The Bill and Crissy Haslam Foundation concentrates its giving on large, place-based investments in higher education, faith-based youth and church initiatives, and community health and recreation in Tennessee—particularly around Knoxville. Grants are often substantial, mission-driven gifts (including naming endowments and operating support) to a small set of repeat grantees, reflecting strategic, high-impact philanthropy rather than many small, disparate awards.
A defining feature of the Bill and Crissy Haslam Foundation is its repeated use of naming and campaign gifts for Tennessee institutions, especially the University of Tennessee Foundation. The foundation has made multiple $2.6 million grants for the Haslam College naming endowment, alongside other large commitments tied to university campaigns and facilities. That pattern places higher education at the center of its giving, with Knoxville institutions appearing repeatedly in the recent-grants record. The foundation also backs faith-based youth networks and local community assets with six- and seven-figure support. Young Life has received operating grants in different years, while Lakeshore Park has been a repeated recipient for operating support. University Health Systems Inc has also been funded for emergency and trauma services, showing that the foundation’s portfolio reaches beyond education into health and civic infrastructure. Across the recent grants list, the foundation’s giving is concentrated among a relatively small set of recipients and often takes the form of general operating support, endowment gifts, or campaign-related funding. Several grants recur across multiple years, which suggests a relationship-driven approach rather than one-off awards.
Higher education is one of the clearest themes in the Bill and Crissy Haslam Foundation’s recent giving. The University of Tennessee Foundation received $1,630,179 for general operating support in 2024 and $667,667 in 2023 for the Lindsey Nelson Stadium through the My All Campaign, in addition to repeated Haslam College naming endowment grants. Faith-based youth work is another consistent area. Young Life received $1,086,786 in 2024 for general operating support and $1,000,000 in 2025 for general operating support, showing sustained support across years. The foundation also funds K-12 and tutoring-related work. Teach for America Inc received $750,000 in 2025 for Ignite Tutoring and $596,436 in 2024 for general operating support. Local civic and community projects are part of the portfolio as well, including $500,000 in 2025 to Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation In for expansion to Gay Street.
The typical grant size sits at a $3,000 p25, $10,000 median, and $50,000 p75, but the recent record also includes many awards in the $500,000 to $2.6 million range. That mix points to a structure that can support both smaller awards and very large, campaign-linked commitments. The pattern is repeat-driven: the same organizations appear across multiple years, including university, youth ministry, and community partners. The foundation also makes grants to individuals and does not make program-related investments, which aligns with a direct grantmaking model rather than an investment program.
$16.8M
$171.4M
$49.6M
$17.1M
Most grants fall between $3K and $50K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$50K
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Concentrated, large-dollar grants to a handful of repeat grantees—mix of capital/naming gifts and multi-year operating support—with a clear regional (Tennessee/Knoxville) focus.
Notable grantees: The University of Tennessee Foundation, Young Life, Redeemer City to City, University Health Systems, Inc., Lakeshore Park
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly Tennessee-centered, with 70% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state and Tennessee the top state by grant count. Knoxville is the most visible city in the recent record, including University of Tennessee Foundation, Lakeshore Park, University Health Systems Inc, Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation In, and Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church. Nashville also appears repeatedly through Lipscomb University, Belmont University, Teach for America Inc, and Accelerate. Outside Tennessee, grants land in Colorado Springs, New York, and Alpharetta, all tied to named national or regional organizations.
The recent record shows a strong mix of higher education, faith-based youth ministries, community health and recreation, and K-12 tutoring support. University of Tennessee Foundation, Young Life, Lakeshore Park, University Health Systems Inc, and Teach for America Inc all appear as recipients in the top grants list.
Its typical grant size is $3,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes much larger gifts, including several awards at $1 million and above.
Yes. Tennessee is the top state by grant count, and 70% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s headquarters state. Knoxville appears frequently in the recipient list, alongside Nashville.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including The University of Tennessee Foundation, Lakeshore Park, Redeemer City to City, Young Life, and Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation In. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than isolated one-time awards.
