The Willis and Reba Johnson's Foundation is an expressly faith-centered funder that concentrates almost all of its support on large, institution-scale religious projects. Its giving is dominated by multi‑million dollar gifts to the Museum of the Bible and significant support for ministry outreach to military personnel and veterans, indicating a priority on Bible engagement and faith-based healing and purpose programs.
Willis and Reba Johnson's Foundation gives at institution scale, with its recent record dominated by repeated multi-million-dollar support for the Museum of the Bible in Oklahoma City. That pattern places Bible engagement at the center of its grantmaking, alongside faith-based ministry, military and veteran outreach, and selected social-service and research grants. The foundation's largest recent awards are nearly $5 million each, and its portfolio also includes six-figure support for churches, ministries, and community-based organizations. A second clear thread is ministry to active military, veterans, and their families. Engage Your Destiny received seven-figure support in 2023 and another large grant in 2025 for faith-centered hope, healing, and purpose work. The foundation also backs direct-service organizations such as Hope Smiles for restorative dentistry for needy children, The Brett Boyer Foundation for congenital heart disease research, and The Salvation Army for comfort and assistance to families and individuals. Its recent giving shows recurring support to the same organizations across multiple years, with several grantees appearing more than once in the record.
Bible engagement is the foundation’s clearest thematic anchor. The Museum of the Bible received $4,985,535 in 2025, following $4,971,490 in 2024 and $4,934,160 in 2023, all for engaging people with the transformative power of the Bible. The foundation also supported Seed Company with $50,000 in 2025 for field partners to accelerate Bible translation in other countries. Military and veteran ministry is another major lane. Engage Your Destiny received $1,000,000 in 2023 and $500,000 in 2025 for ministry to active military, veterans, and their families. The Salvation Army received $100,000 in 2025 and $100,000 in 2023 to provide comfort, hope, and assistance to families and individuals. The foundation also gives to direct-service and research work. Hope Smiles received $250,000 in 2025 for restoration dentistry for needy children, and The Brett Boyer Foundation received $200,000 in 2025 for congenital heart disease research.
Typical awards are concentrated in the upper end of the distribution: the p25 grant size is $21,988, the median is $100,000, and the p75 is $200,000. The recent record also includes repeated support to the same recipients across multiple years, including the Museum of the Bible, Engage Your Destiny, Hope Smiles, The Salvation Army, The Brett Boyer Foundation, and Vietnam Veterans Assoc of Middle Tn. The pattern is consistent with a foundation that uses recurring grants rather than one-off gifts. It is a private foundation, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
$6.5M
$15.9M
$3M
$6.5M
Most grants fall between $22K and $200K, with a median of $100K.
25th Percentile
$22K
Median
$100K
75th Percentile
$200K
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Highly concentrated: very few grants, large dollar amounts, repeat multi‑million support to a single flagship grantee (Museum of the Bible) with occasional substantial gifts to mission-focused ministries.
Notable grantees: Museum of the Bible, Engage Your Destiny
Giving is strongly concentrated in Tennessee, which accounts for 58% of grants and is the top state by grant count. Recent Tennessee recipients include Brentwood, Franklin, Nashville, and other Middle Tennessee organizations. Outside the state, the foundation has granted to Oklahoma City, St. Louis Park, Plano, Fairfield, Boone, Arlington, Fairfax, Tallahassee, and outside the U.S. its grant record shows no recipient countries beyond the United States. That makes the foundation’s reach regional rather than national or international.
Its recent grants center on Bible engagement and interpretation, faith-based ministry for active military and veterans, and large-scale religious or community institutions. The record also includes direct-service support for children, disaster relief, and medical or scientific research, all through named nonprofit recipients.
Yes. The Museum of the Bible appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Engage Your Destiny appears in 2023 and 2025. Hope Smiles, The Salvation Army, The Brett Boyer Foundation, Vietnam Veterans Assoc of Middle Tn, and E3 Partners Ministry also recur across multiple years.
