Athens Federal Foundation
Accepts applications
Athens Federal Foundation is a private foundation in Athens, Tennessee. In tax year 2025 it gave $314,160 in 43 grants; the typical grant was $5,000 and the largest $25,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$314,160
- Number of grants43
- Typical grant$5,000
- Largest grant$25,000
- Assets$5.9 million
- New grantees62%
Giving in 2025 was down from $372,222 the year before.
62% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $272,300 | 33 | $5.1 million |
| 2024 | $372,222 | 39 | $6.0 million |
| 2025 | $314,160 | 43 | $5.9 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Nicole Gibbs 200 Decatur Pike, Athens, TN 37303 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (423) 745-1111 |
| What to submit | No special form; format is outlined in grant application policy,. |
| Deadlines | June 1 of each year |
| Restrictions | Restricted to 501(c)(3) public charities in the communities served by (Former) Athens Federal Community Bank. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Athens Federal Foundation funds
Where it gives
All of its grants went to recipients in Tennessee.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 43 | $314,160 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Wesleyan University | Scholarship support | $25,000 |
| YMCA of Athens | Assistance with Building repair projects | $25,000 |
| McMinn Education and Community Foundation - Compasion Closet | Funding to stock clothing and personal care items for each McMinn County public schools | $20,000 |
| YMCA of Athens | Expansion of the Youth Community Action Project (Y-CAP) for at risk youth | $20,000 |
| Miracle Lake Inc | Assisting with food costs for program participants | $15,000 |
| Tennessee Wesleyan University - Love Thy Neighbor Project | Funds for back sack program for McMinn County Schools | $15,000 |
| Englewood Rural Fire Department | Purchase of swift water rescue equipment | $12,200 |
| CASA Cooradoir of TN | Recruitment, screening and training for volunteer advocates | $12,000 |
| The HOPE Center Inc | Materials and resources to facilitate Darkness to Light program and transitional housing component of the Domestic Violence Shelter and Sexual Assault Center serving McMinn and Meigs Counties | $10,000 |
| Etowah Rescue Squad | Purchase of rope rigging rescue equipment | $10,000 |
| CASA Monroe | Recruitment, screening and training for volunteer advocates and expansion of Fostering Futures Program | $8,000 |
| McMinn County Emergency & Rescue Squad | Purchase of QTAC skit system with rescue stokes basket | $7,850 |
| Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church - Etowah Community Food Pantry | Food costs for Etowah Food Pantry | $7,500 |
| Monroe Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department Inc | Purchase of vehicle stabilization struts rescue equipment | $7,000 |
| Good Faith Clinic Inc | Funding for 2026 Community Health Fair | $6,000 |
| Coordinated Charities of Athens | Purchase of food for food pantry | $6,000 |
| Cleveland State Community College Foundation | Scholarships for workforce development programs | $5,000 |
| The Trousdale School Inc | Funding toward technology systems in vocation training area | $5,000 |
| Morning Star Ministries Inc | Funding for practical skills curriculum and supplies | $5,000 |
| Helping Hands Ministry of McMinn County Inc | Building materials and subcontracting work for home repair and handicap ramps for low-income homeowners | $5,000 |
| Boys and Girls Clubs of the Ocoee Region - Etowah | Expansion of the Great Futures programming at the Etowah TN Unit | $5,000 |
| Let's Read 20 | Operational expenses for agency providing free books and literacy resources to children and families of McMinn and Meigs Counties | $5,000 |
| McMinn County Educational and Community Foundation | Purchase books for Imagination Library program | $5,000 |
| The Grace House in Athens | Funding for operations of Homeless/Recovery House in Athens TN | $5,000 |
| Women at the Well Ministries | Scholarship support for women entering program for assistance with life controlling problems | $5,000 |
| Straightway Ministry Inc | Funds to assist with food costs, Supportive services at TCAT and Cleveland State | $5,000 |
| St Paul's Episcipal - Love Period | Purchase of program supplies | $5,000 |
| Etowah Area Senior Center Inc | McMinn County Meals on wheels program | $5,000 |
| McMinn County Senior Citizens Inc | Funding for Senior Advocate and Senior Safe at Home program | $5,000 |
| Grace & Mercy Ministries Inc | Kitchen equipment and food costs | $5,000 |
| St Paul's Episcopal Church Table Graces | Purchase of food for food pantry | $5,000 |
| CASA of Bradley County | Recruitment, screening and training for volunteer advocates | $4,000 |
| Tri-County Center | Tablets and charging stations to be used by Transition from school to work students and vocational adjustment individuals | $3,010 |
| Lee University (English Language Center) | Funding for 5 mentor teachers and instructional materials for adult ESL classes | $3,000 |
| Friends of Etowah Carnegie Library | Support for development of the adult nonfiction collection | $3,000 |
| Keith Memorial United Methodist Church - McMinn County Warming Center | Funding costs and supplies for Warming Center | $3,000 |
| Polk County Friends of the Library - Imagination Library | Purchase books for Imagination Library program | $2,500 |
| Monroe County Imagination Library | Purchase books for Imagination Library program | $2,500 |
| Meigs-Decatur Friends of the Library | Purchase books for Imagination Library program | $2,500 |
| Keith Memorial United Methodist Church - Nourish One Child | Funds for back sack program for Athens City Schools | $2,500 |
Officers and trustees
- Jeffrey L Cunningham
- Michael R Hutsell
- Nicole Gibbs
- Allen Carter
- Elaine M Cathcart
- Kathy Clark
- Ray Grant
- Vant Hardaway
- Jason Robertson
- Sandra Rowland
- Lyn B Thompson
- Michael Baily Turner
Questions people ask
Does Athens Federal Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: June 1 of each year.
How much does Athens Federal Foundation give?
$314,160 in tax year 2025, across 43 grants, with a typical grant of $5,000.
Who runs Athens Federal Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Jeffrey L Cunningham (President), Michael R Hutsell (Treasurer / Director), Nicole Gibbs (Secretary) and Allen Carter (Director) among 12 officers and trustees.
What does Athens Federal Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, community development and faith communities.