Project Help of East Tennessee Inc

Public charity · Grantmaker Knoxville, TN EIN: 80-0552516

PROVIDES EMERGENCY ENERGY ASSISTANCE WITH ELECTRICITY, NATURAL GAS, PROPANE, HEATING OIL, WOOD, OR COAL FOR FAMILIES ACROSS KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD'S (KUB) SERVICE TERRITORY. The program is administered by the Knoxville Community Action Council (CAC) and KUB.

Project Help of East Tennessee Inc at a glance

In short: Project Help of East Tennessee Inc gave $252K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $252K), mostly in Tennessee. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.

Annual giving (2025)
$252,396
+21.1% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
1
+0.0% vs 2024
Average grant
$252,396
+21.1% vs 2024
Median grant
$252,396
Total assets
$611,524
-0.6% vs 2024
Primary geography
Tennessee (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.

Who Project Help of East Tennessee Inc funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top recipient in 2025

Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee: $252KKnoxville-Knox CountyCommunity Action Committee$252K

The largest 2025 recipient was Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee ($252K).

Grant Size Distribution

2 grants across all recorded years

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

The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 1 grant of 2 (50%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

1state

Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.

States

Cities

Knoxville

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$100K$200K$300K0 grants2019 0 grants2020 0 grants2021 0 grants2022 0 grants2023 1 grant2024 1 grant2025

From 2024 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $208K (2024) to $252K (2025). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $252K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee Knoxville, TNGrant support for needy residents of Knoxville, TN and Knox County.$252,396
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Project Help of East Tennessee Inc?

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 paidGrantsNet Investment Income
2025$611,524$248,917$252,758$252,3961$16,176
2024$615,365$232,080$208,790$208,4641$12,001
2023$592,075$238,696$132,770——$12,058
2022$486,149$235,924$94,178——$580
2021$344,403$236,896$335,993——$120
2020$443,500$249,798$112,137——$423
2019$305,839$189,233$115,074———

About Project Help of East Tennessee Inc

Based on IRS filings

Project Help of East Tennessee Inc is a public charity focused on Human Services, based in Knoxville, TN. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $612K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $252K. Net investment income was $16K.

Focus Areas

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Project Help of East Tennessee Inc is led by Betsi James, Chair since 2025 (on filings since 2020); none of the 18 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Betsi James

    Chair

    Board Member → Vice Chair, 2024

    Vice Chair → Chair, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Adele M. Sensing

    Board Member

    On filings since 2019

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Anna Freshour

    Secretary, Treasurer & Kub Representative

    Secretary & Treasurer → Treasurer, 2024

    Treasurer → Secretary, Treasurer & Kub Representative, 2025

    On filings since 2019

    5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Dale Grubbs

    Vice Chair

    Chair → Board Member, 2021

    Board Member → Vice Chair, 2025

    On filings since 2019

    5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Misty Goodwin

    Board Member

    On filings since 2019

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Sylvia Woods

    Board Member

    Board Member → Chair, 2024

    Chair → Board Member, 2025

    On filings since 2019

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Teresa Lawson

    Board Member

    On filings since 2019

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jeanie Fox

    Board Member

    Vice Chair → Chair, 2021

    Chair → Board Member, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • John Husky

    Board Member

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Tiffany Martin

    Board Member

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Cj Butcher

    Board Member

    On filings since 2022

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Leslye Hartsell

    Board Member

    On filings since 2023

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ashley Ogle

    Board Member

    On filings since 2024

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Cindy Winterberger

    Board Member

    On filings since 2024

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jackie Watson

    Board Member & Cac Representative

    Board Member → Board Member & Cac Representative, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Matt Magrans-Tillery

    Board Member

    On filings since 2024

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Amie Whitworth

    Board Member

    New on the 2025 filing

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Veronica Andrews

    Board Member & Kub Representative

    New on the 2025 filing

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (7)
  • Former: Bill Evans (2019–2023) — Vice Chair
  • Former: Cecelia Waters (2019–2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Derick Wafefiled (2020–2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Dino Cartwright (2019–2021) — Board Member
  • Former: Debbie Black (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Emerson Breeden (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Major W. Geer Jr. (2019) — Board Member

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.

Frequently asked questions about Project Help of East Tennessee Inc

How much does Project Help of East Tennessee Inc give each year?

Project Help of East Tennessee Inc gave $252K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $208K across 1 grant.

How large is Project Help of East Tennessee Inc?

Project Help of East Tennessee Inc reported $612K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $249K.

What is Project Help of East Tennessee Inc?

Project Help of East Tennessee Inc is a public charity focused on Human Services, based in Knoxville, TN. It holds $612K in total assets as of 2025.

Where does Project Help of East Tennessee Inc operate?

Project Help of East Tennessee Inc has awarded grants in Tennessee.

What is Project Help of East Tennessee Inc's EIN?

Project Help of East Tennessee Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 80-0552516. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.

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

Data update history

(4)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 27, 2025)
  2. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 16, 2026)
  3. Added Form 990-EZ for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 12, 2020)
  4. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Project Help of East Tennessee Inc's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Tennessee

Community Action for Affordable Neighborhoods

Knoxville, TN

To provide financial and construction services to low income indivduals and families in knoxville who wish to purchase or construct a home in the city limits.

Housing & Shelter

Assets

$213K

Grants

1

Total Given

$80K

The Grey Muzzle Organization

Raleigh, NC

Grey Muzzle funds U.S. nonprofits serving at-risk dogs age 7 and older, including programs for medical care, adoption, foster or hospice placement, and helping families keep senior dogs at home. Recent grants ranged from $6,000 to $41,200, with a median of $15,000. It invites only a limited number of new organizations to apply; interested nonprofits can join its mailing list for notices about calls for letters of inquiry.

Environment & Animals

Assets

$2.9M

Grants

103

Total Given

$1.6M

Meals on Wheels America

Arlington, VA

Meals on Wheels America funds and builds the capacity of community-based senior nutrition providers, supporting services such as meals, social connection, safety modifications, and emergency relief. Its 2025 grants had a median of $13,410 and ranged from $5,075 to $1,010,000, with recipients across multiple states. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Food, Agriculture & Nutrition

Assets

$64.3M

Grants

174

Total Given

$5.0M

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee Inc

Nashville, TN

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee supports nonprofits across a range of needs, including housing, disaster relief, education, health, public safety, and the arts. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $8,500, with amounts ranging widely; it primarily serves Middle Tennessee, with 76% of 2024 grant dollars going to Tennessee recipients. Special Interest Grant applications are submitted through its grants portal; no new competitive Community Impact cycle is planned for fiscal year 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

More similar funders

More Funders in Tennessee

The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open

Figures come from Project Help of East Tennessee Inc'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.

Project Help of East Tennessee Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?