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The Boyd Foundation

Annual Giving
$4.9M
Grant Range
$5K - $5.0M

The Boyd Foundation

Quick Stats

  • EIN: 37-1877729
  • Annual Giving: $4,946,347 (2023)
  • Number of Awards: 68 grants (2023)
  • Average Grant Size: ~$72,740
  • Decision Time: Rolling basis
  • Geographic Focus: Knoxville and Greater East Tennessee
  • Founded: 2017

Contact Details

Phone: (865) 621-9223

Email: krissy@theboydfoundation.org (Executive Director)

Website: https://www.theboydfoundation.org

Location: Knoxville, Tennessee

Executive Director: Krissy DeAlejandro

Overview

The Boyd Foundation was launched in 2017 by Jenny and Randy Boyd to support their home state of Tennessee through strategic philanthropy. With total assets exceeding $98 million as of 2024, the foundation has evolved from the Boyds' decade-long personal giving history into a comprehensive family foundation. Randy Boyd, who serves as the 26th President of the University of Tennessee System since 2018, founded the pet products company Radio Systems Corporation (now PetSafe Brands) in 1991 before selling it in 2020. The foundation represents the collaborative philanthropic vision of the entire Boyd family, including board members Randy and Jenny Boyd, their sons Harrison and Thomas, and daughter-in-law Lindsey. The foundation is "intentional and comprehensive" in its giving approach, investing in evidence-based organizations that can demonstrate measurable outcomes while serving as "a lab for innovation" to strengthen communities across Tennessee.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grantmaking: The Boyd Foundation provided $4,946,347 across 68 awards in 2023, with grants averaging approximately $72,740. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Dog Park Dash: A signature initiative that has awarded more than 100 grants totaling $3 million statewide since 2018 to build or enhance dog parks across Tennessee. Individual grants typically range up to $25,000 per community. Note: The program announced in 2018 a commitment to build 100 dog parks across Tennessee, with the 2022 application cycle mentioned as the final year for this initial commitment.

Knox Neighborhood Dog Parks: A special initiative providing $500,000 in grants (5 city and 5 county grants of $50,000 each) specifically for Knox County neighborhoods.

Boyd Venture Challenge: An annual seed-funding competition for University of Tennessee System student entrepreneurs, awarding up to $30,000 in startup capital per company. Since 2011, the program has awarded more than $412,000 to 36+ student-owned companies through the Haslam College of Business's Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Priority Areas

Education and Youth Development: Supporting high-quality education programs with demonstrated positive student outcomes. The foundation helped send over 200,000 students to community college through tnAchieves and created endowments for scholarship programs. They emphasize programs where "students are at the center of all conversations" and believe in "measurable programs providing an opportunity for ALL students to reach their full potential."

Animal Welfare: Randy Boyd states their goal is "to make Tennessee the most pet-friendly state in the nation." Beyond dog parks, the foundation supports animal shelters and animal welfare organizations throughout the region.

Arts and Preservation: Major support for cultural organizations including a $5 million gift for the Jenny Boyd Theatre (formerly Carousel Theatre) at UT Knoxville, dedicated in 2025. Jenny Boyd serves as chair of the Tennessee Arts Commission and on boards for the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Museum of Appalachia, and Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center.

Mental Health: Support for critical mental health services, including the Jenny Boyd Keys of Hope Program at YWCA Knoxville, which provides comprehensive support for women experiencing homelessness and domestic abuse, connecting them to mental health services and therapy when needed.

What They Don't Fund

The Boyd Foundation does not consider endowment requests (this is the only explicit restriction publicly stated).

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

  • Randy Boyd (President): UT System President since November 2018, founder of Radio Systems Corporation (PetSafe Brands), former Tennessee Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, founder and chairman of tnAchieves
  • Jenny Boyd (Co-founder): Chair of Tennessee Arts Commission, serves on boards for Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Museum of Appalachia, Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, and Friends of the Smokies
  • Thomas Boyd: Restaurateur and property developer in downtown Knoxville, serves on boards for WDVX, Two Bikes, and Old City Association
  • Harrison Boyd: Board member
  • Lindsey Boyd: Downtown Knoxville advocate, involved with Helen Ross McNabb Center, Boys and Girls Club of East Tennessee, Knoxville Zoo, and Knoxville Breaststroke's

Staff:

  • Krissy DeAlejandro, Executive Director (compensation: $101,750)
  • Chad Dykes, Controller

Key Quote from Randy Boyd: The foundation's work is driven by "serendipity" - creating unexpected positive outcomes. On their approach to giving, Boyd emphasizes: "While no one of us can fix everything, if we all work together, we can do anything!" Following Hurricane Helene, he noted: "I think it brings comfort to those suffering to know that others are helping and care for them and that help is on the way."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through the Boyd Foundation's website at https://www.theboydfoundation.org/apply-now. The foundation seeks evidence-based organizations that can demonstrate measurable outcomes aligned with their mission to make the greater Knoxville area "a place of opportunity for all."

