Kennedy Foundation Inc - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

• EIN: 62-1296643
• Annual Giving: $15.7 million (2023)
• Total Assets: $53 million
• Number of Grants: 13 grants annually
• Grant Range: $3,000 - $14.7 million
• Median Grant: $10,000
• Geographic Focus: Tennessee (primarily Chattanooga), with some support in Texas and Pennsylvania
• Application Method: Does not accept unsolicited applications (invitation only)

Contact Details

Kennedy Foundation Inc
320 McCallie Ave
Chattanooga, TN 37402-2007

Phone: 423-756-5171

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1607, Chattanooga, TN 37401-1607

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website or email contact.

Overview

The Kennedy Foundation Inc was established in November 1986 by James D. "Jim" Kennedy Jr., co-founder of Kenco Group (one of America's largest logistics companies), who provided his personal savings to create the foundation's corpus. Upon his death in February 2020 at age 95, Kennedy left his entire estate to the foundation with instructions to "give to his hometown" of Chattanooga. Today, the foundation is governed by Kennedy's three children—Jim Kennedy III (President), Elizabeth Kennedy Spratlin, and Molly Kennedy—who continue their father's philanthropic legacy. The foundation has made transformational gifts to Chattanooga institutions, including an $8 million gift to UTC School of Nursing (the single-largest individual gift in the school's history), a $5 million gift to create the Kennedy Outpatient Center at Children's Hospital at Erlanger (the largest gift in Erlanger's history at the time), and a $1 million endowment for UTC's poetry program in honor of Dorothy Hellerstedt Kennedy, Jim Kennedy Jr.'s late wife and a UTC alumna. The foundation operates as a private foundation (Form 990-PF) and does not accept unsolicited applications.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Kennedy Foundation does not operate formal grant programs with specific application cycles. Rather, the foundation makes strategic investments in Chattanooga-area institutions and causes aligned with the Kennedy family's interests. Grants range dramatically from $3,000 to over $14 million, with a median grant of $10,000.

Application Method: Invitation only - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Priority Areas

Based on documented grants and IRS filings, the Kennedy Foundation prioritizes:

Education

• Higher education institutions (particularly UTC)
• Poetry and literature programs
• Scholarship funding
• Academic facility construction

Healthcare

• Children's hospital care
• Hospital facilities and equipment
• Health sciences education

Human Services

• Organizations serving vulnerable populations
• Social service nonprofits

Arts & Culture

• Shakespeare lectures and literary programming
• Museums
• Cultural institutions

Religious Organizations

• Christianity, particularly Episcopal/Anglican causes
• Faith-based education

Military & Veterans

• Support for veteran causes and memorials

Geographic Focus

The foundation concentrates its giving in:

• Primary: Chattanooga, Tennessee and surrounding Hamilton County
• Secondary: Other Tennessee communities
• Limited: Texas and Pennsylvania (likely connected to family or business interests)

As Jim Kennedy III stated: "My father left his entire estate to the Kennedy Foundation and tasked us with giving to his hometown."

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly documented, the foundation's pattern suggests they do not fund:

• Organizations outside their primary geographic focus (unless special connection exists)
• Unsolicited requests from organizations unknown to the trustees
• General operating support for organizations without established relationships
• National organizations (unless they serve Chattanooga)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Jim Kennedy III - President and Director
Son of founders Jim Kennedy Jr. and Dorothy Kennedy. Under his leadership, the foundation has made some of its largest gifts, including the $8 million UTC School of Nursing gift. He has stated: "Dad took his personal savings to provide the corpus for the Foundation as he saw opportunities to participate in funding worthwhile causes throughout Chattanooga."

Elizabeth Kennedy Spratlin - Trustee
Daughter of Jim Kennedy Jr. and Dorothy Kennedy. Active in foundation decision-making alongside her siblings.

Molly Kennedy - Trustee
Daughter of Jim Kennedy Jr. and Dorothy Kennedy, UTC Class of 1982 graduate. Born at Erlanger Hospital, which inspired the family's major gift to the Children's Hospital Kennedy Outpatient Center.

Foundation History

The foundation was established by James D. "Jim" Kennedy Jr. (1924-2020), a World War II decorated veteran and co-founder of Cherokee Warehouse (later Kenco Group) in 1950. Kennedy was a pioneer in the logistics industry, enacting the first third-party logistics contract in U.S. history. He established the foundation in 1986 and upon his death left his entire estate to continue supporting Chattanooga causes. The foundation is named in honor of both Jim Kennedy Jr. and his late wife Dorothy Hellerstedt Kennedy, a UTC graduate, English major, and poet.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Kennedy Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, with trustees identifying beneficiaries through their own research, community connections, and established relationships.

There is no application form, no formal deadlines, and no public RFP process. Organizations cannot submit grant proposals unless specifically invited by the foundation's trustees.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's invitation-only approach and deep Chattanooga roots, organizations seeking support might consider:

Demonstrate Impact in Chattanooga: The foundation's trustees have explicitly stated their mission is giving to their father's hometown. Organizations making measurable impact in the Chattanooga community—particularly in education, healthcare, and human services—are most likely to come to the trustees' attention.

UTC Connections: The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has received multiple major gifts from the foundation. Organizations with UTC partnerships, faculty involvement, or student impact may have better visibility with the trustees.

Healthcare Focus: The family's deep connection to Erlanger and Children's Hospital (where trustee Molly Kennedy was born) suggests healthcare organizations serving children and families may align with foundation interests.

Literary and Arts Programming: Given Dorothy Kennedy's background as a poet and the foundation's $1 million poetry endowment and support for the Kennedy Shakespeare Lecture, organizations with literary programming might align with family interests.

