Topela Trust

Private foundation · Grantmaker Lenoir City, TN EIN: 33-3795969

Topela Trust is a private foundation, based in Lenoir City, TN. IRS filing data is available for 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $9K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 4 grants totaling $40K.

Key facts about Topela Trust

In short: Topela Trust gave $40K across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $10K), mostly in Tennessee. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
33-3795969
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$40,000
Grants made (2025)
4
Average grant
$10,000
Median grant
$10,000
Total assets
$8,958
Primary geography
Tennessee (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)

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

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$9K

Annual Giving

$40K

Grant Count

4

Avg Grant Size

$10K

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Topela Trust reported a distributable amount of $320 for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

How Topela Trust gives

  • In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Topela Trust?

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

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

1state

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.

States

Cities

KnoxvilleClintonNorris

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$10K$20K$30K$40K4 grants2025

In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $40K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 4 recipients in 2025

Principal Renee Branham - Norris El: $10KPrincipal Renee Branham -Norris El$10KPrincipal Carlissa Weeks - Emerald: $10KPrincipal Carlissa Weeks -Emerald$10KPrincipal Monica Rael - North Clint: $10KPrincipal Monica Rael - NorthClint$10KPrincipal Tanna Nicely - South Knox: $10KPrincipal Tanna Nicely - SouthKnox$10K

The largest 2025 recipient was Principal Renee Branham - Norris El ($10K). Together the top 4 received $40K.

Grant Size Distribution

4 grants across all recorded years

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

The most common grant size was under $50K: 4 grants of 4 (100%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Principal Renee Branham - Norris El Norris, TNTo Promote Excellence in K-3 ELA$10,000
Principal Carlissa Weeks - Emerald Knoxville, TNTo Promote Excellence in K-3 ELA$10,000
Principal Monica Rael - North Clint Clinton, TNTo Promote Excellence in K-3 ELA$10,000
Principal Tanna Nicely - South Knox Knoxville, TNTo Promote Excellence in K-3 ELA$10,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
$0$20K$40K$60K$80K2025
Metric2025
Total Assets$8,958
Revenue$59,225
Expenses$50,267
Qualifying Distributions$40,000
Distributable Amount$320

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 15, 2026)

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Topela Trust's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • David L. Coffey

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    No compensation reported

  • Patricia Coffey

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 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 Topela Trust

How much does Topela Trust give each year?

Topela Trust gave $40K across 4 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

What is Topela Trust's typical grant size?

Topela Trust's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $10,000, across 4 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does Topela Trust give grants?

Topela Trust gives mostly in Tennessee: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Knoxville, TN (2 grants).

Does Topela Trust give general operating support?

Not in 2025: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on Topela Trust's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Promote Excellence in K-3 ELA" (4 grants).

How large is Topela Trust?

Topela Trust reported $9K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $40K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $320 (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What is Topela Trust's EIN?

Topela Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 33-3795969. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2025.

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

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching Topela Trust by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Topela Trust's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Similar funders in Tennessee

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

Christian Community Foundation of Memphis

Memphis, TN

The foundation supports a broad range of U.S. charities through donor-advised funds, with a particular focus on Christian ministries and community transformation in Memphis; its Hope for Memphis Fund serves eligible Gospel-centered nonprofits in the Memphis metro area. Its 2025 grants had a median of $22,050, and it accepts applications for the Hope for Memphis Fund during its stated application cycle.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$229.0M

Grants

636

Total Given

$109.7M

Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation

Chattanooga, TN

The foundation supports 501(c)(3) charities and Christian ministries, with grants for community needs, education, children and families, and other charitable work; its 2024 median grant was $18,250, though awards varied widely. Giving is concentrated in Tennessee, especially the Chattanooga area, with grants also reaching other states; it does not describe a general open application process—one giving circle uses member nominations, and Unidos en Compasión accepts applications by invitation.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$136.1M

Grants

567

Total Given

$36.4M

Dollar General Literacy Foundation

Goodlettsville, TN

The foundation funds adult, family, youth, and summer literacy programs, English-language learning, high school equivalency preparation, and disaster recovery for eligible public school libraries. Its program awards are typically modest—up to $10,000 for Adult and Family Literacy, $3,000 for Summer Reading, and $5,000 for Youth Literacy—though larger grants are reported; it generally funds organizations in states where Dollar General operates and within 15 miles of a store or distribution center. It accepts applications through online processes during open grant periods, after applicants complete eligibility prescreening.

Education

Assets

$84.6M

Grants

564

Total Given

$14.5M

International Paper Company Foundation

Memphis, TN

The foundation funds education, hunger relief, health and wellness, and disaster relief, primarily in communities where International Paper operates and has a significant employee presence. In 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $250,000, with a median of $3,500. It accepts unsolicited requests, except Memphis-area requests are by invitation only.

Assets

$76.4M

Grants

472

Total Given

$3.4M

United Way of Middle Tennessee Inc

Nashville, TN

United Way of Middle Tennessee funds nonprofit programs in education, financial stability, and health, especially those serving low-income families and vulnerable children and adults; it also supports HIV care and disaster recovery. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,015 to $697,309, with a median of $22,500. Its Community Impact Funding serves nine Middle Tennessee counties, while some programs serve people statewide; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$68.1M

Grants

347

Total Given

$19.7M

Regal Foundation

Knoxville, TN

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$10.0M

Grants

343

Total Given

$3.0M

Gibson Gives Foundation DBA Gibson Gives

Nashville, TN

Gibson Gives supports nonprofit programs that use guitars to promote music education or healing through music, with recent grants ranging from $290 to $214,115 and a median of $4,421. Its giving is concentrated in Tennessee and California, though it also funds organizations elsewhere in the U.S. It accepts unsolicited requests through an online application, reviewed monthly.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$626K

Grants

316

Total Given

$2.5M

More Funders in Tennessee

Topela Trust down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?