Tennessee Health Foundation Inc
Tennessee Health Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Its 2024 filing describes a focus on the BlueCross Healthy Place program, which invites Tennessee communities to propose projects that create opportunities for connection and activity, along with other grants to community nonprofits.
Tennessee Health Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Tennessee Health Foundation Inc gave $3.8M across 75 grants in 2024 (avg $51K), mostly in Tennessee. 46% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,794,437
- +107.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 75
- +141.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $50,592
- -14.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $8,000
- Total assets
- $281,754,063
- +8.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 46% first-time grantees (34 of 74, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (98% 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 Tennessee Health Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. The filing directs applicants to the stated funding criteria and identifies Chelsea Johnson as the contact. It lists May and November deadlines for Community Trust funding and August for Healthy Place funding. Award restrictions are described in the funding criteria.
- Review Cycle
- May and November for Community Trust funding; August for Healthy Place funding.
- Deadline
- May and November for Community Trust funding; August for Healthy Place funding.
- Contact
Application contact: Chelsea Johnson
Mailing address: 1 Cameron Hill Circle, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Phone: (423) 535-1897
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Tennessee Health Foundation Inc
Who Tennessee Health Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Community Foundation of Middle TN Inc ($1.7M). Together the top 10 received $3.2M.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($20,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
273 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 207 grants of 273 (76%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 filing reports that 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in Tennessee and 2% to recipients in Georgia. It also lists small rounded shares of 0% for California, Virginia, and Idaho.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 75 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Tennessee Health Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
46%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 34 of 74 grantees (46%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $41K; repeat grants $60K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 31% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 34% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 93% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $1.8M (2023) to $7.5M (2020). In 2024 it made 75 grants totaling $3.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Foundation of Middle TN Inc Nashville, TN | Voices for Safer TN (#221382) | $1,660,000 |
| Chattanooga Chamber Foundation Chattanooga, TN | 2024 Cha Future Fund | $1,000,000 |
| Ballad Health Foundation Johnson City, TN | 2024 Hickey Match | $110,000 |
| Chattanooga Hamilton County Public Education Fund Chattanooga, TN | 2024 Hickey Match | $110,000 |
| First TN Dev District Foundation Johnson City, TN | Helene Disaster Response | $100,000 |
| Boys & Girls America Atlanta, GA | Boys & girls clubs of America youth mental health partnership | $62,500 |
| United Way of East TN Highlands Johnson City, TN | 2024 Ryans Match (Hurricane Response) | $54,080 |
| American Red Cross Nashville, TN | 2024 Bosse Match | $52,000 |
| Second Harvest Food Bank of Ne TN Kingsport, TN | Disaster Relief Funding | $50,230 |
| Greater Kingsport Family YMCA Kingsport, TN | Hurricane Helene Response | $50,000 |
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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 | $281,754,063 | $38,529,126 | $12,926,398 | $3,794,437 | 75 | $12,152,486 | $22,698,626 | $13,122,612 |
| 2023 | $258,697,791 | $16,462,274 | $12,640,244 | $1,832,800 | 31 | $11,278,334 | $12,543,647 | $10,230,606 |
| 2022 | $235,127,572 | $5,035,738 | $14,409,419 | $3,630,736 | 50 | $13,395,447 | $8,260,228 | $12,105,775 |
| 2021 | $273,121,111 | $21,010,932 | $17,059,331 | $5,769,670 | 68 | $16,027,878 | $23,370,382 | $12,362,119 |
| 2020 | $243,056,353 | $3,261,329 | $17,578,694 | $7,500,219 | 49 | — | $5,123,029 | $11,050,966 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Tennessee Health Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $13.1M 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 does not state a general mission in the provided information. Its 2024 filing says its signature BlueCross Healthy Place program supports community projects that foster connection and opportunities for activity. It also reports distributing other funds for nonprofit events focused on education, diversity and inclusion, disease management, and charitable care and clinics.
The grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the kinds of organizations supported. The Chattanooga Chamber Foundation says it works on public education to improve economic growth and employment opportunities. Ballad Health Foundation describes its purpose as supporting Ballad Health through philanthropy to advance community health and well-being. United Way of Greater Chattanooga describes its mission as uniting people and resources to build a stronger, healthier community. Other 2024 recipients included universities, a youth athletics organization, and a foundation that describes its work as community service and scholarships.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 75 grants totaling $3,794,437. Grants ranged from $306 to $1,660,000, with a median of $8,000.
