The Powell Foundation
Johnson City, Tennessee · EIN 621819796 · Private foundation
Based in Johnson City, Tennessee, The Powell Foundation has awarded $5.3M across 170 grants in our index of public IRS filings, with giving recorded as recently as 2024. Its largest grant on record went to Etsu Foundation. This profile covers its focus areas, top grant recipients, year-by-year giving, and how a nonprofit should approach it.
What The Powell Foundation funds
The Powell Foundation's giving carries a documented focus on higher education, youth development.
Populations it has supported include women girls, youth pop.
Grant history
The largest grants Bespoke Grants has on record for The Powell Foundation, by amount:
| Recipient | Location | Grant | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Etsu Foundation THE THOMAS JENRETTE VOCAL SCHOLARSHI | Johnson City, TN | $500K | 2017 |
| East Tennessee State University JENRETT ENDOWMENT | Johnson City, TN | $235K | 2024 |
| University of Tennessee JAMES J POWELL GENOMICS ENDOWMENT | Knoxville, TN | $200K | 2024 |
| Etsu Foundation PURCHASE TWO STEINWAY PIANOS | Johnson City, TN | $200K | 2017 |
| University of Tennessee JAMES J POWELL GENOMICS ENDOWMENT | Knoxville, TN | $200K | 2023 |
| University of Tennessee Foundation GENOMICS GRADUATE STUDENT SUPPORT | Knoxville, TN | $150K | 2020 |
| University of Tennessee Foundation ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE ED. RESEA | Knoxville, TN | $100K | 2020 |
| University of Tennessee Foundation SANDRA G. POWELL MUSIC PROFESSORSHIP | Knoxville, TN | $100K | 2017 |
| University of Tennessee Foundation ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE ED. RESEA | Knoxville, TN | $100K | 2017 |
| University of Tennessee Foundation LADY VOLS LOCKER ROOM | Knoxville, TN | $100K | 2017 |
| University of Tennessee Foundation SANDRA G. POWELL MUSIC PROFESSORSHIP | Knoxville, TN | $100K | 2018 |
| University of Tennessee Foundation ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE ED. RESEA | Knoxville, TN | $100K | 2018 |
| University of Tennessee Foundation LADY VOLS LOCKER ROOM | Knoxville, TN | $100K | 2018 |
| University of Tennessee UT GENOMICS GRADUATE STUDENT | Knoxville, TN | $75K | 2024 |
| University of Tennessee Foundation GRADUATE STUDENT SUPPORT | Knoxville, TN | $75K | 2022 |
The Powell Foundation giving by year
Total grants Bespoke Grants has indexed for each filing year:
How to apply for funding from The Powell Foundation
The Powell Foundation's public IRS filing does not spell out a formal application process. Foundations of this size often give primarily to organizations they already know, so a concise letter of inquiry or a warm introduction is usually the best first contact — not a full proposal.
Is The Powell Foundation the right funder for your nonprofit?
This page shows what The Powell Foundation has funded. Bespoke Grants tells you whether it fits your mission — and finds every other foundation that does. Free, no credit card.
Match my nonprofit to funders →Frequently asked questions about The Powell Foundation
- Does The Powell Foundation accept grant applications?
- The Powell Foundation's public filing does not specify an application process. A brief letter of inquiry or a warm introduction is usually the best first step with a private foundation of this size.
- What does The Powell Foundation fund?
- The Powell Foundation's grants focus on higher education. Recent recipients include Etsu Foundation, East Tennessee State University, University of Tennessee. Its full grant history is listed above.
- How much does The Powell Foundation give in grants?
- The Powell Foundation reported $823K in grants in its most recent IRS filing (FY2020). Across all years in our data it has awarded $5.3M over 170 grants.
- Where is The Powell Foundation located?
- The Powell Foundation is based in Johnson City, Tennessee. Its IRS employer identification number (EIN) is 621819796.
- How can I find foundations similar to The Powell Foundation?
- Bespoke Grants matches your nonprofit against 225,000+ foundations like The Powell Foundation, ranking each by how well it fits your mission, location, and budget — with the reasoning shown. It is free to search.
Find more funders like The Powell Foundation
Foundations similar to The Powell Foundation
Other Tennessee grantmakers with overlapping priorities: