The T Franklin Cheek Jr Scholarship Fund is a small, locally focused scholarship foundation based in Newbern, TN that provides one-off college tuition awards directly to individual students. Grants are almost exclusively modest scholarships (mostly $2,500 and $1,800) awarded to multiple named students, indicating a clear emphasis on supporting local high school graduates’ transition to undergraduate study. The fund appears nonprogrammatic and person-centered rather than institution-focused, likely operating on an annual award cycle.
Distributed, high-volume awarding of modest individual scholarships (many similarly sized $2,500 and $1,800 grants); funds are concentrated geographically/localized rather than given as multi-year institutional commitments or program support. Grants appear to be one-off awards to many unique recipients rather than large repeat grants to organizations.
T Franklin Cheek Jr Scholarship Fnd makes small college tuition awards directly to individual students, with recent grants centered on Ripley, Tennessee. The pattern is straightforward: 2025 awards were repeatedly set at $2,500, and 2024 awards at $1,800, showing a scholarship model built around fixed-dollar support rather than larger institutional grants. The foundation’s recent recipients include Sarah Smith and Julius Smith, both of Ripley, along with many other local students receiving the same education-designated support. That direct-to-student structure is consistent across the file. The fund is not a program-related investor and does not fund individuals broadly outside scholarship support; instead, it uses grants as tuition assistance for college education. With annual grants of $107,850 and total assets of $599,641, its giving reflects a modest private scholarship vehicle with a local footprint. The recipient list also shows repeated awards to students in the same community over multiple years, reinforcing a steady scholarship function tied to undergraduate access.
The clearest theme in T Franklin Cheek Jr Scholarship Fnd’s giving is college affordability for local students. In 2025, it gave $2,500 to Sarah Smith for college education, one of many same-size awards in that year. A second pattern is continuity across school years. In 2024, the foundation awarded $1,800 to Greene Leigh Crowder for college education, showing that the fund has supported students in more than one cycle. The recipient list also points to a broad scholarship pool rather than a single institution-specific relationship. Multiple Ripley students received the same education-purpose grants, including Junya Bates, Alyssa Sylvester, and Caden Pipkin. That repeated use of identical grant purposes suggests a simple scholarship model focused on undergraduate entry and tuition support.
The foundation’s typical grant size is tightly grouped: p25 is $1,500, median is $1,500, and p75 is $1,800. The recent grants list also shows many awards at $2,500 in 2025 and $1,800 in 2024, indicating a relatively standardized scholarship schedule. Grants appear to recur across years, with recipients listed in both 2024 and 2025. The fund operates as a scholarship foundation rather than a program grantmaker or donor-advised vehicle, and it does not make program-related investments. The grants are direct awards to students.
$108K
$600K
$73K
$65K
Most grants fall between $2K and $2K, with a median of $2K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$2K
75th Percentile
$2K
About 100% of grants go to recipients in TN.
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 FreeRegístrate gratis para ver qué tan bien se adapta tu organización sin fines de lucro a este financiador, obtener un pitch generado por IA y descubrir fundaciones similares.
Notable grantees: Ty Crawford, Deepan Chauhan, Akiva Taylor, Meg Coker, Greene Leigh Crowder
T Franklin Cheek Jr Scholarship Fnd gives locally and entirely within Tennessee. All grants in the file go to recipients in the United States, and 100% of grants are in the HQ state, Tennessee. The recipient city that appears most often is Ripley, TN, which is the location shown for nearly all recent grantees. No non-U.S. recipient countries appear in the data. The grant pattern is therefore concentrated in a single Tennessee community rather than spread across multiple states or countries.
It funds college education scholarships for individual students. The recent grants list shows awards labeled “COLLEGE EDUCATION,” and the foundation’s pattern is direct tuition support to named students rather than institution-level grants.
The typical grant size is small and consistent: p25 is $1,500, median is $1,500, and p75 is $1,800. The recent grants also include repeated awards of $2,500 in 2025 and $1,800 in 2024.
All listed grants go to recipients in Tennessee, with Ripley, TN appearing repeatedly in the recent grants list. The geographic scope of giving is local, and the file shows 100% of grants in the HQ state.