Decision Timeline

The foundation operates on a rolling deadline, meaning applications are reviewed as they are received rather than in specific funding cycles. Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed but would be communicated directly to applicants during the process.

Application Success Factors

Demonstrate Evidence-Based Approaches: The Boyd Foundation explicitly states it "invests in evidenced-based organizations." Organizations must show they can measure program effectiveness and demonstrate tangible community impact.

Show Clear, Measurable Outcomes: The foundation emphasizes programs that provide "positive student outcomes" and measurable results. Prepare concrete data showing how your program achieves its goals and benefits the community.

Align with Greater Knoxville Focus: While the foundation supports initiatives across Tennessee (particularly the Dog Park Dash program), their core mission centers on making "the greater Knoxville area a place of opportunity for all." Applications should clearly demonstrate benefit to the Knoxville region.

Innovation and Community Strengthening: The foundation describes itself as "a lab for innovation" seeking "new ideas and initiatives meant to strengthen our community." Applications that present innovative approaches to community challenges while maintaining evidence-based practices are likely to resonate.

Student-Centered Programs: For education initiatives, the foundation values programs "where students are at the center of all conversations" and that provide opportunities "for ALL students to reach their full potential and become contributing citizens."

Recent Major Grants as Examples:

  • $3.5 million for Hurricane Helene relief to Carter, Cocke, Unicoi, and Johnson Counties (October 2024)
  • $5 million gift for the Jenny Boyd Theatre at UT Knoxville
  • $1 million commitment to YWCA Knoxville & the Tennessee Valley
  • $3 million gift to Haslam College of Business
  • Hundreds of $25,000-$50,000 grants for dog parks across Tennessee

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Evidence is essential: Come prepared with data demonstrating measurable outcomes and program effectiveness. Generic narratives without evidence won't succeed with this foundation.

  • Rolling applications favor the prepared: Since the foundation accepts applications on an ongoing basis, there's no need to wait for a deadline. Submit when your proposal is thoroughly developed and documented.

  • Geographic focus matters: While they support statewide initiatives (particularly in animal welfare), emphasis on direct benefit to the greater Knoxville area strengthens applications.

  • Think innovation within evidence: The foundation wants to be a "lab for innovation" but also requires evidence-based approaches. Balance new ideas with proven methods and measurement frameworks.

  • Family foundation with personal passions: Understanding each board member's focus area can help target proposals. Jenny Boyd's arts leadership, Thomas's downtown development focus, and Lindsey's youth and mental health involvement each represent distinct entry points.

  • No endowment requests: The foundation has explicitly stated they do not consider endowment requests, so ensure your proposal seeks program or project funding, not permanent endowment.

  • Relationship building through shared values: With Randy Boyd as UT System President and his background in entrepreneurship and education, connections to the university ecosystem and entrepreneurial initiatives may provide natural networking opportunities.

References

  • The Boyd Foundation official website: https://www.theboydfoundation.org (accessed January 2026)
  • ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Boyd Foundation EIN 37-1877729: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/371877729 (accessed January 2026)
  • Cause IQ, The Boyd Foundation profile (2024 financial data)
  • "Boyd Foundation Donates $3.5 Million for Hurricane Helene Recovery," multiple Tennessee news sources, October 2024
  • "New Carousel Theatre to Carry Jenny Boyd's Name after Transformational Gift," University of Tennessee News, May 7, 2021
  • "UT Dedicates Jenny Boyd Theatre," University of Tennessee News, November 10, 2025
  • "Haslam College of Business Receives $3 Million Gift from Boyd Foundation," University of Tennessee News, February 28, 2022
  • Boyd Venture Challenge program information, Haslam College of Business
  • Randy Boyd biography, University of Tennessee System website
  • "The Boyd Foundation commits $1 million to YWCA Knoxville & the Tennessee Valley," MoxCar Marketing + Communications
  • Various Tennessee news sources on Dog Park Dash initiative, 2018-2022
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