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Haslam Family Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$3.1M
Grant Range
$1K - $1.2M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,070,500 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $1,200,000
  • Median Grant: $15,000
  • Geographic Focus: East Tennessee (primary), with occasional grants in other U.S. regions

Contact Details

Address: Todd Ellis, P.O. Box 52206, Knoxville, TN 37950

Phone: 865-212-3800

Website: No public website

Note: The foundation does not have a public website but accepts contact from interested organizations. Letters of inquiry are welcomed.

Overview

Established in 1998 by businessman James "Jim" Haslam (founder and chairman of Pilot Flying J) and his wife Natalie, the Haslam Family Foundation is a private family foundation based in Knoxville, Tennessee. With approximately $17 million in assets, the foundation awarded $3.1 million in grants in 2023 through 32 awards. The foundation's mission centers on supporting education, youth development, arts and culture, health care, and social services. Jim and Natalie prioritize their alma mater, the University of Tennessee, which is home to the Haslam College of Business. The foundation maintains a relatively low profile but is known for its significant impact on East Tennessee communities. Jim Haslam "personifies the successful business entrepreneur with the strongest of philanthropic instincts," and the family has generously supported civic groups, the arts, and human services throughout the region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates with semi-annual deadlines (May 31 and November 30) and awards grants through a written application process. Recent grant activity shows:

  • Large Institutional Grants: $500,000 - $1,200,000 (e.g., University of Tennessee Foundation, Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education)
  • Major Program Grants: $150,000 - $250,000 (e.g., Nashville Symphony Association, Big Ears Festival, Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee)
  • Mid-Size Grants: $15,000 - $100,000 (median grant is $15,000)
  • Small Grants: $1,000 - $10,000

Priority Areas

Education: Major focus on University of Tennessee and education reform initiatives. Jim Haslam has stated: "We believe in the power of education to change the course of individual lives and the future of our communities through innovation, business endeavors and job creation, and most importantly, leadership development."

Youth Sports: Supporting sports participation to improve academic and leadership skills among young people.

Arts & Culture: Broad support for museums, cultural institutions, symphony orchestras, and festivals. Recent grants to Nashville Symphony Association ($250,000) and Big Ears Festival ($225,000) demonstrate commitment to both established and innovative cultural programming.

Health & Human Services: Support for established healthcare institutions and social service organizations serving children and families.

Children & Youth Services: Organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee that provide mentoring and development opportunities for young people.

What They Don't Fund

  • Only awards grants to tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations
  • Preference given to East Tennessee organizations (limited grants outside this region)
  • Generally not a grassroots funder; prefers large, established organizations that can scale, though some room exists for mid-sized local organizations
  • Cultural grants primarily benefit museums and established cultural institutions rather than small, grassroots organizations

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is led by founders James "Jim" Haslam II and Natalie Haslam. Their sons, Jimmy Haslam and Bill Haslam (former Tennessee Governor), serve on the foundation's board of directors.

Jim Haslam has articulated the family's philanthropic philosophy: "Business is the future of our world and our young people are the future of business. Giving back to both is the honor and the duty of our lives."

The Haslams have also stated: "We are grateful for the opportunity to continue our commitment to the university through the Haslam College of Business and hope this gift will enrich the lives of students for generations to come. By investing in these students, we are building the future leaders, entrepreneurs and philanthropists of our community, state and country."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation accepts written grant applications submitted by mail. Applications should include:

  1. A letter stating the amount and purpose of the request
  2. Copy of the organization's IRS Determination Letter (proof of 501(c)(3) status)
  3. Most recent audited financial statements or Form 990
  4. Most recent annual report
  5. Detailed description of the project and amount of funding requested

Submission Address: Todd Ellis, P.O. Box 52206, Knoxville, TN 37950

Phone: 865-212-3800

Decision Timeline

Application Deadlines: May 31 and November 30 (semi-annual review cycle)

Review Process: Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Insider sources note that "funding here will take some patience and networking," suggesting the review process may be relationship-based and potentially lengthy.