The foundation’s grants are directed to individuals, specifically named students receiving college education support. It does not make program-related investments, and the grant list is student-centered rather than institution-centered.
Yes. The recent grants list includes awards in both 2024 and 2025, showing a repeated annual scholarship pattern. The same dollar levels also recur, with $1,800 appearing in 2024 and $2,500 appearing in 2025.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MADDISON COOPER | Ripley, TN | $2,500 | 2025 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| JULIUS SMITH | Ripley, TN | $2,500 | 2025 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| SARAH SMITH | Ripley, TN | $2,500 | 2025 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| KEASIA LATTIMORE | Ripley, TN | $2,500 | 2025 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| JOSEPH CRAFT | Ripley, TN | $2,500 | 2025 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| RHETT WHITE | Ripley, TN | $2,500 | 2025 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| AKEELAH ADAMS | Ripley, TN | $2,500 | 2025 | COLLEGE EDUCATINO |
| DEEPAN CHAUHAN | Ripley, TN | $2,500 | 2025 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| BRENNAN SCARBROUGH | Ripley, TN | $2,500 | 2025 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| TY CRAWFORD | Ripley, TN | $2,500 | 2025 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| KYLUS STOKES | Ripley, TN | $2,500 | 2025 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| ALEX CALDWELL | Ripley, TN | $2,500 | 2025 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| HANNAH HATHCOCK | Ripley, TN | $2,500 | 2025 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| JQ HURDLE | Ripley, TN | $2,500 | 2025 | COLLEGE EDUCATINO |
| AKIVA TAYLOR | Ripley, TN | $2,500 | 2025 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| WILLIAM ROSE | Ripley, TN | $2,500 | 2025 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| TATIANA COOPER | Ripley, TN | $2,500 | 2025 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| KANIYLA MACKLIN | Ripley, TN | $2,500 | 2025 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| MCKENNA OLDS | Ripley, TN | $1,800 | 2025 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| JOSHUA SERVIN | Ripley, TN | $1,800 | 2025 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| JAZIAH MCCEIGHT | Ripley, TN | $1,800 | 2025 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| CADEN PIPKIN | Ripley, TN | $1,800 | 2025 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| CHRISTIAN ALSTON | Ripley, TN | $1,800 | 2025 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| ABIGAIL REESE | Ripley, TN | $1,800 | 2025 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| BILLY CURRIE | Ripley, TN | $1,800 | 2025 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| JUNYA BATES | Ripley, TN | $1,800 | 2025 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| ALYSSA SYLVESTER | Ripley, TN | $1,800 | 2025 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| MEG COKER | Ripley, TN | $1,800 | 2025 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| ANTONNE REED | RIPLEY, TN | $1,800 | 2024 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| ALYSSA VOWELL | RIPLEY, TN | $1,800 | 2024 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| MATTHEW SMITH | RIPLEY, TN | $1,800 | 2024 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| NAVAEH SMITH | RIPLEY, TN | $1,800 | 2024 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| CAYLEE ETHERIDGE | RIPLEY, TN | $1,800 | 2024 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| ANTOINETTE CURRIE | RIPLEY, TN | $1,800 | 2024 | COLLEGE EDUCATINO |
