Topela Trust
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.
Topela Trust at a glance
In short: Topela Trust gave $40K across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $10K), mostly in Tennessee. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- 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)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Topela Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2025
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
The most common grant size was under $50K: 4 grants of 4 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $40K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Principal Renee Branham - Norris El Norris, TN | To Promote Excellence in K-3 ELA | $10,000 |
| Principal Carlissa Weeks - Emerald Knoxville, TN | To Promote Excellence in K-3 ELA | $10,000 |
| Principal Monica Rael - North Clint Clinton, TN | To Promote Excellence in K-3 ELA | $10,000 |
| Principal Tanna Nicely - South Knox Knoxville, TN | To Promote Excellence in K-3 ELA | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $8,958 | $59,225 | $50,267 | $40,000 | 4 | $40,000 | $320 |
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.
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.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 15, 2026)
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