Pya Foundation
Pya Foundation is a private foundation based in Knoxville, Tennessee. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including organizations in Tennessee and other states.
Pya Foundation at a glance
In short: Pya Foundation gave $67K across 11 grants in 2024 (avg $6K), top state Tennessee. 55% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $67,000
- +177.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 11
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $6,091
- +177.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $831
- -24.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 55% first-time grantees (6 of 11, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (46% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Pya Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests; it states that contributions are made only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2220 Sutherland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37919
Phone: (865) 673-0844
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Pya Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was American Red Cross ($20K). Together the top 10 received $67K.
Grant Size Distribution
61 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 61 grants of 61 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Tennessee (46%), the District of Columbia (30%), Georgia (15%), Maryland (7%), and California (1%). Its listed grants also included a recipient in North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Pya Foundation open to new grantees?
55%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 6 of 11 grantees (55%) were first-time recipients. With only 11 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 9 points. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $10K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 36% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 85% 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 (2020–2024). 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
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $24K (2023) to $73K (2020). In 2024 it made 11 grants totaling $67K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Red Cross Washington, DC | General Support/Hurricane Helene | $20,250 |
| Ballad Health Foundation Johnson City, TN | General Support/Hurricane Helene | $20,250 |
| American Cancer Society Atlanta, GA | Sponsorship | $10,000 |
| Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Bethesda, MD | Sponsorship | $5,000 |
| Helen Ross McNabb Foundation Knoxville, TN | Sponsorship | $5,000 |
| Random Acts of Flowers Knoxville, TN | General Support | $2,500 |
| The Dollywood Foundation Knox County Imagination Library Pigeon Forge, TN | Sponsorship | $1,500 |
| My Good Deed DBA 911 Day Irvine, CA | General Support | $1,000 |
| United Way of Greater Knoxville Knoxville, TN | Sponsorship | $1,000 |
| Brave Step Inc Concord, NC | General Support | $250 |
Ready to take the next step with Pya Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $831 | $66,767 | $67,032 | $67,000 | 11 | $67,000 | $17 | $146 |
| 2023 | $1,096 | $24,501 | $24,150 | $24,150 | 11 | $24,150 | $1 | $96 |
| 2022 | $745 | $18,379 | $25,270 | $25,250 | 8 | $25,250 | $4 | $236 |
| 2021 | $7,636 | $42,355 | $36,312 | $36,272 | 11 | $36,272 | $5 | $321 |
| 2020 | $1,593 | $70,005 | $73,050 | $73,050 | 20 | — | $5 | $336 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Pya Foundation reported a distributable amount of $146 for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for health and cancer-related organizations, community services, and charitable sponsorships. For example, Ballad Health Foundation describes its purpose as advancing Ballad Health’s mission through philanthropy to improve community health and well-being. The American Cancer Society says it works to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support. Random Acts of Flowers says it supports emotional health and well-being in healthcare facilities through recycled flowers and acts of kindness.
Grantmaking
In 2024, Pya Foundation gave $67,000 through 11 grants. Grant amounts ranged from $250 to $20,250, with a median grant of $2,500. The two largest grants were $20,250 each: one to American Red Cross for general support/Hurricane Helene and one to Ballad Health Foundation for general support/Hurricane Helene. Other notable grants included $10,000 to American Cancer Society for sponsorship, $5,000 to Helen Ross McNabb Foundation for sponsorship, and $2,500 to Random Acts of Flowers for general support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Jeff Pate as chair, Tynan Kugler as president, Deborah O Ernsberger as secretary, and Andrew Stafford as director.
Pya Foundation is led by Tynan Kugler, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Tynan Kugler
President
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Pate
Chair
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Stafford
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deborah O. Ernsberger
Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: David McMillan (2020–2023) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Pya Foundation
How much does Pya Foundation give each year?
Pya Foundation gave $67K across 11 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $24K across 11 grants.
What is Pya Foundation's typical grant size?
Pya Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,500, and its average grant was $6,091, across 11 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Pya Foundation that year got $3K on average.
Where does Pya Foundation give grants?
Pya Foundation's top state is Tennessee, with 46% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (30%) and Georgia (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Knoxville, TN (4 grants).
Does Pya Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 45% of Pya Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 11) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Sponsorship" (6 grants).
Who are Pya Foundation's largest grantees?
Pya Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include American Red Cross ($20,250), Ballad Health Foundation ($20,250) and American Cancer Society ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 75% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Pya Foundation?
Pya Foundation reported $831 in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $67K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $146 (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Pya Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for health and cancer-related organizations, community services, and charitable sponsorships. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Pya Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests; it states that contributions are made only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Pya Foundation's EIN?
Pya Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-1725360. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Pya 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Pya Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Stowers Machinery Foundation Inc
Knoxville, TN
Stowers Machinery Foundation supports a broad range of children’s, health, education, cultural, youth, and community organizations, with most of its giving in Tennessee. In 2025, grants ranged from $200 to $100,000, with a median of $2,500. Its filing says giving is not restricted to preselected organizations, but does not specify whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$170K
Grants
106
Total Given
$1.0M
The Charlie & Moll Anderson Foundation
Florence, AL
The foundation funds basic needs such as shelter, hunger, education, and protecting women and children, along with a range of charitable organizations. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $3.5 million, with a median of $15,000; most funding went to Tennessee, with some grants elsewhere. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$14.2M
Grants
29
Total Given
$5.6M
Food City Charitable Foundation
Abingdon, VA
The foundation provides unrestricted support to local nonprofits to help cover funding shortfalls, including organizations working in children’s care, health, social services, community events, and arts and culture. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,500 to $105,500, with a median of $15,000, and most funding went to organizations in Tennessee and Virginia. The available information does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$6.1M
Grants
67
Total Given
$1.5M
University Health System Inc
Knoxville, TN
University Health System supports nonprofits in the greater Knoxville area whose work aligns with its mission in healing, education and discovery, including health care, education, research, recovery and youth programs. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,000 to $112,000, with a median of $6,750; it accepts requests through an online form and reviews them quarterly.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
34
Total Given
$552K
The Clayton Homes Foundation
Maryville, TN
The Clayton Homes Foundation supports housing, financial empowerment, community services, education, and other charitable work, with most 2024 grant dollars going to Tennessee and additional funding in Georgia, Kentucky, Washington, D.C., and Michigan. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $1,815,000, with a median of $10,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$6.4M
Grants
93
Total Given
$6.3M
More similar funders
More Funders in Tennessee
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Pya Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/pya-foundation-morg_b2bc3af33f3a49cb9f217bfcdbc406b5
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_621725360_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Pya Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/pya-foundation-morg_b2bc3af33f3a49cb9f217bfcdbc406b5},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Pya 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.
Pya Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?