Yes. Recent grants include support for higher education, campus naming endowments, and tutoring. Examples include The University of Tennessee Foundation, Lipscomb University, Belmont University, and Teach for America Inc.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE FOUNDATION | KNOXVILLE, TN | $2,600,000 | 2025 | HASLAM COLLEGE NAMING ENDOWMENT |
| LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LAKESHORE PARK | KNOXVILLE, TN | $1,000,000 | 2025 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BELMONT UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,000,000 | 2025 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| YOUNG LIFE | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEMS INC | KNOXVILLE, TN | $1,000,000 | 2025 | EMERGENCY AND TRAUMA SERVICES |
| REDEEMER CITY TO CITY | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2025 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $750,000 | 2025 | IGNITE TUTORING |
| HISTORIC TENNESSEE THEATRE FOUNDATION IN | KNOXVILLE, TN | $500,000 | 2025 | EXPANSION TO GAY STREET |
| ACCELERATE | NASHVILLE, TN | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| YOUNG LIFE | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $380,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CEDAR SPRINGS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | KNOXVILLE, TN | $300,000 | 2025 | BUILDING IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER KNOXVILLE INC | KNOXVILLE, TN | $300,000 | 2025 | AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND |
| PIVOT SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT LEADERS | NASHVILLE, TN | $250,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MARYVILLE COLLEGE | MARYVILLE, TN | $250,000 | 2025 | ALEXANDER INSTITUTE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION |
| YOUNG LIFE | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $200,000 | 2025 | TERA SCHOOL LEADERSHIP PROJECT |
| EMERALD YOUTH FOUNDATION | KNOXVILLE, TN | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PREP PUBLIC SCHOOLS | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $197,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CEDAR SPRINGS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | KNOXVILLE, TN | $175,000 | 2025 | MISSIONS FUND |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER KNOXVILLE INC | KNOXVILLE, TN | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| EAST TENNESSEE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | KNOXVILLE, TN | $150,000 | 2025 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| KING'S ACADEMY | SEYMOUR, TN | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| INSTRUCTION PARTNERS | NASHVILLE, TN | $125,000 | 2025 | $50K FOR KNOX PILOT/$75K FOR SCHOOL LEADERSHIP PILOT |
| KNOX EDUCATION FOUNDATION | KNOXVILLE, TN | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CEDAR SPRINGS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | KNOXVILLE, TN | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| REFORMED EVANGELISTIC FELLOWSHIP | BRISTOL, TN | $103,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LANGHAM PARTNERSHIP | CAVE CREEK, AZ | $100,000 | 2025 | ALL IN FOR THE GLOBAL CHURCH GROWTH CAMPAIGN |
| FAMILY INVESTMENT FOUNDATION | KNOXVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | TRANSFORMING WESTERN HEIGHTS |
| KNOXVILLE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | KNOXVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | READINESS FUND OR ELLEN'S GLEN |
| NATIONAL CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION | ALPHARETTA, GA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MEMPHIS TEACHER RESIDENCY INC | MEMPHIS, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | MEMPHIS LITERACY INSTITUTE |
| CARSON - NEWMAN UNIVERSITY | JEFFERSON CITY, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | CHILD DEVELOPMENT LAB CONSTRUCTION |
| TENNESSEE CHARTER SCHOOL CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | POLICY MANUAL |
| CENTER FOR CHRISTIANITY AND PUBLIC LIFE | BALTIMORE, MD | $100,000 | 2025 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| METRO DRUG COALITION | KNOXVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | GATEWAY GIFT |
| INTERFAITH HEALTH CENTER | KNOXVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE FOUNDATION | KNOXVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | UT HASLAM LEADERSHIP SCHOLARS |
| FREE MEDICAL CLINIC OF AMERICA | KNOXVILLE, TN | $80,000 | 2025 | EAST KNOXVILLE HEALTH CLINIC FOR THE UNINSURED - 2ND LOCATION |
