Private foundation · Chicago, IL (gives in Tennessee from out of state)
Susan & Jerome Ettelson Fund
In 2025 it gave 2 grants worth $1,000 to Tennessee groups, 1 of them in Marion County. A typical grant was $400 to $600.
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
- 2 totaling $1,000 · 1 in Marion County
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $400 to $600 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $500, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat ones.
- Where it gives
- Marion County, Lewis County · plus 67 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
- Rarely: every Tennessee group it funded in 2025 had also been funded in 2023–2024. Build a relationship before asking.
- Total giving that year
- $112,832
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $113K | $1,000 | 2 |
| 2024 | $98K | $600 | 2 |
| 2023 | $97K | $1,000 | 3 |
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.
- Susan S EttelsonPresident
- William S EttelsonSecretary
- John R EttelsonTreasurer
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
- To further program services (2 grants)
Tennessee organizations it funded
Marion 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project K-9 Hero | Whitwell, Marion County | To further program services | $400 |
| The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee | Hohenwald, Lewis County | To further program services | $600 |