Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation
The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation is a private foundation based in Oxford, Mississippi. It supports service-oriented college students, faculty, staff, and community leaders through scholarships, awards, training, and programming intended to help them create positive change in their communities.
Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation at a glance
In short: Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation gave $451K across 28 grants in 2025 (avg $16K), top state North Carolina. 21% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $450,500
- +0.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 28
- +21.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $16,089
- -17.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $15,084,911
- -5.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (6 of 28, 2025)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (27% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 1113, Oxford, MS 38655
Phone: (662) 236-6335
Website: https://sullivanfdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
9 open opportunities from Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation
Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award
Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Algernon Sydney Sullivan Scholarship
Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Sullivan Campus Roadshows
Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Alice Lloyd College ($20K). Together the top 10 received $200K.
Grant Size Distribution
126 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 124 grants of 126 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its work as serving institutions across the American South and beyond. In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state went to North Carolina (27%), Virginia (14%), Kentucky (13%), South Carolina (9%), and Georgia (9%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 28 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 28 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $20K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 79% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−8%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 204% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $449K (2024) to $502K (2023). In 2025 it made 28 grants totaling $451K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Alice Lloyd College Pippa Passes, KY | Educational | $20,000 |
| Berea College Berea, KY | Educational | $20,000 |
| Berry College Mount Berry, GA | Educational | $20,000 |
| Brenau College Gainesville, GA | Educational | $20,000 |
| Campbell University Buies Creek, NC | Educational | $20,000 |
| Converse College Spartanburg, SC | Educational | $20,000 |
| Davis & Elkins College Elkins, WV | Educational | $20,000 |
| Elon University Elon, NC | Educational | $20,000 |
| Guilford College Greensboro, NC | Educational | $20,000 |
| Huntingdon College Montgomery, AL | Educational | $20,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Algernon Sydney Sullivan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $15,084,911 | $1,291,881 | $2,139,257 | $450,500 | 28 | $2,017,691 | $1,158,677 | $991,304 |
| 2024 | $15,909,202 | $881,984 | $1,477,972 | $449,000 | 23 | $1,239,771 | $660,305 | $954,149 |
| 2023 | $16,502,691 | $1,450,559 | $1,725,368 | $502,000 | 24 | $1,452,257 | $1,209,311 | $948,117 |
| 2022 | $16,775,890 | $1,890,566 | $1,433,556 | $488,000 | 26 | $1,164,811 | $1,651,706 | $1,047,788 |
| 2021 | $16,315,003 | $1,600,742 | $1,202,425 | $470,000 | 25 | — | $1,490,492 | $969,577 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation reported a distributable amount of $991K for 2025 — 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 equip, support, and honor service-oriented college students and faculty at institutions across the American South to make lasting positive change in their communities. Its programs include scholarships, collegiate service awards, training, retreats, campus events, and support for student ventures.
In 2025, the foundation reported educational grants to colleges and universities. Examples include Campbell University, whose stated mission is to prepare students for purposeful lives and meaningful service; Lees-McRae College, which says it helps students pursue careers and find their place in the world through education and service; and Shenandoah University, which says it educates students to be ethical, compassionate citizens who contribute responsibly to their communities and the wider world. These are the grantees’ own descriptions of their missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 28 grants totaling $450,500. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $20,000, with a median of $20,000. The listed largest grants were $20,000 each, including grants to Alice Lloyd College, Berea College, Berry College, Brenau College, Campbell University, Converse College, Davis & Elkins College, Elon University, Guilford College, Huntingdon College, Lees-McRae College, and Lincoln Memorial University.
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Its own programs also include scholarships and participant programming; these are separate from grants to outside organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and trustees listed on the 2025 filing were Stephan L McDavid, president; Peter A Rooney, vice president; John C Hardy, secretary/treasurer; Elizabeth Randall, assistant treasurer; Caroline Burlingame, assistant secretary; and trustees Kathryn York, Andrea Crouch, Stacey Spillers, Dawn Wiese, and Kathy Potts.
Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation is led by Stephan L. McDavid, President on every filing since 2021; 2 of 18 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Stephan L. McDavid
President
On filings since 2021
35 hrs/week
$93K (2021) → $145K (2025)
Andrea Crouch
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas S. Rankin
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Potts
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stacey Spillers
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ira Jackson
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John McCardell
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dawn Wiese
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathryn York
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Caroline Burlingame
Assistant Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
$63K (2025)
Darla Wilkinson
Trustee Emeritus
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David C. Farrand
Trustee Emeritus
Assistant Treasurer → Trustee Emeritus, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Randall
Assistant Treasurer
Trustee → Assistant Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Verner
Trustee Emeritus
Trustee → Trustee Emeritus, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gray Williams Jr.
Trustee Emeritus
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John C. Hardy
Secretary & Treasurer
Treasurer → Secretary & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Perry Wilson
Trustee Emeritus
Trustee → Trustee Emeritus, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter A. Rooney
Vice President
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Charles Brock (2021–2022) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $145K, to Stephan L McDavid (President). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation
How much does Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation give each year?
Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation gave $451K across 28 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $449K across 23 grants.
What is Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation's typical grant size?
Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $16,089, across 28 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation that year got $2K on average.
Where does Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation give grants?
Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation's top state is North Carolina, with 27% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Virginia (14%) and Kentucky (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Asheville, NC (3 grants) and Spartanburg, SC (2 grants).
Does Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 28 grants with a stated purpose on Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Educational" (25 grants) and "Operations" (3 grants).
Who are Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation's largest grantees?
Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Alice Lloyd College ($20,000), Berea College ($20,000) and Berry College ($20,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 13% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation?
Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation reported $15.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $991K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to equip, support, and honor service-oriented college students and faculty at institutions across the American South to make lasting positive change in their communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation's EIN?
Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6084596. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does Algernon Sydney Sullivan 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 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Mississippi
Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Inc
Atlanta, GA
The foundation funds need-based undergraduate scholarships for female Christian students through participating institutions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, and supports care for senior women at facilities in Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. In 2024, grants ranged from $72,500 to $2,939,000, with a median of $254,000. It does not fund individuals, and institutions not already supported are rarely added; current grantees apply through the foundation’s grant process.
Assets
$990.9M
Grants
208
Total Given
$63.3M
IBM International Foundation
Armonk, NY
The IBM International Foundation funds education and workforce programs that build 21st-century and technology job skills, including initiatives for underserved students and job seekers. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.48 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across several U.S. states, especially Delaware and Massachusetts. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$357.7M
Grants
16
Total Given
$11.7M
Tulsa Community Foundation
Tulsa, OK
Tulsa Community Foundation supports charitable causes through donor-advised grants and selected funds, including scholarships, emergency assistance, disaster relief, arts and humanities, healthcare, and financial literacy, primarily in the Tulsa metro area and eastern Oklahoma, with some giving elsewhere in the United States. Its 2024 median grant was $18,560; selected field-of-interest funds have application cycles, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
1,066
Total Given
$158.6M
Ergon Foundation Inc
Jackson, MS
The foundation funds medical research, education, community development, and services for children with communication disorders, with most giving in Mississippi. In 2025, its grants ranged from $2,500 to $615,000, with a median of $25,000. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$210.7M
Grants
158
Total Given
$10.8M
Pinebelt Foundation
Hattiesburg, MS
Pinebelt Foundation supports charitable activities, community programs, and scholarships, with grants spanning varied local needs. In 2025, its grants had a median of $10,000, though amounts varied widely; its primary focus is the Pine Belt of South Mississippi. It accepts applications through GOapply for listed grant programs.
Assets
$61.9M
Grants
133
Total Given
$5.2M
Laura C Higdon Charitable Foundation
Jackson, MS
The Laura C Higdon Charitable Foundation funds scholarships for individuals in Escambia County, Alabama, and Santa Rosa County, Florida. Its 2025 awards ranged from $500 to $2,000, with a median of $1,000; the filing says application materials are not applicable and does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$1.4M
Grants
106
Total Given
$96K
More similar funders
More Funders in Mississippi
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/algernon-sydney-sullivan-foundation-morg_b3a26fd094d640bb9d7c1384557f8d2b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_136084596_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/algernon-sydney-sullivan-foundation-morg_b3a26fd094d640bb9d7c1384557f8d2b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Algernon Sydney Sullivan 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.
Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?