The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Inc
The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga (CFGC) is a community foundation based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, serving the greater Chattanooga area and surrounding counties. Incorporated in 1963 and tax-exempt since April 1965, the organization operates as a public charity classified under NTEE code T31 (Community Foundations). The foundation serves as a trusted intermediary connecting donors with causes that matter in the region, offering personalized charitable giving vehicles and strategic grantmaking to address community needs.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$245.3M
+8.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$25.8M
+15.7% YoY
Grant Count
810
+26.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$32K
-8.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: Together with our community and partners, we transform generosity into lasting change toward a prosperous and just Chattanooga where all can thrive and achieve their full potential.
The foundation's work centers on three core strategies:
- Inspiring Generosity: Providing personalized support and expert guidance to help donors live more generously and sustain their impact over time
- Working with Proximate Leaders: Partnering with diverse, collaborative leaders closest to community needs to identify solutions with the greatest impact
- Building Strong Anchors: Equipping local nonprofits with tools and strategies needed to thrive
Primary funding areas include:
- Scholarships and educational programs
- Area beautification and downtown development
- Health-related initiatives
- Civic and cultural improvements
- Educational and humanitarian programs
- Economic mobility and opportunity creation
Grantmaking
The foundation makes competitive grants to public charities primarily serving Hamilton County residents. Recent notable grants include:
Ready to take the next step with The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation serves Chattanooga and surrounding counties in the greater Chattanooga area, with primary focus on Hamilton County residents.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $226,608,341
- Total Revenues: $40,039,198
- Total Expenses: $29,127,013
- Employees: 18
As of 2021:
- Assets: $242.4 million
- Revenue: $52.1 million
- Investments: $46.8 million
- Employees: 13
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $245,328,670 | $226,608,341 | $209,491,622 |
| Revenue | $48,049,930 | $40,039,198 | $43,156,399 |
| Expenses | $31,066,028 | $29,127,013 | $26,150,391 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $18,556,626 | $17,643,273 | $16,712,714 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer ($170,000), Baylor School ($170,000), A Step Ahead Foundation Chattanooga Inc ($168,475).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A Better Shot Foundation Inc | Capital Campaign | $10,500 |
| A Better Shot Foundation Inc | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| A Step Ahead Foundation Chattanooga Inc | Annual Fund | $1,000 |
| A Step Ahead Foundation Chattanooga Inc | Disco Silent Fundaiser | $500 |
| A Step Ahead Foundation Chattanooga Inc | General Operating Support | $5,000 |
| A Step Ahead Foundation Chattanooga Inc | General Operating Support | $2,500 |
| A Step Ahead Foundation Chattanooga Inc | Unrestricted | $168,475 |
| Abortion Care for Tennessee | Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| Adult & Teen Challenge Mid-South | Addiction Recovery | $14,000 |
| Adventist Revival Ministries | Unrestricted | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President and CEO: Maeghan Jones
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHARLIE BROCK | EX-OFFICIO CHAIR | 1 | — |
| CHERYL KEY | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| DALLAS JOSEPH | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| DR RUTH LIU | Chair Elect | 1 | — |
| LORIE RUNGE | Vice Chair | 1 | — |
| SKIP SCHWARTZ | Treasurer | 1 | — |
| ANDREA HARDAWAY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BEN BROWN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRIS MCKEE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DANIELA PETERSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DR DAVE BHATTACHARYA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DR LE ANDREA WARE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GENE GEIGER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| Martha Leiper | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| Tejani Niti | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANSLEY MOSES | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| MAEGHAN JONES | PRESIDENT AND CEO | 40 | $222,447 |
| REBECCA UNDERWOOD | VP OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION | 40 | $144,429 |
| CAROLINE VON KESSLER | VP OF PHILANTHROPY | 40 | $119,515 |
| QUENTIN LAWRENCE | VP, COMMUNITY INVESTMENT | 40 | $100,455 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In December 2024, the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga received a $5 million line of credit to support affordable housing initiatives in the region, demonstrating the foundation's expanding role in addressing housing needs alongside its traditional grantmaking activities.
Community foundation receives $5 million line of credit for affordable housingSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Inc fund?
**Mission Statement:** Together with our community and partners, we transform generosity into lasting change toward a prosperous and just Chattanooga where all can thrive and achieve their full potential. The foundation's work centers on three core strategies: • **Inspiring Generosity:** Providing personalized support and expert guidance to help donors live more generously and sustain their impact over time • **Working with Proximate Leaders:** Partnering with diverse, collaborative leaders clo…
How do I apply for a grant from The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Inc?
The foundation makes competitive grants to public charities primarily serving Hamilton County residents. Recent notable grants include: • Collegedale Academy (Inspire Capital Campaign): $1,500,000 (2023) • Southern Adventist University (Ruth McKee School of Business): $1,500,000 (2023) • Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Hematologic Malignancy Innovation Fund): $1,000,000 (2023) In 2023, the foundation made 561 grants totaling $20,248,565. The foundation also channels significant resources …
Where does The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Inc make grants?
The foundation serves Chattanooga and surrounding counties in the greater Chattanooga area, with primary focus on Hamilton County residents.
What size grants does The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Inc award?
In 2024, The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Inc awarded 810 grants totaling $25.8M — an average of about $32K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Inc's EIN?
The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-6045999. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program
SOUTHEASTERN, PA
Assets
$22.2B
Grants
24,269
Total Given
$3.0B
National Philanthropic Trust
JENKINTOWN, PA
Assets
$42.2B
Grants
18,583
Total Given
$5.1B
The Blackbaud Giving Fund
CHARLESTON SC, SC
Assets
$52.7M
Grants
1,860
Total Given
$41.4M
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Assets
$9.1B
Grants
19,253
Total Given
$1.2B
Natl Christian Charitable Fdn Inc
ALPHARETTA, GA
Assets
$6.1B
Grants
16,327
Total Given
$2.6B
Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund
ST PETERSBURG, FL
Assets
$1.9B
Grants
6,906
Total Given
$288.7M
Verizon Foundation
BASKING RIDGE, NJ
Assets
$23.8M
Grants
5,464
Total Given
$7.0M
Chattanooga Christian Community
CHATTANOOGA, TN
Assets
$136.1M
Grants
567
Total Given
$36.4M
The Pfizer Foundation Inc
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$255.3M
Grants
9,306
Total Given
$23.2M
Jpmorgan Chase Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
10,334
Total Given
$202.5M
Shell Usa Company Foundation
HOUSTON, TX
Assets
$52.3M
Grants
4,650
Total Given
$16.0M
The Cigna Group Foundation
PHILADELPHIA, PA
Assets
$127.2M
Grants
4,075
Total Given
$14.1M
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Inc on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities