Abney Foundation
The Abney Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1957 by Susie Mathews Abney, located in Anderson, South Carolina. The foundation makes grants exclusively to charitable organizations recognized under IRS code 501(c)(3) and does not make grants to individuals.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$51.3M
+9.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.9M
-4.7% YoY
Grant Count
51
+27.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$38K
-25.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to make grants for innovative and creative projects, and to programs which are responsive to changing community needs in the areas of education, health, social services, and cultural affairs.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Higher Education (75-80% of annual funding) — The foundation's highest priority, with scholarship endowments established at fourteen colleges and universities across South Carolina
- Health Services — Community health initiatives
- Social Services — Local community support organizations
- Cultural Affairs — Arts and cultural programming
Grantmaking
Grant Range
** $200,000–$300,000 (based on recent grants), with historical ranges of $3,500–$400,000
Average Grant
$65,000
Review Cycle
First Monday in November by 4:00 PM
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in South Carolina, with particular emphasis on the Anderson area. Grants have been distributed to organizations in South Carolina and North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $51.3 million (as of 2024); $46.8 million (as of 2023)
Annual Income: $38.4 million (2024); $6.25 million (2023)
Annual Expenses: $2.8 million (2023)
Total Liabilities: $0 (2023)
Asset Growth: Total assets have grown from $40.1 million in 2011 to $51.3 million in 2024
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $51,281,323 | $46,758,160 | $42,946,743 |
| Revenue | $3,932,848 | $6,246,406 | $4,957,789 |
| Expenses | $2,824,055 | $2,798,464 | $3,048,638 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,145,737 | $2,230,256 | $2,460,132 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,665,563 | $5,705,563 | $4,403,860 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,358,064 | $2,139,778 | $2,240,006 |
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
177 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Abney Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Lisa McWherter is listed as the principal officer. The foundation is governed by 8 officers and trustees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| J KIRKMAN MOORHEAD | TRUSTEE | 1 | $7,500 |
| LISA C MCWHERTER | VICE CHAIR | 40 | $178,263 |
| CARL T EDWARDS | ED EMERITUS | 20 | $41,177 |
| BONNIE K NASH | SECR/TREAS | 40 | $109,690 |
| LEBRENA F CAMPBELL | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JOHN R FULP III | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JOHN T MEEHAN MD | CHAIR | 1 | $7,500 |
| JAMES E SHERIFF | TRUSTEE | 1 | $7,500 |
Contact Information
The Abney Foundation
100 Vine Street
Anderson, SC 29621
Phone: 864-964-9201
Fax: 864-964-9209
Email: info@abneyfoundation.org
Website: www.abneyfoundation.org
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) private foundation; tax-exempt since June 1959; EIN 57-6019445
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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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