Smokies Life
The Smokies Life supports the perpetual preservation of the great smoky mountains national park and the national park system by promoting greater public understanding and appreciation through education, interpretation, and research.
Key facts about Smokies Life
In short: Smokies Life gave $1.6M across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $1.6M), mostly in Tennessee. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- EIN
- 62-0576032
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990 filing, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,634,054
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- Average grant
- $1,634,054
- Median grant
- $1,634,054
- Total assets
- $14,175,023
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2024; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 filing · View filing
Total Assets
$14.2M
+1.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.6M
Grant Count
1
Avg Grant Size
$1.6M
About Smokies Life
Based on IRS filings
Smokies Life is a nonprofit organization, based in Gatlinburg, TN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $14.2M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $1.6M. Net investment income was $577K.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 1 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $1.6M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 1 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Great Smoky Mountains National Park ($1.6M).
Grant Size Distribution
1 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 1 grant of 1 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park Gatlinburg, TN | To support the many educational, scientific, and interpretive programs of the national park. | $1,634,054 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $14,175,023 | $13,964,030 | $11,534,645 |
| Revenue | $8,804,233 | $9,846,297 | $8,245,646 |
| Expenses | $9,327,896 | $7,881,616 | $7,056,073 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $577,389 | $327,045 | $120,956 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Smokies Life is led by Laurel Rematore, Chief Executive Officer on every filing since 2020; 3 of 17 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Laurel Rematore
Chief Executive Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$116K (2020) → $160K (2024)
Jacqueline Harp
Chief Executive Officer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$38K (2024)
Geoff Cantrell
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ed McAlister
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jerry Deweese
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mitch Crisp
Director
Vice Chair → Chair, 2022
Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Railsback
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Janet McCue
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura Jones
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laurie McNair
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Royce Pevy
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leah Larocco
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lori Hines
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Zak Lancaster
Chief Financial Officer
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
$100K (2024)
Jan Houston-Hickman
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Davis
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jill Thompson
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Dan Pierce (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Gaynell Lawson (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Jamie Ballinger (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Tom Taylor (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Bill Turner (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Kelly Leonard (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Ronald Storto (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Ellis S. Bacon (2020–2021) — Chair
- Former: Katie Kerr (2020–2021) — Secretary
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 $160K, to Laurel Rematore (Chief Executive Officer). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Smokies Life
How much does Smokies Life give each year?
Smokies Life gave $1.6M across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
How large is Smokies Life?
Smokies Life reported $14.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Its revenue that year was $8.8M.
Where does Smokies Life operate?
Smokies Life has awarded grants in Tennessee.
What is Smokies Life's EIN?
Smokies Life's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-0576032. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Here's the math on researching Smokies Life by hand.
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