The Foundation for the College System of Tennessee

Public charity · Grantmaker Nashville, TN EIN: 62-1865935

The mission of the Foundation is: to encourage support and promote the advancement and awareness of the System and its member institutions as it serves as a vital workforce development resource. The Foundation Board members will also be asked to assist the External Affairs Office and Assistant Vice Chancellor of Strategic Advancement in fundraising and capital campaigns as well as create opportunities for the System not provided by state funding for its member institutions.

The Foundation for the College System of Tennessee at a glance

In short: The Foundation for the College System of Tennessee gave $25K across 3 grants in 2025 (avg $8K), mostly in Tennessee. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.

Annual giving (2025)
$25,030
-95.1% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
3
+50.0% vs 2024
Average grant
$8,343
-96.8% vs 2024
Median grant
$7,500
Total assets
$2,888,126
+16.2% vs 2024
Primary geography
Tennessee (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.

Who The Foundation for the College System of Tennessee funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 3 recipients in 2025

TCAT Jacksboro: $15KTCAT Jacksboro$15KTCAT Elizabethton: $8KTCAT Elizabethton$8KTCAT Morristown: $3KTCAT Morristown$3K

The largest 2025 recipient was TCAT Jacksboro ($15K). Together the top 3 received $25K.

Grant Size Distribution

5 grants across all recorded years

4<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K1$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 4 grants of 5 (80%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

3states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.

Cities

ElizabethtonFarmington HillsJacksboroMorristownOxnard

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$200K$400K$600K0 grants2020 0 grants2021 0 grants2022 0 grants2023 2 grants2024 3 grants2025

From 2024 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $25K (2025) to $515K (2024). In 2025 it made 3 grants totaling $25K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
TCAT Jacksboro Jacksboro, TNDual Enrollment from BOSCH Community Fund$14,530
TCAT Elizabethton Elizabethton, TNEmergency funds for people in Elizabethton who had loss from Hurricane Helene$7,500
TCAT Morristown Morristown, TNTo help with the victims who suffered loss from Hurricane Helene$3,000
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with The Foundation for the College System of Tennessee?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsNet Investment Income
2025$2,888,126$1,262,981$859,344$25,0303$72,411
2024$2,484,489$854,672$1,216,738$515,0002$19,216
2023$2,846,555$1,339,789$800,201——$658
2022$2,306,967$1,099,205$507,121——$652
2021$1,714,883$507,961$105,413——$852
2020$1,312,334$290,670$152,636——$6,134

About The Foundation for the College System of Tennessee

Based on IRS filings

The Foundation for the College System of Tennessee is a public charity focused on Education, based in Nashville, TN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $2.9M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 3 grants totaling $25K. Net investment income was $72K.

Focus Areas

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

The Foundation for the College System of Tennessee is led by Cris Perkins, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 21 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Cris Perkins

    Executive Director

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Erik Clinite

    President

    Trustee Treasurer → President, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Susan Rhodes

    Trustee President

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Greg A Vital

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Regent Danni B Varlan

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Wendell Moore

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Wes Stowers

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Leo R Meany

    Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ryan Ball

    Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • L Anthony Wise Jr.

    Trustee

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Anthony Castro

    Trustee Secretary

    New on the 2025 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Bart Herbison

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    No compensation reported

  • Burton Williams

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    No compensation reported

  • Mae Wright

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    No compensation reported

  • Stephen Fulgham

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Dan Caldwell

    Secretary

    Trustee → Secretary, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Flora W Tydings

    Ex-Officio Member

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Kim McCormick

    Ex-Officio Member

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Sheila Boyington

    Vice Chairman

    Trustee Vice Chair → Vice Chairman, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Drew Salyer

    Trustree

    New on the 2025 filing

    No compensation reported

  • Jennifer Kinsey

    Treasurer

    New on the 2025 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (14)
  • Former: Scott Ogden (2020–2024) — Trustee
  • Former: Ryan Lucas (2021–2024) — Trustee Secretary
  • Former: Stephen Milligan (2023–2024) — Trustee
  • Former: Eirk Clinite (2021–2023) — Trustee Treasurer
  • Former: Sheila Boyington PE (2021–2023) — Trustee Vice Chair
  • Former: Kristi Turner (2020–2022) — Trustee
  • Former: Richard Ugarte (2020–2022) — Trustee
  • Former: Michael Torrence (2021–2022) — Trustee
  • Former: Kelli Chaney (2022) — Trustee
  • Former: Alphonso Harvey (2020–2021) — Trustee Secretary
  • Former: Arrita Summers (2020–2021) — Trustee
  • Former: Shelia Boyington (2020) — Trustee Vice Chair
  • Former: Tim Smith (2020) — Trustee
  • Former: Tracy Hall (2020) — Trustee

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Frequently asked questions about The Foundation for the College System of Tennessee

How much does The Foundation for the College System of Tennessee give each year?

