Middle Tennessee funds nonprofit programs in education, financial stability, and health, especially those serving low-income families and vulnerable children and adults; it also supports HIV care and disaster recovery. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,015 to $697,309, with a median of $22,500. Its Community Impact Funding serves nine Middle Tennessee counties, while some programs serve people statewide; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$68.1M

Grants

347

Total Given

$19.7M

Regal Foundation

Knoxville, TN

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$10.0M

Grants

343

Total Given

$3.0M

Gibson Gives Foundation DBA Gibson Gives

Nashville, TN

Gibson Gives supports programs that use guitar for music education or healing, with 2025 grants ranging from $290 to $214,115 and a median grant of $4,421. It funds organizations across the U.S., with the largest shares of 2025 grant dollars going to Tennessee and California. It accepts unsolicited requests through its online form and reviews them monthly.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$626K

Grants

316

Total Given

$2.5M

More Funders in Tennessee

Highlander Research & Education Center Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?