Private foundation · Bristol
Massengill-Defriece Foundation Inc.
Takes applications. See how to apply below.
Key facts
- Grants in Tennessee
- 7 totaling $137,295 · 6 in Sullivan County
- Typical grant
- $3,000 to $35,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask
- About $14,000, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat ones.
- Where it gives
- Sullivan County, Washington County · plus 8 grants outside Tennessee
- Buildings & equipment
- None of its Tennessee grants in this filing were for buildings or equipment
- Funds new groups?
- 57% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2025 were new (not funded in 2023–2024): 4 of 7.
- Total giving that year
- $224,795
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $225K | $137K | 7 |
| 2024 | $212K | $136K | 11 |
| 2023 | $166K | $126K | 10 |
How to apply
- Contact
- C Thomas Davenport · Bristol · (423) 989-6500
- What to send
- One or two page letter - no specific information or materials
As the foundation reported to the IRS for tax year 2025. 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.
- C Thomas Davenport JrPresident
- C Richard Hagerstrom JrDirector
- Paul E DefrieceDirector
- Chet SikorskiDirector
- Stephen L EverhartDirector
- Ronan KingDirector
- Polly WillsSecretary/treasurer
- Kate DefrieceDirector
- Drew WillsDirector
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
- Children's programs
- New concession space
- Ex director salary
- Covid
- Books for preschool
- Seating
- Youth
Tennessee organizations it funded
Sullivan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mount Museum | Piney Flats, Sullivan County | Ex director salary | $46K |
| Paramount Theater | Bristol, Sullivan County | New concession space | $35K |
| Theatre Bristol | Bristol, Sullivan County | Seating | $30K |
| Sullivan County Imagination Library | Kingsport, Sullivan County | Books for preschool | $6,000 |
| Kingsport Ballet | Kingsport, Sullivan County | Children's programs | $3,000 |
| United Way | Bristol, Sullivan County | Youth | $3,000 |
| Second Harvest Food Bank | Gray, Washington County | Covid | $14K |