Beacon Foundation Charitable Trust

Foundation · Grantmaker KENNESAW, GA EIN: 26-6684203 Website

Beacon Foundation Charitable Trust is a private grantmaking foundation based in Kennesaw, Georgia. Designated as a 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation operates as a family foundation with a focus on providing poverty relief and funding experiences not otherwise available through traditional means.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$5.5M

-9.3% YoY

Annual Giving

$840K

+5.0% YoY

Grant Count

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$47K

+5.0% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Beacon Foundation Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $768K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation was formed in 2008 with the goal to provide poverty relief and experiences not otherwise funded through traditional means. Primary funding areas include:

Arts experiences for K-12 students
Travel and study abroad opportunities for college students
Housing and food assistance for students in need
Student support services addressing food and housing insecurity

Grantmaking

The foundation has demonstrated consistent grantmaking activity. Over an eight-year period (2014-2022), Beacon Foundation Charitable Trust awarded $453,000 to Kennesaw State University programs, including $10,000 in COVID relief funding at the peak of the pandemic. The foundation has supported Campus Awareness, Resource & Empowerment Services (CARE) and KSU Journey Honors College, including funding for emergency housing assistance and student travel programs.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation primarily funds organizations and students in the Cobb County, Georgia area, with particular emphasis on Kennesaw State University and the local community.

Grant Distribution by State

North Carolina $1.2M (32%)

Tennessee $1.2M (32%)

Georgia $1.2M (30%)

Alabama $200K (5%)

States

Alabama Georgia North Carolina Tennessee

Cities

BirminghamChattanoogaGreensboroKennesawLawrencevilleMariettaWinstonsalem

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of 2023:

Total Assets: $6.09 million
Total Revenue: $414,000
Total Expenses: $915,000
Total Liabilities: $0

The foundation has maintained tax-exempt status since August 2009.

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$5,517,038	$6,085,437	$6,586,113
Revenue	$443,507	$414,305	$-8,795
Expenses	$1,011,906	$914,981	$852,202
Qualifying Distributions	$840,000	$800,000	$703,000
Net Investment Income	$360,502	$354,825	$329,177
Distributable Amount	$768,341	$802,125	$882,942

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

104 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Chattanooga State Technical Community College Foundation ($100,000), Crisis Control Ministry ($80,000), Children's Home Society of North Carolina ($75,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
ARTSBUILD CHATTANOOGA, TN	FUND "IMAGINE! INITIATIVE" TO HELP PROVIDE HAMILTON COUNTY, TN ELEMENTARY STUDENTS FREE ART AND CULTURAL EXPERIENCES PRESENTED BY LEADING ARTS ORGANIZATIONS AND FUND COMMUNITY CULTURAL CONNECTIONS.	$35,000
CHAMBLISS CENTER OF CHILDREN CHATTANOOGA, TN	OPERATIONAL SUPPORT	$35,000
CHATTAHOOCHEE TECH FOUNDATION MARIETTA, GA	FUND SCHOLARSHIPS, PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR FOUNDATION'S EMERGENCY FUND, AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE OF STUDENT RESOURCES	$45,000
CHATTANOOGA GIRLS LEADERSHIP ACADEMY CHATTANOOGA, TN	PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR FOOD, MEDICAL SERVICES, CLOTHING, AND TRANSPORTATION THROUGH "BACKPACK FOR SUCCESS" PROGRAM.	$20,000
CHATTANOOGA ROOM IN THE INN CHATTANOOGA, TN	SUPPORT FOR TEMPORARY HOUSING, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES TO HOMELESS WOMEN AND CHILDREN	$45,000
CHATTANOOGA STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION CHATTANOOGA, TN	"GLOBAL SCHOLARS" PROGRAM - PROVIDE UNIQUE LEARNING AND EXPLORATORY EXPERIENCES NOT TYPICALLY AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS	$100,000
CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY OF NORTH CAROLINA GREENSBORO, NC	SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION OF SEXUAL HEALTH FOR YOUTH IN CARE ACROSS NC; IMPROVE SEXUAL HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR YOUTH INVOLVED IN OUT-OF-HOME CARE IN NC	$75,000
CRISIS CONTROL MINISTRY WINSTONSALEM, NC	OPERATIONAL SUPPORT AND HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR FAMILIES IN CRISIS	$80,000
FORSYTH TECH FOUNDATION WINSTONSALEM, NC	SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE INELIGIBLE FOR FINANCIAL AID, OR HAVE AN UNEXPECTED EMERGENCY	$35,000
GEORGIA GWINETT COLLEGE FOUNDATION LAWRENCEVILLE, GA	GGC STUDENT EMERGENCY FUND - TUITION AND FEES FOR FINANCIALLY NEEDY STUDENTS	$35,000

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Elizabeth Smith Williams serves as the Foundation's Cobb County trustee and primary partner for KSU initiatives. The foundation is run by Williams and her family.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
CRAIG DOUGLAS SMITH	TRUSTEE	1	$15,000
CATHERINE M SMITH	TRUSTEE	—	—
ELIZABETH SMITH WILLIAMS	TRUSTEE	3	$135,000

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

2022

In May 2022, Kennesaw State University and Beacon Foundation Charitable Trust celebrated eight years of partnership supporting students. The foundation's support has addressed student food and housing insecurity on campus, funded emergency housing through a leased apartment on the Kennesaw campus, and enabled student travel experiences. Leadership emphasized that combating student food and housing insecurity represents a key accomplishment aligned with the foundation's mission.

North Texas Community Foundation awards $590,500 from BEACON fund to 22 nonprofits

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Beacon Foundation Charitable Trust fund?

The foundation was formed in 2008 with the goal to provide poverty relief and experiences not otherwise funded through traditional means. Primary funding areas include: • Arts experiences for K-12 students • Travel and study abroad opportunities for college students • Housing and food assistance for students in need • Student support services addressing food and housing insecurity

How do I apply for a grant from Beacon Foundation Charitable Trust?

Where does Beacon Foundation Charitable Trust make grants?

The foundation primarily funds organizations and students in the Cobb County, Georgia area, with particular emphasis on Kennesaw State University and the local community.

What size grants does Beacon Foundation Charitable Trust award?

In 2024, Beacon Foundation Charitable Trust awarded 18 grants totaling $840K — an average of about $47K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Beacon Foundation Charitable Trust required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Beacon Foundation Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $768K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is Beacon Foundation Charitable Trust's EIN?

Beacon Foundation Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-6684203. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.