The Robert F. Stone (Bobby Stone) Foundation concentrates its giving on a very small number of large, place-based capital projects—most notably the multi-year renovation of the Tivoli Theatre in Chattanooga. Nearly all funding is directed toward bricks-and-mortar community revitalization (historic theater restoration) with a secondary emphasis on neighborhood housing development in Chattanooga.
ROBERT F STONE FOUNDATION AKA Bobby Stone Foundation has built a visible pattern around one place: Chattanooga. The clearest signal is its repeated support for the Tivoli Theatre renovation, including three grants of $750,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025 to The Tivoli Theatre Foundation Inc for the Tivoli Theatre Renovation Project and related performance arts center work. That long-running commitment sits alongside other capital-heavy grants that point to a similar approach: backing major physical projects that change how neighborhoods, schools, and civic institutions function. The foundation also funds housing development, workforce infrastructure, and community-serving facilities. In recent years it gave $250,000 to Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise Inc for the CNE Homes Project and $200,000 to Building & Construction Workforce Center for the Construction Career Center. Other large awards supported a food bank, a regional homeless coalition, a children’s center, and a mission clinic. Across the grant list, the pattern is place-based and project-oriented, with repeated support for organizations in Chattanooga and Hamilton County rather than diffuse national giving.
A defining thread is capital support for cultural infrastructure. The foundation gave $750,000 in 2025 to The Tivoli Theatre Foundation Inc for the Tivoli Theatre Renovation Project, continuing a multi-year renovation effort tied to the theater and performance arts center. Housing and neighborhood stability are another focus. It awarded $250,000 to Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise Inc for the CNE Homes Project, and $120,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga for the Chattanooga Home Build. It also gave $100,000 to Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition Inc for the Flexible Housing Fund. Child and family services appear repeatedly. Chambliss Center for Children received $166,667 in 2025 for the Building Futures Campaign, while Signal Centers Inc received $75,000 for the Family Forward Program. The foundation also supported early education capacity with a $100,000 grant to Chambliss Center for Children for day care center expansion and general operating support. Workforce and education funding shows up in the grant list as well, including $200,000 to Building & Construction Workforce Center for the Construction Career Center and $75,000 to Boys and Girls Clubs of Chattanooga for the Great Futures College Apprentice Program.
$3.8M
$19.5M
$2.7M
$4.1M
Most grants fall between $1K and $30K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$30K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in TN.
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Highly concentrated giving: very few, large grants focused on capital projects; repeat, multi-year support to a single flagship recipient (Tivoli Theatre Foundation) alongside occasional sizable grants to local community development partners.
Notable grantees: THE TIVOLI THEATRE FOUNDATION INC, CHATTANOOGA NEIGHBORHOOD ENTERPRISE INC, Tivoli Theatre Renovation Project (primary funded initiative)
Typical grant size is $1,125 at the 25th percentile, $5,000 at the median, and $30,000 at the 75th percentile, while the recent list also includes several six-figure awards. The pattern is not a one-off style of giving: the same organizations recur across multiple years, including The Tivoli Theatre Foundation Inc, Chambliss Center for Children, Dynamo Studios, Signal Centers Inc, Medicos Mission Fund, and Chattanooga Area Food Bank Inc. The foundation funds individuals and also makes grants to operating nonprofits, capital campaigns, and project-specific efforts. The overall structure looks like a place-based family foundation with a strong emphasis on large, repeated commitments.
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly U.S.-based, with 306 grants to recipients in the United States. Chattanooga is the clear center of gravity, and many awards go to Chattanooga organizations or projects serving Hamilton County. Other Tennessee locations appear too, including Coalmont and Ooltewah. The foundation’s giving state is Tennessee, while Delaware is its headquarters state, and no grants in the recent list go to recipients in Delaware.
