The Boyd Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2017 by Jenny and Randy Boyd to support their home state of Tennessee through strategic philanthropy. Based in Knoxville, Tennessee, the foundation has evolved from the Boyds' decade-long personal giving history into a comprehensive family foundation representing the collaborative philanthropic vision of the entire Boyd family, including board members Randy and Jenny Boyd, their sons Harrison and Thomas, and daughter-in-law Lindsey.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$98.0M
+7.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$9.4M
+90.3% YoY
Grant Count
60
-14.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$157K
+122.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Boyd Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The Boyd Foundation works to make the greater Knoxville area a place of opportunity for all by supporting high-quality education, robust youth programs, sustained animal welfare, critical mental health, and thriving arts and cultural organizations.
Approach: The foundation invests in evidence-based organizations and serves as a lab for innovation to bring new ideas and initiatives meant to strengthen the community.
Primary Focus Areas:
Education and Youth Development: Supporting organizations where students are at the center of all conversations, with measurable programs providing opportunity for all students to reach their full potential and become contributing citizens.
Animal Welfare: Advancing the health and well-being of the community's pets and animals through programs that create safe, fun spaces for community interaction and increase connection among people and between people and their pets.
Arts and Preservation: Supporting programs celebrating a diverse range of arts and artists and cultivating and sharing East Tennessee traditions to enrich the community and contribute to economic vitality.
Mental Health: Supporting critical mental health initiatives within the community.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
Approximately $72,740
Average Grant
Approximately $72,740
How to Apply
** Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Ready to take the next step with The Boyd Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Boyd Foundation focuses on the greater Knoxville area and East Tennessee region.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total assets: $98,037,708 (2024)
- Total giving: $9,414,140
- Annual giving: $4,946,347 (2023)
- Total expenses: $5,276,895 (2023)
- EIN: 37-1877729
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $98,037,708 | $91,203,598 | $85,338,676 |
| Revenue | $4,267,434 | $-748,061 | $810,446 |
| Expenses | $9,772,878 | $5,276,895 | $3,908,103 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $9,555,252 | $5,106,276 | $3,723,526 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,748,992 | $1,410,798 | $1,323,067 |
| Distributable Amount | $4,812,147 | $4,308,277 | $4,421,934 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
234 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Boyd Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include University of Tennessee Foundation ($1,565,482), Carter County Chamber Foundation ($1,000,000), United Way of Greater Knoxville ($987,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ARROWMONT SCHOOL OF ARTS & CRAFTS GATLINBURG, TN | TO SEEK TO BUILD AND ADMIRE MEANINGFUL ARTS AND CRAFTS EXPEERIENCES. | $80,730 |
| ASIAN CULTURAL CENTER OF TN KNOXVILLE, TN | TO PRESERVE AND ENRICH THE DIVERSITY OF ART AND CULTURE IN EAST TENNESSEE. | $5,000 |
| BEARDEN HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION KNOXVILLE, TN | FOR ANNUAL BUDGET. | $5,850 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF EAST TN KNOXVILLE, TN | TO TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF CHILDREN THROUGH MENTORSHIP. | $100,000 |
| BIG EARS FESTIVAL KNOXVILLE, TN | TO COLLABORATE WITH ARTISTS, AUDIENCES, AND COMMUNITIES TO CREATE JOYFUL, MEANINGFUL, AND TRANSCENDENT CULTURAL EXPERIENCES THAT DEFY BOUNDARIES, FUEL CURIOSITY, IGNITE THE SPIRIT, AND NOURISH THE SOUL | $300,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE TN VALLEY KNOXVILLE, TN | ANNUAL BUDGET | $80,000 |
| EAST TN COMMUNITY DESIGN CENTER KNOXVILLE, TN | TO ENVISION, INSPIRE AND IMPROVE EAST TENNESSEE THROUGH DESIGN. | $10,000 |
| EAST TN HISTORICAL SOCIETY KNOXVILLE, TN | TO ENGAGE THE PUBLIC WITH THE MESSAGE THAT HISTORY IS IMPORTANT. | $35,000 |
| EQUAL CHANCE FOR EDUCATION NASHVILLE, TN | TO PROVIDE HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES REGARDLESS OF RACE, RELIGION, OR NATION OR BIRTH | $47,750 |
| GIRL TALK INC KNOXVILLE, TN | TO EMPOWER GIRLS TO BECOME THEIR BEST SELVES BY REDUCING THE LIKELIHOOD OF TEEN PREGNANCY AND HELPING THEM TO ADVANCE EDUCATIONALLY | $830,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Randy Boyd: Co-founder; serves as the 26th President of the University of Tennessee System (since 2018); founded Radio Systems Corporation (now PetSafe Brands) in 1991 before selling it in 2020
- Jenny Boyd: Co-founder
- Harrison Boyd: Board member (son)
- Thomas Boyd: Board member (son)
- Lindsey Boyd: Board member (daughter-in-law)
- Krissy DeAlejandro: Executive Director
Contact: (865) 621-9223 | krissy@theboydfoundation.org
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RANDAL D BOYD | PRESIDENT | — | — |
| JENNY H BOYD | VICE PRESIDENT AND SECRETA | — | — |
| THOMAS BOYD | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| LINDSEY BOYD | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| KRISSY DEALEJANDRO | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 10 | $101,750 |
| HARRISON BOYD | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| CHAD DYKES | CONTROLLER | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Boyd Foundation gifted $750,000 to Smoky Mountains historic preservation efforts, demonstrating expanded commitment beyond the core Knoxville focus areas into regional preservation initiatives.
Boyd Foundation gifts $750K to Smoky Mountains historic preservationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Boyd Foundation fund?
**Mission:** The Boyd Foundation works to make the greater Knoxville area a place of opportunity for all by supporting high-quality education, robust youth programs, sustained animal welfare, critical mental health, and thriving arts and cultural organizations. **Approach:** The foundation invests in evidence-based organizations and serves as a lab for innovation to bring new ideas and initiatives meant to strengthen the community. **Primary Focus Areas:** • **Education and Youth Development:**…
How do I apply for a grant from The Boyd Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: $4,946,347 (2023) • Number of awards: 68 grants (2023) • Average grant size: Approximately $72,740 • Grant range: $5,000 to $5,000,000 • Decision timeline: Rolling basis **Application Process:** Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. **Recent Grants (2023):** • The University of Tennessee Foundation: $500,000 • United Way of Greater Knoxville: $300,000 and $282,500
Where does The Boyd Foundation make grants?
The Boyd Foundation focuses on the greater Knoxville area and East Tennessee region.
What size grants does The Boyd Foundation award?
In 2024, The Boyd Foundation awarded 60 grants totaling $9.4M — an average of about $157K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Boyd Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Boyd Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.8M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Boyd Foundation's EIN?
The Boyd Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 37-1877729. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Boyd Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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