John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Portland, OR EIN: 91-1912105

The John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation is a private foundation based in Portland, Oregon. In its 2025 filing, it reported 22 grants totaling $203,093 to charitable organizations.

John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation at a glance

In short: John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation gave $203K across 22 grants in 2025 (avg $9K), top state Washington. 41% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2025)
$203,093
+17.6% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
22
+15.8% vs 2024
Average grant
$9,232
+1.5% vs 2024
Median grant
$10,000
Total assets
$1,431,170
+37.2% vs 2024
New grantees (estimate)
41% first-time grantees (9 of 22, 2025; small sample)
Primary geography
Washington (38% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

How to apply to John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation

Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to Apply

The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. No application materials, process, or deadline are specified.

Contact

Mailing address: 937 Sw 14Th Avenue 200, Portland, OR 97205
Phone: (503) 241-1255

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

SPCA Monterey County: $23KSPCA Monterey County$23KBoys & Girls Club of Southwest WA: $20KBoys & Girls Club of SouthwestWA$20KLakeshore Foundation: $15KLakeshore Foundation$15KTransitional Youth: $15KTransitional Youth$15KFriends of the Childern SW Washington: $11KFriends of the Childern SWWashington$11KForward Edge Int'l: $10KForward Edge Int'l$10KNat'l Resturant Assoc Ed Fdn: $10KNat'l Resturant Assoc Ed Fdn$10KNW Athletic Blind Association: $10KNW Athletic Blind Association$10KRead NW: $10KRead NW$10KSafe House of the Desert: $10KSafe House of the Desert$10K

The largest 2025 recipient was SPCA Monterey County ($23K). Together the top 10 received $134K.

Grant Size Distribution

90 grants across all recorded years

89<$50K1$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 89 grants of 90 (99%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2025, grant dollars went to recipients in Washington (38%), Oregon (26%), California (16%), Alabama (7%), and the District of Columbia (5%). Other listed 2025 recipients were in Virginia. These figures describe the locations of reported recipients.

Grant Distribution by State

9states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 22 itemized grants.

Cities

VancouverPortlandMontereyPebble BeachBeavertonSalinasWestportRestonAlbertsonBirminghamNew YorkSeasideThousand PalmsAstoriaBendBrush PrairieCarmelEstacadaLake OswegoMonterey Bay

Is John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation open to new grantees?

41%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 9 of 22 grantees (41%) were first-time recipients. With only 22 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $9K. How we count

Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.

  • 59% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving grew 93% from 2022 to 2025. Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 378% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$100K$200K$300K9 grants2020 18 grants2021 19 grants2022 12 grants2023 19 grants2024 22 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $76K (2023) to $221K (2021). In 2025 it made 22 grants totaling $203K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
SPCA Monterey County Monterey, CASupport$23,000
Boys & Girls Club of Southwest WA Vancouver, WASupport$20,100
Lakeshore Foundation Birmingham, ALSupport$15,000
Transitional Youth Portland, ORSupport$15,000
Friends of the Childern SW Washington Portland, ORSupport$10,600
Forward Edge Int'l Brush Prairie, WASupport$10,000
Nat'l Resturant Assoc Ed Fdn Washington, DCSupport$10,000
NW Athletic Blind Association Vancouver, WASupport$10,000
Read NW Vancouver, WASupport$10,000
Safe House of the Desert Thousand Palms, CASupport$10,000
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation?

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

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2025$1,431,170$1,145,653$209,177$203,09322$203,093$487,426$53,686
2024$1,043,177$291,767$176,034$172,74919$172,749$164,683$48,697
2023$927,444$170,498$78,990$76,45012$76,450$40,221$45,742
2022$835,936$-337,862$111,309$105,01819$105,018$5,654$50,195
2021$1,281,056$398,569$231,752$221,34518$221,345$312,241$60,083
2020$1,056,493$414,312$80,485$80,1009—$333,152$35,473

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation reported a distributable amount of $54K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

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

Mission & Focus Areas

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations working in varied areas. For example, Lakeshore Foundation describes its mission as providing opportunities for people with disabilities to live healthy lifestyles through physical activity, research, advocacy, and health promotion. First Image describes its mission as empowering individuals to make life-affirming choices through education, compassionate counsel, services, and support based on the ministry of Jesus Christ.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2025, the foundation gave 22 grants totaling $203,093. Grants ranged from $60 to $23,000, with a median grant of $10,000.

