Robert L & Kathrina H Maclellan Founda
The Robert L. and Kathrina H. Maclellan Foundation is a private foundation based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Incorporated in 1972, it seeks to fulfill Robert Maclellan’s wish that his estate benefit the community and its people.
Robert L & Kathrina H Maclellan Founda at a glance
In short: Robert L & Kathrina H Maclellan Founda gave $3.0M across 47 grants in 2024 (avg $64K), mostly in Tennessee. 21% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,014,825
- +19.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 47
- -14.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $64,145
- +39.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $54,035,930
- -3.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (9 of 42, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (92% 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 Robert L & Kathrina H Maclellan Founda
- How to Apply
-
Applications must be submitted online, where instructions are provided. The filing states that giving is not restricted to preselected organizations. For award restrictions, it directs applicants to the Foundation’s website or its grants manager.
- Contact
Application contact: Tonya Whitman
Mailing address: 820 Broad Street Suite 300, Chattanooga, TN 37402-2604
Phone: (423) 755-3202
Website: https://rlkhmaclellan.net
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Robert L & Kathrina H Maclellan Founda funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Chattanooga Chamber Foundation ($350K). Together the top 10 received $1.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
344 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 232 grants of 344 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s stated vision centers on the Chattanooga area. In 2024, 92% of grant dollars went to recipients in Tennessee; 4% went to Florida, and 1% each went to Oregon, Georgia, and North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 47 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Robert L & Kathrina H Maclellan Founda open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 9 of 42 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $70K; repeat grants $72K. How we count
Medians: $75K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 69% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 23% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 124% of 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 $2.5M (2021) to $3.2M (2020). In 2024 it made 47 grants totaling $3.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga Chamber Foundation Chattanooga, TN | For Education of Youth and Children. | $350,000 |
| King University Bristol, TN | For General Operating Support. | $320,000 |
| United Methodist Neighborhood Centers Inc Chattanooga, TN | For Holistic Community Outreach and Development. | $300,000 |
| Hamilton County Schools Foundation Chattanooga, TN | For Education of Youth and Children. | $150,000 |
| Northside Neighborhood House Chattanooga, TN | For Outreach to the Indigent. | $150,000 |
| The Maclellan Foundation (Scotland) Clearwater, FL | For General Operating Support. | $131,325 |
| AAA Womens Services Inc Chattanooga, TN | For General Operating Support. | $100,000 |
| Chattanooga FC Foundation Chattanooga, TN | For Holistic Community Outreach and Development. | $100,000 |
| Lifespring Community Health Chattanooga, TN | For General Operating Support. | $100,000 |
| East Lake Expression Engine Chattanooga, TN | For General Operating Support. | $80,000 |
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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 | $54,035,930 | $2,697,737 | $4,709,372 | $3,014,825 | 47 | $3,991,722 | $2,001,524 | $3,222,077 |
| 2023 | $56,047,565 | $7,651,129 | $4,224,602 | $2,528,575 | 55 | $3,544,132 | $7,001,929 | $2,802,438 |
| 2022 | $52,621,038 | $579,908 | $4,544,202 | $2,672,502 | 68 | $3,620,247 | $340,047 | $3,048,816 |
| 2021 | $56,774,475 | $16,836,659 | $3,848,515 | $2,459,090 | 68 | $3,206,741 | $16,063,647 | $3,534,001 |
| 2020 | $43,597,188 | $956,618 | $4,577,011 | $3,179,401 | 106 | — | $345,497 | $2,890,675 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert L & Kathrina H Maclellan Founda reported a distributable amount of $3.2M 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
The Foundation states that its work focuses on families, youth, and education, and on developing leaders and organizations. Its 2024 grants included support for education, general operations, outreach to people and families, and holistic community outreach and development.
Grantees’ own missions illustrate the range of organizations supported. The Hamilton County Schools Foundation says it supports educational opportunities and excellence for all students; Chattanooga FC Foundation describes an after-school and summer soccer program that develops youth through soccer; and United Methodist Neighborhood Centers says it empowers children and families through spiritual development, discipleship, and leadership development. King University describes its mission as preparing students in a Christian academic community to serve God, the church, and the world.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 47 grants totaling $3,014,825. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $350,000, with a median of $50,000. Its largest grants included $350,000 to Chattanooga Chamber Foundation for youth and children’s education; $320,000 to King University for general operating support; and $300,000 to United Methodist Neighborhood Centers for holistic community outreach and development. Other awards included $150,000 each to Hamilton County Schools Foundation and Northside Neighborhood House.
