Finding Joy In The Journey Foundation Inc.

## Approach Strategy for Finding Joy in the Journey Foundation

Finding Joy in the Journey Foundation is a relatively new private foundation based at 2814 Byington Solway Road, Knoxville, Tennessee, with an IRS ruling date of 2022. Classified under NTEE code N20 (Camps, Camping Organizations), the foundation operates a dual model: conducting its own Christian retreat programs while also making charitable grants to selected organizations. In 2023, the foundation hosted six retreats serving over 750 attendees from various age groups and Christian organizations. The retreats feature focused ministry with Gospel presentations. For organizations seeking funding, the most effective approach is to establish a relationship with the foundation through shared Christian ministry networks in the Knoxville/East Tennessee area. Churches and Christian organizations already partnering with the foundation for retreat programming would have the strongest position. The foundation's assets of approximately $7.2M (virtually all at fair market value, suggesting primarily cash and liquid securities) provide significant capacity for both operations and grantmaking.

## Funding Patterns Analysis

Finding Joy in the Journey Foundation is a young foundation with only three years of filing data:

• 2023: $100,000 in grants (total expenses: $436,080, assets: $7.2M, FMV: $7.2M)
• 2022: $276,250 in grants (total expenses: $627,917, assets: $7.5M, FMV: $7.2M)
• 2021: $0 in grants (total expenses: $16,742, assets: $8.0M, FMV: $8.0M, revenue: $7.99M — founding year contribution)

The foundation was capitalized with approximately $8M in its founding year (2021), with nearly all assets at book value equaling fair market value, suggesting liquid holdings rather than appreciated securities. Grantmaking began in 2022 at $276K and declined to $100K in 2023, while operational program expenses increased (retreat costs of $244,725 in 2023). This shift suggests the foundation is prioritizing its own retreat programming over third-party grantmaking. Total program spending (operations + grants) was approximately $345K in 2023. The payout rate relative to FMV was approximately 1.4% in 2023 for grants alone, but approximately 4.8% including operational program expenses — still below the IRS 5% minimum.

## Peer Comparison

As a hybrid operating/grantmaking foundation, Finding Joy has a distinctive model. Its retreat programming is the primary focus, with grantmaking as secondary. The combined payout rate of 4.8% is close to but below the IRS 5% minimum, which may need attention. The foundation is unusually liquid (book value equals FMV), providing flexibility but suggesting conservative investment management.

## Recent Activity and Trends

Key observations from the foundation's brief three-year operating history:

• Founding Capitalization: The foundation received approximately $8 million in its founding year (2021), with nearly all of this representing liquid assets. This is a substantial initial endowment suggesting a well-resourced founding family or organization.

• Shift from Grants to Operations: Between 2022 and 2023, grants declined from $276K to $100K while retreat program expenses increased. This suggests the foundation is finding its operational identity and choosing to invest more in its own retreat programming rather than funding other organizations. This trend may continue as the foundation matures.

• Growing Retreat Ministry: In 2023, the foundation conducted six retreats for different age groups and Christian organizations, reaching over 750 attendees. Each retreat was developed in partnership with a different church or organization, featuring focused ministry and Gospel presentation. This model of tailored, partner-driven retreats is a distinctive programmatic approach.

• Asset Preservation: Despite spending $436K in 2023 and receiving only $190K in revenue, the foundation's assets declined only modestly from $7.5M to $7.2M. The liquid nature of the portfolio provides flexibility but limited growth potential in a higher-interest-rate environment.

• Regulatory Attention Needed: With a combined payout rate of 4.8%, the foundation is close to but below the IRS 5% minimum distribution requirement. As it matures, it will need to either increase program spending or make larger grants to meet this threshold.

## Application Tips

Finding Joy in the Journey Foundation operates primarily as a retreat ministry with secondary grantmaking. Organizations seeking support should consider:

1. Partner for Retreats First: The foundation's primary mode of impact is its retreat program. Christian organizations and churches looking for retreat programming should explore partnerships. The foundation works with different organizations for each of its six annual retreats, so there are ongoing opportunities for collaboration.

2. Demonstrate Faith Alignment: The foundation has a clear Christian identity with Gospel-centered programming. Proposals must align with this mission — secular organizations or those with non-Christian perspectives would not be appropriate fits. Frame your work within the context of Christian ministry and spiritual transformation.

3. Geographic Focus on East Tennessee: Based in Knoxville, the foundation likely draws its partners and grantees from the East Tennessee region and broader Southeast. Organizations with a presence in this area would have a natural advantage.

4. Contact via Mail: With no public website for the foundation, send correspondence to: Finding Joy in the Journey Foundation Inc., 2814 Byington Solway Road, Knoxville, TN 37931. A brief letter from church or organizational leadership describing your ministry and interest in partnership would be appropriate.

5. Be Realistic About Grant Amounts: With grants declining to $100K total in 2023, individual grant amounts are likely modest ($10K-$50K range). The foundation may be more receptive to retreat partnerships than cash grants. Consider proposing a collaborative retreat event rather than requesting a traditional grant.

6. Youth Ministry Opportunities: Given the foundation's focus on different age groups, youth-serving Christian organizations may find particularly receptive ground for retreat programming partnerships.