The Kennedy Foundation concentrates its giving on large, strategic gifts rather than many small awards, with a strong local focus in Chattanooga, TN. Recent grants show two clear programmatic priorities: strengthening local health care (hospital systems and nursing education) and using donor-advised or pass-through vehicles to support other charities. The foundation favors capital and institutional support (building and system-level funding) over program-level grants.
Kennedy Foundation Inc directs unusually large gifts toward institutional projects, especially in Chattanooga. The clearest example is a $1.6 million grant to the University of Chattanooga Foundation in 2025 to fund a new building for the nursing school, paired with repeated support for the university’s poetry program and a professorship. That pattern points to a funder that backs education through capital and faculty support rather than short-term program grants. Health care is another major thread. The foundation gave $800,000 to Erlanger Health System Foundations in 2024, and also supported Erlanger Hospital with a separate grant in 2024. These grants sit alongside smaller awards to community charities, but the larger checks are aimed at institutions that serve broad public needs. The foundation also uses donor-advised or pass-through vehicles: its largest 2024 grant, $14.65 million to Jp Morgan Charitable Giving Fund National Philanthropic Trust Kennedy F, was recorded as a contribution to a non-profit charity. Together with a typical median grant of $20,000 and a high share of grants in Tennessee, the record shows a mix of major transfers and place-based support.
Education appears in several forms. Kennedy Foundation Inc gave $100,000 in 2025 to the University of Chattanooga Foundation for a professorship, and $20,000 in 2025 to the same foundation to fund a portrait for the new nursing school building. Earlier grants to the university also supported the poetry program and a scholarship. Health care support includes $800,000 in 2024 to Erlanger Health System Foundations for a public charity, plus $10,000 in 2024 to Erlanger Hospital to provide support to a non-profit hospital. The foundation also backed humanitarian relief with a $5,000 grant in 2023 to International Committee of the Red Cross- Ukraine Crisis Relief for victims of the Ukrainian war. Arts and civic life show up too. In 2024, the foundation gave $10,000 to Artsbuild, and it also supported the Chattanooga Public Library and Houston Museum of Decorative Arts with public-charity grants.
Kennedy Foundation Inc gives at a wide range of sizes, from a p25 of $6,250 to a median of $20,000 and a p75 of $87,500. The pattern includes both very large transfers and many smaller institutional gifts. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including the University of Chattanooga Foundation, Friends of the National World War II Memorial, United Way of Greater Chattanooga, and American Heart Association Inc, suggesting repeat support rather than one-off grants only. The foundation funds individuals and appears to combine direct grants with pass-through giving through Jp Morgan Charitable Giving Fund National Philanthropic Trust Kennedy F. The recent record does not show an application process.
$2.3M
$56.3M
$1.6M
$2.6M
Most grants fall between $6K and $88K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$6K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$88K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Very concentrated giving: a small number of very large grants (three grants totaling ~$17M) with emphasis on major capital and institutional gifts and use of a donor-advised/charitable giving fund for flexible redistribution. Primarily local/regional beneficiaries with occasional use of national philanthropic vehicles.
Notable grantees: JP Morgan Charitable Giving Fund / National Philanthropic Trust (Kennedy F) — donor-advised/pass-through funding, University of Chattanooga Foundation — nursing school capital project, Erlanger Health System Foundations — local hospital system support
Giving is heavily centered in Tennessee, where 67% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Chattanooga alone appears repeatedly across education, health, arts, and community organizations. Outside Tennessee, the foundation has also made gifts to Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Washington, DC; Dallas, Texas; Sewanee, Tennessee; and Walker, Iowa. All recent grants in the file went to US recipients.
The recent record shows support for education, health care, arts, civic organizations, humanitarian relief, and faith-based upkeep. Examples include a nursing school building, a professorship, hospital support, an arts funder, a library, and relief for victims of the Ukrainian war.
The grant-size distribution centers on a median of $20,000, with a p25 of $6,250 and a p75 of $87,500. The file also includes both much larger gifts, such as a $1.6 million nursing school grant, and smaller awards like $3,000 annual-campaign gifts.
Yes. The recent grants list shows repeat support for several recipients across multiple years, including the University of Chattanooga Foundation, Friends of the National World War II Memorial, United Way of Greater Chattanooga, and American Heart Association Inc.
No. Tennessee receives most of the grants, but the foundation also gave to recipients in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Washington, DC; Dallas, Texas; and Walker, Iowa. All recent grants in the file were made to US organizations.
