Abney Foundation
The Abney Foundation is a private foundation based in Anderson, South Carolina, established in 1957 by Susie Mathews Abney. It makes grants to charitable organizations recognized under IRS code 501(c)(3), not to individuals, and gives highest priority to higher education.
Abney Foundation at a glance
In short: Abney Foundation gave $1.9M across 51 grants in 2024 (avg $38K), mostly in South Carolina. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,935,500
- -4.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 51
- +27.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $37,951
- -25.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $51,281,323
- +9.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- South Carolina (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Abney Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it does not accept unsolicited requests and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. The website says applicants may submit a brief Letter of Intent to ask whether a project may be fundable before submitting a proposal. Proposal materials include a project summary, purpose and amount requested, community need, key personnel qualifications, detailed proposed spending, the latest annual operating budget and statement of assets, an evaluation plan, recent grants and pending applications, board information and approval, the IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter, and contact information for three professionals familiar with the organization. One copy is required; the foundation may request a visit. It generally does not fund operating expenses, and applicants should serve South Carolina residents.
- Review Cycle
- The website’s general guidance says proposals are due in the foundation’s office by 4:00 p.m. on the first Monday in November. The 2024 filing lists November 15 as the deadline; applicants should note that the published deadline information differs.
- Deadline
- The website’s general guidance says proposals are due in the foundation’s office by 4:00 p.m.
- Contact
Application contact: Lisa Mcwherter
Mailing address: 100 Vine Street, Anderson, SC 29621
Phone: (864) 964-9201
Email: info@abneyfoundation.org
Website: https://abneyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Abney Foundation
Who Abney Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Tri-County ($200K). Together the top 10 received $1.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
178 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 130 grants of 178 (73%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s guidelines say applicants should serve citizens of South Carolina. All 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in South Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 51 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Abney Foundation gives
- 67% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−3%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 91% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.9M (2024) to $2.3M (2022). In 2024 it made 51 grants totaling $1.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-County Pendleton, SC | Endowment Scholarship | $200,000 |
| Anderson University Anderson, SC | Scholarship Endowment | $150,000 |
| Second Chance Church Anderson, SC | General Support | $150,000 |
| Claflin University Orangeburg, SC | Scholarship Endowment | $100,000 |
| Clemson University Clemson, SC | Scholarship Endowment | $100,000 |
| Converse University Spartanburg, SC | Scholarship Endowment | $100,000 |
| Lander University Greenwood, SC | Scholarship Endowment | $100,000 |
| Muschollings Cancer Center Charleston, SC | Scholarship Endowment | $100,000 |
| Presbyterian College Clinton, SC | Scholarship Endownment | $100,000 |
| The Citadel Charleston, SC | Scholarship Endowment | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Abney Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $51,281,323 | $3,932,848 | $2,824,055 | $1,935,500 | 51 | $2,145,737 | $3,665,563 | $2,358,064 |
| 2023 | $46,758,160 | $6,246,406 | $2,798,464 | $2,031,350 | 40 | $2,230,256 | $5,705,563 | $2,139,778 |
| 2022 | $42,946,743 | $4,957,789 | $3,048,638 | $2,270,000 | 43 | $2,460,132 | $4,403,860 | $2,240,006 |
| 2021 | $52,599,119 | $4,983,775 | $2,779,650 | $1,993,000 | 43 | $2,171,939 | $4,386,454 | $2,437,235 |
| 2020 | $47,477,064 | $787,145 | $2,715,957 | $1,940,000 | 1 | — | $305,056 | $2,187,923 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Abney Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to make grants for innovative and creative projects and for programs responsive to changing community needs in education, health, social service, and cultural affairs. It places its highest priority on higher education. The foundation says it has scholarship endowments at 15 colleges and universities in South Carolina; the colleges and universities administer those scholarship programs.
Its 2024 grants included scholarship endowments at several institutions. Anderson University, which received $150,000, describes itself as a comprehensive university offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in a supportive Christian atmosphere. Presbyterian College, Converse University, Wofford College, and Claflin University each received $100,000; their stated missions describe, respectively, developing students’ capacities within a Christian framework, advancing belonging and collaboration at a liberal arts college, providing a high-quality liberal arts education, and supporting teaching, research, creative expression, and student growth.
Other 2024 recipients included Anderson Free Clinic, which says it provides health care for indigent people in Anderson; First Light, which describes work to prevent sexual assault and child abuse through collaboration, education, advocacy, and treatment; and Meals on Wheels Inc, which says it delivers meals and interaction to senior and disabled neighbors in Anderson County.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 51 grants totaling $1,935,500. Grants ranged from $3,500 to $200,000, with a median of $15,000. Other large 2024 awards included $200,000 to Tri-County for an endowment scholarship; $150,000 to Second Chance Church for general support; and $100,000 each to Clemson University, Lander University, MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, and The Citadel for scholarship endowments. Anderson Aviation Association received $50,000 for Hurricane Helene relief.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists J Kirkman Moorhead, Lebrena F Campbell, John R Fulp III, and James E Sheriff as trustees; Lisa C McWherter as vice chair; Carl T Edwards as executive director emeritus; Bonnie K Nash as secretary/treasurer; and John T Meehan MD as chair.
Abney Foundation is led by John T. Meehan MD, Chair since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 6 of 8 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
John T. Meehan MD
Chair
Trustee → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$8K (2020) → $8K (2024)
James E. Sheriff
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$8K (2022) → $8K (2024)
J. Kirkman Moorhead
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
$8K (2024)
Lebrena F. Campbell
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John R. Fulp III
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bonnie K. Nash
Secretary & Treasurer
Secretary → Secretary & Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$84K (2020) → $110K (2024)
Carl T. Edwards
Executive Director Emeritus
Executive Director → Executive Director Emeritus, 2022
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$61K (2020) → $41K (2024)
Lisa C. McWherter
Vice Chair
Vice Chairman → Vice Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$153K (2020) → $178K (2024)
Former officers (5)
- Former: John R. Fulp Jr. (2022–2023) — Chairman
- Former: Edd Sheriff (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Jr Fulp III (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Jr Fulp Jr. (2020–2021) — Chairman & Trustee
- Former: Johnnye K. Palmer (2020) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $178K, to Lisa C McWherter (Vice Chair). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Abney Foundation
How much does Abney Foundation give each year?
Abney Foundation gave $1.9M across 51 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.0M across 40 grants.
What is Abney Foundation's typical grant size?
Abney Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $37,951, across 51 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Abney Foundation give grants?
Abney Foundation gives mostly in South Carolina: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Anderson, SC (32 grants), Greenville, SC (4 grants), Spartanburg, SC (3 grants) and Charleston, SC (2 grants).
Does Abney Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 25% of Abney Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (13 of 51) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship Endowment" (8 grants).
Who are Abney Foundation's largest grantees?
Abney Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Tri-County ($200,000), Anderson University ($150,000) and Second Chance Church ($150,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 26% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Abney Foundation?
Abney Foundation reported $51.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.4M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Abney Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to make grants for innovative and creative projects and for programs responsive to changing community needs in education, health, social service, and cultural affairs. It places its highest priority on higher education. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Abney Foundation?
The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it does not accept unsolicited requests and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Abney Foundation's EIN?
Abney Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 57-6019445. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Abney Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Abney Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/abney-foundation-morg_548d8f3af4ec420f9e676bbfa75e23e9
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_576019445_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Abney Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/abney-foundation-morg_548d8f3af4ec420f9e676bbfa75e23e9},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Abney Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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