Pat Summitt Foundation

What Pat Summitt Foundation does

The Pat Summitt Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee, by legendary University of Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt following her diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's disease. The foundation's mission is to advance research for treatment and a cure for Alzheimer's disease while providing direct support for patients, families, and caregivers. It operates three core programmatic pillars: the Pat Summitt Clinic (established 2017), a specialized diagnostic and support clinic operated in partnership with UT Medical Center that serves over 5,600 patients annually; Pat's Gameplan™, a comprehensive caregiver curriculum and resource program offered free to families navigating dementia care; and a grants program that funds Alzheimer's research initiatives and partner nonprofits. The foundation also runs the "We Back Pat" awareness and athletic-event campaign that unites schools, officials, sponsors, and community organizations around Alzheimer's fundraising.

The foundation is funded entirely through charitable contributions rather than commercial revenue. Five streams make up its financial base: individual one-time and recurring online donations; planned giving and estate gifts channeled through the Legacy Society and vehicles including bequests, IRA charitable rollovers, and beneficiary designations; event-based fundraising (walks, golf tournaments, jeep rides, races, bowling and dart tournaments, and the annual Race for the Summitt); corporate sponsorships of events such as the Knox County Middle School We Back Pat Night; and merchandise sales via partner Bacon and Company under the "We Back Pat" brand. Donations are processed through the Classy (GoFundMe Pro) platform, with mail donations accepted at the Knoxville P.O. Box. Online giving is voluntary with no fixed pricing model. Headcount is 1–10 employees and the foundation operates without a physical office, indicating a lean organizational structure.

The foundation's competitive positioning is anchored by Pat Summitt's enduring brand legacy in women's basketball and her widely chronicled public battle with Alzheimer's disease, protected through trademarks on "Pat Summitt Foundation," "Pat's Gameplan™," "We Back Pat," and "Legacy Society." Its go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven, leveraging Southeastern U.S. sports networks and East Tennessee civic communities. Strategic research and clinical relationships with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and UT Medical Center support AI-driven precision dementia research and clinical care delivery. Geographic footprint is regional, concentrated across East Tennessee, with no disclosed national or international expansion plans; the foundation is currently halfway toward a $10 million endowment target intended to provide lasting operational stability.

Name

Pat Summitt Foundation

Legal name

Pat Summitt Foundation

Website

https://patsummitt.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Pat Summitt Foundation is a Knoxville, Tennessee-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2011 that advances Alzheimer's research, operates the Pat Summitt Clinic (5,600+ patients annually), delivers caregiver education via Pat's Gameplan™, and funds academic research through a community-led, event-based fundraising model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Alzheimer's Disease Nonprofit and Charitable Foundation

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA), Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)

Keywords

• Alzheimer's disease research
• Caregiver education resources
• Nonprofit charitable foundation
• Community fundraising events
• Planned giving programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Knoxville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual supporters, processed through the foundation's website donation portal.
2. Planned Giving and Estate Gifts: Bequests, beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and insurance policies, IRA charitable rollovers, and other estate planning vehicles that create long-term funding stability.
3. Event-Based Fundraising: Proceeds from community events including walks, golf tournaments, jeep rides, races, bowling tournaments, and dart tournaments.
4. Merchandise Sales: Sale of We Back Pat merchandise including specialty whistles and gear, with proceeds benefiting the foundation.
5. Corporate Sponsorships: Partnerships with corporate sponsors for events and initiatives, such as the presenting sponsorship for Knox County Middle School We Back Pat Night.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Pat Summitt Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises funds to advance Alzheimer's disease research, deliver caregiver education through Pat's Gameplan™, provide diagnostic patient services via the Pat Summitt Clinic, and run the We Back Pat awareness and fundraising program. Revenue is generated through individual donations, community events, corporate sponsorships, merchandise sales, and planned/estate giving.

Product overview

The Pat Summitt Foundation is a nonprofit organization working to advance Alzheimer's disease research, provide support for patients and caregivers, and promote education and awareness. The foundation operates through multiple interconnected programs: Pat's Gameplan™ provides free caregiver curriculum and resources; the Pat Summitt Clinic offers specialized diagnostic and support services; the We Back Pat program enables community and athletic organizations to raise awareness and funds; and the Grants Program funds research and nonprofit partners. Additional offerings include community fundraising event support, estate planning services, and annual events like the Race for the Summitt and golf tournaments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Pat's Gameplan™: A comprehensive caregiver curriculum and support program providing detailed guidance for caregivers of Alzheimer's patients.
• We Back Pat
• Pat Summitt Clinic

Products and services

• Pat's Gameplan™ A comprehensive caregiver curriculum and resource program that provides detailed guidance and support for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease, offering free resources to families navigating dementia care.
• Pat Summitt Clinic A specialized diagnostic and support clinic established in 2017 that serves over 5,600 patients annually, providing comprehensive Alzheimer's and dementia care services in partnership with UT Medical Center.
• We Back Pat An awareness and fundraising program that unites teams, officials, schools, businesses, and communities to honor Coach Pat Summitt and raise critical funding for Alzheimer's research and support.
• Grants Program Awards grant funding to research initiatives and non-profit organizations committed to advancing Alzheimer's disease research, patient care, and public education.
• Estate Planning Services Planned giving options including bequests, beneficiary designations, IRA charitable rollovers, and membership in the Legacy Society for donors wishing to include the foundation in their estate planning.
• Annual Events
• Community Fundraising Events Support for community-organized fundraising events including walks, golf tournaments, dart tournaments, and off-road rides that benefit the foundation's mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5,600+ patients served annually at Pat Summitt Clinic
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of Tennessee, KnoxvillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for advancing Alzheimer's research through interdisciplinary initiatives. Assistant Professor Chunhong Xiao leads efforts funded by the Department of Defense to develop precision health strategies using AI for dementia care in home environments.
• UT Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partnership in support of Alzheimer's research and patient care services at the Pat Summitt Clinic.
• Classy (GoFundMe Pro)coreTechnology or IntegrationOnline donation processing platform powering the foundation's website donation pages and event registration. The foundation uses Classy's fundraising technology for annual giving campaigns and event fundraising.
• Bacon and CompanyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMerchandise partner for We Back Pat branded gear including specialty whistles and apparel. Proceeds from merchandise sales come back to the Foundation.
• Stanley’s GreenhouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for the Alzheimer's Pansy Project event in South Knoxville, where customers purchase purple and orange pansies in honor or memory of loved ones, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the foundation.
• WindRiver Golf CourseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue for the annual Pat Summitt Invitational golf tournament in Lenoir City, Tennessee.
• NAPA Mister AutomotiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStarting location for the JL Austin Memorial Jeep Ride benefiting the foundation.
• Elks Lodge #160minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue for the Darts Against Dementia steel-tip dart tournament in Knoxville, Tennessee.
• American Pharmacists Association – Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerUT College of Pharmacy student organization that organizes the annual Race for the Summitt 4-mile race in Knoxville, with proceeds supporting the foundation's mission.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@webackpat
• Facebookfacebook.com/PatSummittFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/webackpat
• Xx.com/WeBackPat

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pat Summitt Foundation