THOUGHTFUL GIVING FOR STRONGER  COMMUNITIES AND BETTER LIVES
Fundholder Login
Give Now

The East Tennessee Foundation Celebrates 40th Annual Stakeholder Summit in Athens and Across East Tennessee Region

April 9, 2026

ATHENS, Tenn. (April 9, 2026) – The East Tennessee Foundation (ETF/Foundation) proudly marked a major milestone with its 40th Annual Stakeholder Summit held in Athens on Wednesday, April 1 at Tennessee Wesleyan University (TWU). This event brought together community leaders, donors, nonprofit partners, and supporters to honor four decades of meaningful impact across East Tennessee.

This milestone summit served as a powerful morning of reflection on the Foundation’s legacy of philanthropic leadership, monumental impacts, and its continued commitment to make lives better and communities stronger throughout East Tennessee for generations to come.

During the summit, the Foundation shared key milestones from the past 40 years including:

  • Over $476M granted to nonprofit organizations since 1986
  • More than $14 million granted in scholarships to deserving students in the past 40 years
  • Assets peaked at over $700 million in 2025
  • Received more than $35M in estate gift commitments in 2025
  • Countless lives impacted because of generous philanthropic gifts.

“As the East Tennessee Foundation turns 40, we are as encouraged today as we have been for the past four decades,” shared Dr. Keith Barber, President & CEO of ETF. “We will continue to call upon our neighbors to help one another, learn from our fellow East Tennesseans, and build upon our success to be strategic in making impacts in our region. This milestone is a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished when communities come together with a shared vision.”

A special highlight of the summit was a grant given to Tennessee Wesleyan University from ETF to further their educational mission. In addition to this grant, TWU has received almost $1.5M in grants through ETF in the last 30 years.

“It only seemed fitting to surprise TWU with a grant on our 40th anniversary,” said Barber. “Our commitment to seeing students and communities thrive reflects the spirit of what we celebrate at our Stakeholder Summit each year. We are grateful for their partnership and dedication in building a brighter future for East Tennessee.”

Since its founding, ETF has played a vital role in supporting charitable organizations, expanding educational opportunities through scholarships, and addressing the region’s most pressing needs through strategic philanthropy. The Foundation remains focused on building upon its strong legacy by fostering generosity, deepening partnerships, and creating lasting change to make lives better and communities stronger across the region.

In addition to the Athens Stakeholder Summit, the Foundation also hosted Stakeholder Summits in Knoxville and Bristol, ensuring communities across the region had the opportunity to join the impactful celebration.

To learn more about the East Tennessee Foundation and its work, visit etf.org.