The McKenzie Foundation is a private family foundation based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Established in 2004 and tax-exempt since January 2006, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting nonprofits in the greater Chattanooga area and beyond.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$17.8M
-7.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$742K
+30.8% YoY
Grant Count
38
+5.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20K
+23.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The McKenzie Foundation seeks to meet the needs of people in the greater Chattanooga area by supporting the work and ideas of area nonprofits. Since its inception in 2004, the Foundation has partnered with various organizations to increase the success and well-being of Chattanooga's residents.
The foundation's primary funding focus areas are:
- Education
- Social Services
- Human Services
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
The foundation also supports operating funds for eligible organizations and vehicle sales used for exempt purposes.
Grantmaking
Average Grant
amount: Varies by year
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports organizations in Tennessee, Virginia, and Ohio. The foundation also supports various U.S. cities and states, including Miami, New York, Nashville, and communities in Alabama, California, and Florida.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $17,799,606
- Total Expenses: $1,137,148
- Total Revenue: -$211,233
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Number of Employees: 0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $17,799,606 | $19,147,987 | $19,104,367 |
| Revenue | $-211,233 | $-175,445 | $-15,248 |
| Expenses | $1,137,148 | $969,327 | $978,744 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,031,606 | $876,509 | $892,468 |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | $777,823 | $844,327 | $944,388 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
154 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Johnny Smith – President, Treasurer, and Assistant Secretary (full-time, compensation: $132,812 as of 2024)
W. Thorpe McKenzie – Vice President (minimal hours, no compensation)
Sarah H. McKenzie – Director (minimal hours, no compensation)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHNNY SMITH | PRESIDENT/TREAS/ASST SEC | 40 | $156,650 |
| W THORPE MCKENZIE | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| SARAH H MCKENZIE | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| WILLIAM P AIKEN | SECRETARY/DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
Contact Information
- Website: mckenziefdn.org
- Phone: 423-386-2262
- Address: 1407 Market Street, Suite A, Chattanooga, TN 37402-4468
- EIN: 62-1805189
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Similar funders by location and focus area
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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