Success Rates

The foundation made 32 grants in 2023, down from 101 awards in 2019. Recent grant history:

  • 2023: 32 awards
  • 2022: 20 awards
  • 2021: 53 awards
  • 2020: 93 awards
  • 2019: 101 awards

Specific success rate percentages (applications received vs. grants awarded) are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Information on reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Interested organizations should contact the foundation directly to inquire about reapplication timing and guidelines.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's grant history and stated priorities, successful applications typically demonstrate:

1. Strong Connection to East Tennessee: Geographic preference is explicitly stated, with the vast majority of grants going to organizations in the Knoxville and broader East Tennessee region.

2. Institutional Strength and Scale: The foundation prefers "large, established organizations that can scale," though it does fund select mid-sized organizations. Demonstrated capacity for measurable impact and meaningful change is important.

3. Alignment with Education and Youth Development: Given the family's strong commitment to the University of Tennessee and their stated belief that "young people are the future of business," applications focused on educational advancement and youth development opportunities have particular resonance.

4. Focus on Leadership Development: The Haslams emphasize "leadership development" as a key outcome. Applications should articulate how the proposed program builds future leaders.

5. Clear, Measurable Outcomes: The foundation's website emphasizes "initiatives that show measurable impact and meaningful change," suggesting applications should include concrete metrics and outcomes.

6. Established Track Record: With an average grant size of nearly $96,000 and preference for established organizations, the foundation appears to favor organizations with proven capacity and financial stability.

7. Multi-Year Vision: Recent major grants (such as the $1.2 million to Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education) suggest interest in sustained, transformational initiatives rather than one-time programs.

Recent Funded Projects as Examples:

  • Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education ($1.2M) - general operating support for education reform
  • University of Tennessee Foundation ($500K) - UT Garden Endowment
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee ($150K) - general operating support for youth mentoring
  • Big Ears Festival ($225K) - general operating support for innovative cultural programming

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic focus is critical: Preference strongly given to East Tennessee organizations; most grants stay local to Knoxville region
  • Build relationships before applying: Foundation maintains low profile with no website; networking and relationship-building recommended given the note that funding "will take some patience and networking"
  • Target the semi-annual deadlines: Submit by May 31 or November 30; plan ahead as review timeline is not specified
  • Emphasize leadership development: The Haslams' stated priority on developing "future leaders, entrepreneurs and philanthropists" should be explicitly addressed in proposals
  • Demonstrate scale and sustainability: Foundation prefers established organizations with capacity for significant, measurable impact
  • University of Tennessee connections matter: Given major ongoing support for UT, connections to the university or alignment with UT initiatives may strengthen applications
  • Support your request with strong financials: Include audited statements and demonstrate institutional stability and fiscal responsibility

References

  1. Haslam Family Foundation profile, Inside Philanthropy. Accessed January 2026. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/tennessee-grants/haslam-family-foundation

  2. Haslam Family Foundation Inc, ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Form 990-PF filings. Accessed January 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/621692007

  3. Haslam Family Foundation Inc, Foundation Directory, Candid. Accessed January 2026. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=HASL003

  4. Haslam Family Foundation Inc, Instrumentl 990 Report. Accessed January 2026. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/haslam-family-foundation-inc-co-steiner-and-ellis-pllc

  5. "Haslam Family Makes $40 Million Gift to UT's Haslam College of Business," Haslam Giving, August 18, 2020. Accessed January 2026. https://www.haslamgiving.org/impact/in-the-press/2020/08/18/haslam-family-makes-40-million-gift-to-uts-haslam-college-of-business

  6. Haslam Giving, "Who We Are." Accessed January 2026. https://www.haslamgiving.org/who-we-are

  7. Grantmakers.io Profile - Haslam Family Foundation Inc. Accessed January 2026. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/621692007-haslam-family-foundation-inc/

  8. The Grantsmanship Center, "Haslam Family Foundation, Inc." Accessed January 2026. https://www.tgci.com/funder/haslam-family-foundation-inc

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