Private foundation · Cleveland
George R Johnson Family Foundation
Takes applications. See how to apply below.
Key facts
- Grants in Tennessee
- 72 totaling $1.9 million
- Typical grant
- $10,000 to $30,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask
- About $15,000, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat ones.
- Where it gives
- Hamilton County, Bradley County, McMinn County, Monroe County, Marion County, Knox County, Greene County, Loudon County and 1 more · plus 4 grants outside Tennessee
- Buildings & equipment
- 2 of its Tennessee grants went to buildings, renovations or equipment, e.g. “Camp ocoee capital campaign”; “Capital campaign”
- Funds new groups?
- 24% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2025 were new (not funded in 2023–2024): 17 of 70.
- Total giving that year
- $1.9 million
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1.9M | $1.9M | 72 |
| 2024 | $1.7M | $1.6M | 62 |
| 2023 | $1.4M | $1.3M | 61 |
How to apply
- Contact
- Beverly p johnson · Cleveland · 4236142393 · beveywevey@aol.com
- What to send
- Applications are to be submitted in the form of a letter of not more than two pages describing the project for which the grant is sought. If the project meets foundation guidelines, additional information may be requested.
- Limits
- Grants will be awarded to charitable organizations primarily in the following locations: Tennessee - bradley, hamilton, Loudon, marion, mcminn, meigs, monroe, polk, rhea & sequatchie counties. Georgia - catoosa, dade, murray, walker & whitfield counties.
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.
- Beverly P JohnsonPresident
- Janice J WilsonSecretary
- Julia J ScogginsTreasurer
- R Mark JohnsonDirector
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
- Advocate training program
- Children educational program
- Art education
- Unity center
- Harbor safe house
- Howard hs internship program
- Imagination library program
- Ocoee region jam
Tennessee organizations it funded
Largest first. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Ocoee Region | Cleveland, Bradley County | Program support | $180K |
| Lee University | Cleveland, Bradley County | Program support | $100K |
| Museum Center at 5ive Points | Cleveland, Bradley County | Program support | $100K |
| University of Chattanooga Foundatio | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Program support | $100K |
| YMCA | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Camp ocoee capital campaign | $100K |
| Holston Home for Children | Greeneville, Greene County | Program support | $75K |
| Tennessee Wesleyan University | Athens, McMinn County | Capital campaign | $75K |
| Tri-County Center | Athens, McMinn County | Program support | $55K |
| Chambliss Center for Children | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Program support | $50K |
| Life Bridges | Cleveland, Bradley County | Program support | $50K |
| Partnership for Familieschildren | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Program support | $50K |
| The Caring Place | Cleveland, Bradley County | Program support | $40K |
| United Way of Greater Chatt | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Program support | $40K |
| YMCA | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Ycap program | $35K |
| Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland | Cleveland, Bradley County | Program support | $30K |
| Loudon County Habitat for Humanity | Lenoir City, Loudon County | Program support | $30K |
| On Point | Hixson, Hamilton County | Graduation coaching program | $30K |
| The Hope Center Inc. | Cleveland, Bradley County | Program support | $30K |
| American Red Cross | Cleveland, Bradley County | Program support | $25K |
| Cleveland State Comm College Fdtn | Cleveland, Bradley County | Program support | $25K |
| Houston Musuem of Decorative Arts | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Program support | $25K |
| Scenic City Clay Arts | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Program support | $25K |
| Bethel Bible Village | Hixson, Hamilton County | Program support | $20K |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of TN Valley | Knoxville, Knox County | Program support | $20K |
| Casa Corridor of East Tennessee | Athens, McMinn County | Advocate training program | $20K |