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:
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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
No grants recorded for .
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
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Similar funders by location and focus area
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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