Weldon F Osborne Foundation Inc
The Weldon F Osborne Foundation Inc is a private foundation established in 1959 and based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The foundation was created by Weldon F Osborne, a real estate developer and builder who constructed homes, shopping centers, restaurants, motels, and office buildings throughout the Greater Chattanooga area, including Brainerd, East Ridge, and Lookout Mountain. The foundation operates with a single employee and focuses exclusively on grantmaking activities.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$24.4M
+4.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.4M
+4.4% YoY
Grant Count
85
+6.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$16K
-1.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation was established to aid religious and benevolent charities. The foundation makes grants to religious and public charitable organizations, with a focus on operating support, program support, capacity building, capital campaigns, and technology funding.
Grantmaking
The foundation distributes approximately $1.2 to $1.3 million annually through 75-82 grants. Grant sizes typically range from $1,000 to $96,000, with a median grant of approximately $11,000 to $15,000.
Grant Range
s typically range from $1,000 to $96,000, with a median grant of approximately $11,000 to $15,000.
Review Cycle
- **February Meeting:** November 1 – January 31
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation focuses exclusively on the Greater Chattanooga, Tennessee area.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Current Assets and Giving (2025):
- Total assets: $24,352,706
- Total revenues: $2,496,161
- Total expenses: $1,717,747
Historical Trends:
- 2024: $23.4M in assets; $1.3M in total giving through 80 grants
- 2023: $22.1M in assets; $1.2M in total giving through 81 grants
- 2022: $19.9M in assets; $1.2M in total giving through 82 grants
The foundation maintains a giving rate of approximately 5.5% of assets.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $24,352,706 | $23,390,180 | $22,051,482 |
| Revenue | $2,496,161 | $1,548,009 | $2,329,497 |
| Expenses | $1,717,747 | $1,537,247 | $2,100,287 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,527,516 | $1,433,316 | $1,351,293 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,291,032 | $1,349,823 | $1,946,979 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,132,832 | $1,069,196 | $951,630 |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Barbara J. Marter serves as Executive Director with compensation of $75,000.
The foundation's Board of Trustees originally included Weldon F Osborne, Eleanor W. Osborne, Carl A. Swafford, Charles D. Uptain, and Charles W. Schenck. Weldon Osborne passed away on March 13, 1972, and Eleanor Osborne on July 11, 1996.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GENE BURNETT | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| C DUFFY FRANCK JR | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| GLENN STOPHEL | VICE PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| WSCOTT MATTICE SR | PRESIDENT | 15 | — |
| CHRISTINE B SMITH | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| BARBARA MARTER | ASSISTANT SECRETARY/TREASURER | 40 | $75,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Recent grants include:
The Generosity Trust: $100,000 (operating support)
Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga: $69,592 (operating support)
Erlanger Health: $50,000 (technology)
Auburn Career Center: $60,000
Auburn Career Center receives $60,000 grant from Osborne Charitable TrustLakeland Foundation: $150,000
Lakeland Foundation receives a $150,000 grant from Osborne TrustAndrews Osborne Academy: $225,000
Andrews Osborne Academy receives $225,000 in grant supportThe foundation also supported the groundbreaking of Ralph J. Bunche Commemorative Park through a grant to Weldon In Action.
Weldon In Action receives grant: Crowd gathers for groundbreaking of RalphRelated Funders
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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