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Smokies Life

Grantmaker Gatlinburg, TN EIN: 62-0576032 Website

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

1state

Share of all 1 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

States

Cities

Gatlinburg

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$500K$1M$1.5M$2M0 grants20200 grants20210 grants20220 grants20231 grants2024

In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $1.6M.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 1 recipients in 2024

Great Smoky Mountains National Park: $1.6MGreat Smoky Mountains NationalPark$1.6M

The largest 2024 recipient was Great Smoky Mountains National Park ($1.6M).

Grant Size Distribution

1 grants across all recorded years

<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M1$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 1 grant of 1 (100%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Gatlinburg, TNTo support the many educational, scientific, and interpretive programs of the national park.$1,634,054

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$5M$10M$15M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
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

  1. 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

Laurel Rematore — Chief Executive Officer: $160KLaurel RematoreChief Executive Officer$160KZak Lancaster — Chief Financial Officer: $100KZak LancasterChief Financial Officer$100KJacqueline Harp — Chief Executive Officer: $38KJacqueline HarpChief Executive Officer$38K

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.

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