Among the largest reported grants were $23,000 to SPCA Monterey County; $20,100 to Boys & Girls Club of Southwest WA; $15,000 each to Lakeshore Foundation and Transitional Youth; and $10,600 to Friends of the Children SW Washington. Other $10,000 grants included Forward Edge Int’l, Nat’l Restaurant Assoc Ed Fdn, NW Athletic Blind Association, Read NW, Safe House of the Desert, Seton Catholic HS, and Young America Found. First Image received $5,000 in 2025.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists John J Tennant Jr as president and Lois A Tennant as secretary.

John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation is led by John J. Tennant Jr., President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • John J. Tennant Jr.

    President

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Lois A. Tennant

    Secretary

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

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.

Frequently asked questions about John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation

How much does John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation give each year?

John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation gave $203K across 22 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $173K across 19 grants.

What is John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation's typical grant size?

John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $9,232, across 22 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation that year got $10K on average.

Where does John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation give grants?

John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation's top state is Washington, with 38% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Oregon (26%) and California (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Vancouver, WA (7 grants) and Portland, OR (3 grants).

Does John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation give general operating support?

Not in 2025: none of the 22 grants with a stated purpose on John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support" (22 grants).

Who are John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation's largest grantees?

John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include SPCA Monterey County ($23,000), Boys & Girls Club of Southwest WA ($20,100) and Lakeshore Foundation ($15,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation?

John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation reported $1.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $203K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $54K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation fund?

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations working in varied areas. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation?

The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation's EIN?

John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1912105. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Does John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?

No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.

Data update history

(2)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 27, 2026)
  2. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Live grants for the work John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation funds

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Oregon

M J Murdock Charitable Trust

Vancouver, WA

The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust funds nonprofit capacity-building and projects in arts and culture, civic and community services, education, health and environmental stewardship, and scientific research across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Its 2024 median grant was $87,000, with awards ranging from $4,000 to about $1.55 million. Eligible organizations can submit a Letter of Inquiry; full applications are by invitation.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$2.0B

Grants

797

Total Given

$116.6M

The New York Community Trust

New York, NY

The New York Community Trust funds nonprofit programs in areas such as arts, education, health, the environment, workforce development, and youth development, including projects that improve services, build organizational capacity, or advance policy and systems change. Its competitive grants mainly serve New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, with some national and international environmental funding; the 2024 median grant was $20,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$3.5B

Grants

2,748

Total Given

$193.8M

The Oregon Community Foundation

Portland, OR

The Oregon Community Foundation funds Oregon nonprofits and community-serving projects across education, health, arts and culture, housing, economic and community vitality, and the environment. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, with awards ranging from about $5,000 to nearly $8 million; applications are accepted through specific grant programs and cycles, but the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$3.3B

Grants

2,149

Total Given

$171.4M

Tennant Foundation

Portland, OR

Assets

$515K

Grants

9

Total Given

$62K

The Firstenburg Foundation

Vancouver, WA

The Firstenburg Foundation supports housing, shelter, homelessness services, youth programs, and other community needs, primarily in Washington, with some funding in Oregon. Its 2024 grants ranged from $50 to $215,000, with a median of $10,000. It requires an application form and supporting materials, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$42.8M

Grants

68

Total Given

$1.3M

Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation

Wilsonville, OR

The Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation supports Oregon nonprofits working in education, community, arts and creativity, health, and well-being, often through unrestricted operating grants. Its 2024 grants had a median of $18,000, though awards ranged widely; it also has a Washington Fund for organizations serving Washington and/or Oregon. Its primary grant programs open in January and June; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Human Services

Assets

$374.9M

Grants

663

Total Given

$20.5M

More similar funders

More Funders in Oregon

Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/john-j-and-lois-a-tennant-foundation-morg_31034e9fc3eb4b18a279075ee40c2bc5

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_911912105_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/john-j-and-lois-a-tennant-foundation-morg_31034e9fc3eb4b18a279075ee40c2bc5},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-22. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}

The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.

Figures come from John J and Lois a Tennant 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.

John J and Lois a Tennant Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?