About Thompson Charitable Foundation
Established in 1987 by B. Ray Thompson, Sr., the Thompson Charitable Foundation supports projects that seek to improve the quality of life for individuals and communities in 10 Appalachian counties, with emphasis on health services and sciences, education, human services, and quality of life.
Focus Areas
Community and Economic DevelopmentEducation and Workforce DevelopmentHealth & Human ServicesQuality of Life
Who They Fund
county / local community residents affected by disasters (e.g., Clay County, Buchanan County)students / scholarship recipientsapprentices / workforce training participantspatients / low-income healthcare clientschildren and families (child advocacy, childcare projects)
Funding Style
About Thompson Charitable Foundation
THE THOMPSON CHARITABLE FOUNDATION is based in Knoxville, TN. In 2023, it gave $3,112,653 in annual grants and reported total assets of $28,558,365. The foundation was established in 1987 by B. Ray Thompson, Sr. Its grantmaking is regional and is centered on Community and Economic Development, Education and Workforce Development, Health & Human Services, and Quality of Life. The foundation supports nonprofit projects in Appalachian counties across Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia, with a stated emphasis on health services and sciences, education, human services, and quality of life. Recent grant records show several large awards that illustrate its scope of funding. COALFIELD WATER DEVELOPMENT FUN D received $163,165 for a water project. UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA received $138,188 for the B&T Childcare Project and $100,000 for Hurley Flood Relief. SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD received $135,000 for an apprenticeship program, $100,000 for the S-Bee Program, $100,000 for the Lets Train Program, and $77,500 for Project Reconnect. Other notable grants include CRAB ORCHARD MUSEUM at $100,000 for building renovation, FISH HOSPITALITY PANTRIES at $75,000 for building purchase/renovation, and HELEN ROSS MCNABB FOUNDATION at $50,000 for the Recovery Housing Campaign.
What Thompson Charitable Foundation Funds
Recent grantmaking spans disaster and flood relief, housing recovery, healthcare access, food security, workforce development, education support, and facility and equipment upgrades. Notable grants include UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA for Hurley Flood Relief at $100,000 and Daniel Boone Community Action Agency for Clay County Flood Relief at $50,000. HELEN ROSS MCNABB FOUNDATION received $50,000 for the Recovery Housing Campaign. SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD received $135,000 for an apprenticeship program and additional support for training initiatives. Education-related grants include University of Virginia's College at Wise Foundation at $50,000 for scholarships and Alice Lloyd College at $50,000 for scholarships.
How Thompson Charitable Foundation Gives
THE THOMPSON CHARITABLE FOUNDATION makes annual grants. Its typical grant size, based on recent distributions, is $10,428 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $47,500 at the 75th percentile. The foundation holds one grantmaking meeting per year and uses a Letter of Inquiry process that leads to invitation and application. Applications are by invitation only in its active annual cycles. It funds nonprofit organizations rather than individuals, and its recent grants show support for project operations, matching funds, capital projects, scholarships, and specific program costs.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$2.4M
Total Assets
$28.9M
Total Revenue
$3.3M
Total Expenses
$3M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $10K and $48K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$48K
Geographic Reach
Regional3 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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