It supports individuals as well as organizations. The profile flags that Kennedy Foundation Inc funds individuals, while the recent grants list shows many institutional recipients such as universities, hospitals, charities, and cultural organizations.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF CHATTANOOGA FOUNDATION | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $1,600,000 | 2026 | TO FUND A NEW BUILDING FOR THE NURSING SCHOOL |
| MEMORIAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM FOUNDATION INC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $200,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY |
| HOUSTON MUSEUM OF DECORATIVE ARTS | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $100,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHATTANOOGA FOUNDATION | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $100,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR A PROFESSORSHIP |
| SKYUKA HALL | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $84,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY |
| THE COOLIDGE NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR HERITAGE CENTER | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $50,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY |
| FRIENDS OF SPECIAL CHILDREN | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $25,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY |
| ERLANGER HEALTH | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $20,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY |
| UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL GEORGIA | MACON, GA | $20,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY |
| SAINT ANNES EPISCOPAL CHURCH | ATLANTA, GA | $20,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY |
| DEO CLINIC INC | DALTON, GA | $10,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY |
| HAITI DEAF ACADEMY | WALKER, IA | $10,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY |
| AGAPE YOUTH AND FAMILY CENTER | ATLANTA, GA | $10,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY |
| RETRIEVING INDEPENDENCE INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION INC | DALLAS, TX | $3,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT ANNUAL CAMPAIGN |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHATTANOOGA FOUNDATION | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $1,600,000 | 2025 | TO FUND A NEW BUILDING FOR THE NURSING SCHOOL |
| JP MORGAN CHARITABLE GIVING FUND NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST KENNEDY F | LANCASTER, PA | $128,272 | 2025 | TO CONTRIBUTE FUNDS TO A NON-PROFIT CHARITY |
| HOUSTON MUSEUM OF DECORATIVE ARTS | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHATTANOOGA FOUNDATION | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR A PROFESSORSHIP |
| FRIENDS OF THE NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY |
| FRIENDS OF SPECIAL CHILDREN FOR THE BENEFIT OF SIGNAL CENTERS LLC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHATTANOOGA FOUNDATION | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $20,000 | 2025 | TO FUND PORTRAIT FOR NEW NURSING SCHOOL BUILDING |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER CHATTANOOGA | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $20,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY |
| CHATTANOOGA AREA FOOD BANK | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY |
| ARTSBUILD | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF CHATTANOOGA | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION INC | DALLAS, TX | $3,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT ANNUAL CAMPAIGN |
| JP MORGAN CHARITABLE GIVING FUND NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST KENNEDY F | LANCASTER, PA | $14,651,505 | 2024 | TO CONTRIBUTE FUNDS TO A NON-PROFIT CHARITY |
| ERLANGER HEALTH SYSTEM FOUNDATIONS | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $800,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHATTANOOGA FOUNDATION INC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $100,000 | 2024 | TO PROVIDE FUNDING AND SCHOLARSHIP TO THE POETRY PROGRAM |
| FRIENDS OF THE NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY |
| FRIENDS OF SPECIAL CHILDREN FOR THE BENEFIT OF SIGNAL CENTERS LLC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $25,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY |
| ERLANGER HOSPITAL | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $10,000 | 2024 | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO NON-PROFIT HOSPITAL |
| MARY CAMERON ROBINSON FOUNDATION | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $10,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY |
| UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH | SEWANEE, TN | $10,000 | 2024 | TO PROVIDE FUNDING AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES |
| HAITI DEAF ACADEMY | WALKER, IA | $5,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY |
| METROPOLITAN MINISTRIES | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $5,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY |
| ST PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $5,000 | 2024 | TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR CHURCH UPKEEP |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER CHATTANOOGA | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $5,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION INC | DALLAS, TX | $3,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT ANNUAL CAMPAIGN |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHATTANOOGA FOUNDATION INC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $100,000 | 2023 | TO PROVIDE FUNDING AND SCHOLARSHIP TO THE POETRY PROGRAM |
| CHATTANOOGA PUBLIC LIBRARY | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $25,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY |
| FRIENDS OF THE NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY |
| INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS- UKRAINE CRISIS RELIEF | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2023 | TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO VICTIMS OF UKRAINIAN WAR. |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION INC | DALLAS, TX | $3,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT ANNUAL CAMPAIGN |
UNIVERSITY OF CHATTANOOGA FOUNDATION
$1,600,000TO FUND A NEW BUILDING FOR THE NURSING SCHOOL
MEMORIAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM FOUNDATION INC
$200,000TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY
HOUSTON MUSEUM OF DECORATIVE ARTS
$100,000TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY
TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR A PROFESSORSHIP
THE COOLIDGE NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR HERITAGE CENTER
TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY
FRIENDS OF SPECIAL CHILDREN
$25,000TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY
ERLANGER HEALTH
$20,000TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY
SAINT ANNES EPISCOPAL CHURCH
$20,000TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY
DEO CLINIC INC
$10,000TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY
HAITI DEAF ACADEMY
$10,000TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY
RETRIEVING INDEPENDENCE INC
$10,000TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY
UNIVERSITY OF CHATTANOOGA FOUNDATION
$1,600,000TO FUND A NEW BUILDING FOR THE NURSING SCHOOL
JP MORGAN CHARITABLE GIVING FUND NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST KENNEDY F
$128,272TO CONTRIBUTE FUNDS TO A NON-PROFIT CHARITY
HOUSTON MUSEUM OF DECORATIVE ARTS
$100,000TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY
TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR A PROFESSORSHIP
FRIENDS OF SPECIAL CHILDREN FOR THE BENEFIT OF SIGNAL CENTERS LLC
$25,000TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY
TO FUND PORTRAIT FOR NEW NURSING SCHOOL BUILDING
JP MORGAN CHARITABLE GIVING FUND NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST KENNEDY F
$14,651,505TO CONTRIBUTE FUNDS TO A NON-PROFIT CHARITY
ERLANGER HEALTH SYSTEM FOUNDATIONS
$800,000TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY
TO PROVIDE FUNDING AND SCHOLARSHIP TO THE POETRY PROGRAM
FRIENDS OF SPECIAL CHILDREN FOR THE BENEFIT OF SIGNAL CENTERS LLC
$25,000TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY
ERLANGER HOSPITAL
$10,000TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO NON-PROFIT HOSPITAL
MARY CAMERON ROBINSON FOUNDATION
$10,000TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY
HAITI DEAF ACADEMY
$5,000TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY
METROPOLITAN MINISTRIES
$5,000TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY
ST PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
$5,000TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR CHURCH UPKEEP
TO PROVIDE FUNDING AND SCHOLARSHIP TO THE POETRY PROGRAM
CHATTANOOGA PUBLIC LIBRARY
$25,000TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC CHARITY
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS- UKRAINE CRISIS RELIEF
$5,000TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO VICTIMS OF UKRAINIAN WAR.