THOUGHTFUL GIVING FOR
STRONGER COMMUNITIES
AND BETTER LIVES
The East Tennessee Foundation (ETF) is announcing the opening of the 2026 Thompson Charitable Foundation Fund competitive grant cycle beginning May 4, 2026. ETF has partnered with the Thompson Charitable Foundation to create this new grant program and will award grants to organizations serving Anderson, Blount, Knox, and Scott counties. This grant program will accept applications and award funds each year for the next three years.
The 2026 TCF grant cycle will accept applications from nonprofit organizations serving Anderson, Blount, Knox, and Scott counties with programs focusing on community and economic development, education and workforce development, health and human services, and/or improving the quality of life for the communities they serve. Applicants may request up to $25,000 per grant. Applications will open on May 4, 2026, and must be submitted by May 22, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET through ETF’s online grant portal.
Established in 1987, The Thompson Charitable Foundation was founded by B. Ray Thompson Sr., a leader in the U.S. coal industry and developer of the Thompson non-recovery coke oven process. Reflecting the concerns and interests of its founder, the foundation supports projects that seek to improve the quality of life for individuals and communities in ten Appalachian counties.
“The East Tennessee Foundation is proud to partner with The Thompson Charitable Foundation to award these grants,” said Dr. Keith Barber, President & CEO of the East Tennessee Foundation. “Our expertise in grantmaking combined with our deep understanding of the needs within the communities we serve, makes this a strong and strategic partnership. TCF and ETF share a commitment to improving the quality of life across Appalachia, and we look forward to building a lasting and life changing partnership.”
Grant applicants can find more information on our website at easttennesseefoundation.org/grants/thompson-charitable-foundation-fund/ or by contacting Ashley Siferd Butler, Director of Competitive Grants, at ab*****@*tf.org.