Private foundation · Houston, TX (gives in Tennessee from out of state)
Willard and Ruth Johnson Charitable Foundation
In 2024 it gave 5 grants worth $382,500 to Tennessee groups, 1 of them in Roane County. A typical grant was $25,000 to $100,000.
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
- 5 totaling $382,500 · 1 in Roane County
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $25,000 to $100,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $75,000, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat ones.
- Where it gives
- Blount County, Franklin County, Knox County, Davidson County, Roane County · plus 50 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
- 20% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2024 were new (not funded in 2023): 1 of 5.
- Total giving that year
- $2.4 million
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2.4M | $382K | 5 |
| 2023 | $1.9M | $382K | 6 |
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.
- John W JohnsonPresident
- Christopher B JohnsonSecretary
- Steven J LindleyVice president
As listed in its 2024 IRS filing. Many foundations decide through their board, so a personal connection often matters more than a perfect application.
How big its Tennessee grants are
| Grant size | Grants |
|---|---|
| Under $1,000 | 0 |
| $1,000 to $4,999 | 0 |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | 0 |
| $10,000 to $24,999 | 0 |
| $25,000 to $99,999 | 3 |
| $100,000 or more | 2 |
From its 2024 IRS filing. Small groups: look at how many grants sit in the bands you'd ask for.
Tennessee organizations it funded
Roane 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roane State Foundation | Harriman, Roane County | General Support | $25K |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | General Support | $158K |
| The University of the South | Sewanee, Franklin County | General Support | $100K |
| Maryville College | Maryville, Blount County | General Support | $75K |
| University of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | General Support | $25K |