Lawson Family Foundation
The Lawson Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Knoxville, Tennessee. Established by Phil Lawson in 2020, it supports efforts to promote justice and opportunity, primarily in Knoxville, and aims to benefit marginalized communities over generations.
Key facts about Lawson Family Foundation
In short: Lawson Family Foundation gave $2.4M across 86 grants in 2024 (avg $28K), mostly in Tennessee. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 86-1740122
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,399,500
- Grants made (2024)
- 86
- Average grant
- $27,901
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $237,516
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (93% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The foundation accepts applications from eligible public charities through its online process. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- For the remainder of 2026, applications are due September 1 and will be considered at the October 13 board meeting.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$238K
-85.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.4M
+127.8% YoY
Grant Count
86
+104.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$28K
+11.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Lawson Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $35K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
How Lawson Family Foundation gives
- 20% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 468% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to support efforts that promote justice and opportunity in all aspects of society, primarily in Knoxville, and to achieve lasting positive impact in marginalized communities. Its stated values include humility, compassion, diversity and inclusion, and justice.
Its priorities include programs that expand access to financial literacy, capital, quality employment, workforce development, and reentry support; strengthen early childhood development and literacy; and provide after-school enrichment, mentorship, and pathways to college and careers. It also supports efforts to prevent exploitation and violence and to protect and support survivors, alongside community health and food security.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of its grants. Emerald Charter Schools describes its mission as providing free, sustainable, high-quality public schools in Knoxville’s urban neighborhoods, with college-preparatory education for enrolled students. United Way of Greater Knoxville says it unites people and resources to strengthen communities and solve systemic issues. Raising a Voice addresses human trafficking, exploitation, prostitution, and vulnerability and provides basic services to women susceptible to or involved in those issues.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 86 grants totaling $2,399,500. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $500,000, with a median of $10,000. The largest awards included $500,000 to Emerald Charter Schools for general support, $200,000 to the University of Tennessee Foundation for the College of Social Work, $175,000 to United Way of Greater Knoxville for general support, and $150,000 to East Tennessee Community Design Center for sponsorship. Other notable awards were $100,000 each to Knox County Community Gardeners, Knoxville Leadership Foundation, and Your Move Collective.
Review Cycle
For the remainder of 2026, applications are due September 1 and will be considered at the October 13 board meeting. Awards are to be announced within one to two weeks after the meeting.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated focus is Knoxville and Knox County, Tennessee. Its filing says preference is given to organizations in Knox County that meet its funding priorities. In 2024, 93% of grant dollars went to recipients in Tennessee; the remaining shares were reported for Georgia (4%), and the District of Columbia, Texas, and California (1% each).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 86 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $423K (2021) to $2.4M (2024). In 2024 it made 86 grants totaling $2.4M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Emerald Charter Schools ($500K). Together the top 10 received $1.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
164 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 140 grants of 164 (85%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Emerald Charter Schools Knoxville, TN | General Support | $500,000 |
| University of Tennessee Foundation Knoxville, TN | College of Social Work | $200,000 |
| United Way of Greater Knoxville Knoxville, TN | General Support | $175,000 |
| East Tennessee Community Design Cen Knoxville, TN | Sponsorship | $150,000 |
| Knox County Community Gardeners Knoxville, TN | General Support | $100,000 |
| Knoxville Leadership Foundation Knoxville, TN | General Support | $100,000 |
| Your Move Collective Alpharetta, GA | General Support | $100,000 |
| Autism Breakthrough of Knoxville Knoxville, TN | General Support | $50,000 |
| East Tennessee Childrens Hospital Knoxville, TN | General Support | $50,000 |
| Kim Health Center Knoxville, TN | General Support | $50,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $237,516 | $1,256,708 | $2,623,268 | $2,399,500 |
| 2023 | $1,597,601 | $66,164 | $1,038,320 | $1,053,500 |
| 2022 | $2,425,497 | $163,161 | $936,674 | $830,000 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $237,516 | $1,597,601 | $2,425,497 |
| Revenue | $1,256,708 | $66,164 | $163,161 |
| Expenses | $2,623,268 | $1,038,320 | $936,674 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,399,500 | $915,150 | $830,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $396 | $608 | $63,161 |
| Distributable Amount | $34,875 | $96,456 | $147,848 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Phillip Lawson as chairman and David Arning as president. Directors are Cristy Lockwood, Gwen McKenzie, Tim McLemore, Carey Parker, Clarence Vaughn, Alan Williams, and Allie Welch, who is listed as secretary.
Lawson Family Foundation is led by David Arning, President on the 2024 filing; 1 of 9 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
David Arning
President
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$149K (2024)
Phillip Lawson
Chairman
President → Chairman, 2024
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Alan Williams
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Carey Parker
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Clarence Vaughn
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Cristy Lockwood
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Gwen McKenzie
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Tim McLemore
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Allie Welch
Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Matthew Harrell (2021–2023) — Executive Director & Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $149K, to David Arning (President).
Contact
Application contact: Lawson Family Foundation
Mailing address: 900 S Gay St, Suite 2000, Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 229-8206
Email: info@lawsonfamilyfoundation.org
Website: https://lawsonfamilyfoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about Lawson Family Foundation
How much does Lawson Family Foundation give each year?
Lawson Family Foundation gave $2.4M across 86 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.1M across 42 grants.
What is Lawson Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Lawson Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $27,901, across 86 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Lawson Family Foundation give grants?
Lawson Family Foundation gives mostly in Tennessee: 93% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Knoxville, TN (57 grants), Washington, DC (5 grants) and Maryville, TN (3 grants).
Does Lawson Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 83% of Lawson Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (71 of 86) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Sponsorship" (4 grants).
Who are Lawson Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Lawson Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Emerald Charter Schools ($500,000), University of Tennessee Foundation ($200,000) and United Way of Greater Knoxville ($175,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Lawson Family Foundation?
Lawson Family Foundation reported $238K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $35K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Lawson Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to support efforts that promote justice and opportunity in all aspects of society, primarily in Knoxville, and to achieve lasting positive impact in marginalized communities. Its stated values include humility, compassion, diversity and inclusion, and justice. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Lawson Family Foundation?
The foundation accepts applications from eligible public charities through its online process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Lawson Family Foundation's EIN?
Lawson Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-1740122. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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