Confirmed in Compliance with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations

Use of this National Standards Seal signifies that East Tennessee Foundation
has met the highest standards in its field.

Founded in 1986, East Tennessee Foundation (ETF) is a public, nonprofit, community foundation created for the purpose of building charitable resources to make communities stronger and lives better through thoughtful giving.This 501(c) (3) organization was established through a merger of Community Foundation of East Tennessee and Business Trust for the Arts and began with assets of $625,000 making grants to contiguous counties. The Foundation serves as a vehicle for philanthropy by connecting donors with the causes they care about most. A wide variety of assets in any amount can be accepted to serve almost any charitable purpose. ETF is a collection of hundreds of individual charitable funds and supporting organizations established by individuals, families, businesses, and other nonprofits and foundations.

The Foundation is governed by a volunteer board of directors composed of leaders from throughout the region and managed by a professional staff. Under the watchful eye of the Board and staff, assets are wisely invested to provide a valuable source of grantmaking dollars for important projects and programs in our region, as well as elsewhere in the nation and the world.

What We Do

Essentially, a community foundation does three things: 1) receives money 2) manages and invests money and 3) gives money. There are over 650 community foundations nationwide and they are one of the fastest growing forms of philanthropy in the United States.

Receives Money

Anyone can be a donor and donations can consist of almost any asset of value. Philanthropy doesn't require great wealth and it doesn't have to be complicated. The Foundation is a collection of hundreds of funds established by individuals, families, businesses, and other nonprofits. These funds can be endowed or non-endowed.

Manages and Invests Money

The assets are pooled and invested under the watchful eye of a volunteer board of directors and investment committee made up of local leaders and investment professionals.

Gives Money

A portion of the assets provide grant monies for nonprofit projects and programs or endowed income for nonprofit organizations. The remainder stays in the funds to grow and provide future grants.

East Tennessee Foundation Structure -

ETF Structure

  Today ETF...

§ ETF serves 25 counties in East Tennessee.

§ ETF total assets today are $144 million in 321 funds and 10 supporting organizations.

§ In 2007, total gifts to the Foundation were $12.1 million and ETF awarded $9.1 million in grants.

§ ln 22 years, ETF has awarded over $148 million in grants primarily in our region.

§ One hundred thirty-six ETF donor advised funds act as vehicles for philanthropy to support a wide variety of causes.

§ ETF has 12 Affiliate Funds serving 16 counties with local boards or advisory committees.

§ ETF added 22 new component funds in 2007.

§ The Arts Fund for East Tennessee has grown to over $1.6 million and has awarded over $941,000 for arts programs.

§ The Youth Endowment has grown to over $3.5 million and has granted over $1.8 million in the region.

§ The Affordable Housing Programs have made grants and loans of $7.4 million and assisted 2,470 low to moderate income households in Knox County.

§ ETF has 36 scholarship funds and has provided over $2.3 million to help worthy students.

§ ETF's 10 supporting organizations have assets totaling $39.5 million and serve a wide array of charitable purposes. Some act as vehicles for family philanthropy, others support organizations centered around improving public education, and one serves the philanthropic needs of Knoxville's Jewish community.

§ The Mount Rest Foundation Fund held its first competitive grant cycle and awarded $118,500 in programs for women and children.

§ ETF has met its investment goal of preserving the value of its endowments over the long term. As of December 31, 2007, the one-year performance return was 9.05%, the five-year return was 13.67%, the ten-year return was 7.82%, and the fifteen-year return was 8.98%. Since inception of the commingled fund in 1987, the annualized return is 9.26%.

§ ETF holds over $26.1 million in designated endowments for the benefit of 92 nonprofit organizations.

Contact East Tennessee Foundation at (865) 524-1223 or toll-free at 1 (877) 524-1223 or etf@etf.org to learn more about how you can provide ongoing support to your favorite charities for as long as they exist. To receive Charitable Strategies, a free bi-monthly e-newsletter, send your request to bcalloway@etf.org.

Public Availability of Most Recent Audit and IRS Form 990

In conformance with Federal Law, East Tennessee Foundation's most recent audit and IRS Form 990 are available to the public. Please submit a written request to Carolyn Schwenn, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration at the Foundation, in order to receive a copy of either document.

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