The distribution is centered around six-figure grants. The p25 grant size is $21,988, the median is $100,000, and the p75 is $200,000. The recent record also includes very large awards near $5 million, which pull the upper end of the portfolio upward.
Tennessee is the top state by grant count, with 58% of grants going to recipients in the state. Recent Tennessee grantees include organizations in Brentwood, Franklin, Nashville, and other Middle Tennessee locations.
The recipient country distribution shows all recent grants going to U.S. organizations. The grants list includes recipients in Oklahoma, Minnesota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, California, North Carolina, and Florida, but no non-U.S. recipient countries.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $4,985,535 | 2025 | TO ENGAGE PEOPLE WITH THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF THE BIBLE |
| ENGAGE YOUR DESTINY | ST LOUIS PARK, MN | $500,000 | 2025 | MINISTRY TO ACTIVE MILITARY,VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO FIND HOPE, HEALING AND PURPOSE THROUGH FAITH. |
| HOPE SMILES | BRENTWOOD, TN | $250,000 | 2025 | RESTORATION DENTISTRY FOR NEEDY CHILDREN |
| THE BRETT BOYER FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $200,000 | 2025 | CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH |
| ROLLING HILLS COMMUNITY CHURCH | FRANKLIN, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | SPIRITUAL CHRISTIAN MINISTRY |
| THE NRA FOUNDATION | FAIRFAX, VA | $100,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF TEACHING FREEDOM |
| SAMARITAN'S PURSE | BOONE, NC | $100,000 | 2025 | HELP SUPPORT HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF EFFORTS |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | NASHVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE COMFORT, HOPE AND ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS |
| SEED COMPANY | ARLINGTON, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | FIELD PARTNERS TO ACCELERATE BIBLE TRANSLATION IN OTHER COUNTRIES. |
| VIETNAM VETERANS ASSOC OF MIDDLE TN | FRANKLIN, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | TO HELP VETERANS |
| E3 PARTNERS MINISTRY | PLANO, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | TO MAKE THE LOCAL CHURCH ACCESSIBLE TO EVERY PERSON, EVERYWHERE. |
| MIDDLE TENNESSEE COUNCIL | NASHVILLE, TN | $20,000 | 2025 | FRIENDS OF SCOUTING |
| FAITHFULLY RESTORED | BRENTWOOD, TN | $15,000 | 2025 | LIFTS UP WOMEN WHO NEED CARE, ENCOURAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY |
| SCOTT HAMILTON CARES FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | FUNDING ADVANCED, INNOVATIVE RESEARCH THAT TREATS THE CANCER AND SPARES THE PATIENT. |
| WILLIAMSON COUNTY CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER INC DBA DAVIS HOUSE CHILD | FRANKLIN, TN | $2,000 | 2025 | FUNDING TO PROVIDE INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES, ADVOCACY, THERAPY AND FAMILY SUPPORT TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. |
| FRANKLIN FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION | FRANKLIN, TN | $120 | 2025 | TO IMPROVE BENEFITS FOR FIRE FIGHTERS AND OR THEIR FAMILY WHEN INJURED ON THE JOB OR DEATH. |
| TENNESSEE SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION INC | LEBANON, TN | $100 | 2025 | TO SERVE AND PROTECT THE LIVES OF THE CITIZENS OF TENNESSEE |
| FRANKLIN ALERT NATIONAL POLICE ASSOCIATION | STAFFORD, TX | $15 | 2025 | SUPPORT POLICE DEPARTMENTS WITH LOW MORALE |
| MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $4,971,490 | 2024 | TO ENGAGE PEOPLE WITH THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF THE BIBLE |
| BRENTWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH | BRENTWOOD, TN | $500,000 | 2024 | SPIRITUAL CHRISTIAN MINISTRY |
| HOPE SMILES | BRENTWOOD, TN | $250,000 | 2024 | RESTORATION DENTISTRY FOR NEEDY CHILDREN |
| ENGAGE YOUR DESTINY | ST LOUIS PARK, MN | $200,000 | 2024 | MINISTRY TO ACTIVE MILITARY,VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO FIND HOPE, HEALING AND PURPOSE THROUGH FAITH. |
| THE BRETT BOYER FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2024 | CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH |
| THE LEAVEN | FAIRFIELD, CA | $75,000 | 2024 | TO HELP NEEDY CHILDREN TO READ & SUCCEED/TO REVITALIZE COMMUNITIES THROUGH EARLY EDUCATION INTERVENTION |
| E3 PARTNERS MINISTRY | PLANO, TX | $50,000 | 2024 | TO MAKE THE LOCAL CHURCH ACCESSIBLE TO EVERY PERSON, EVERYWHERE. |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2024 | PROVIDE COMFORT, HOPE AND ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS |
| VIETNAM VETERANS ASSOC OF MIDDLE TN | FRANKLIN, TN | $50,000 | 2024 | TO HELP VETERANS |
| MIDDLE TENNESSEE COUNCIL | NASHVILLE, TN | $20,000 | 2024 | FRIENDS OF SCOUTING |
| TENNESSEE SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION INC | LEBANON, TN | $500 | 2024 | TO SERVE AND PROTECT THE LIVES OF THE CITIZENS OF TENNESSEE |
| FRANKLIN FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION | FRANKLIN, TN | $90 | 2024 | TO IMPROVE BENEFITS FOR FIRE FIGHTERS AND OR THEIR FAMILY WHEN INJURED ON THE JOB OR DEATH. |
| MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $4,934,160 | 2023 | TO ENGAGE PEOPLE WITH THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF THE BIBLE |
| ENGAGE YOUR DESTINY | ST LOUIS PARK, MN | $1,000,000 | 2023 | MINISTRY TO ACTIVE MILITARY,VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO FIND HOPE, HEALING AND PURPOSE THROUGH FAITH. |
| BRENTWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH | BRENTWOOD, TN | $493,416 | 2023 | SPIRITUAL CHRISTIAN MINISTRY |
| E3 PARTNERS MINISTRY | PLANO, TX | $275,000 | 2023 | TO MAKE THE LOCAL CHURCH ACCESSIBLE TO EVERY PERSON, EVERYWHERE. |
| THE NRA FOUNDATION | FAIRFAX, VA | $200,000 | 2023 | PROVIDES FUNDING FOR QUALITY TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR SHOOTING SPORTS |
| THE BRETT BOYER FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2023 | CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | NASHVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2023 | PROVIDE COMFORT, HOPE AND ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS |
| HOPE SMILES | BRENTWOOD, TN | $100,000 | 2023 | RESTORATION DENTISTRY FOR NEEDY CHILDREN |
| VOLUNTEER FLORIDA FOUNDATION | TALLAHASSEE, FL | $100,000 | 2023 | FLORIDA DISASTER FUND |
| THE LEAVEN | FAIRFIELD, CA | $100,000 | 2023 | TO HELP NEEDY CHILDREN TO READ & SUCCEED/TO REVITALIZE COMMUNITIES THROUGH EARLY EDUCATION INTERVENTION |
| VIETNAM VETERANS ASSOC OF MIDDLE TN | FRANKLIN, TN | $50,000 | 2023 | TO HELP VETERANS |
| MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $23,975 | 2023 | TO ENGAGE PEOPLE WITH THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF THE BIBLE |
| FRANKLIN FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION | FRANKLIN, TN | $60 | 2023 | TO IMPROVE BENEFITS FOR FIRE FIGHTERS AND OR THEIR FAMILY WHEN INJURED ON THE JOB OR DEATH. |
TO ENGAGE PEOPLE WITH THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF THE BIBLE
MINISTRY TO ACTIVE MILITARY,VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO FIND HOPE, HEALING AND PURPOSE THROUGH FAITH.