Established Institutional Presence: The foundation's documented grants favor established institutions with proven track records rather than new organizations. Building organizational capacity and community reputation appears important.

Board Connections: While speculative, the trustees' own community involvement and professional networks likely inform funding decisions. Organizations where trustees serve or have personal connections may have advantage, though this should not be pursued artificially.

Decision Timeline

No public information is available about decision timelines, as the foundation does not operate formal grant cycles. Major gifts appear to be negotiated directly with receiving institutions over extended periods.

Success Rates

Given the invitation-only structure, traditional success rate metrics do not apply. The foundation made 13 grants in 2023, down from what appears to be historically higher numbers, suggesting increasingly selective or larger-scale grantmaking.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as there is no public application process.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Values

Based on documented giving patterns and public statements from trustees:

Transformational Impact Over Incremental Support: The foundation's recent major gifts ($8 million to UTC, $5 million to Erlanger) suggest a preference for transformational investments that create lasting change and visible community impact. Jim Kennedy III's statement that "there was no better way to honor his wishes than giving to UTC" for the nursing building demonstrates the family seeks legacy-defining projects.

Honoring Family Legacy: Multiple grants specifically honor Dorothy Kennedy's memory (poetry program, building naming) and Jim Kennedy Jr.'s values (children's healthcare, veteran support). Projects that align with the founders' documented passions appear strongly favored.

Education Excellence: The foundation has consistently supported education at all levels, with particular emphasis on UTC. Organizations advancing educational excellence, particularly in higher education and specialized fields like poetry and nursing, align with documented priorities.

Children and Healthcare: The trustees' major investment in the Kennedy Outpatient Center at Children's Hospital demonstrates commitment to pediatric healthcare. Molly Kennedy's personal connection as an Erlanger birth likely influences this focus.

Established Relationships: Recipients include organizations with long-standing Chattanooga presence (Erlanger, UTC, American Heart Association). The foundation appears to prefer investing deeply in proven institutions rather than funding many small organizations.

Visible Community Impact: Major grants create named buildings and endowed programs, suggesting the foundation values visible, lasting community benefit that acknowledges the Kennedy family's philanthropic leadership.

Geographic Alignment is Critical

The trustees' statement about their father's directive to "give to his hometown" cannot be overstated. Organizations outside Chattanooga or without clear Chattanooga benefit are unlikely to receive consideration, regardless of program quality.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals—there is no application to write unless specifically invited by the trustees
• Focus on Chattanooga impact: Geographic alignment with the family's hometown commitment is non-negotiable
• Think transformational, not transactional: Recent grants suggest the foundation prefers fewer, larger investments that create lasting community change over many small grants
• Institutional credibility matters: Recipients are established organizations with proven track records and community standing
• Personal connections drive decisions: The trustees' family history, values, and community relationships appear to strongly influence grantmaking
• Legacy and naming opportunities: Major gifts have included building namings and endowed positions, suggesting the foundation values recognition that honors the Kennedy family legacy
• Education and healthcare are sweet spots: If your organization works in higher education (especially UTC-related) or children's healthcare in Chattanooga, you align with documented funding patterns
• Patient relationship-building only: There is no shortcut to Kennedy Foundation funding—it requires the foundation knowing your organization and trustees initiating contact

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Kennedy Foundation Inc (EIN 62-1296643). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/621296643 (Accessed March 2, 2026)

2. Instrumentl 990 Report - Kennedy Foundation Inc. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/kennedy-foundation-inc (Accessed March 2, 2026)

3. GrantExec - Kennedy Foundation Inc. https://grantexec.com/foundations/621296643 (Accessed March 2, 2026)

4. UTC News. "UTC School of Nursing celebrates $8 million gift to name new building." October 2023. https://blog.utc.edu/news/2023/10/utc-school-of-nursing-celebrates-8-million-gift-to-name-new-building/ (Accessed March 2, 2026)

5. UTC News. "Scholarships, professor position funded by Kennedy Foundation endowment." May 2019. https://blog.utc.edu/news/2019/05/money-for-scholarships-professor-part-of-kennedy-foundation-endowment/ (Accessed March 2, 2026)

6. Kenco Group. "Remembering the Life and Legacy of Kenco Co-Founder, James D. 'Jim' Kennedy Jr." 2020. https://kencogroup.com/news/remembering-the-life-and-legacy-of-kenco-co-founder-james-d-jim-kennedy-jr/ (Accessed March 2, 2026)

7. Chattanoogan.com. "Erlanger Cuts The Ribbon On Sparkling New Children's Hospital Kennedy Outpatient Center." December 2018. https://www.chattanoogan.com/2018/12/11/381383/Erlanger-Cuts-The-Ribbon-On-Sparkling.aspx (Accessed March 2, 2026)

8. Becker's Hospital Review. "Erlanger Children's Hospital gets record $5M donation." July 2018. https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/erlanger-children-s-hospital-gets-record-5m-donation.html (Accessed March 2, 2026)

9. NOOGAtoday. "Children's Hospital at Erlanger's new Kennedy Outpatient Center, by the numbers." https://noogatoday.6amcity.com/erlanger-childrens-hospital-kennedy-center (Accessed March 2, 2026)

10. Chattanooga Times Free Press. "James Kennedy Jr., founder of Chattanooga-based Kenco Group, dies at 95." February 2020. https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2020/feb/06/james-kennedy-jr-founder-chattanooga-based-kenco-group-dies-95/515027/ (Accessed March 2, 2026)

11. Foundation Directory Online - Candid. Kennedy Foundation Inc. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=KENN044 (Accessed March 2, 2026)

12. FireGrants. "The Kennedy Foundation (Tennessee)." https://www.firegrants.info/GrantDetails.aspx?gid=40090 (Accessed March 2, 2026)