Private foundation · Chattanooga
Maclellan Foundation Inc.
In 2024 it gave 91 grants worth $5 million to Tennessee groups, 3 of them in Davidson County. A typical grant was $1,000 to $50,000. Most often for: “For building organizational capacity.”.
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
- 91 totaling $5 million · 3 in Davidson County
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $1,000 to $50,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $20,000: the middle grant to the 38 Tennessee groups it funded for the first time in 2024.
- Where it gives
- Hamilton County, Marion County, Bradley County, Davidson County, Williamson County, Sullivan County, Shelby County · plus 70 grants outside Tennessee
- Buildings & equipment
- 10 of its Tennessee grants went to buildings, renovations or equipment, e.g. “For building organizational capacity.”
- Funds new groups? How we figure this
- 40% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2024 were new (not funded in 2021–2023): 24 of 60.
- Total giving that year
- $21.5 million
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $21.5M | $5M | 91 |
| 2023 | $21.5M | $7.5M | 114 |
| 2021 | $21.7M | $7.8M | 98 |
All grants paid To Tennessee
How to apply
- Contact
- David G Denmark · Chattanooga · (423) 755-1051
- What to send
- Instructions will be provided upon contacting the above named person.
As the foundation reported to the IRS for tax year 2024. Check its website or call before sending anything, because contacts and deadlines change.
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 Miller WelbornTrustee
- Ben FischerTrustee
- Lucien BeharChief financial officer
- Morgan MaclellanTrustee
- Michael TremainTrustee
- Frances Heald SheffieldTrustee
- David G DenmarkExecutive director
- Hugh O Maclellan JrChairman emeritus
- Robert H MaclellanVice chairman, secretary and treasurer
- Ronald W BlueTrustee emeritus)
- Christopher H MaclellanChairman of the board
- Elizabeth LindquistTrustee
- Catherine M HealdTrustee
- Laurence PowellTrustee
- Daryl J HealdAssociate trustee
- Dr Reid MaclellanTrustee
As listed in its 2024 IRS filing. Many foundations decide through their board, so a personal connection often matters more than a perfect application.
What it funds most often
- For building organizational capacity. (10 grants)
- For outreach to families. (5 grants)
- For education of youth and children. (5 grants)
- For outreach to the indigent. (5 grants)
- For holistic community outreach and development. (2 grants)
- For restoration and rehabilitation programs. (1 grant)
How big its Tennessee grants are
| Grant size | Grants |
|---|---|
| Under $1,000 | 17 |
| $1,000 to $4,999 | 22 |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | 7 |
| $10,000 to $24,999 | 15 |
| $25,000 to $99,999 | 15 |
| $100,000 or more | 15 |
From its 2024 IRS filing. Small groups: look at how many grants sit in the bands you'd ask for.
Tennessee organizations it funded
Davidson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inheritance Fire | Nashville, Davidson County | For holistic community outreach and development. | $15K |
| Faith Based and Community Initiatives Foundation | Nashville, Davidson County | For general operating support. | $5,000 |
| Hope for Justice | Nashville, Davidson County | For general operating support. | $500 |
| Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation (the Generosity Trust) | Chattanooga, Marion County | For various charitable purposes including spiritual formation, building capacity. | $600K |
| Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation (the Generosity Trust) | Chattanooga, Marion County | For various charitable purposes including spiritual formation, building capacity. | $400K |
| Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation (the Generosity Trust) | Chattanooga, Marion County | For various charitable purposes including spiritual formation, building capacity. | $400K |
| Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation (the Generosity Trust) | Chattanooga, Marion County | For various charitable purposes including spiritual formation, building capacity. | $375K |
| Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation (the Generosity Trust) | Chattanooga, Marion County | For various charitable purposes including spiritual formation, building capacity. | $340K |
| Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation (the Generosity Trust) | Chattanooga, Marion County | For various charitable purposes including spiritual formation, building capacity. | $310K |
| Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation (the Generosity Trust) | Chattanooga, Marion County | For various charitable purposes including spiritual formation, building capacity. | $250K |
| Mission Increase | Chattanooga, Marion County | For building organizational capacity. | $245K |
| Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation (the Generosity Trust) | Chattanooga, Marion County | For various charitable purposes including spiritual formation, building capacity. | $223K |
| United Way of Greater Chattanooga | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | For general operating support. | $175K |
| Lee University | Cleveland, Bradley County | For education of youth and children. | $175K |
| Cha Charitable Benefit Corporation | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | For general operating support. | $175K |
| Chattanooga Prep Inc. | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | For general operating support. | $150K |
| Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation (the Generosity Trust) | Chattanooga, Marion County | For various charitable purposes including spiritual formation, building capacity. | $100K |
| Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation (the Generosity Trust) | Chattanooga, Marion County | For various charitable purposes including spiritual formation, building capacity. | $100K |
| Signal Centers | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | For outreach to families. | $75K |
| Chattacademy Community Schools Inc. | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | For education of youth and children. | $75K |
| Mission Increase | Chattanooga, Marion County | For building organizational capacity. | $50K |
| The Brock Center | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | For general operating support. | $50K |
| Chattanooga Christian School Inc. | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | For general operating support. | $50K |
| Gospel Music Association | Franklin, Williamson County | For general operating support. | $50K |
| Chattanooga Church Ministries Inc. | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | For building organizational capacity. | $50K |
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