Tennessee Health Foundation Inc

Private foundation · Grantmaker Chattanooga, TN EIN: 20-0298456

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.

Key facts about Tennessee Health Foundation Inc

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.

EIN
20-0298456
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$3,794,437
Grants made (2024)
75
Average grant
$50,592
Median grant
$8,000
New grantees (estimate)
46% first-time grantees (34 of 74, 2024)
Total assets
$281,754,063
Primary geography
Tennessee (98% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
How to apply
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Full details ↓
Deadline
May and November for Community Trust funding; August for Healthy Place funding.

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$281.8M

+8.9% YoY

Annual Giving

$3.8M

+107.0% YoY

Grant Count

75

+141.9% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$51K

-14.4% YoY

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.

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.

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.

Review Cycle

for Community Trust funding and August for Healthy Place funding. Award restrictions are described in the funding criteria.

Open Grants

1 open opportunity from Tennessee Health Foundation Inc

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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

7states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 75 itemized grants.

Cities

ChattanoogaNashvilleMemphisKnoxvilleJohnson CityKingsportJacksonLookout MountainBrentwoodMaryvilleMurfreesboroSan FranciscoAtlantaBlountvilleHermitageMilliganGaryMilligan CollegeWashingtonAlpharetta

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$2M$4M$6M$8M49 grants2020 68 grants2021 50 grants2022 31 grants2023 75 grants2024

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.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Community Foundation of Middle TN Inc: $1.7MCommunity Foundation of MiddleTN Inc$1.7MChattanooga Chamber Foundation: $1.0MChattanooga Chamber Foundation$1.0MBallad Health Foundation: $110KBallad Health Foundation$110KChattanooga Hamilton County Public Education Fund: $110KChattanooga Hamilton CountyPublic Education Fund$110KFirst TN Dev District Foundation: $100KFirst TN Dev DistrictFoundation$100KBoys & Girls America: $63KBoys & Girls America$63KUnited Way of East TN Highlands: $54KUnited Way of East TNHighlands$54KAmerican Red Cross: $52KAmerican Red Cross$52KSecond Harvest Food Bank of Ne TN: $50KSecond Harvest Food Bank of NeTN$50KGreater Kingsport Family YMCA: $50KGreater Kingsport Family YMCA$50K

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 1 grant to individuals ($10,000), which are not listed by name.

Grant Size Distribution

273 grants across all recorded years

207<$50K20$50–100K18$100–250K11$250–500K13$500K–1M4$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 207 grants of 273 (76%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Community Foundation of Middle TN Inc Nashville, TNVoices for Safer TN (#221382)$1,660,000
Chattanooga Chamber Foundation Chattanooga, TN2024 Cha Future Fund$1,000,000
Ballad Health Foundation Johnson City, TN2024 Hickey Match$110,000
Chattanooga Hamilton County Public Education Fund Chattanooga, TN2024 Hickey Match$110,000
First TN Dev District Foundation Johnson City, TNHelene Disaster Response$100,000
Boys & Girls America Atlanta, GABoys & girls clubs of America youth mental health partnership$62,500
United Way of East TN Highlands Johnson City, TN2024 Ryans Match (Hurricane Response)$54,080
American Red Cross Nashville, TN2024 Bosse Match$52,000
Second Harvest Food Bank of Ne TN Kingsport, TNDisaster Relief Funding$50,230
Greater Kingsport Family YMCA Kingsport, TNHurricane Helene Response$50,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants Grant count
2024 $281,754,063 $38,529,126 $12,926,398 $3,794,437 75
2023 $258,697,791 $16,462,274 $12,640,244 $1,832,800 31
2022 $235,127,572 $5,035,738 $14,409,419 $3,630,736 50
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$20M$40M$60M2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$281,754,063$258,697,791$235,127,572
Revenue$38,529,126$16,462,274$5,035,738
Expenses$12,926,398$12,640,244$14,409,419
Qualifying Distributions$12,152,486$11,278,334$13,395,447
Net Investment Income$22,698,626$12,543,647$8,260,228
Distributable Amount$13,122,612$10,230,606$12,105,775

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

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.

Contact

Application contact: Chelsea Johnson
Mailing address: 1 Cameron Hill Circle, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Phone: (423) 535-1897

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 1 grant to individuals ($10,000), 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 September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

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