Tunnell Foundation Inc - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $20,000-$50,000 (varies by year)
• Success Rate: 12%
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $14,000
• Geographic Focus: National (multi-state focus)

Contact Details

Location: Louisville, Tennessee 37777

Note: As a small private family foundation, the Tunnell Foundation does not maintain a public website or published contact information. Contact details may be available through grant database platforms or by referencing their IRS Form 990-PF filings.

Overview

The Tunnell Foundation Inc is a small private family foundation established in 2018 with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, based in Louisville, Tennessee. The foundation is managed by the Tunnell family, with Jeremy Tunnell serving as President, Jerry Tunnell as Secretary, and Heath Tunnell as a board member. Operating with minimal administrative overhead, the foundation distributes grants from investment income, with annual charitable disbursements ranging from $11,400 to $50,000 depending on investment performance. The foundation experienced significant asset growth to $1.2 million in 2020 but has since declined to approximately $205,000 by 2024 due to investment losses. Despite its Tennessee base, the foundation takes a national approach to grantmaking, supporting organizations across multiple states with a focus on health advocacy, LGBTQ+ rights, human rights, and spiritual/wellness organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on a rolling basis without formal grant programs. Recent grants have been in the $10,000-$14,000 range, with most grants at the $10,000 level.

• Standard grants: $10,000-$14,000 (no formal application process)
• Number of grants: 2-7 per year

Priority Areas

Based on documented grants awarded between 2022-2024:

• Health advocacy (rare disease research and support)
• LGBTQ+ rights and community support
• Human rights and democracy promotion
• Spiritual and personal development organizations

What They Don't Fund

As a small private foundation with limited assets:

• Large capital projects requiring grants over $15,000
• Multi-year commitments
• General operating support for large organizations
• Local Tennessee organizations (demonstrated preference for national organizations)

Governance and Leadership

Jeremy Tunnell, President
Leads the foundation's grantmaking decisions with approximately one hour of unpaid service.

Jerry Tunnell, Secretary
Serves in administrative capacity for the foundation.

Heath Tunnell, Board Member
A family nurse practitioner based in Knoxville, Tennessee, contributing medical/health sector perspective to foundation decisions.

The foundation operates as a volunteer-run family foundation with no paid staff or compensation for officers.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion based on personal networks and research. The foundation identifies potential grantees independently rather than through open applications.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's grant patterns, organizations with the best chance of consideration:

• Have national or regional reach rather than local focus
• Address causes aligned with the trustees' interests (LGBTQ+ rights, rare diseases, human rights, alternative wellness)
• May have existing connections to the Tunnell family or their networks
• Are established nonprofits with demonstrated track records

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. Decisions are likely made on an ad-hoc basis by the board of trustees.

Success Rates

• New applicants funded: 12%
• Total grants awarded: 2-7 per year

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly available.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's grantmaking patterns:

• Geographic diversity valued: Despite Tennessee location, all documented grants go to organizations in other states (AZ, CA, CO, MD, MI, NY)
• Mission alignment crucial: Recipients include Cure HHT (rare disease advocacy), Easton Mountain (LGBTQ+ retreat center), Human Rights Foundation (democracy promotion)
• Standard grant size: Consistent $10,000 grants suggest this is the foundation's typical commitment level
• Established organizations preferred: Recipients are recognized nonprofits rather than startups
• Limited capacity: With assets declining from $1.2M (2020) to $205K (2024), foundation capacity is significantly reduced

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Extremely selective with only 2-7 grants per year and 12% success rate
• No public application process - relationship building essential
• Consistent grant size around $10,000
• National focus despite Tennessee location
• Assets have declined 83% from 2020 peak, limiting future grantmaking
• Values-driven funding across diverse causes (LGBTQ+, rare disease, human rights, wellness)
• Better suited for established organizations with national reach

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Tunnell Foundation Inc (EIN 82-3676453): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/823676453 (Accessed February 10, 2026)
• Grantable Foundation Profile - Tunnell Foundation Inc: https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/tunnell-foundation-inc-us-foundation-823676453 (Accessed February 10, 2026)
• IRS Form 990-PF filings for tax years 2020-2024 (via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer)
• Cure HHT website: https://curehht.org/
• Easton Mountain website: https://www.eastonmountain.org/
• Human Rights Foundation website: https://hrf.org/