Foundations that fund organizations in Athens, Tennessee
Worked out from where the grants went, not where the foundations sit.
Funding landscape for Athens nonprofits
23 private foundations gave $1.2M to Athens organizations in their latest filings; 11 of the 23 that say either way accept applications.
71 grants in total, with a typical foundation's median grant to Athens around $5,000. 14 of these funders are based in Tennessee; the rest give here from elsewhere.
- Foundations giving here
- 23
- Accept applications
- 11
- of 23 that state a policy
- Dollars to Athens
- $1.2M
- latest filings
- Grants
- 71
- Typical median grant
- $5,000
- Based in TN
- 61%
- of funders listed
Funders, by dollars given to Athens organizations
| Foundation | Based in | Grants here | Dollars here | Median | Accepts applications | Typical purposes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Goodfriend Foundation | Knoxville, TN | 2 | $405K | $203K | Preselected only | Support business school at twu; General support for mission |
| Athens Federal Foundation | Athens, TN | 25 | $212K | $5,000 | Yes | Purchase of food for food pantry; Funding to stock clothing and personal care items for each…; Scholarship support |
| George R Johnson Family Foundation | Cleveland, TN | 7 | $194K | $15K | Yes | Program support; Advocate training program; Imagination library program |
| Lyndhurst Foundation Inc | Chattanooga, TN | 2 | $120K | $60K | Yes | Placemaking Mural; Kitchen Incubator and Outdoor Dining Experience |
| The C Scott & Muriel S Mayfield Family Foundation | Lakeland, TN | 8 | $68K | $6,500 | Preselected only | Charitable donation |
| Smith Pete and Sally Foundation | St Louis, MO | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | General operating |
| Tucker Foundation | Ooltewah, TN | 1 | $25K | $25K | Yes | Research fund |
| Willsonthropic Inc | Athens, TN | 4 | $18K | $3,800 | Preselected only | General purpose; Genaral purpose |
| Athens City Middle School PTO | Athens, TN | 1 | $17K | $17K | Preselected only | School support |
| The United Company Foundation | Bristol, VA | 1 | $16K | $16K | Yes | Education - tuition |
| Tennessee Health Foundation Inc | Chattanooga, TN | 1 | $10K | $10K | Yes | 2024 pow scholar |
| Simmons FIRST Foundation Inc | Pine Bluff, AR | 1 | $8,450 | $8,450 | Yes | Farm to school raised bed program |
| The Westfield Insurance Foundation | Westfield, OH | 1 | $6,500 | $6,500 | Yes | General operating support |
| Edward Jones Foundation | St Louis, MO | 4 | $5,800 | $375 | Preselected only | Human services - multipurpose and other; Emergency medical services & transport; Philanthropy, voluntarism and grantmaking foundations |
| The Ebenezer Acres Foundation | Cookeville, TN | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | Charitable |
| Acts Outreach Ministries Inc | Cleveland, TN | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Yes | Local outreach |
| Dorsey Foundation Inc | Indianapolis, IN | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | General |
| Paluwik Heritage Foundation | Anchorage, AK | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | Yes | Scholarship |
| Verizon Foundation | Basking Ridge, NJ | 2 | $2,600 | $1,300 | Preselected only | Other civic / community |
| Juanita H Fasola Foundation Inc | Knoxville, TN | 1 | $2,000 | $2,000 | Preselected only | To support the McMinn County Schools "Breakfast Brunch/Lunc… |
| The Melrose Foundation | Knoxville, TN | 2 | $1,300 | $650 | Preselected only | Charitable support; Educational support |
| Tractor Supply Company Foundation | Brentwood, TN | 2 | $500 | $250 | Yes | Hometown heroes donation |
| Arthur J Gallagher Foundation | Rolling Meadows, IL | 1 | $250 | $250 | Preselected only | General exempt purpose |
Source: IRS Form 990-PF Part XV, latest electronic return per foundation (2026-10-28). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own checkbox on Part XV line 2. Grants to individuals excluded.
Common questions
Which foundations give to nonprofits in Athens, Tennessee?
The Goodfriend Foundation, Athens Federal Foundation, George R Johnson Family Foundation, Lyndhurst Foundation Inc, The C Scott & Muriel S Mayfield Family Foundation and 18 others reported grants to Athens organizations on their latest Form 990-PF.
How do I approach a foundation that doesn't accept applications?
A foundation that checks "contributes only to preselected organizations" on its 990-PF won't review a cold proposal. Look at who it funds, find a shared board member, grantee or advisor, and ask for an introduction. Foundations that accept applications usually list a contact and deadlines in Part XV; we show that text on each foundation's page.
Is this list complete?
No. It covers private foundations (Form 990-PF filers) whose latest electronic return lists at least one grant to an organization in Athens. Community foundations and corporate giving programs file different forms and are not included yet.