The Powell Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- Its giving goes mostly to universities and their associated foundations, with some support for cultural bodies including a symphony, so higher education and the arts are the clearest fit.
- Most of its grants are modest: half of its 114 grants to organisations were $20,000 or less, and about 8 in 10 fall between $5,000 and $50,000, so a request in that range suits its usual pattern, though its largest grant was $235,000.
- The filing states no geographic focus, although its grants are mainly in Tennessee, so a group based there can point to that record.
- Repeat giving is strong, with 96% of its grant dollars to organisations going to groups it had already funded in earlier filings, so a new applicant should expect a competitive, relationship-led process.
- It accepts applications and the filing gives no deadlines, so a short letter explaining your charitable purpose and need can be sent whenever it is ready.
Overview
The Powell Foundation is a US private foundation based in Brentwood, TN.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) only: no website or other web source for the foundation was found. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The filing does not state a defined funding field. Its grant record is concentrated on universities and their associated foundations, with repeated gifts for student scholarships and endowed or graduate-student support. Named purposes include genomics, engineering, business and music; it also records building-fund gifts and concert aid, alongside support for a symphony. The pattern is one of substantial, repeated institutional grants, particularly for higher education, with some cultural support. All recorded organisation grants are in Tennessee. Requests are asked to explain their charitable purpose and need in a letter.
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Tennessee.
How to apply
A request should include a letter explaining its charitable purpose and need.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 96% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 114 grants to organisations were $20,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 33% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 96% of grant dollars went to organisations The Powell Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- <1% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 39 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $25,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- East Tennessee State University · Jenrett endowment$235,0002024 tax year
- University of Tennessee · James j powell genomics endowment$200,0002024 tax year
- University of Tennessee · Ut genomics graduate student$75,0002024 tax year
- University of Tennessee · Ut genomics graduate student$75,0002024 tax year
- Crumley House · Annual gift$60,0002024 tax year
- University of Tennessee · James j powell sr scholarship$50,0002024 tax year
- University of Tennessee · James j powell sr scholarship$50,0002024 tax year
- University of Tennessee · Jennifer powell scholarship$50,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Jennifer Von De Heiden — President
- Michael Powell — Director
- James J Powell Jr — Secretary
- Sandra Powell — Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $826,812 | $677,500 | $14,630,613 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $1,266,558 | $1,156,000 | $33,481,708 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $1,962,314 | $1,661,295 | $34,451,763 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to The Powell Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (423) 794-6095
- Brentwood, TN
Applying to The Powell Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (423) 794-6095
- Brentwood, TN