Isaacson Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,824,706 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly available
• Geographic Focus: Tennessee (likely Middle Tennessee region)
• Foundation Assets: $11,785,929 (2024)

Contact Details

Address: 1175 Nashville Pike, Gallatin, TN 37066

Phone: 615-461-8780

Website: www.empowerministry.com (operates as Empower Ministry)

EIN: 93-3773993

Overview

The Isaacson Foundation is a private family foundation established by Richard Allen Isaacson and granted tax-exempt status in April 2024. The foundation operates through Empower Ministry, its ministry arm based in Gallatin, Tennessee. With total assets of $11,785,929 and charitable disbursements of $1,824,706 in fiscal year 2024, the foundation focuses on equipping Christian leaders to live out their God-given potential to advance the Kingdom and help every Christian church be their best. Rick Isaacson, formerly Executive Vice President and later CEO of SERVPRO (following Blackstone's acquisition), retired in 2023 after nearly 40 years of service to apply his decades of business experience to the ministry world.

Funding Priorities

Mission Focus

The foundation's mission centers on equipping Christian leaders and strengthening churches through:

• Equipping leaders with best practices, practical solutions, and personal support
• Providing access to proven ministry tools, resources, and vendors
• Helping churches strengthen their local brand and shape a positive view of Christianity
• Supporting leading faith-based tools, platforms, and organizations driving large-scale impact

Priority Areas

Christian churches and ministries, particularly those focused on:

• Leadership development for Christian leaders
• Church growth and effectiveness
• Ministry tools and resources
• Kingdom advancement initiatives

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. As a private family foundation focused on Christian ministry, funding likely limited to faith-based organizations aligned with their Christian mission.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The foundation is managed by a board of trustees composed entirely of Isaacson family members:

• Richard Allen Isaacson (Rick Isaacson) - Founder
• Kristine Lynn Isaacson (Kristie Isaacson) - Trustee
• Christian Isaacson - Trustee
• Michael Isaacson - Trustee
• Allison Lynn Isaacson Beahm - Trustee
• Alexander Isaacson - Trustee

None of the trustees receive compensation for their roles.

Key Staff (Empower Ministry)

• Jason McCormick - Chief Operating Officer (Compensation: $200,000). Jason transitioned from FCA to serving as COO of Empower Ministry in 2023.
• Giah Kress - Executive Assistant (Compensation: $66,321). Giah has more than 25 years of ministry and executive support experience, having served churches and ministries across Middle Tennessee including Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Faith Church of Gallatin, and College Heights Baptist Church.

Leadership Background

Rick Isaacson served as Executive Vice President of SERVPRO Headquarters, overseeing strategy, marketing, training, and national accounts. Following Blackstone's majority acquisition of SERVPRO, he was appointed CEO and added $2 billion in sales and quadrupled EBITDA in four years. He was appointed by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee to the State Workforce Development Board and serves on multiple for-profit and nonprofit boards.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. As a private family foundation, the Isaacson Foundation appears to make grants through trustee discretion and pre-existing relationships rather than accepting unsolicited applications. The foundation operates through Empower Ministry, which provides resources and support to Christian churches and leaders, but does not advertise an open grant application portal.

Getting on Their Radar

Specific strategies for building relationships with this foundation are not publicly documented. The foundation's connection to Empower Ministry suggests that engagement with their ministry resources and programs may be a pathway to potential funding consideration.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. As a private foundation without a public application process, success rates are not disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly available.

Application Success Factors

Given the private nature of this foundation and lack of public application process, the following factors appear relevant:

• Christian Mission Alignment: The foundation's focus is explicitly on Christian churches and leaders advancing the Kingdom, so strong alignment with Christian values and mission is essential.

• Leadership Development Focus: The foundation emphasizes equipping leaders with best practices, practical solutions, and personal support, suggesting they value organizations with clear leadership development components.

• Church Effectiveness: Interest in helping churches "be their best" and strengthen their local brand indicates preference for initiatives that enhance church effectiveness and community impact.

• Kingdom Impact: The mission statement emphasizes bringing "more people into the Kingdom," suggesting preference for evangelistic and outreach-oriented initiatives.

• Connection to Middle Tennessee: Based in Gallatin with staff having Middle Tennessee ministry experience, there may be geographic preference for Tennessee organizations, though this is not explicitly stated.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Isaacson Foundation does not accept public grant applications; funding decisions are made by the family board of trustees
• The foundation operates through Empower Ministry, which provides resources and support to Christian churches and leaders
• With $1.8+ million in annual charitable disbursements, this is an active grant-making foundation despite lack of public application process
• Focus is specifically on Christian churches and ministry leadership development
• Founded by Rick Isaacson, former SERVPRO CEO, who brings significant business experience to ministry support
• Relationship building through Empower Ministry engagement may be the most viable pathway to funding consideration
• Contact the foundation directly at 615-461-8780 for any inquiries about potential funding opportunities

References

• Cause IQ - Isaacson Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/isaacson-foundation,933773993/. Accessed January 20, 2026.
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Isaacson Foundation. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/933773993. Accessed January 20, 2026.
• GuideStar Profile - Isaacson Foundation. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/93-3773993. Accessed January 20, 2026.
• Candid Foundation Directory - Isaacson Foundation. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?collection=grantmakers&activity=result&key=CEI15734387. Accessed January 20, 2026.
• Empower Ministry. https://www.empowerministry.com/. Accessed January 20, 2026.
• Boise State University Alumni - Meet Rick Isaacson. https://www.boisestate.edu/alumni/awards-and-scholarships/distinguished-alumni/meet-rick-isaacson/. Accessed January 20, 2026.