
The Community Foundation of Cleveland and Bradley County primarily funds local education, basic-needs charities, and faith-based community organizations in Bradley County and the surrounding region, often through donor-advised distributions. Its largest gifts are to public education and higher education (e.g., Bradley County Schools and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga), while many mid-size and repeat grants support shelters, community health, housing, parks/greenway projects, and local faith congregations. The foundation mixes a few very large anchor grants with numerous recurring, donor-advised awards and occasional international gifts.
Concentrated local giving with a mix of very large, multi-hundred-thousand anchor gifts and many mid-sized, repeat donor-advised distributions; strong tendency to fund the same core local institutions repeatedly rather than one-off small grants.
A $800,000 grant to Bradley County Schools in 2023 stands out in the Community Foundation of Cleveland and Bradley County’s recent record and signals how strongly the foundation supports public education in its local area. The foundation’s largest awards sit alongside a long run of donor-advised distributions, which gives its grantmaking a mix of anchor gifts and many smaller, recurring local awards. Recent funding reaches K-12 education, higher education, housing, shelter, community health, parks and greenway projects, and faith-based organizations. The foundation has also backed major education institutions through large gifts, including $765,000 to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2025 and $60,500 to the Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation in 2025. Local service organizations appear repeatedly in the recent grants list, with support for groups such as The Caring Place, Cleveland Family YMCA, Habitat for Humanity, and Cleveland Emergency Shelter. Faith communities and community development projects are part of the pattern as well, with grants to Broad Street United Methodist Church, Westwood Baptist Church, and City Fields. The result is a grantmaking profile centered on civic infrastructure and community-serving institutions in Cleveland and Bradley County.
Education is one of the clearest threads in the foundation’s giving. It awarded $124,000 to Trousdale School in 2025 and $72,000 to the same school in 2023, alongside $60,000 to Woodsong Forest School in 2025. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga also received $765,000 in 2025. Basic needs and social services form another major cluster. The Caring Place received $102,835 in 2023 and $90,746 in 2025, while Cleveland Emergency Shelter received $57,456 in 2025. Habitat for Humanity also appears in the recent list, with grants of $68,250 in 2024 and $44,025 in 2025. The foundation also funds community and faith-based programming. City Fields received $175,176 in 2025 and $76,012 in 2023, and Broad Street United Methodist Church was awarded $65,500 in 2025 after earlier support of $59,000 in 2024 and $58,000 in 2023.
Typical grant size sits at $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $13,050 at the median, and $31,360 at the 75th percentile, showing a middle band of relatively modest awards with some larger exceptions. The recent list includes repeated awards to the same recipients across multiple years, including The Caring Place, City Fields, Trousdale School, Cleveland Family YMCA, Habitat for Humanity, and Broad Street United Methodist Church. That repetition points to ongoing relationships rather than one-off gifts. The foundation also makes donor-advised distributions and program-related investments, and it funds individuals: False.
$2.3M
$15.5M
$4.2M
$3M
Most grants fall between $10K and $31K, with a median of $13K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$13K
75th Percentile
$31K
LISA GREEN
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Notable grantees: Bradley County Schools, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, City Fields, Cleveland Emergency Shelter (and Karis Community Health), Habitat for Humanity
Giving is overwhelmingly local: 87% of grants go to recipients in Tennessee, and the recent grants list is entirely U.S.-based. Cleveland, TN appears most often, with recipients such as Bradley County Schools, City Fields, Trousdale School, The Caring Place, Cleveland Family YMCA, Habitat for Humanity, and Cleveland Emergency Shelter. Chattanooga, TN also appears through the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Cleveland State Community College. Outside Tennessee, recent recipients include Orlando, FL; Cody, WY; Chesapeake, VA; and McDonald, TN.
Recent grants show a strong mix of local public education, higher education, basic-needs services, faith-based organizations, and community development. Examples include Bradley County Schools, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, The Caring Place, Cleveland Emergency Shelter, and City Fields.
Yes. Several organizations appear more than once, including The Caring Place, City Fields, Trousdale School, Cleveland Family YMCA, Habitat for Humanity, and Broad Street United Methodist Church. The repeat awards suggest ongoing support over multiple years.