It gives heavily to capital and facility projects. Examples in the recent grants include the Tivoli Theatre renovation, Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise’s CNE Homes Project, Building & Construction Workforce Center’s Construction Career Center, and Medicos Mission Fund’s primary care and behavioral health facility.
Yes. Recent grants include $166,667 to Chambliss Center for Children for the Building Futures Campaign, $75,000 to Boys and Girls Clubs of Chattanooga for the Great Futures College Apprentice Program, and $75,000 to Prep Public Schools for the College Prep Program.
The typical grant size is $1,125 at the 25th percentile, $5,000 at the median, and $30,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grant list also shows several larger awards, including multiple $750,000 grants and other six-figure commitments.
Yes. The recent grants show repeated support across years for several recipients, including The Tivoli Theatre Foundation Inc, Chambliss Center for Children, Dynamo Studios, Signal Centers Inc, Medicos Mission Fund, and Chattanooga Area Food Bank Inc.
Tennessee is the top state by grant count. Chattanooga is the main city in the recent grant list, with additional Tennessee recipients in Coalmont and Ooltewah.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE TIVOLI THEATRE FOUNDATION INC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $750,000 | 2025 | Tivoli Theatre Renovation Project |
| CHATTANOOGA NEIGHBORHOOD ENTERPRISE INC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $250,000 | 2025 | CNE Homes Project |
| BETTERFI | COALMONT, TN | $200,000 | 2025 | To support Betterfi expansion into the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Market |
| CHILDRENS NUTRITION PROGRAM OF HAITI INC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $200,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| CHATTANOOGA SYMPHONY AND OPERA ASSOCIATION | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $177,000 | 2025 | Rebuilding and Debt Relief |
| CHAMBLISS CENTER FOR CHILDREN | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $166,667 | 2025 | Building Futures Campaign |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF GREATER CHATTANOOGA | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $120,000 | 2025 | Chattanooga Home Build |
| CHATTANOOGA AREA FOOD BANK INC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| MEDICOS MISSION FUND | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | Primary Care and Behavioral Health Facility |
| CHATTANOOGA REGIONAL HOMELESS COALITION INC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | Flexible Housing Fund |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF CHATTANOOGA | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $75,000 | 2025 | Great Futures College Apprentice Program |
| SIGNAL CENTERS INC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $75,000 | 2025 | Family Forward Program |
| LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN CONSERVANCY | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $60,000 | 2025 | LMC Interns Post Secondary Scholarship Fund |
| METROPOLITAN MINISTRIES | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $55,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| LA PAZ DE DIOS | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $54,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| NORTHSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $53,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| UNITED METHODIST NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS INC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $51,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| WELCOME HOME OF CHATTANOOGA | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | Operational Improvement Plan |
| CHATTANOOGA AUTISM CENTER | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | In support of both the Autism Resource program and salary support for clinical assessment position |
| CHATT FOUNDATION | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | "A Seat at the Table" Capital Campaign |
| SKYUKA HALL | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | Financial Aid Assistance Program |
| CHATTANOOGA GIRLS LEADERSHIP ACADEMY INC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | CGLA Afterschool and Summer Programs |
| CHATTANOOGA CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | Howard High School Baseball Fund |
| PARTNERSHIP FOR FAMILIES CHILDREN AND ADULTS INC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | River City Youth Collective and Youth Homelessnes Program |
| CHATTANOOGA FOOD CENTER | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | Chattanooga Food Center Fund |
| THE TIVOLI THEATRE FOUNDATION INC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | The Tivoli Theatre and Performance Arts Center Renovation Project |
| CHATTANOOGA CHAMBER FOUNDATION | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | Chattanooga 2.0 - Chattanooga Futures Fund |
