The Robert H Brethen Foundation
The Robert H Brethen Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) foundation established in 1988 and based in Lenoir City, Tennessee. The foundation operates as a family foundation with a focus on philanthropic giving across multiple sectors including education, human services, health, and religious causes.
Key facts about The Robert H Brethen Foundation
- EIN
- 31-1213173
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $240,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 10
- Average grant
- $24,000
- Median grant
- $12,500
- Total assets
- $10,818,508
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (69% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Robert H Brethen Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Robert H Brethen Foundation's 10 itemized 2024 grants were Tennessee (69%) and Ohio (27%). The most frequent recipient cities were Lenoir City, TN (3 grants) and Knoxville, TN (2 grants). None of its 10 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support.
How The Robert H Brethen Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−4%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 48% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Next steps with The Robert H Brethen Foundation
- How to evaluate The Robert H Brethen Foundation as a funder
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$10.8M
+31.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$240K
-61.6% YoY
Grant Count
10
-44.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$24K
-30.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Robert H Brethen Foundation reported a distributable amount of $499K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports a diverse range of causes including:
- Education
- Philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking
- Human services
- Health and end-of-life care
- Hospice care
- Religion, specifically Christianity
- Children and youth services
- Adolescent support
- Special population support
- Homeless services
- Pet adoption and care
- Therapeutic experiences and recreation programs
- Patient care
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$34,800
Average Grant
$34,800
Ready to take the next step with The Robert H Brethen Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations across multiple states, with particular activity in:
- Ohio: Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Huber Heights, Westerville
- Tennessee: Knoxville, Lenoir City, Strawberry Plains, Vonore, Loudon, Germantown
- New York: Yorktown Heights
- California: Encinitas
- Other locations: Friendsville
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 10 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $10,818,508 | 2024 |
| Total Revenue | $572,256 | 2024 |
| Total Expenses | $356,689 | 2024 |
| Net Income | $215,567 | 2024 |
| Total Liabilities | $0 | 2024 |
The foundation maintains substantial assets with minimal liabilities and demonstrates consistent grantmaking activity.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $10,818,508 | $8,228,758 | $7,353,272 |
| Revenue | $572,256 | $1,036,286 | $614,316 |
| Expenses | $356,689 | $734,683 | $235,628 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $240,000 | $625,560 | $146,200 |
| Net Investment Income | $137,410 | $190,654 | $93,015 |
| Distributable Amount | $499,427 | $430,273 | $379,964 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
82 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Fort Sanders Foundation ($100,000), Pelotonia ($30,000), Lenoir City ($25,000 across 2 grants).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| FORT SANDERS FOUNDATION Knoxville, TN | DONATION TO SUPPORT HEALTHCARE PROGRAMS | $100,000 |
| PELOTONIA Columbus, OH | DONATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH | $30,000 |
| THE DAYTON FOUNDATION Dayton, OH | DONATION TO SUPPORT DAYTON COMMUNITY | $25,000 |
| THE BRETHEN FOUNDATION Lenoir City, TN | DONATION TO SUPPORT LENOIR CITY COMMUNITY | $25,000 |
| LENOIR CITY Lenoir City, TN | DONATION FOR RECREATION PROGRAMS | $15,000 |
| LENOIR CITY Lenoir City, TN | DONATION FOR RECREATION PROGRAMS | $10,000 |
| SOCIETY FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF CONDITIONS FOR STRAY ANIMALS Washington Township, OH | DONATION TO SUPPORT ANIMALS | $10,000 |
| TENNESSEE WILDLIFE FEDERATION INC Nashville, TN | DONATION TO SUPPORT WILDLIFE PROGRAMS | $10,000 |
| BIG CAT HABITAT Sarasota, FL | DONATION TO SUPPORT ANIMALS | $10,000 |
| TOYS FOR TOTS Knoxville, TN | DONATIONS FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- David M. Brethen – Secretary/Trustee
- Karen B. Johns – Trustee
The Robert H Brethen Foundation's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
David M. Brethen
Secretary & Trustee
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
$8K (2022) → $0 (2024)
Karen B. Johns
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Robert H. Brethen (2019–2022) — President & Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
Contact Information
- Address: 1359 Zepher Drive, Lenoir City, TN 37772-1476
- Phone: 937-287-6906
- EIN: 31-1213173
- Tax-exempt status: Since February 1988
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Robert H Brethen Foundation fund?
The foundation supports a diverse range of causes including: • Education • Philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking • Human services • Health and end-of-life care • Hospice care • Religion, specifically Christianity • Children and youth services • Adolescent support • Special population support • Homeless services • Pet adoption and care • Therapeutic experiences and recreation programs • Patient care
How do I apply for a grant from The Robert H Brethen Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • The foundation made 18-19 grants in recent fiscal years • Average grant size: $34,800 • Median grant size: $12,200 • Typical award range: $500–$100,000 **Recent Grants (2024):** • Covenant Health Foundation: $100,000 (healthcare programs) • Pelotonia: $30,000 (cancer research) • Dayton Foundation Plus: $25,000 (community support) **Financial Activity:** • Total giving: $625,560 • 2024 expenses: $356,689 • 2024 revenue: $572,256
Where does The Robert H Brethen Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds organizations across multiple states, with particular activity in: • **Ohio:** Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Huber Heights, Westerville • **Tennessee:** Knoxville, Lenoir City, Strawberry Plains, Vonore, Loudon, Germantown • **New York:** Yorktown Heights • **California:** Encinitas • **Other locations:** Friendsville
What size grants does The Robert H Brethen Foundation award?
In 2024, The Robert H Brethen Foundation awarded 10 grants totaling $240K — an average of about $24K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Robert H Brethen Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Robert H Brethen Foundation reported a distributable amount of $499K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Robert H Brethen Foundation's EIN?
The Robert H Brethen Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1213173. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.