The Robert H Brethen Foundation
The Robert H Brethen Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) foundation established in 1988 and based in Lenoir City, Tennessee. The foundation operates as a family foundation with a focus on philanthropic giving across multiple sectors including education, human services, health, and religious causes.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$10.8M
+31.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$240K
-61.6% YoY
Grant Count
10
-44.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$24K
-30.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports a diverse range of causes including:
- Education
- Philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking
- Human services
- Health and end-of-life care
- Hospice care
- Religion, specifically Christianity
- Children and youth services
- Adolescent support
- Special population support
- Homeless services
- Pet adoption and care
- Therapeutic experiences and recreation programs
- Patient care
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$34,800
Average Grant
$34,800
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations across multiple states, with particular activity in:
- Ohio: Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Huber Heights, Westerville
- Tennessee: Knoxville, Lenoir City, Strawberry Plains, Vonore, Loudon, Germantown
- New York: Yorktown Heights
- California: Encinitas
- Other locations: Friendsville
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $10,818,508 | 2024 |
| Total Revenue | $572,256 | 2024 |
| Total Expenses | $356,689 | 2024 |
| Net Income | $215,567 | 2024 |
| Total Liabilities | $0 | 2024 |
The foundation maintains substantial assets with minimal liabilities and demonstrates consistent grantmaking activity.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $10,818,508 | $8,228,758 | $7,353,272 |
| Revenue | $572,256 | $1,036,286 | $614,316 |
| Expenses | $356,689 | $734,683 | $235,628 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $240,000 | $625,560 | $146,200 |
| Net Investment Income | $137,410 | $190,654 | $93,015 |
| Distributable Amount | $499,427 | $430,273 | $379,964 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
82 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- David M. Brethen – Secretary/Trustee
- Karen B. Johns – Trustee
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID M BRETHEN | SECY/TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| KAREN B JOHNS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Contact Information
- Address: 1359 Zepher Drive, Lenoir City, TN 37772-1476
- Phone: 937-287-6906
- EIN: 31-1213173
- Tax-exempt status: Since February 1988
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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