Howell Foundation
Howell Foundation is a private foundation, based in Hermitage, TN. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $86K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 8 grants totaling $11K. Net investment income was $999.
Howell Foundation at a glance
In short: Howell Foundation gave $11K across 8 grants in 2025 (avg $1K), mostly in Tennessee. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $11,372
- -57.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 8
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,422
- -57.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,250
- Total assets
- $86,464
- -74.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (74% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Howell Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Alpha Omega Veteran Services ($2K). Together the top 8 received $11K.
Grant Size Distribution
16 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 16 grants of 16 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
How Howell Foundation gives
- In 2024 it paid out 177% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2024 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $11K (2025) to $26K (2024). In 2025 it made 8 grants totaling $11K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha Omega Veteran Services Memphis, TN | Charitable | $2,200 |
| Marine Corp League Arlington, TN | Charitable | $2,000 |
| Miscellaneous other Hermitage, TN | Charitable | $1,672 |
| The Village at Glen Cliff Nashville, TN | Charitable | $1,500 |
| Buffalo Diaster Relief Winchester, TN | Charitable | $1,000 |
| Haywood Community College Clyde, NC | Scholarship | $1,000 |
| Rockingham Community College Wentworth, NC | Charitable | $1,000 |
| Sampson Community Coll Clinton, NC | Scholarship | $1,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $86,464 | $999 | $142,916 | $11,372 | 8 | $96,623 | $999 | $-14 |
| 2024 | $341,484 | $525 | $371,485 | $26,439 | 8 | $26,439 | $57,025 | $14,967 |
| 2023 | — | $11,310 | $108,170 | — | — | $49,280 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | $30,663 | $118,800 | — | — | $69,100 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | $1,819,480 | $1,150,767 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | $-581 | $10,527 | $17,097 | — | — | — | — | $99 |
| 2019 | $5,989 | $6,239 | $250 | — | — | — | — | — |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Howell Foundation is led by Vern Wilson, President since 2020 (on filings since 2019); all 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Vern Wilson
President
Board Director → President, 2020
On filings since 2019
20 hrs/week
$26K (2021) → $15K (2025)
George Walker
Director
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$25K (2021) → $15K (2025)
Rodell Milam
Secretary
On filings since 2019
20 hrs/week
$26K (2021) → $15K (2025)
Former officers (3)
- Former: Gene Bell (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: J. R. Howell (2019) — Chairman
- Former: Mark Fontaine (2019) — Board Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $15K, to Vern Wilson (President). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Howell Foundation
How much does Howell Foundation give each year?
Howell Foundation gave $11K across 8 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $26K across 8 grants.
What is Howell Foundation's typical grant size?
Howell Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $1,250, and its average grant was $1,422, across 8 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Howell Foundation give grants?
Howell Foundation gives mostly in Tennessee: 74% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was North Carolina (26%).
Does Howell Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 8 grants with a stated purpose on Howell Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (6 grants).
Who are Howell Foundation's largest grantees?
Howell Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Alpha Omega Veteran Services ($2,200), Marine Corp League ($2,000) and Miscellaneous other ($1,672), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 52% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Howell Foundation?
Howell Foundation reported $86K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $999.
What is Howell Foundation's EIN?
Howell Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-5475321. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 24, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 24, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 29, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 19, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 29, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 21, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
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