The Howard Fund
The fund was established as a supporting organization of the community foundation of greater chattanooga (CFGC). The mission of cfgc is to transform generosity into lasting change toward a prosperous and just chattanooga where all can thrive and achieve their full potential.
Key facts about The Howard Fund
In short: The Howard Fund gave $160K across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $40K), mostly in Tennessee. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- EIN
- 81-3722308
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990 filing, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $160,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 4
- Average grant
- $40,000
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $12,517,635
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2024; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 filing · View filing
Total Assets
$12.5M
+10.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$160K
-84.3% YoY
Grant Count
4
-69.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$40K
-48.9% YoY
How The Howard Fund gives
- Giving fell 32% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
About The Howard Fund
Based on IRS filings
The Howard Fund is a nonprofit organization focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Chattanooga, TN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $12.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $160K. Net investment income was $8K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 4 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
47 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CHATTANOOGA AREA CHAMBER FOUNDATION Chattanooga, TN | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $115,000 |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER CHATTANOOGA Chattanooga, TN | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER OF HAMILTON COUNTY Chattanooga, TN | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| CHATTANOOGA PREP INC Chattanooga, TN | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $15,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $12,517,635 | $11,336,902 | $7,965,529 |
| Revenue | $8,089 | $2,985,844 | $296,820 |
| Expenses | $244,066 | $1,290,289 | $504,839 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $8,089 | $36,985 | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Howard Fund is led by Joseph H. Davenport III, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Joseph H. Davenport III
President
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maeghan Jones
President - Committee Fndn. Gr. Chatt.
President - Cfgc → President - Committee Fndn. Gr. Chatt., 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lesley Scearce
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ted Alling
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Stowe
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joseph H. Davenport IV
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Ben Probasco (2020–2022) — Director
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Howard Fund
How much does The Howard Fund give each year?
The Howard Fund gave $160K across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. In 2023 it gave $1.0M across 13 grants.
What is The Howard Fund's typical grant size?
The Howard Fund's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $40,000, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
Where does The Howard Fund give grants?
The Howard Fund gives mostly in Tennessee: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chattanooga, TN (4 grants).
Does The Howard Fund give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on The Howard Fund's 2024 IRS Form 990 filing were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (4 grants).
How large is The Howard Fund?
The Howard Fund reported $12.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Its revenue that year was $8K.
What is The Howard Fund?
The Howard Fund is a nonprofit organization focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Chattanooga, TN. It holds $12.5M in total assets as of 2024.
What is The Howard Fund's EIN?
The Howard Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-3722308. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Here's the math on researching The Howard Fund by hand.
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