The Boyd Foundation
The Boyd Foundation is a private foundation based in Knoxville, Tennessee. Launched by Jenny and Randy Boyd in 2017, it supports organizations and initiatives focused on education and youth development, animal welfare, arts and preservation, and mental health, with the stated aim of making the greater Knoxville area a place of opportunity for all.
The Boyd Foundation at a glance
In short: The Boyd Foundation gave $9.4M across 60 grants in 2024 (avg $157K), mostly in Tennessee. 30% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $9,414,140
- +90.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 60
- -14.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $156,902
- +122.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $48,875
- Total assets
- $98,037,708
- +7.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 30% first-time grantees (18 of 60, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (99% 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 The Boyd Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Contact the foundation’s executive director, Krissy DeAlejandro, about submitting a request. The filing states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
- Review Cycle
- No deadlines are stated except for grants awarded as part of a contest.
- Deadline
- No deadlines are stated except for grants awarded as part of a contest.
- Contact
Application contact: Krissy Dealejandro
Mailing address: PO Box 52525, Knoxville, TN 37950
Phone: (865) 621-9223
Email: krissy@theboydfoundation.org
Website: https://theboydfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Boyd Foundation
Who The Boyd Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was University of Tennessee Foundation ($1.6M). Together the top 10 received $7.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
295 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 187 grants of 295 (63%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation identifies the greater Knoxville area as its community focus. Its 2024 filing reports that nearly all grant dollars went to Tennessee recipients: 99% to Tennessee, with small reported shares to New York and Virginia and less than 1% to Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 60 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Boyd Foundation open to new grantees?
30%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 18 of 60 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $129K; repeat grants $169K. How we count
Medians: $40K first-time, $49K repeat.
- 63% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 25% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 199% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $1.6M (2020) to $9.4M (2024). In 2024 it made 60 grants totaling $9.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Tennessee Foundation Knoxville, TN | Enriches the lives of the students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the university of Tennessee through alumni engagement, financial stewardship, and private gift support. | $1,565,482 |
| Carter County Chamber Foundation Elizabethton, TN | Hurricane Helene Relief Fund | $1,000,000 |
| United Way of Greater Knoxville Knoxville, TN | To improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities to advance the common good. | $987,500 |
| 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 |
| Wesley House Community Center Knoxville, TN | To assist and provide services for knoxville's most under resourced and marginalized areas | $750,000 |
| Zoo Knoxville Knoxville, TN | To Share Fun Experiences That Educate and Inspire. | $666,667 |
| Hometon Service Coalition Mountain City, TN | Hurricane Helene Relief | $400,000 |
| Helen Ross McNabb Foundation Knoxville, TN | To support the work of the mcnabb center with leadership and direction. | $307,500 |
| 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 |
| Muse Knoxville Knoxville, TN | To inspire and empower all children thorugh transformative learning experiences. | $250,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Boyd Foundation?
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 | $98,037,708 | $4,267,434 | $9,772,878 | $9,414,140 | 60 | $9,555,252 | $3,748,992 | $4,812,147 |
| 2023 | $91,203,598 | $-748,061 | $5,276,895 | $4,946,347 | 70 | $5,106,276 | $1,410,798 | $4,308,277 |
| 2022 | $85,338,676 | $810,446 | $3,908,103 | $3,574,318 | 77 | $3,723,526 | $1,323,067 | $4,421,934 |
| 2021 | $105,029,277 | $-11,925 | $7,927,304 | $7,529,003 | 54 | $7,665,986 | $1,461,232 | $4,923,332 |
| 2020 | $100,002,866 | $101,705,056 | $1,712,487 | $1,641,000 | 34 | — | — | $205,757 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to make the greater Knoxville area a place of opportunity for all. It says it supports high-quality education, robust youth programs, animal welfare, mental health, and arts and cultural organizations. It emphasizes evidence-based organizations and innovation intended to strengthen the community.
Its grantmaking includes organizations serving a range of needs. For example, United Way of Greater Knoxville describes its mission as uniting people and resources to strengthen communities and solve systemic issues. Girl Talk says it works to empower girls by reducing the likelihood of teen pregnancy and helping them advance educationally. Wesley House Community Center describes services including preschool and adult learning, assistance for people in need, and abuse prevention and counseling. Big Ears Festival says it supports artistic expression and cultural education through music, film, arts programming, and interactive experiences.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 60 grants totaling $9,414,140. Grants ranged from $500 to $1,565,482, with a median grant of $48,875. Among the largest awards were $1,565,482 to the University of Tennessee Foundation, $1,000,000 to the Carter County Chamber Foundation for its Hurricane Helene Relief Fund, $987,500 to United Way of Greater Knoxville, $830,000 to Girl Talk, and $750,000 to Wesley House Community Center. Other notable awards included $666,667 to Zoo Knoxville, $400,000 to Hometon Service Coalition for Hurricane Helene relief, and $300,000 to Big Ears Festival.
The foundation’s filing says requests should be submitted on the organization’s letterhead and include an IRS 501(c)(3) designation and proof of active status on the date of the request. The website’s application confirmation asks applicants to submit an organization budget, program or initiative budget, audited financial statements, board and staff lists, and an annual report if applicable. Awards are limited to charitable organizations, educational institutions, or city or county government entities.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Randal D. Boyd as president; Jenny H. Boyd as vice president and secretary; Thomas Boyd, Lindsey Boyd, and Harrison Boyd as directors; Krissy DeAlejandro as executive director; and Chad Dykes as controller. The foundation’s website also identifies Randy Boyd, Jenny Boyd, Thomas and Lindsey Boyd, and Harrison Boyd as board members.
The Boyd Foundation is led by Krissy Dealejandro, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 1 of 7 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Krissy Dealejandro
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
$40K (2021) → $102K (2024)
Randal D. Boyd
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Lindsey Boyd
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Thomas Boyd
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Harrison Boyd
Director
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Jenny H. Boyd
Vice President & Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Chad Dykes
Controller
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Rebecca McNeill (2020–2023) — Treasurer
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 $102K, to Krissy Dealejandro (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about The Boyd Foundation
How much does The Boyd Foundation give each year?
The Boyd Foundation gave $9.4M across 60 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4.9M across 70 grants.
What is The Boyd Foundation's typical grant size?
The Boyd Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $48,875, and its average grant was $156,902, across 60 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Boyd Foundation that year got $129K on average.
Where does The Boyd Foundation give grants?
The Boyd Foundation gives mostly in Tennessee: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Knoxville, TN (42 grants), Nashville, TN (6 grants) and Maryville, TN (2 grants).
Does The Boyd Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 60 grants with a stated purpose on The Boyd Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "For Annual Budget." (8 grants).
Who are The Boyd Foundation's largest grantees?
The Boyd Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include University of Tennessee Foundation ($1,565,482), Carter County Chamber Foundation ($1,000,000) and United Way of Greater Knoxville ($987,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 38% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Boyd Foundation?
The Boyd Foundation reported $98.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $9.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Boyd Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to make the greater Knoxville area a place of opportunity for all. It says it supports high-quality education, robust youth programs, animal welfare, mental health, and arts and cultural organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Boyd Foundation?
Contact the foundation’s executive director, Krissy DeAlejandro, about submitting a request. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
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
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Boyd Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Boyd Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-boyd-foundation-morg_eb6528e0e71244268ab2b77b19662ce9
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_371877729_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Boyd Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-boyd-foundation-morg_eb6528e0e71244268ab2b77b19662ce9},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 The Boyd Foundation'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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