HOPE SMILES
$250,000RESTORATION DENTISTRY FOR NEEDY CHILDREN
ROLLING HILLS COMMUNITY CHURCH
$100,000SPIRITUAL CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
THE SALVATION ARMY
$100,000PROVIDE COMFORT, HOPE AND ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS
SEED COMPANY
$50,000FIELD PARTNERS TO ACCELERATE BIBLE TRANSLATION IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
VIETNAM VETERANS ASSOC OF MIDDLE TN
$50,000TO HELP VETERANS
TO MAKE THE LOCAL CHURCH ACCESSIBLE TO EVERY PERSON, EVERYWHERE.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE COUNCIL
$20,000FRIENDS OF SCOUTING
FAITHFULLY RESTORED
$15,000LIFTS UP WOMEN WHO NEED CARE, ENCOURAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY
FUNDING ADVANCED, INNOVATIVE RESEARCH THAT TREATS THE CANCER AND SPARES THE PATIENT.
WILLIAMSON COUNTY CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER INC DBA DAVIS HOUSE CHILD
$2,000FUNDING TO PROVIDE INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES, ADVOCACY, THERAPY AND FAMILY SUPPORT TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
FRANKLIN FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION
$120TO IMPROVE BENEFITS FOR FIRE FIGHTERS AND OR THEIR FAMILY WHEN INJURED ON THE JOB OR DEATH.
TENNESSEE SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION INC
$100TO SERVE AND PROTECT THE LIVES OF THE CITIZENS OF TENNESSEE
FRANKLIN ALERT NATIONAL POLICE ASSOCIATION
$15SUPPORT POLICE DEPARTMENTS WITH LOW MORALE
TO ENGAGE PEOPLE WITH THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF THE BIBLE
BRENTWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH
$500,000SPIRITUAL CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
HOPE SMILES
$250,000RESTORATION DENTISTRY FOR NEEDY CHILDREN
MINISTRY TO ACTIVE MILITARY,VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO FIND HOPE, HEALING AND PURPOSE THROUGH FAITH.
TO HELP NEEDY CHILDREN TO READ & SUCCEED/TO REVITALIZE COMMUNITIES THROUGH EARLY EDUCATION INTERVENTION
TO MAKE THE LOCAL CHURCH ACCESSIBLE TO EVERY PERSON, EVERYWHERE.
THE SALVATION ARMY
$50,000PROVIDE COMFORT, HOPE AND ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS
VIETNAM VETERANS ASSOC OF MIDDLE TN
$50,000TO HELP VETERANS
MIDDLE TENNESSEE COUNCIL
$20,000FRIENDS OF SCOUTING
TENNESSEE SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION INC
$500TO SERVE AND PROTECT THE LIVES OF THE CITIZENS OF TENNESSEE
FRANKLIN FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION
$90TO IMPROVE BENEFITS FOR FIRE FIGHTERS AND OR THEIR FAMILY WHEN INJURED ON THE JOB OR DEATH.
TO ENGAGE PEOPLE WITH THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF THE BIBLE
ENGAGE YOUR DESTINY
$1,000,000MINISTRY TO ACTIVE MILITARY,VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO FIND HOPE, HEALING AND PURPOSE THROUGH FAITH.
BRENTWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH
$493,416SPIRITUAL CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
TO MAKE THE LOCAL CHURCH ACCESSIBLE TO EVERY PERSON, EVERYWHERE.
PROVIDES FUNDING FOR QUALITY TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR SHOOTING SPORTS
THE SALVATION ARMY
$100,000PROVIDE COMFORT, HOPE AND ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS
HOPE SMILES
$100,000RESTORATION DENTISTRY FOR NEEDY CHILDREN
TO HELP NEEDY CHILDREN TO READ & SUCCEED/TO REVITALIZE COMMUNITIES THROUGH EARLY EDUCATION INTERVENTION
VIETNAM VETERANS ASSOC OF MIDDLE TN
$50,000TO HELP VETERANS
TO ENGAGE PEOPLE WITH THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF THE BIBLE
FRANKLIN FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION
$60TO IMPROVE BENEFITS FOR FIRE FIGHTERS AND OR THEIR FAMILY WHEN INJURED ON THE JOB OR DEATH.