Laura J. Kress Angel Tree Fund Grant

The Laura J. Kress Angel Tree Fund, established by the East Tennessee Foundation, provides grants between $3,000 and $10,000 to support under-resourced children in Tennessee during the holiday season. Created in memory of Laura J. Kress, who dedicated her life to helping children in need, the fund aims to continue her legacy of thoughtful giving within communities. Grants are awarded to eligible organizations that meet specific criteria, ensuring impactful assistance to those in need.

Provides grants in support of gifts for children in Tennessee during the holiday season, in honor and memory of Laura J. Kress, founder of The Angel Tree.
Areas of Focus
The Laura J. Kress Angel Tree Fund was established at East Tennessee Foundation in June 2019 in honor and in memory of Laura J. Kress, founder of The Angel Tree, who passed away that year. In 1975, Laura joined members of the West Knoxville Business & Professional Women’s Club to bring Christmas to dozens of children in need. With her leadership, The Angel Tree helped grant more than 725,000 wishes over four decades. Through grants to organizations provided from this fund, Laura’s lifelong passion and dedication will continue in Tennessee during the holiday season.
Funding
Amounts ranged from $3,000 to $10,000. Grants were last awarded for three-month terms.

Eligibility

General Eligibility and Funding CriteriaEligible organizations must have and be able to provide documentation to verify the following:Confirmation that the organization is a 501(c)(3) public charity, unit of government , or educational institutionNew or emerging groups that do not have nonprofit status may apply if they have an established nonprofit organization as a fiscal sponsorEmployee Identification Number (EIN)Legal name of organization, address and contact information (phone fax, email address)Primary contact person and titleList of staff administering the projectConfirmation that the organization operates and is organized so as to not discriminate on the basis of race, color national origin, religion, gender, familial status, sexual orientation, age, disability, covered veteran status, or other characteristics as identified in the Foundation’s Non-Discrimination Policy Statement.Because the Laura J. Kress Angel Tree Fund is a donor advised fund, applicant organizations are not required to provide their most recent financial statements and/or audit and/or IRS Form 990; current year operating budget; or list of current board of directors.Additional eligibility criteria specific to the Laura J. Kress Angel Tree Fund:Grants must provide support to children who are under-resourced and underserved.Children served must live in Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Morgan, Scott, or Union counties.

Ineligibility

The following types of requests will NOT be funded:Grants to individuals. We are restricted by law and therefore unable to provide grants directly to individuals.
Projects that have explicit religious content, express a particular religious view, limit participation based on faith affiliation, or require participation in religious activities or servicesDebt retirement or budget deficits