The Bill Gatton Foundation
The Bill Gatton Foundation is a private foundation based in Bristol, Tennessee. It supports organizations working to expand educational opportunities, provide effective healthcare and medical treatments, and promote social and economic opportunity in Kentucky, Upper East Tennessee, and Southwest Virginia.
The Bill Gatton Foundation at a glance
In short: The Bill Gatton Foundation gave $27.1M across 9 grants in 2024 (avg $3.0M), mostly in Kentucky. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $27,136,856
- +200.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 9
- +80.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $3,015,206
- +66.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,800,000
- Total assets
- $930,727,219
- +6.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Kentucky (64% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Bill Gatton Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation describes itself as a non-solicitation organization. It has no official application; grant requests should outline the needs and the purposes for which funds will be used. Awards are restricted to organizations in the United States or its possessions for purposes described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, including religious, charitable, educational, scientific, public-safety testing, literacy, or prevention of cruelty to children or animals.
- Contact
Application contact: Billgattonfoundationjpmorgancom
Mailing address: C/O Jpmorgan Chase Bank Na 390, Madison Avenue 14Th Fl, New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 464-2334
Website: https://billgattonfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Bill Gatton Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was University of Kentucky ($13.2M). Together the top 9 received $27.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
44 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 19 grants of 44 (43%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that it supports Kentucky, Upper East Tennessee, and Southwest Virginia. In 2024, 64% of grant dollars went to recipients in Kentucky, 22% to Tennessee, and 14% to Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Bill Gatton Foundation gives
- Giving grew 271% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 60% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $7.2M (2020) to $27.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 9 grants totaling $27.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Kentucky Lexington, KY | Education | $13,200,000 |
| King University Bristol, TN | Education | $5,574,796 |
| Alice Lloyd College Pippa Passes, KY | Education | $4,000,000 |
| Virginia Highlands Community College Educational Foundation Abingdon, VA | Education | $2,000,000 |
| University of Virginia College at Wise Wise, VA | Education | $1,800,000 |
| McClean County Public Schools Calhoun, KY | Education | $265,000 |
| Bristol Tennessee City Schools Bristol, TN | Education | $150,000 |
| United Way of Bristol Bristol, TN | To Support the Mission of the Organization | $103,608 |
| Appalachian Literacy Initiative Bristol, TN | Education | $43,452 |
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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 | $930,727,219 | $97,485,805 | $30,868,363 | $27,136,856 | 9 | $28,825,320 | $45,037,437 | $47,714,422 |
| 2023 | $876,404,389 | $664,214,874 | $10,978,234 | $9,045,000 | 5 | $9,591,953 | $19,277,049 | $33,073,014 |
| 2022 | $172,195,015 | $23,443,239 | $11,171,002 | $10,033,200 | 11 | $10,120,346 | $23,111,735 | $9,930,236 |
| 2021 | $95,629,812 | $10,335,262 | $7,687,998 | $7,324,100 | 11 | — | $9,970,491 | $10,547,080 |
| 2020 | $96,079,009 | $23,969,446 | $7,469,508 | $7,216,550 | 8 | — | $3,783,037 | $7,487,791 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Bill Gatton Foundation reported a distributable amount of $47.7M 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’s mission is to support organizations that foster meaningful educational opportunities, effective healthcare and medical treatments, and a thriving region with expanded access to social and economic success. Its stated funding priorities include education; medical programs and treatments for causes important to Mr. Gatton; and community projects and local charitable organizations.
The 2024 grants illustrate support for educational institutions and organizations. King University describes its mission as preparing students in a Christian academic community to become responsible citizens and serve God, the church, and the world. Alice Lloyd College says it aims to educate mountain people for leadership by making college accessible to qualified mountain students regardless of financial situation. The Appalachian Literacy Initiative describes its work as providing new books to school-age rural and underprivileged children multiple times per school year to encourage reading and improve standardized-test reading scores.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 9 grants totaling $27,136,856. Grant amounts ranged from $43,452 to $13,200,000, with a median of $1,800,000. The largest awards were $13,200,000 to the University of Kentucky for education; $5,574,796 to King University for education; $4,000,000 to Alice Lloyd College for education; $2,000,000 to Virginia Highlands Community College Educational Foundation for education; and $1,800,000 to the University of Virginia College at Wise for education.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Danny L. Dunn as trustee and Robert Peel as trustee and executive director.
The Bill Gatton Foundation is led by Robert Peel, Trustee & Executive Director on every filing since 2023; all 2 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Robert Peel
Trustee & Executive Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$376K (2023) → $450K (2024)
Danny L. Dunn
Trustee
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$50K (2020) → $650K (2024)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Frank Winston (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: C. M. Gatton (2020–2022) — Trustee
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 $650K, to Danny L Dunn (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Bill Gatton Foundation
How much does The Bill Gatton Foundation give each year?
The Bill Gatton Foundation gave $27.1M across 9 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $9.0M across 5 grants.
What is The Bill Gatton Foundation's typical grant size?
The Bill Gatton Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,800,000, and its average grant was $3,015,206, across 9 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Bill Gatton Foundation give grants?
The Bill Gatton Foundation gives mostly in Kentucky: 64% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Tennessee (22%) and Virginia (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Bristol, TN (4 grants).
Does The Bill Gatton Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 9 grants with a stated purpose on The Bill Gatton Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Education" (8 grants).
Who are The Bill Gatton Foundation's largest grantees?
The Bill Gatton Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include University of Kentucky ($13,200,000), King University ($5,574,796) and Alice Lloyd College ($4,000,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 84% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Bill Gatton Foundation?
The Bill Gatton Foundation reported $930.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $28.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $47.7M (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 The Bill Gatton Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to support organizations that foster meaningful educational opportunities, effective healthcare and medical treatments, and a thriving region with expanded access to social and economic success. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Bill Gatton Foundation?
The foundation describes itself as a non-solicitation organization. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Bill Gatton Foundation's EIN?
The Bill Gatton Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-1266284. 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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