Arras Foundation
The Arras Foundation is a private foundation based in Lancaster, South Carolina. Its stated vision is for communities where people build on community assets together and have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Its website describes grant programs for public-school education initiatives and transformative community programming, with a geographic footprint of Lancaster County, Fort Lawn, and Great Falls, South Carolina. The most recent filing on record is for 2022, with no later filing listed; based on that filing status, the foundation may have stopped operating or grantmaking.
Arras Foundation at a glance
In short: Arras Foundation gave $675K across 28 grants in 2022 (avg $24K), mostly in South Carolina. 40% of 2022 grantees were new. Source: 2022 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2022)
- $675,277
- -42.6% vs 2021
- Grants made (2022)
- 28
- +27.3% vs 2021
- Average grant
- $24,117
- -54.9% vs 2021
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $77,162,126
- -18.8% vs 2021
- New grantees (estimate)
- 40% first-time grantees (6 of 15, 2022; small sample)
- Primary geography
- South Carolina (100% of itemized 2022 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2022 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2022; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Arras Foundation
- Contact
Application contact: Susan W Devenny President
Mailing address: 601 North Main Street, Lancaster, SC 29720
Phone: (803) 286-8772
Website: HTTPS://ARRASFOUNDATION.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 Arras Foundation
Who Arras Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2022
The largest 2022 recipient was Lancaster County Council of the Arts ($154K across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $655K.
Grant Size Distribution
81 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 52 grants of 81 (64%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website names Lancaster County, Fort Lawn, and Great Falls, South Carolina, as its service area. All reported 2022 grant dollars went to recipients in South Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2022 grant dollars across all 28 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Arras Foundation open to new grantees?
40%
first-time grantees, 2022
In 2022, 6 of 15 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $46K; repeat grants $45K. How we count
Medians: $29K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 60% of 2022 grantees were also funded in 2021. Method
- In 2022 it paid out 131% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2022). 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 2022, annual grant giving ranged from $675K (2022) to $1.7M (2020). In 2022 it made 28 grants totaling $675K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lancaster Promise Neighborhood Lancaster, SC | Healthy Community Grant | $150,000 |
| Lancaster County Council of the Arts Lancaster, SC | (healthy community grant) creative smarts - build healthy community thru creative partnerships | $120,000 |
| Kershaw Area Resource Exchange (Kare) Kershaw, SC | (Healthy Community Grant) General Operations | $110,000 |
| Grasp - Great Falls Referral and Assistance Great Falls, SC | "Community Enrichment Program" | $64,500 |
| A Father's Way - Lancaster Fatherhood Project Columbia, SC | (healthy community grant) re-engaging low-income fathers through health health access and responsible fatherhood | $55,000 |
| Hope in Lancaster Inc Lancaster, SC | (healthy community grant) general operating grant with challenge match for donor | $49,919 |
| Lancaster County Council of the Arts Lancaster, SC | "Makerspace for Our STEAM Future" | $31,497 |
| Furman University Greenville, SC | (Strategic Initiative) College Advising Corps | $25,000 |
| Chester County School District Chester, SC | (healthy community partner initiative) ccsd swimming and water safety program | $16,445 |
| Kershaw Community Park Council Inc Kershaw, SC | (healthy community capital investment grant) trail improvements for stevens park | $10,454 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The filing type is Form 990-PF. The most recent filing on record is for 2022.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $77,162,126 | $2,603,325 | $3,372,082 | $675,277 | 28 | $4,828,708 | $2,375,087 | $3,698,808 |
| 2021 | $94,984,661 | $7,716,680 | $4,043,001 | $1,177,201 | 22 | $3,235,582 | $7,492,027 | $4,286,034 |
| 2020 | $87,177,819 | $4,033,370 | $3,018,354 | $1,723,865 | 31 | — | $3,807,370 | $3,570,293 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Arras Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.7M for 2022 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s North Star is to support communities where all people join together to build on community assets for current and future generations, and where all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Its website identifies five Community Health Priority Indicator Areas: Economic Vitality, Education, Health, Natural Environment, and Social & Cultural Wellbeing.
The foundation’s website describes Healthy Community Grants for eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits and Horizon Education Grants for educators at publicly funded schools and colleges in specified South Carolina communities. Among its 2022 grantees, Lancaster County Council of the Arts says its mission is to enrich life in Lancaster County by connecting arts, culture, education, and economic vitality. HOPE in Lancaster says it provides support and education to promote food security and economic mobility. Kershaw Community Park Council says it works to revitalize and maintain Stevens Park, while Upper Palmetto YMCA says it offers programs intended to build healthy spirits, minds, and bodies.
