← Back to US Funders Directory

Elizabeth Turner Campbell Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.9M
Grant Range
$3K - $3.9M

Elizabeth Turner Campbell Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,870,000 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $3,886,604
  • Geographic Focus: Southeastern United States, primarily Scottsville, KY; also FL and Nashville, TN

Contact Details

Address: Franklin, TN

Foundation Leadership:

  • Jane Cleveland, President/Director
  • Diane H. Green, Vice President/Director
  • Dana Spencer, Secretary/Director

Note: No public contact information is available as this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

The Elizabeth Turner Campbell Foundation was established in 2000 in memory of Elizabeth Turner Campbell, daughter of Dollar General founder Cal Turner Sr. With total assets of approximately $70.5 million and annual charitable disbursements of $3.87 million (2024), the foundation supports organizations in the Southeastern United States that focus on youth, military personnel, and the elderly. The foundation is particularly focused on Scottsville, Kentucky, where Elizabeth Turner Campbell founded the Center for Courageous Kids, a medical camp for seriously ill children, which opened in 2008. Following the loss of her son after a 17-year battle with cancer, Campbell dedicated herself to creating spaces where children with life-threatening illnesses and their families could experience joy, respite, and normalcy. The foundation operates with no officer compensation and consistently allocates 88-90% of expenses to charitable disbursements.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs but makes strategic contributions to preselected charitable organizations. Recent grants range from small community gifts ($2,500) to major multi-million dollar commitments ($3.9 million).

Priority Areas

Youth Programs:

  • Medical camps for seriously ill children
  • Recreation and sports programs
  • Youth-serving community organizations

Military Personnel:

  • Support for active military and veterans (specific programs not publicly detailed)

Elderly/Older Adults:

  • Services and programs for seniors
  • Community support initiatives

Community Development:

  • Law enforcement and public safety initiatives
  • Recreation facilities and programs
  • Faith-based community organizations

Geographic Focus

While the mission encompasses the Southeastern United States, the foundation demonstrates particular commitment to:

  • Scottsville, Kentucky (primary focus)
  • Nashville, Tennessee area
  • Select locations in Florida
  • Other Southeastern locations on a limited basis

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications and only makes contributions to preselected organizations. No grants are made to individuals.

Governance and Leadership

Current Board of Directors (all serve without compensation):

  • Jane Cleveland, President/Director: Also associated with First Avenue Partners, an investment advisory firm owned by the family of Dollar General chairman Cal Turner Jr. (Elizabeth Turner Campbell's brother)

  • Diane H. Green, Vice President/Director: Long-term board member

  • Dana Spencer, Secretary/Director: Serves as the foundation's spokesperson for public donations and community initiatives

Foundation Legacy: The foundation carries forward the philanthropic vision of Elizabeth Turner Campbell (1942-2011), whose personal experience with her son's cancer battle inspired her commitment to serving families facing serious illness. As the daughter of Dollar General founder Cal Turner Sr., she used family resources to create lasting impact in her hometown of Scottsville and beyond.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Elizabeth Turner Campbell Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grants are made at the discretion of the board of trustees based on organizations and causes they have identified as aligned with the foundation's mission and the late Elizabeth Turner Campbell's philanthropic vision.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no open application process. The foundation made 6-7 grants annually in recent years from a pool of preselected organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only structure.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates by invitation only, traditional application strategies do not apply. However, understanding what the foundation values can inform broader fundraising strategy:

The Foundation's Demonstrated Priorities:

  1. Legacy Connection to Elizabeth Turner Campbell: The foundation's largest and most consistent recipient is the Center for Courageous Kids in Scottsville, which Campbell founded. In 2023, the center received $3,886,604, representing approximately 99% of total grantmaking that year.

  2. Scottsville, Kentucky Focus: The foundation maintains deep ties to Elizabeth Campbell's hometown. Recent grants include:

    • $100,000 to Allen County and Scottsville law enforcement agencies (2025) for drug enforcement programs and flock safety cameras
    • $2,500 to Allen County-Scottsville Softball Booster Club

  3. Faith-Based Organizations: True Gospel Fellowship Church received $10,000, indicating openness to religious organizations serving the community.

  4. Public Safety and Community Wellbeing: As stated by Director Dana Spencer regarding the law enforcement donation, the foundation seeks to provide "stronger deterrents in their drug enforcement programs" and support community safety.

  5. Youth Recreation and Development: Sports programs, camps, and recreational activities for young people align with the foundation's stated priorities.

What This Means for Nonprofits:

Organizations already receiving support from the foundation can expect continued partnership if they demonstrate impact. New organizations are unlikely to receive funding unless they have personal connections to the foundation's trustees or operate in Scottsville, Kentucky, serving youth, military, or elderly populations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists - this foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant proposals
  • Center for Courageous Kids receives the vast majority of funding - approximately $3.9 million of the foundation's $3.87-4.0 million in annual charitable disbursements goes to this single organization
  • Scottsville, Kentucky is the primary geographic focus - nearly all identifiable grants benefit this community
  • Discretionary grantmaking model - the three-member board operates with full discretion, guided by Elizabeth Turner Campbell's legacy
  • Limited number of recipients - only 6-7 grants made annually, suggesting a small, consistent circle of supported organizations
  • High efficiency foundation - 88-90% of expenses go to charitable purposes with zero officer compensation
  • Family foundation structure - trustees appear to have personal or family connections to the Turner/Campbell family legacy

References

← Back to US Funders Directory