Private foundation · Knoxville
Watkins Family Foundation Inc.
In 2025 it gave 11 grants worth $95,000 to Tennessee groups, 10 of them in Knox County. A typical grant was $5,000 to $10,000.
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
- 11 totaling $95,000 · 10 in Knox County
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $5,000 to $10,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $10,000, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat ones.
- Where it gives
- Knox County, Loudon County
- 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
- $95,000
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $95K | $95K | 11 |
| 2024 | $118K | $118K | 14 |
| 2023 | $170K | $170K | 14 |
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.
- Deborah A WatkinsPresident
- Christi W BranscomSecretary
- Ronald A Watkins JrTreasurer
- Ronald A Watkins SrChairman
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
- Youth programs (1 grant)
- Youth leadership programs (1 grant)
- Elevate recovery high school (1 grant)
- Public gardens (1 grant)
- Art museum (1 grant)
- Public park (1 grant)
- Public parks & trails (1 grant)
- Therapy for disabled persons (1 grant)
How big its Tennessee grants are
| Grant size | Grants |
|---|---|
| Under $1,000 | 0 |
| $1,000 to $4,999 | 0 |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | 4 |
| $10,000 to $24,999 | 7 |
From its 2025 IRS filing. Small groups: look at how many grants sit in the bands you'd ask for.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville Museum of Art | Knoxville, Knox County | Art museum | $15K |
| Boys & Girls Club of the TN Valley | Knoxville, Knox County | Youth programs | $10K |
| Helen Ross Mcnabb Foundation | Knoxville, Knox County | Elevate recovery high school | $10K |
| Knoxville Botanical Gardens | Knoxville, Knox County | Public gardens | $10K |
| Lakeshore Park Conservancy | Knoxville, Knox County | Public park | $10K |
| YWCA Knoxville | Knoxville, Knox County | Social services for women | $10K |
| Zoo Knoxville | Knoxville, Knox County | Support of zoo | $10K |
| Emerald Youth Foundation | Knoxville, Knox County | Youth leadership programs | $5,000 |
| Legacy Parks Foundation | Knoxville, Knox County | Public parks & trails | $5,000 |
| The Joy of Music School | Knoxville, Knox County | Youth music education | $5,000 |
| Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy | Lenoir City, Loudon County | Therapy for disabled persons | $5,000 |