Beacon Foundation Charitable Trust
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
18
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$47K
+5.0% YoY
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
Cities
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.
| 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
No grants recorded for .
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
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 nonprofitsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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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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