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.
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
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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
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 |
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
82 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Fort Sanders Foundation ($100,000), Pelotonia ($30,000), The Dayton Foundation ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| FORT SANDERS FOUNDATION KNOXVILLE, TN | DONATION TO SUPPORT HEALTHCARE PROGRAMS | $100,000 |
| LENOIR CITY LENOIR CITY, TN | DONATION FOR RECREATION PROGRAMS | $15,000 |
| LENOIR CITY LENOIR CITY, TN | DONATION FOR RECREATION PROGRAMS | $10,000 |
| PELOTONIA COLUMBUS, OH | DONATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH | $30,000 |
| TOYS FOR TOTS KNOXVILLE, TN | DONATIONS FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN | $5,000 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- David M. Brethen – Secretary/Trustee
- Karen B. Johns – Trustee
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID M BRETHEN | SECY/TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| KAREN B JOHNS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
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 June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.