| SYDNEY PERMENTER | RIPLEY, TN | $1,800 | 2024 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| REESE WHITE | RIPLEY, TN | $1,800 | 2024 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| HAYDEN PILCHER | RIPLEY, TN | $1,800 | 2024 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| ANALAZIA CURRIE | RIPLEY, TN | $1,800 | 2024 | COLLEGE EDUCATINO |
| GREENE LEIGH CROWDER | RIPLEY, TN | $1,800 | 2024 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| MASON PLATZKE | RIPLEY, TN | $1,800 | 2024 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| KATIE JAY | RIPLEY, TN | $1,500 | 2024 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| CLAYTON SPENCER | RIPLEY, TN | $1,500 | 2024 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| BRAXTON GUNN | RIPLEY, TN | $1,500 | 2024 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| TIMOTHY HATHCOCK | RIPLEY, TN | $1,500 | 2024 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| CELENA CONRAD | RIPLEY, TN | $1,500 | 2024 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| MONICOT PHILLIPS | RIPLEY, TN | $1,500 | 2024 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| TAYLOR SANDERS | RIPLEY, TN | $1,500 | 2024 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| RA MARION DURHAM | RIPLEY, TN | $1,500 | 2024 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| LAYLA KING | RIPLEY, TN | $1,500 | 2024 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
| AVA ROGERS | RIPLEY, TN | $1,500 | 2024 | COLLEGE EDUCATION |
MADDISON COOPER
$2,500COLLEGE EDUCATION
JULIUS SMITH
$2,500COLLEGE EDUCATION
SARAH SMITH
$2,500COLLEGE EDUCATION
KEASIA LATTIMORE
$2,500COLLEGE EDUCATION
JOSEPH CRAFT
$2,500COLLEGE EDUCATION
RHETT WHITE
$2,500COLLEGE EDUCATION
AKEELAH ADAMS
COLLEGE EDUCATINO
DEEPAN CHAUHAN
$2,500COLLEGE EDUCATION
BRENNAN SCARBROUGH
$2,500COLLEGE EDUCATION
TY CRAWFORD
$2,500COLLEGE EDUCATION
KYLUS STOKES
$2,500COLLEGE EDUCATION
ALEX CALDWELL
$2,500COLLEGE EDUCATION
HANNAH HATHCOCK
$2,500COLLEGE EDUCATION
JQ HURDLE
$2,500COLLEGE EDUCATINO
AKIVA TAYLOR
$2,500COLLEGE EDUCATION
WILLIAM ROSE
$2,500COLLEGE EDUCATION
TATIANA COOPER
$2,500COLLEGE EDUCATION
KANIYLA MACKLIN
$2,500COLLEGE EDUCATION
MCKENNA OLDS
$1,800COLLEGE EDUCATION
JOSHUA SERVIN
$1,800COLLEGE EDUCATION
JAZIAH MCCEIGHT
$1,800COLLEGE EDUCATION
CADEN PIPKIN
$1,800COLLEGE EDUCATION
CHRISTIAN ALSTON
$1,800COLLEGE EDUCATION
ABIGAIL REESE
$1,800COLLEGE EDUCATION
BILLY CURRIE
$1,800COLLEGE EDUCATION
JUNYA BATES
$1,800COLLEGE EDUCATION
ALYSSA SYLVESTER
$1,800COLLEGE EDUCATION
MEG COKER
$1,800COLLEGE EDUCATION
ANTONNE REED
$1,800COLLEGE EDUCATION
ALYSSA VOWELL
$1,800COLLEGE EDUCATION
MATTHEW SMITH
$1,800COLLEGE EDUCATION
NAVAEH SMITH
$1,800COLLEGE EDUCATION
CAYLEE ETHERIDGE
$1,800COLLEGE EDUCATION
ANTOINETTE CURRIE
$1,800COLLEGE EDUCATINO
SYDNEY PERMENTER
$1,800COLLEGE EDUCATION
REESE WHITE
$1,800COLLEGE EDUCATION
HAYDEN PILCHER
$1,800COLLEGE EDUCATION
ANALAZIA CURRIE
$1,800COLLEGE EDUCATINO
GREENE LEIGH CROWDER
$1,800COLLEGE EDUCATION
MASON PLATZKE
$1,800COLLEGE EDUCATION
KATIE JAY
$1,500COLLEGE EDUCATION
CLAYTON SPENCER
$1,500COLLEGE EDUCATION
BRAXTON GUNN
$1,500COLLEGE EDUCATION
TIMOTHY HATHCOCK
$1,500COLLEGE EDUCATION
CELENA CONRAD
$1,500COLLEGE EDUCATION
MONICOT PHILLIPS
$1,500COLLEGE EDUCATION
TAYLOR SANDERS
$1,500COLLEGE EDUCATION
RA MARION DURHAM
$1,500COLLEGE EDUCATION
LAYLA KING
$1,500COLLEGE EDUCATION
AVA ROGERS
$1,500COLLEGE EDUCATION