| DYNAMO STUDIOS | OOLTEWAH, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| CHATTANOOGA STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $40,000 | 2025 | Chattanooga State's Child Development Center enrollment expansion project |
| YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF METROPOLITAN C | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $35,000 | 2025 | YCAP Program |
| CRABTREE FARMS OF CHATTANOOGA INC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $30,500 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| LAUNCH | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $30,000 | 2025 | Kitchen Incubator Chattanooga |
| SIGNAL CENTERS INC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $30,000 | 2025 | Dolly Parton Imagination Library Fund |
| BRIDGE CITY COMMUNITY | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $30,000 | 2025 | Showered with Hope Project |
| NEWTON CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $30,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| THE HELEN ROSS MCNABB CENTER | KNOXVILLE, TN | $30,000 | 2025 | Chattanooga Preschool |
| LAUNCH PAD | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | Salary Support for Resident Manager Position & Supportive Services |
| CHATTANOOGA AREA FOOD BANK INC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | Food As A Verb Fund |
| UNITED METHODIST NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS INC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | Bridge Outdoors at the Beth |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHATTANOOGA FOUNDATION INC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | UTC Athletics Summer Bridge Program |
| STOVE WORKS | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | Artists in Residency Program |
| GIRLS INCORPORATED OF CHATTANOOGA | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $20,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| CITY OF CHATTANOOGA | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $20,000 | 2025 | Meal program |
| SOUTHSIDE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT INC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $20,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| LIGHTHOUSE COLLECTIVE INC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $20,000 | 2025 | Lighthouse Scholars Summer Program |
| WAUHATCHIE SCHOOL | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $19,400 | 2025 | Scholarship Fund |
| RISE CHATTANOOGA | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $15,000 | 2025 | The H2O Life |
| ASSOCIATION FOR VISUAL ARTISTS | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $15,000 | 2025 | Charitable Event |
| TWO BIKES CHATTANOOGA INC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | Pedal It Forward Program |
| LOOKOUT FILM FESTIVAL INC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
BETTERFI
$200,000To support Betterfi expansion into the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Market
CHILDRENS NUTRITION PROGRAM OF HAITI INC
$200,000General & Unrestricted
CHAMBLISS CENTER FOR CHILDREN
$166,667Building Futures Campaign
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF GREATER CHATTANOOGA
$120,000Chattanooga Home Build
Great Futures College Apprentice Program
METROPOLITAN MINISTRIES
$55,000General & Unrestricted
UNITED METHODIST NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS INC
$51,000General & Unrestricted
CHATTANOOGA AUTISM CENTER
$50,000In support of both the Autism Resource program and salary support for clinical assessment position
CGLA Afterschool and Summer Programs
Howard High School Baseball Fund
River City Youth Collective and Youth Homelessnes Program
CHATTANOOGA FOOD CENTER
$50,000Chattanooga Food Center Fund
The Tivoli Theatre and Performance Arts Center Renovation Project
DYNAMO STUDIOS
$50,000General & Unrestricted
CHATTANOOGA STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$40,000Chattanooga State's Child Development Center enrollment expansion project
YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF METROPOLITAN C
$35,000YCAP Program
CRABTREE FARMS OF CHATTANOOGA INC
$30,500General & Unrestricted
BRIDGE CITY COMMUNITY
$30,000Showered with Hope Project
NEWTON CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER
$30,000General & Unrestricted
LAUNCH PAD
$25,000Salary Support for Resident Manager Position & Supportive Services
UNITED METHODIST NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS INC
$25,000Bridge Outdoors at the Beth
UTC Athletics Summer Bridge Program
STOVE WORKS
$25,000Artists in Residency Program
CITY OF CHATTANOOGA
$20,000Meal program
SOUTHSIDE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT INC
$20,000General & Unrestricted
LIGHTHOUSE COLLECTIVE INC
$20,000Lighthouse Scholars Summer Program
WAUHATCHIE SCHOOL
$19,400Scholarship Fund
ASSOCIATION FOR VISUAL ARTISTS
$15,000Charitable Event
TWO BIKES CHATTANOOGA INC
$10,000Pedal It Forward Program
LOOKOUT FILM FESTIVAL INC
$10,000General & Unrestricted