Private foundation · Atlanta, GA (gives in Tennessee from out of state)
Watkins Christian Foundation Inc.
In 2025 it gave 2 grants worth $100,000 to Tennessee groups, 2 of them in Knox County. A typical grant was $45,000 to $55,000.
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 $100,000 · 2 in Knox County
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $45,000 to $55,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $50,000, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat ones.
- Where it gives
- Knox County · plus 48 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
- $6 million
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $6M | $100K | 2 |
| 2024 | $4M | $120K | 3 |
| 2023 | $4.2M | $155K | 4 |
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.
- W Neal FreemanDirector
- Eric S WahlenDirector
- George C WatkinsChairman
- Michael L WatkinsPresident
- Sarah WatkinsDirector
- William B Watkins VDirector
- Rozita La GorceExecutive director
- Jeremy BagleySecretary, treasurer
- Taylor WatkinsDirector
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 support the implementation of summer camps (1 grant)
Tennessee organizations it funded
Knox 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athletes in Action - Ultimate Training Camp | Knoxville, Knox County | To support the implementation of summer camps | $55K |
| Cedarbrook Outreach | Knoxville, Knox County | Unrestricted | $45K |