The grant-size distribution centers on smaller awards, with a 25th percentile of $10,000, a median of $13,050, and a 75th percentile of $31,360. The recent list also includes larger anchor gifts, such as $800,000 to Bradley County Schools and $765,000 to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Yes. Tennessee is the top state by grant count, and 87% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state of Tennessee. The recent grants list also includes a few out-of-state recipients, such as organizations in Florida, Wyoming, and Virginia.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF TN AT CHATTANOOGA | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $765,000 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| CITY FIELDS | CLEVELAND, TN | $175,176 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| TROUSDALE SCHOOL | CLEVELAND, TN | $124,000 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| THE CARING PLACE | CLEVELAND, TN | $90,746 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| BUFFALO BILL CENTER OF THE WEST | CODY, WY | $75,624 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| CLEVELAND FAMILY YMCA | CLEVELAND, TN | $70,500 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| BROAD STREET UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | CLEVELAND, TN | $65,500 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| BRADLEY CLEVELAND PUBLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION | CLEVELAND, TN | $60,500 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| WOODSONG FOREST SCHOOL | CLEVELAND, TN | $60,000 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| CLEVELAND EMERGENCY SHELTER | CLEVELAND, TN | $57,456 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| WESTWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH | CLEVELAND, TN | $51,067 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| CLEVELAND STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $45,500 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | CLEVELAND, TN | $44,025 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| UNITED WAY OF OCOEE REGION | CLEVELAND, TN | $42,500 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| ST MARY'S SCHOOL | OAK RIDGE, TN | $40,000 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| KARIS COMMUNITY HEALTH | CLEVELAND, TN | $38,500 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY | CLEVELAND, TN | $31,822 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| LIV IN THE JOURNEY | CLEVELAND, TN | $29,220 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| MONGOLIAN ASIA REACH | CHESAPEAKE, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF OCOEE REGION | CLEVELAND, TN | $21,600 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| LYDIA'S HOUSE | ST LOUIS, MO | $20,000 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| FRIENDS OF THE GREENWAY | CLEVELAND, TN | $20,000 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS USA | NEW YORK, NY | $19,600 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| SAMARITAN'S PURSE | BOONE, NC | $18,000 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| SPCA | CLEVELAND, TN | $15,750 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| MUSEUM CENTER AT 5IVE POINTS | CLEVELAND, TN | $15,255 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| FAMILY PROMISE OF BRADLEY COUNTY | CLEVELAND, TN | $15,000 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF POLK COUNTY | BENTON, TN | $15,000 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| THE EQUAL JUSTICE INTIATIVE | MONTGOMERY, AL | $15,000 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| VALLEY VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | CLEVELAND, TN | $14,000 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| ST THERESE CATHOLIC CHURCH | CLEVELAND, TN | $13,300 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| LIVING STONES CHURCH | CLEVELAND, TN | $12,500 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE OCOEE REGION | CLEVELAND, TN | $11,000 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| CHI MEMORIAL FOUNDATION | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $11,000 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| CHATTANOOGA FOOD BANK | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $10,500 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| 1ST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HIGHLANDS | HIGHLANDS, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| UNITY CENTER | CLEVELAND, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| ATS BRIDGEBUILDERS | CLEVELAND, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| TRI-STATE THERAPUTIC RIDING CENTER | MCDONALD, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| HOLSTON HOME FOR CHILDREN | GREENEVILLE, TN | $9,050 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| ST LUKES HAITI | MIAMA, FL | $8,000 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| SHORTER UNIVERSITY | ROME, GA | $7,500 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY | MURRAY, KY | $7,500 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| PENN STATE BEHREND | ERIE, PA | $7,500 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| MERCYHURST UNIVERSITY | ERIE, PA | $7,500 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| TENNESSEE TECH | COOKEVILLE, TN | $7,500 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| UNIVERSITY OF N GA DAHLONEGA | DAHLONEGA, GA | $7,500 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| FOUNDATION HOUSE MINISTRIES | CLEVELAND, TN | $7,100 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| AMERICA'S CHARITIES | CHANTILLY, VA | $6,799 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
| CAMPUS CRUSADES FOR CHRIST | ORLANDO, FL | $100,000 | 2024 | DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS |
UNIVERSITY OF TN AT CHATTANOOGA
$765,000DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
CITY FIELDS
$175,176DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
TROUSDALE SCHOOL
$124,000DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
THE CARING PLACE
$90,746DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
BUFFALO BILL CENTER OF THE WEST
$75,624DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
CLEVELAND FAMILY YMCA
$70,500DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
BROAD STREET UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$65,500DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
BRADLEY CLEVELAND PUBLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$60,500DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
WOODSONG FOREST SCHOOL
$60,000DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
CLEVELAND EMERGENCY SHELTER
$57,456DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
WESTWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH
$51,067DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
CLEVELAND STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$45,500DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$44,025DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
UNITED WAY OF OCOEE REGION
$42,500DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
ST MARY'S SCHOOL
$40,000DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
KARIS COMMUNITY HEALTH
$38,500DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
$31,822DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
LIV IN THE JOURNEY
$29,220DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
MONGOLIAN ASIA REACH
$25,000DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF OCOEE REGION
$21,600DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
LYDIA'S HOUSE
$20,000DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
FRIENDS OF THE GREENWAY
$20,000DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS USA
$19,600DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
SAMARITAN'S PURSE
$18,000DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
SPCA
$15,750DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
MUSEUM CENTER AT 5IVE POINTS
$15,255DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
FAMILY PROMISE OF BRADLEY COUNTY
$15,000DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF POLK COUNTY
$15,000DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
THE EQUAL JUSTICE INTIATIVE
$15,000DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
VALLEY VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
$14,000DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
ST THERESE CATHOLIC CHURCH
$13,300DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
LIVING STONES CHURCH
$12,500DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE OCOEE REGION
$11,000DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
CHI MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
$11,000DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
CHATTANOOGA FOOD BANK
$10,500DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
1ST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HIGHLANDS
$10,000DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
UNITY CENTER
$10,000DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
ATS BRIDGEBUILDERS
$10,000DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
TRI-STATE THERAPUTIC RIDING CENTER
$10,000DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
HOLSTON HOME FOR CHILDREN
$9,050DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
ST LUKES HAITI
$8,000DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
SHORTER UNIVERSITY
$7,500DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY
$7,500DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
PENN STATE BEHREND
$7,500DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
MERCYHURST UNIVERSITY
$7,500DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
TENNESSEE TECH
$7,500DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
UNIVERSITY OF N GA DAHLONEGA
$7,500DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
FOUNDATION HOUSE MINISTRIES
$7,100DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
AMERICA'S CHARITIES
$6,799DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS
CAMPUS CRUSADES FOR CHRIST
$100,000DONOR ADVISED DISTRIBUTIONS