| OLIVE TREE EARLY LEARNING ACADEMY | KNOXVILLE, TN | $75,000 | 2025 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TENNESSEE SCORE | NASHVILLE, TN | $75,000 | 2025 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TNACHIEVES | KNOXVILLE, TN | $75,000 | 2025 | KNOX ACHIEVES ACCESS PILOT |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF EAST TN | KINGSPORT, TN | $75,000 | 2025 | BOTHPATH EMBEDDED MENTORING PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TNACHIEVES | KNOXVILLE, TN | $75,000 | 2025 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GORDON CONWELL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY | CHARLOTTE, NC | $66,667 | 2025 | LEIGHTON FORD ENDOWED CHAIR |
| LEGACY PARKS FOUNDATION | KNOXVILLE, TN | $66,667 | 2025 | VETERAN'S MEMORIAL PARK |
| AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF BOYS AND MEN | WASHINGTON, DC | $61,875 | 2025 | HIGHER EDUCATION MALE ACHIEVEMENT COLLABORATIVE |
| YOUNG LIFE | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NASHVILLE TEACHER RESIDENCY | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| VOLUNTEER MINISTRY CENTER | KNOXVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | ENDOWMENT |
THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE FOUNDATION
$2,600,000HASLAM COLLEGE NAMING ENDOWMENT
LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY
$1,000,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LAKESHORE PARK
$1,000,000OPERATING SUPPORT
BELMONT UNIVERSITY
$1,000,000OPERATING SUPPORT
YOUNG LIFE
$1,000,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEMS INC
$1,000,000EMERGENCY AND TRAUMA SERVICES
REDEEMER CITY TO CITY
$1,000,000OPERATING SUPPORT
TEACH FOR AMERICA INC
$750,000IGNITE TUTORING
HISTORIC TENNESSEE THEATRE FOUNDATION IN
$500,000EXPANSION TO GAY STREET
ACCELERATE
$500,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
YOUNG LIFE
$380,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CEDAR SPRINGS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$300,000BUILDING IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN
UNITED WAY OF GREATER KNOXVILLE INC
$300,000AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND
PIVOT SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT LEADERS
$250,000SUPPORT FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS
MARYVILLE COLLEGE
$250,000ALEXANDER INSTITUTE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
YOUNG LIFE
$250,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
$200,000TERA SCHOOL LEADERSHIP PROJECT
EMERALD YOUTH FOUNDATION
$200,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PREP PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$197,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CEDAR SPRINGS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$175,000MISSIONS FUND
UNITED WAY OF GREATER KNOXVILLE INC
$150,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
EAST TENNESSEE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
$150,000OPERATING SUPPORT
KING'S ACADEMY
$150,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
INSTRUCTION PARTNERS
$125,000$50K FOR KNOX PILOT/$75K FOR SCHOOL LEADERSHIP PILOT
KNOX EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$125,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CEDAR SPRINGS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$125,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
REFORMED EVANGELISTIC FELLOWSHIP
$103,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LANGHAM PARTNERSHIP
$100,000ALL IN FOR THE GLOBAL CHURCH GROWTH CAMPAIGN
FAMILY INVESTMENT FOUNDATION
$100,000TRANSFORMING WESTERN HEIGHTS
KNOXVILLE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$100,000READINESS FUND OR ELLEN'S GLEN
NATIONAL CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MEMPHIS TEACHER RESIDENCY INC
$100,000MEMPHIS LITERACY INSTITUTE
CARSON - NEWMAN UNIVERSITY
$100,000CHILD DEVELOPMENT LAB CONSTRUCTION
TENNESSEE CHARTER SCHOOL CENTER
$100,000POLICY MANUAL
CENTER FOR CHRISTIANITY AND PUBLIC LIFE
$100,000OPERATING SUPPORT
METRO DRUG COALITION
$100,000GATEWAY GIFT
INTERFAITH HEALTH CENTER
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE FOUNDATION
$100,000UT HASLAM LEADERSHIP SCHOLARS
FREE MEDICAL CLINIC OF AMERICA
$80,000EAST KNOXVILLE HEALTH CLINIC FOR THE UNINSURED - 2ND LOCATION
OLIVE TREE EARLY LEARNING ACADEMY
$75,000OPERATING SUPPORT
TENNESSEE SCORE
$75,000OPERATING SUPPORT
TNACHIEVES
$75,000KNOX ACHIEVES ACCESS PILOT
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF EAST TN
$75,000BOTHPATH EMBEDDED MENTORING PROGRAM SUPPORT
TNACHIEVES
$75,000OPERATING SUPPORT
GORDON CONWELL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
$66,667LEIGHTON FORD ENDOWED CHAIR
LEGACY PARKS FOUNDATION
$66,667VETERAN'S MEMORIAL PARK
AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF BOYS AND MEN
$61,875HIGHER EDUCATION MALE ACHIEVEMENT COLLABORATIVE
YOUNG LIFE
$60,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NASHVILLE TEACHER RESIDENCY
$50,000OPERATING SUPPORT
VOLUNTEER MINISTRY CENTER
$50,000ENDOWMENT