The Foundation also reported direct charitable activities providing technical assistance and consulting for grantees, including volunteer consulting, training, strategic planning, and leadership coaching. It also partnered with the Chattanooga Chamber Foundation on a luncheon highlighting local literacy efforts.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Robert H. Maclellan as chairman; Reid A. Maclellan as vice chair and secretary; and Tyler Siira as treasurer and Finance/Audit Committee chair. Trustees listed are Robert C. Divine, Ron Bubba Helveston, Don Holwerda, Robert Bob Marshall, Bart Rolen, and Lara Munford-Shields. Robert Bosworth is listed as director emeritus.
Robert L & Kathrina H Maclellan Founda is led by Robert H. Maclellan, Chairman on every filing since 2020; 1 of 11 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Robert H. Maclellan
Chairman
On filings since 2020
38 hrs/week
$183K (2020) → $245K (2024)
Don Holwerda
Trustee & Governance Committee Chair
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lara Munford-Shields
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert C. Divine
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bart Rolen
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Bob Marshall
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ron Bubba Helveston
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jerry Stauffer
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Reid A. Maclellan
Vice Chair & Secretary
Secretary → Vice Chair & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Bosworth
Director Emeritus
Compensation Committee Chair → Trustee & Compensation Committee Chair, 2022
Trustee & Compensation Committee Chair → Director Emeritus, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tyler Siira
Treasurer, Finance & Audit Committee Cha
Trustee → Treasurer, Finance & Audit Committee Cha, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Tom McCallie (2023) — Director Emeritus
- Former: Donald J. Holwerda (2020–2021) — Governance Committee Chair
- Former: Jerome Stauffer (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Jonathan B. Rolen (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: N. Carter Newbold (2020–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Charles W. Phillips (2020) — Executive 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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $245K, to Robert H Maclellan (Chairman).
Frequently asked questions about Robert L & Kathrina H Maclellan Founda
How much does Robert L & Kathrina H Maclellan Founda give each year?
Robert L & Kathrina H Maclellan Founda gave $3.0M across 47 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.5M across 55 grants.
What is Robert L & Kathrina H Maclellan Founda's typical grant size?
Robert L & Kathrina H Maclellan Founda's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $64,145, across 47 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Robert L & Kathrina H Maclellan Founda that year got $70K on average.
Where does Robert L & Kathrina H Maclellan Founda give grants?
Robert L & Kathrina H Maclellan Founda gives mostly in Tennessee: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chattanooga, TN (28 grants), Hixson, TN (3 grants), Tigard, OR (3 grants) and Charlotte, NC (2 grants).
Does Robert L & Kathrina H Maclellan Founda give general operating support?
Yes: 64% of Robert L & Kathrina H Maclellan Founda's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (30 of 47) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "For Education of Youth and Children." (6 grants) and "For Outreach to Families." (3 grants).
Who are Robert L & Kathrina H Maclellan Founda's largest grantees?
Robert L & Kathrina H Maclellan Founda's largest 2024 grantees include Chattanooga Chamber Foundation ($350,000), King University ($320,000) and United Methodist Neighborhood Centers Inc ($301,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Robert L & Kathrina H Maclellan Founda?
Robert L & Kathrina H Maclellan Founda reported $54.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Robert L & Kathrina H Maclellan Founda fund?
The Foundation states that its work focuses on families, youth, and education, and on developing leaders and organizations. Its 2024 grants included support for education, general operations, outreach to people and families, and holistic community outreach and development. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Robert L & Kathrina H Maclellan Founda?
Applications must be submitted online, where instructions are provided. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Robert L & Kathrina H Maclellan Founda's EIN?
Robert L & Kathrina H Maclellan Founda's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7159802. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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
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Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Tennessee
Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation
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The Maclellan Foundation Inc
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The Maclellan Foundation funds faith-based ministries and related work in discipleship, leadership development, community transformation, literacy, and nonprofit capacity building, with grants made worldwide and some Chattanooga-focused work. In 2024, its median grant was $9,500, though awards ranged from $50 to $4 million. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
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The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Inc
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Weldon F Osborne Foundation Inc
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The Weldon F. Osborne Foundation funds religious, charitable, educational, healthcare, arts, and community programs, including homelessness prevention, disability services, and early childhood education, primarily in Greater Chattanooga, Tennessee. Recent grants ranged from $500 to $100,000, with a median of $10,000. It accepts requests through an online process that begins with a Letter of Inquiry.
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Robert F Stone Foundation AKA Bobby Stone
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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.
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Total Given
$107.1M
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Robert L & Kathrina H Maclellan Founda funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/robert-l-and-kathrina-h-maclellan-founda-morg_b19b4e9022fa4f36be1677350de9cc38
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237159802_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Robert L \& Kathrina H Maclellan Founda funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/robert-l-and-kathrina-h-maclellan-founda-morg_b19b4e9022fa4f36be1677350de9cc38},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Robert L & Kathrina H Maclellan Founda'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.
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