Private foundation · Knoxville
Carolyn M Cate Foundation Inc.
In 2025 it gave 2 grants worth $3,400 to Tennessee groups, 2 of them in Knox County. A typical grant was $1,700.
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 $3,400 · 2 in Knox County
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $1,700
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $1,700, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat ones.
- Where it gives
- Knox County · plus 1 grant 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
- $3,400
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,400 | $3,400 | 2 |
| 2024 | $6,200 | $3,000 | 2 |
| 2023 | $0 | — | 0 |
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.
- Tonya BalesTreasurer
- Heather SieberSecretary
- Carolyn CatePresident
- Beverly ShepherdBoard member
- Tom NewmanBoard member
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
- Providing physical and spiritual support by offering food clothing etc. (1 grant)
- Helping underprivileged women become self-sufficient (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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Heights Baptist Center | Knoxville, Knox County | Providing physical and spiritual support by offering food clothing etc. | $1,700 |
| Hand Up for Women | Knoxville, Knox County | Helping underprivileged women become self-sufficient | $1,700 |