The largest reported grants included $1,660,000 to Community Foundation of Middle TN Inc for “Voices for Safer TN” and $1,000,000 to Chattanooga Chamber Foundation for the “2024 CHA Future Fund.” Other notable grants included $110,000 each to Ballad Health Foundation and Chattanooga Hamilton County Public Education Fund for the “2024 Hickey Match,” and $100,000 to First TN Dev District Foundation for “Helene Disaster Response.” The foundation also gave $50,000 to United Way of Greater Chattanooga for its 2024 gift.
The filing describes approximately $9.7 million as allocated to the BlueCross Healthy Place signature program in 2024, and approximately $2.4 million for other funds distributed throughout the year. These program allocations are separate from the itemized grant total reported above.
The BlueCross Healthy Place Program is listed as active and currently open. It supports accessible public spaces designed to encourage physical activity and social interaction; eligible applicants include government entities and nonprofits. Projects are described as intended for public use and community benefit.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Chelsea Johnson as director; JD Hickey as president and CEO and board member; Jill Langston as secretary; James Hobbs as assistant secretary; Amy Andrews as treasurer/CRO; Mandy Savage as assistant treasurer; David Criswell as CFO; Dalya Qualls White as executive director; Daniel Gregory as controller and CAO; and Emily J Reynolds as chairperson.
Tennessee Health Foundation Inc is led by Jd Hickey, President, CEO & Board Member on every filing since 2020; none of the 21 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jd Hickey
President, CEO & Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dalya Qualls White
Executive Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emily J. Reynolds
Chairperson
Board Member → Vice Chairperson, 2021
Vice Chairperson → Chairperson, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chelsea Johnson
Director
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bruce A. Bosse
Vice Chairperson
Board Member → Vice Chairperson, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jack B. McCallie
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Hobbs
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jill Langston
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lottie F. Ryans
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mandy Savage
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Martha S. Wallen
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Miles A. Burdine
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Reginald W. Coopwood
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael D. Brookshire
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Gregory
Controller & CAO
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Criswell
CFO
Treasurer & Cro → CFO, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Johnny B. Moore Jr.
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Decosta E. Jenkins
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Andrews
Treasurer & Cro
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Calvin L. Anderson
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jamie R. Woodson
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: John Giblin (2020–2023) — CFO
- Former: Lamar J. Partridge (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Darrell S. Freeman (2020–2022) — Board Member - Term.
- Former: Dennis Culver (2020–2022) — Treasurer & Cro - Term.
- Former: Herbert H. Hilliard (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Marty G. Dickens (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Scott Wilson (2020–2022) — Vice President Corporate Com. - Term.
- Former: Dalya Qualls (2021) — Executive Director
- Former: James B. Baker (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Roy Vaughn (2020) — Executive Director
- Former: Trey White (2020) — Controller & CAO
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 Tennessee Health Foundation Inc
How much does Tennessee Health Foundation Inc give each year?
Tennessee Health Foundation Inc gave $3.8M across 75 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.8M across 31 grants.
What is Tennessee Health Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Tennessee Health Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $8,000, and its average grant was $50,592, across 75 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Tennessee Health Foundation Inc that year got $41K on average.
Where does Tennessee Health Foundation Inc give grants?
Tennessee Health Foundation Inc gives mostly in Tennessee: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chattanooga, TN (14 grants), Nashville, TN (13 grants), Memphis, TN (13 grants) and Knoxville, TN (9 grants).
Does Tennessee Health Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 75 grants with a stated purpose on Tennessee Health Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "2024 Hickey Match" (4 grants), "2024 Anderson Match" (4 grants) and "2024 Reynolds Match" (3 grants).
Who are Tennessee Health Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Tennessee Health Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Community Foundation of Middle TN Inc ($1,660,000), Chattanooga Chamber Foundation ($1,000,000) and Ballad Health Foundation ($110,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($20,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 73% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Tennessee Health Foundation Inc?
Tennessee Health Foundation Inc reported $281.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $12.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $13.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Tennessee Health Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation does not state a general mission in the provided information. Its 2024 filing says its signature BlueCross Healthy Place program supports community projects that foster connection and opportunities for activity. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Tennessee Health Foundation Inc?
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Tennessee Health Foundation Inc's EIN?
Tennessee Health Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-0298456. 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
Live grants for the work Tennessee Health Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Tennessee Health Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Tennessee
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Tennessee Health Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/tennessee-health-foundation-inc-morg_7c7df78c81994be9aa40c5394f8bdb75
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_200298456_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Tennessee Health Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/tennessee-health-foundation-inc-morg_7c7df78c81994be9aa40c5394f8bdb75},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-24. 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 Tennessee Health Foundation 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.
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