Grantmaking
In 2022, the foundation reported 28 grants totaling $675,277. Grant amounts ranged from $461 to $150,000, with a median of $2,500. The largest awards included $150,000 to Lancaster Promise Neighborhood for a Healthy Community Grant; $120,000 to Lancaster County Council of the Arts for Creative Smarts; $110,000 to Kershaw Area Resource Exchange for general operations; and $64,500 to GRASP – Great Falls Referral and Assistance for its Community Enrichment Program. Other notable awards included $55,000 to A Father’s Way – Lancaster Fatherhood Project, $49,919 to HOPE in Lancaster, and $25,000 to Furman University for the College Advising Corps.
The foundation’s website describes Healthy Community Grant applications as accepted throughout the year, with required steps before an invitation to apply. For Horizon Education Grants, the website describes applications reviewed by a youth committee and two possible grants during the school year: one for $500 and one multi-educator grant of up to $2,000. The filing states that giving is not restricted to preselected organizations and points to program pages for application materials and restrictions. Because the most recent filing is from 2022 and the foundation may have stopped grantmaking, these program details should not be taken as confirmation that applications are currently being accepted.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2022 filing lists Jodie C. Plyler as trustee and chair; Lisa T. Bridges as trustee and vice-chair; Don T. Gardner as trustee and treasurer; and Ashley Shannon as trustee and secretary. It also lists Richard A. Band, Abby-Lynn Brunson, T. Michael Clancey, Bridget Francis, and Vivian A. Gray as trustees, and Robert K. Folks as trustee emeritus.
Arras Foundation is led by Susan W. Devenny, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 12 of 15 officers listed in 2022 are compensated.
Officers on the 2022 filing
Susan W. Devenny
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$226K (2020) → $246K (2022)
Jodie C. Plyler
Trustee & Chair
Chair → Trustee & Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$9K (2020) → $8K (2022)
Ashley Shannon
Trustee & Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Trustee & Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $3K (2022)
Don T. Gardner
Trustee & Treasurer
Treasurer → Trustee & Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$6K (2020) → $5K (2022)
Lisa T. Bridges
Trustee & Vice Chair
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2021
Vice Chair → Trustee & Vice Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$5K (2020) → $5K (2022)
Richard A. Band
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$4K (2020) → $5K (2022)
Roy A. Still
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$3K (2020) → $4K (2022)
Sherri C. Gregory
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$3K (2020) → $3K (2022)
T. Michael Clancey
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$5K (2020) → $5K (2022)
Timothy H. Hallman
Trustee
Vice Chair → Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$5K (2020) → $800 (2022)
Vivian A. Gray
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$3K (2020) → $2K (2022)
Abby-Lynn Brunson Left
Trustee
New on the 2022 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bridget Francis Strtd
Trustee
New on the 2022 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ernest Jenkins Strtd
Trustee
New on the 2022 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert K. Folks
Trustee Emeritus
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$4K (2020) → $3K (2022)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Abby-Lynn Brunson (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Hubert F. Mobley (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2022. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2022 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2022 filing was $246K, to Susan W Devenny (President & CEO). 12 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Arras Foundation
How much does Arras Foundation give each year?
Arras Foundation gave $675K across 28 grants in 2022, according to its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2021 it gave $1.2M across 22 grants.
What is Arras Foundation's typical grant size?
Arras Foundation's median grant in 2022 was $2,500, and its average grant was $24,117, across 28 grants on its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Arras Foundation that year got $46K on average.
Where does Arras Foundation give grants?
Arras Foundation gives mostly in South Carolina: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Lancaster, SC (14 grants), Chester, SC (6 grants), Kershaw, SC (2 grants) and Spartanburg, SC (2 grants).
Does Arras Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 7% of Arras Foundation's 2022 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 28) were for general or operating support, per its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Arras Foundation's largest grantees?
Arras Foundation's largest 2022 grantees include Lancaster County Council of the Arts ($154,497 across 3 grants), Lancaster Promise Neighborhood ($150,000) and Kershaw Area Resource Exchange (Kare) ($110,000), according to its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 61% of its itemized 2022 grant dollars.
How large is Arras Foundation?
Arras Foundation reported $77.2M in total assets on its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Arras Foundation fund?
The foundation’s North Star is to support communities where all people join together to build on community assets for current and future generations, and where all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Arras Foundation?
Arras Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check arrasfoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Arras Foundation's EIN?
Arras Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 57-0355295. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2022.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2022
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Arras Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?