The Sampson Foundation
The Sampson Foundation is a private foundation, based in Knoxville, TN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $5.8M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $500K. Net investment income was $221K.
The Sampson Foundation at a glance
In short: The Sampson Foundation gave $500K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $500K), mostly in Tennessee. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $500,000
- +17.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $500,000
- +17.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $500,000
- Total assets
- $5,751,073
- -4.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Sampson Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was East Tennessee Foundation ($500K).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 4 grants of 5 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How The Sampson Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+18%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 116% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $390K (2020) to $500K (2025). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $500K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| East Tennessee Foundation Knoxville, TN | Designated Fund Contribution | $500,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5,751,073 | $269,895 | $554,640 | $500,000 | 1 | $506,375 | $220,774 | $435,053 |
| 2024 | $6,035,818 | $479,950 | $510,995 | $425,000 | 1 | $429,293 | $398,248 | $413,022 |
| 2023 | $6,066,863 | $356,162 | $495,432 | $425,000 | 1 | $429,150 | $297,880 | $384,865 |
| 2022 | $6,206,133 | $421,130 | $495,185 | $425,000 | 1 | $428,990 | $362,935 | $407,982 |
| 2021 | $6,280,188 | $496,482 | $482,289 | $425,000 | 1 | — | $443,003 | $433,148 |
| 2020 | $6,265,995 | $433,762 | $458,394 | $390,000 | 1 | — | $371,998 | $369,325 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Sampson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $435K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Sampson Foundation is led by Lauren Bowman, President since 2023 (on filings since 2021); none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Lauren Bowman
President
Vice President → President, 2023
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Knight
Vice President
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary S. Brewington
Vice President
President → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
George Burton Sampson Jr.
Vice President
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nell Kedrow
Secretary
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: W. James Pugh Jr. (2020–2022) — Secretary
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 Sampson Foundation
How much does The Sampson Foundation give each year?
The Sampson Foundation gave $500K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $425K across 1 grant.
How large is The Sampson Foundation?
The Sampson Foundation reported $5.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $506K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $435K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
Where does The Sampson Foundation operate?
The Sampson Foundation has awarded grants in Tennessee.
What is The Sampson Foundation's EIN?
The Sampson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-1655037. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 23, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 30, 2026)
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