The Clayton Family Foundation
Historical FunderKnoxville, Tennessee · EIN 58-1970851 · Private foundation · Website
Grants paid (2024)$11.1M
Organizations funded47
Typical grant$5,000
Total assets$211.6M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $2,500 and $10,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2024):
| Contact | MICHELL CLAYTON |
|---|---|
| Address | 3340 LAKE VIEW DRIVE, KNOXVILLE TN 37919 |
| Phone | 8659995989 |
| CFF.MAIL@CLAYTON.ORG | |
| Form and materials | APPLICATIONS ARE EMAILED UPON REQUEST. NO SPECIFIC FORMAT IS REQUIRED. IRS DETERMINATION LETTER IS REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED. |
| Deadlines | APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED YEAR-ROUND. GENERAL RESPONSE TIME IS 90 DAYS. |
| Restrictions | AWARDS ARE RESTRICTED TO QUALIFIED 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATIONS AND GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES. |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
14% of grants went outside Tennessee.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund | Boston, MA | Donor advised fund | $10,000,000 |
| Knoxville Science Museum | Knoxville, TN | Site demolition for new building | $270,000 |
| United Way of Greater Knoxville | Knoxville, TN | Improving lives in the community | $255,000 |
| Episcopal School of Knoxville | Knoxville, TN | Capital building campaign | $100,000 |
| Knoxville Museum of Art | Knoxville, TN | Art museum & education | $100,000 |
| Knoxville Symphony Orchestra | Knoxville, TN | Christmas concert & endowment | $75,000 |
| Tn State Collab on Reforming Educ | Nashville, TN | Educational reform | $75,000 |
| Muse Knoxville | Knoxville, TN | Muse pop summer program | $50,000 |
| Webb School of Knoxville | Knoxville, TN | Scholarship | $24,700 |
| Knoxville Zoological Gardens Inc | Knoxville, TN | Conservation of animals | $20,500 |
| YWCA | Knoxville, TN | Building renovation/capital campaign | $12,500 |
| First United Methodist Church Knoxv | Knoxville, TN | Church general fund | $10,000 |
| Great Smoky Mountain Council Bsa | Knoxville, TN | Camp buck toms, at-risk youth | $10,000 |
| Empty Stocking Fund | Cleveland, TN | Christmas for those in need | $10,000 |
| Knoxville Botanical Gardens and Arboretum | Knoxville, TN | Public gardens | $7,500 |
| Beech Park Baptist Church | Oliver Springs, TN | Church general fund | $5,000 |
| Bryant's Bridge Inc | Knoxville, TN | Affordable housing | $5,000 |
| East Tennessee Community Design Ctr | Knoxville, TN | Community planning services | $5,000 |
| Grace Christian Academy | Knoxville, TN | K-12 school | $5,000 |
| Great Smoky Mountains Institute | Townsend, TN | Tremont marblegate farm | $5,000 |
| Interfaith Health Clinic | Knoxville, TN | Accessible health care | $5,000 |
| Knoxville Children's Theatre | Knoxville, TN | Childrens theatre | $5,000 |
| Knoxville Montessori School | Knoxville, TN | School | $5,000 |
| Second Harvest Food Bank East Tn | Maryville, TN | Feed the hungry | $5,000 |
| Young Life | Colorado Springs, CO | Ut knoxville quest program | $5,000 |
| Young-Williams Animal Ctr of E Tn ' | Knoxville, TN | Animal shelter | $5,000 |
| Metro Drug Coalition | Knoxville, TN | Community health services | $5,000 |
| Crossroads Community Church | Knoxville, TN | General support | $5,000 |
| Beta Theta Boule Foundation | Knoxville, TN | Scholarship fund | $5,000 |
| Adopt a Golden Knoxville | Knoxville, TN | Dog rescue | $3,500 |
| Appalachian Ballet Company | Maryville, TN | Dance school transportation | $2,500 |
| Clayton-Bradley STEM Academy | Maryville, TN | K-12 school | $2,500 |
| Helen Ross Mcnabb Center | Knoxville, TN | Community health services | $2,500 |
| Knox Heritage Inc | Knoxville, TN | Historical preservation | $2,500 |
| Museum of Appalachia | Clinton, TN | Heros of southern appalachia event | $2,500 |
| River & Rail Theatre Company | Knoxville, TN | Community theater | $2,500 |
| The Center for Family Resources | Marietta, GA | General support fund | $2,500 |
| Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy | Lenoir City, TN | Equine-Assisted therapy | $1,500 |
| Leadership Knoxville | Knoxville, TN | Leadership development | $1,000 |
| Pacific Northwest Ballet Foundation | Seattle, WA | Support for nonprofit ballet company | $1,000 |
| Washington Policy Center | Seattle, WA | Research & education | $1,000 |
| Friends of Nc State Museum of N Sci | Raleigh, NC | Museum conservation | $1,000 |
| Kaleideum | Winston Salem, NC | General support grant | $1,000 |
| Friends of Literacy | Knoxville, TN | Literacy program for those in need | $500 |
| Joy of Music | Knoxville, TN | Music educ for those in need | $500 |
| Pellissippi State Foundation | Knoxville, TN | Scholarship fund | $500 |
| Grow Free Tn Community Coalition Against Human Traf | Knoxville, TN | Drug trafficking awareness & freedom | $500 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $11,119,700 | 47 |
| 2023 | $12,206,600 | 50 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Nov 13, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202523179349101677
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 58-1970851
- Profile updated Nov 5, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.