About United Way of Greater Knoxvilleinc
Working toward an East Tennessee where basic needs are met, kids succeed, working families' needs are met, and no one lives in poverty; uniting people and resources to strengthen communities and solve systemic issues.
Focus Areas
Early Care & EducationEconomic MobilityHealthy CommunitiesFood securityNonprofit support / capacity building2-1-1 crisis & resource helpline
Who They Fund
unspecified
Funding Style
unspecified
Topics
unspecified
About United Way of Greater Knoxvilleinc
United Way of Greater Knoxvilleinc directs its grantmaking toward East Tennessee organizations working on early care and education, economic mobility, healthy communities, food security, nonprofit capacity, and 2-1-1 crisis response. Its core Community Investment Grants can provide up to two years of operational support, and the foundation also uses emergency operating grants through its GAP program when nonprofits face urgent budget shortfalls. A clear pattern in the recent grant list is repeated support for the same local partners across multiple years. Boys and Girls Clubs of the Tenness received $546,250 in 2023 and $521,250 in 2024, while Mcnabb Center Inc received $514,192 in 2023 and $497,972 in 2024. Young Women's Christian Association also appears with large awards in both years, including $456,090 in 2023 and $439,090 in 2024. The grantmaking emphasis is local and operational, with funding flowing to organizations serving Knoxville and nearby counties through multi-year commitments, program support, and stabilization grants. The foundation’s stated aim is tied to basic needs, family stability, and reduced poverty in East Tennessee.
What United Way of Greater Knoxvilleinc Funds
In early care and education, the foundation supported Boys and Girls Clubs of the Tenness with $521,250 in 2024 for specific programs, and it funded Knoxville-knox County Cac with $305,925 in 2024 for specific programs. In healthy communities, it gave Second Harvest Food Bank $316,200 in 2024 for specific programs, and its Healthy Food Financing Initiative has also backed healthy food access and local food entrepreneur work, including Real Good Kitchen expansion and food entrepreneur incubation. Economic mobility shows up through the East Tennessee Collaborative, which provides mentorship, career planning, financial incentives, housing support, and employment assistance. For family support and crisis response, the foundation funded Salvation Army with $206,033 in 2024 for specific programs and Interfaith Health Clinic with $188,320 in 2023. The recent grants list also includes legal, mental health, and youth-serving partners such as Legal Aid of East Tennessee, Mental Health Associates of East Tn, and Girl Talk Inc.
How United Way of Greater Knoxvilleinc Gives
Typical grants sit at $18,750 at the 25th percentile, $49,500 at the median, and $146,400 at the 75th percentile. The recent record shows repeated awards to the same nonprofits across 2023 and 2024, which points to ongoing relationships rather than one-off grants. The foundation’s structure combines competitive Community Investment Grants, emergency operating support through GAP, and program-linked funding in named initiatives. Some programs accept unsolicited requests, including Community Investment Grants and Week of Caring, while Healthy Food Financing Initiative funding is targeted rather than open. Grants are local, with most awards concentrated in Tennessee.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$4.5M
Total Assets
$34.2M
Total Revenue
$2.5M
Total Expenses
$3.7M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $19K and $146K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$19K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$146K
Geographic Reach
Local2 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
MATT RYERSON
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