Tucker Foundation
The Tucker Foundation is a private foundation based in Ooltewah, Tennessee. It supports nonprofit organizations through grants, with stated program priorities that include developing young people’s character and skills and conserving the natural environment.
Tucker Foundation at a glance
In short: Tucker Foundation gave $4.8M across 91 grants in 2024 (avg $53K), mostly in Tennessee. 29% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,801,432
- +6.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 91
- -2.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $52,763
- +9.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $68,685,316
- +4.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (23 of 80, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (89% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Tucker Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Contact David Smith. No specific format is required for the form or materials. The filing states that grants are generally focused in Hamilton and Bradley Counties of East Tennessee and Atlanta, Georgia, but are not limited to those locations.
- Review Cycle
- None stated.
- Deadline
- None stated.
- Contact
Application contact: David Smith
Mailing address: 9337 Bradmore Lane, Ooltewah, TN 37363
Phone: (423) 664-2107
Website: HTTPS://THETUCKERFOUNDATION.ORG/
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Tucker Foundation
Who Tucker Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga ($2.5M). Together the top 10 received $3.7M.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($12,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
397 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 314 grants of 397 (79%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s filing says grants are generally focused in Hamilton and Bradley Counties in East Tennessee and Atlanta, Georgia, without limiting grants to those locations. Its grant program identifies Chattanooga/Hamilton County and Cleveland/Bradley County in Tennessee, and Sheridan and Johnson Counties in Wyoming, as geographic concentrations.
In 2024, 89% of grant dollars went to Tennessee recipients, 7% to Wyoming, and 2% to New York. The filing also reports shares of 0% for Kentucky and North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 91 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Tucker Foundation open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 23 of 80 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $133K; repeat grants $31K. How we count
Medians: $12K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 68% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 45% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 92% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.8M (2020) to $4.8M (2024). In 2024 it made 91 grants totaling $4.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN | The Tucker Fund | $2,497,600 |
| UT Foundation Knoxville, TN | Wildwood Farm Fund | $200,000 |
| On Point Hixson, TN | General support - increasing social-emotional health and academic support for Hamilton county youth of great promise | $192,550 |
| The Nature Conservancy of Tennessee Brentwood, TN | Acquisitions for the ocoee gateway and the pain rock river national wildlife refuge | $186,000 |
| Lee University Cleveland, TN | General Support - String Theory Season XVI (2024-25) | $150,000 |
| Doubleday Sports Complex Sheridan, WY | General Support - Doubleday Sports Complex | $125,000 |
| Lookout Mountain Conservancy Lookout Mountain, TN | General Support - Howard School | $91,000 |
| Buffalo Bill Center of West Cody, WY | Internship Program, Summer 2024 | $75,624 |
| Teach for America New York, NY | The Ignite Tutoring Fellowship | $75,000 |
| Trousdale School Cleveland, TN | Scholarship Fund Request | $70,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Tucker Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $68,685,316 | $6,227,357 | $5,740,178 | $4,801,432 | 91 | $5,021,285 | $5,462,358 | $5,433,664 |
| 2023 | $65,606,368 | $3,650,069 | $5,370,811 | $4,500,951 | 93 | $4,680,502 | $2,992,782 | $4,772,309 |
| 2022 | $68,637,079 | $3,863,590 | $5,167,375 | $4,326,542 | 77 | $4,493,745 | $3,307,211 | $4,424,196 |
| 2021 | $69,752,525 | $5,191,207 | $4,041,350 | $3,300,417 | 71 | $3,473,315 | $4,607,137 | $4,695,165 |
| 2020 | $67,051,363 | $2,587,415 | $2,541,390 | $1,782,512 | 65 | — | $2,044,959 | $3,499,583 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Tucker Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated objective is to support organizations that help young people develop the character and skills to live productive and happy lives, as well as organizations that conserve essential elements of the natural environment. Its grant program identifies education—including scholarships, capital projects of special interest, and general support for schools and colleges—and environmental conservation, including land acquisition and conservation easements for perpetual preservation. It also lists arts and cultural organizations and activities.
Its 2024 grants illustrate support for varied organizations and purposes. For example, On Point received support for youth social-emotional health and academic support; Lee University received general support for a season of String Theory; and The Nature Conservancy of Tennessee received funding for acquisitions. These are grantees’ activities and grant purposes, not additional statements of the foundation’s mission.
Grantee descriptions further illustrate the range of organizations supported. The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga describes its mission as transforming generosity into lasting change toward a prosperous and just Chattanooga. The Trousdale School says it serves adults with intellectual disabilities through academic, life-skills, occupational, arts, and recreational programming. The Caring Place describes itself as providing basic resources and opportunities to people experiencing poverty in Bradley County.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 91 grants totaling $4,801,432. Grant amounts ranged from $99 to $2,497,600, with a median of $10,000. Its largest grant was $2,497,600 to the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga for “The Tucker Fund.” Other notable grants included $200,000 to the UT Foundation for the Wildwood Farm Fund, $192,550 to On Point for youth social-emotional health and academic support, $186,000 to The Nature Conservancy of Tennessee for acquisitions, and $150,000 to Lee University for general support of String Theory Season XVI.
The foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. The Tucker Foundation Grant Program states that political lobbying, purely religious efforts, and requests benefiting individuals are ineligible.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists David Y. Smith as president; Amy Moore as vice president; Pamela K. Cuzzort as secretary/treasurer; and Lavinia J. Johnston, Gillian E. Johnston, Robert T. Johnston, Katherine Tudor, and Matthew D. Bentley as trustees.
Tucker Foundation is led by David Y. Smith, President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 8 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
David Y. Smith
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gillian E. Johnston
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katherine Tudor
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lavinia J. Johnston
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert T. Johnston
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew D. Bentley
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Moore
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$84K (2020) → $108K (2024)
Pamela K. Cuzzort
Secretary & Treasurer
Treasurer → Secretary & Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $108K, to Amy Moore (Vice President).
Frequently asked questions about Tucker Foundation
How much does Tucker Foundation give each year?
Tucker Foundation gave $4.8M across 91 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4.5M across 93 grants.
What is Tucker Foundation's typical grant size?
Tucker Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $52,763, across 91 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Tucker Foundation that year got $133K on average.
Where does Tucker Foundation give grants?
Tucker Foundation gives mostly in Tennessee: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Wyoming (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chattanooga, TN (26 grants), Cleveland, TN (18 grants), Sheridan, WY (4 grants) and Knoxville, TN (3 grants).
Does Tucker Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 57% of Tucker Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (52 of 91) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship - Evan Moore" (3 grants).
Who are Tucker Foundation's largest grantees?
Tucker Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga ($2,497,600), On Point ($242,550 across 2 grants) and UT Foundation ($200,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($12,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 61% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Tucker Foundation?
Tucker Foundation reported $68.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $5.4M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Tucker Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated objective is to support organizations that help young people develop the character and skills to live productive and happy lives, as well as organizations that conserve essential elements of the natural environment. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Tucker Foundation?
Contact David Smith. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Tucker Foundation's EIN?
Tucker Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-1603398. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Tucker Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Tennessee
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.
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Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation
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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.
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Weldon F Osborne Foundation Inc
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The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee Inc
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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.
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HCA Healthcare Foundation
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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.
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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.
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Tucker Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/tucker-foundation-morg_671f5f95e0bb4aacbbe3bfc2362d4bc0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_621603398_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Tucker Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/tucker-foundation-morg_671f5f95e0bb4aacbbe3bfc2362d4bc0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Tucker Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Tucker Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?