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

2010 State of the Foundation...

Serves 25 counties in East Tennessee
Total assets of $164.6 million
366 funds, 10 supporting organizations
In 2011, $25.5 million in gifts received, $8.8 million in grants awarded
Since 1986, $187 million in grants awarded primarily in East Tennessee

Supporting Foundations
Blalock Family Foundation
Chapman Family Foundation
Clayton Foundation
Cornerstone Foundation
East Tennessee Supporting Foundation
Education Consumers Foundation
Knoxville Jewish Community Family of Funds
Public School Forum of East Tennessee
Shults Family Foundation
Trinity Compassion Health Foundation

Affiliate Funds
Fund for Campbell County
Clinch-Powell Community Fund
Fund for Cocke County
Elizabethton/Carter County Community Foundation
Fund for Etowah and McMinn County
Fund for Greene County
John D. Grubb and Louise G. Sumner Fund for Monroe County
Harris Fund for Washington County
Johnson County Community Foundation
Kingsport Community Foundation
Rogersville-Hawkins County Education Fund
Fund for Unicoi County
Union County Community Foundation

Special Projects and Fund Initiatives:

- Celebrated the Foundation's 25th year
     • presented a $2,500 grant in each of the 25 counties
     • established a $25,000 endowment for a regional organization
     • held a benefit for the Opportunity Endowment
- Welcomed Trinity Compassion Health Foundation as a supporting organization
- Launched the Women's Fund of East Tennessee which raised over $1 million
- Completed the Kingsport Community Foundation's Spirit Campaign Initiative with grants of $3.5 million
- Launched TNAchieves, a program that makes higher education more accessible, as an independent 501(c)(3)
- Established the Neighbor to Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund

Major Grantmaking Initiatives

Affordable Housing Initiatives - $8.9 million in grants and loans has assisted 3,200 low- to moderate-income households in Knox County.
Arts Fund for East Tennessee - $1.8 million has sustained arts organizations and funded arts programs throughout the region.
County Affiliate Funds - $5.6 million has been awarded to support local nonprofits and programs, community-driven initiatives, and downtown redevelopment efforts.
Mount Rest Fund - Since 2005, $780,000 has been awarded for programs helping women and children in Knox County.
Neighborhoods Small Grants Program - $490,000 has helped grass roots neighborhood organizations make their neighborhoods a better place.
Scholarship Program - $3.6 million in scholarships has helped worthy students obtain a college education.
Youth At-Risk - $2.6 million has funded innovative programs for the region's at-risk youth.

Partners in Philanthropy

ETF holds designated endowments for the benefit of 118 nonprofit organizations primarily in the region. ETF holds 138 donor advised funds.
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 Forms 990

In conformance with Federal Law, East Tennessee Foundation's three most recent audits and IRS Forms 990 and 990-T 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 any of these documents.  A copy of the most recent audited financial statements is available, below:

• East Tennessee Foundation 2010 Final Audit

Back to the top