Private foundation · Cookeville
Burnett Unity Foundation
This foundation says it only funds groups it chooses itself. Don't send an unsolicited application. If your work fits, the usual path is an introduction through someone the foundation already knows, such as a board member or a current grantee. See its board and officers below: do you or your board know any of them?
Key facts
- Grants in Tennessee
- 19 totaling $548K
- Typical grant
- $1,000 to $10K (middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask
- About $3,600, its median Tennessee grant. New grantees usually get less than long-time ones.
- Where it gives
- Putnam County, DeKalb County, Hamilton County, Overton County, Williamson County, Davidson County · plus 3 grants outside Tennessee
- Buildings & equipment
- None of its Tennessee grants in this filing were for buildings or equipment
- Funds new groups?
- 42% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2025 were new (not funded in 2023–2024): 8 of 19.
- Total giving that year
- $571K
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $571K | $548K | 19 |
| 2024 | $97K | $77K | 12 |
| 2023 | $42K | $30K | 6 |
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.
- David BurnettTrustee
- Alice BurnettTrustee
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
- Promote cross country athletics
- Prevention of child abuse
- Provide women's health services.
- Hospital foundation
- Provide temporary shelter for homeless individuals
- Promote the salvation message through children camps
- Promote the salvation message through radio
- Christian based transitional living program
Tennessee organizations it funded
Largest first. Groups it already funds are good people to ask what the foundation looks for. Select a group to see who else funds it.
| Recipient | Where | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| The River Community Church | Cookeville, Putnam County | Promote the salvation message through community gatherings. | $400K |
| Buck Lake Outdoors | Cookeville, Putnam County | Provide outdoor activities for disabled veterans and special needs individuals | $50K |
| Rising Above Ministries | Cookeville, Putnam County | Assist special needs children. | $25K |
| Tennessee Technological University Foundation | Cookeville, Putnam County | Promote cross country athletics | $20K |
| Cookeville Pregnancy Clinic | Cookeville, Putnam County | Provide women's health services. | $10K |
| Cookeville Rescue Mission | Cookeville, Putnam County | Provide temporary shelter for homeless individuals | $10K |
| Stevens Street Care Ministry | Cookeville, Putnam County | Provide food for low income individuals. | $5,000 |
| Cookeville High School | Cookeville, Putnam County | Promote cross country athletics | $5,000 |
| Second Harvest Food Bank | Nashville, Davidson County | Provide food for homeless and those in poverty | $5,000 |
| Lighthouse Christian Camp | Smithville, DeKalb County | Promote the salvation message through children camps | $3,600 |
| Living Light | Cookeville, Putnam County | Promote the salvation message | $3,500 |
| Heart of the Cumberlands | Cookeville, Putnam County | Grief support for children | $2,500 |
| Moody Radio | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Promote the salvation message through radio | $2,000 |
| Cookeville Regional Medical Center | Cookeville, Putnam County | Hospital foundation | $1,000 |
| Next Step | Cookeville, Putnam County | Christian based transitional living program | $1,000 |
| Upper Cumberland Child Advocacy Center | Cookeville, Putnam County | Prevention of child abuse | $1,000 |
| The Stephens Centerexchange Club | Livingston, Overton County | Prevention of child abuse | $1,000 |
| Avery Trace Middle School | Cookeville, Putnam County | Promote cross country athletics | $1,000 |
| TN Baptist Children | Brentwood, Williamson County | Minister to children and families in crisis | $1,000 |