The Foundation for the College System of Tennessee gave $25K across 3 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $515K across 2 grants.

What is The Foundation for the College System of Tennessee's typical grant size?

The Foundation for the College System of Tennessee's median grant in 2025 was $7,500, and its average grant was $8,343, across 3 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.

Where does The Foundation for the College System of Tennessee give grants?

The Foundation for the College System of Tennessee gives mostly in Tennessee: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there.

Does The Foundation for the College System of Tennessee give general operating support?

Not in 2025: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on The Foundation for the College System of Tennessee's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.

How large is The Foundation for the College System of Tennessee?

The Foundation for the College System of Tennessee reported $2.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.3M.

What is The Foundation for the College System of Tennessee?

The Foundation for the College System of Tennessee is a public charity focused on Education, based in Nashville, TN. It holds $2.9M in total assets as of 2025.

What is The Foundation for the College System of Tennessee's EIN?

The Foundation for the College System of Tennessee's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-1865935. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.

Data update history

(2)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
  2. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in The Foundation for the College System of Tennessee's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Tennessee

Serving Our Kids Foundation Inc

Henderson, NV

The foundation supports efforts to feed at-risk, food-insecure and homeless children, with a focus on weekend meal bags for children in Clark County, Nevada. In 2025, its 10 grants ranged from $7,500 to $37,500, with a median of $11,250; most grant dollars went to Nevada, with some going to California and Utah. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Human Services

Assets

$511K

Grants

10

Total Given

$173K

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee Inc

Nashville, TN

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee supports nonprofits across a range of needs, including housing, disaster relief, education, health, public safety, and the arts. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $8,500, with amounts ranging widely; it primarily serves Middle Tennessee, with 76% of 2024 grant dollars going to Tennessee recipients. Special Interest Grant applications are submitted through its grants portal; no new competitive Community Impact cycle is planned for fiscal year 2026–2027.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$832.0M

Grants

2,450

Total Given

$107.1M

HCA Healthcare Foundation

Nashville, TN

HCA Healthcare Foundation funds community health and health equity, including primary care, basic needs, education, and the arts; its Middle Tennessee Fund serves nine counties, while other initiatives support communities served by HCA Healthcare. In 2024, grants ranged from $1,000 to $9.65 million, with a median of $5,000. It accepts requests through an Applicant Inquiry Form for new applicants and organizations that have not received funding in 18 months; staff provide next steps after review.

Assets

$192.7M

Grants

999

Total Given

$25.4M

Dollar General Employee Assistance

Goodletsville, TN

The foundation provides emergency financial assistance to active Dollar General employees and their families facing qualifying hardships, such as a home loss, a death, or a serious illness or injury. In 2026, grants ranged from $37 to $6,000, with a median of $2,000; all reported recipients were in Tennessee. It accepts applications from eligible employees, who must submit supporting documentation.

Human Services

Assets

$5.8M

Grants

957

Total Given

$1.7M

The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Inc

Chattanooga, TN

The foundation supports scholarships and community needs including affordable housing, health and wellness, workforce development, education, culture, and hunger relief, with a focus on Chattanooga and surrounding areas; Fund for Chattanooga grants prioritize organizations serving Hamilton County residents. Its 2024 grants had a median of $10,000, and a separate program offers unrestricted grants of up to $30,000. It does not describe an open unsolicited application process: prospective applicants are asked to discuss a proposal with staff, who may invite them to apply.

Assets

$245.3M

Grants

810

Total Given

$25.8M

Community Foundation of Greater Memphis Inc

Memphis, TN

The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis supports community needs, nonprofit capacity building, and donor-directed and theme-based grants, with awards across West Tennessee, eastern Arkansas, and northern Mississippi. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,200, though amounts varied widely; unsolicited requests are accepted only through specific application-based opportunities, not stated as a general process.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$953.1M

Grants

761

Total Given

$134.3M

More similar funders

More Funders in Tennessee

The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open

Figures come from The Foundation for the College System of Tennessee'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.

The Foundation for the College System of Tennessee down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?