Private foundation · Lake Forest, IL (gives in Tennessee from out of state)
National Recreation Foundation
In 2025 it gave 1 grant worth $10,000 to Tennessee groups, 1 of them in Hamilton County. A typical grant was $10,000 (1 grant).
Invitation only: it picks who to fund. Don't send a proposal. Look for a connection through its board. See its board and officers below: do you or your board know any of them?
Key facts
- Grants in Tennessee
- 1 totaling $10,000 · 1 in Hamilton County
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $10,000 (1 grant)
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $10,000, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat ones.
- Where it gives
- Hamilton County · plus 74 grants outside Tennessee
- Buildings & equipment
- None of its Tennessee grants in this filing were for buildings or equipment
- Funds new groups? How we figure this
- 100% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2025 were new (not funded in 2023–2024): 1 of 1.
- Total giving that year
- $2.4 million
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.4M | $10K | 1 |
| 2024 | $2.7M | $30K | 1 |
| 2023 | $2M | — | 0 |
All grants paid To Tennessee
How to apply
The foundation's filing doesn't describe how to apply. Look for a website, or send a short letter asking whether it accepts requests.
Board and officers
Does your board know anyone here?
Checked in your browser only. The names are kept on this device for other foundation pages and are never sent to GrantMe.
- Sophia B TwichellPresident & ceo
- Peggy BurnetTrustee/chair
- Myron F FloydTrustee/vice chair
- Kim BaileyTrustee/secretary
- Karen A Stewart-RamosTrustee/treasurer
- Joseph B Anderson JrTrustee
- Lynne M O BricknerTrustee
- Endicott P Davison JrTrustee
- Gary HallTrustee
- Jackie Joyner-KerseeTrustee resigned 07/28/25
- Martin J LeblancTrustee
- Lila LeffTrustee
- Elsie Mccabe ThompsonTrustee retired 10/26/25
- John W Mccarter JrTrustee retired 10/26/25
- Bakeyah S NelsonTrustee resigned 08/20/25
- Nicholas G Penniman IVTrustee
- Andra RushTrustee
- Jonathan D ScottTrustee retired 10/26/2025
- Lee A StoreyTrustee
- Nadja Y WestTrustee
As listed in its 2025 IRS filing. Many foundations decide through their board, so a personal connection often matters more than a perfect application.
What it funds most often
- In support of youth outdoor recreation programs (1 grant)
Tennessee organizations it funded
Hamilton County grants are listed first, then the largest. Past winners are good people to ask what the foundation looks for. Select a group to see who else funds it.
| Past winner | Where | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lookout Mountain Conservancy | Lookout Mountain, Hamilton County | In support of youth outdoor recreation programs | $10K |
Foundation website All its IRS filings (ProPublica) Sign in to save