Bignon Family Foundation
Bignon Family Foundation is a private foundation located in Irmo, South Carolina. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations supporting causes that include Christian and humanitarian work, animal rescue, education, health care, housing, public safety, and military families.
Bignon Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Bignon Family Foundation gave $157K across 13 grants in 2025 (avg $12K), mostly in South Carolina. 15% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $156,500
- -17.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 13
- -13.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $12,038
- -5.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $453,224
- +39.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 15% first-time grantees (2 of 13, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- South Carolina (68% 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 Bignon Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 204 Montclair Drive, Irmo, SC 29063
Phone: (803) 413-9797
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Bignon Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Fellowship of Christian Athletes ($30K). Together the top 10 received $145K.
Grant Size Distribution
71 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 69 grants of 71 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 68% of grant dollars went to recipients in South Carolina, 19% to Missouri, 10% to North Carolina, and 3% to Washington, DC.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Bignon Family Foundation open to new grantees?
15%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 2 of 13 grantees (15%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $13K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 77% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+5%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 635% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $149K (2022) to $205K (2021). In 2025 it made 13 grants totaling $157K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fellowship of Christian Athletes Kansas City, MO | Charitable Work | $30,000 |
| Pawmetto Lifeline Inc Columbia, SC | Pet Rescue & Adoption | $25,000 |
| University of South Carolina Educational Foundation Columbia, SC | Support the mission of the university of South Carolina | $25,000 |
| Samaritan's Purse Boone, NC | Christian Humanitarian Aid Organization | $15,000 |
| Garnet Trust Foundation Columbia, SC | To help promote, support, and advance charitable organizations and causes, educate the general public regarding these charitable organizations and causes, and to make positive impacts on communities | $10,000 |
| Richland County Sheriffs Foundation Columbia, SC | Equip deputies with the tools necessary to perform their duties safely, and enable them to provide effective and efficient protection to Richland County citizens and visitors. | $10,000 |
| Salvation Army Columbia, SC | To deliver emergency food, clean water, and shelter to families in crisis | $10,000 |
| Shriners Hospitals Greenville, SC | Pediatric Care, Research, and Medical Education | $10,000 |
| Palmetto Foundation for Prevention & Recovery Chapin, SC | To help continue the work to combat substance use in and around the community | $5,000 |
| USO Washington, DC | Support Military Families | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Bignon Family 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 | $453,224 | $280,477 | $167,817 | $156,500 | 13 | $156,500 | $269,160 | $24,657 |
| 2024 | $325,015 | $107,945 | $198,089 | $190,000 | 15 | $190,000 | $99,856 | $33,271 |
| 2023 | $415,669 | $49,812 | $181,626 | $168,500 | 13 | $168,500 | $36,686 | $35,733 |
| 2022 | $548,580 | $92,039 | $161,601 | $148,500 | 13 | $148,500 | $78,938 | $42,452 |
| 2021 | $671,692 | $131,657 | $223,146 | $205,000 | 17 | $205,000 | $113,511 | $52,927 |
| 2020 | $711,173 | $75,759 | $209,646 | $193,100 | 18 | — | $59,213 | $50,191 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Bignon Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $25K 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for organizations working in areas such as pet rescue and adoption, university education, pediatric care, substance-use prevention and recovery, and assistance to families in crisis.
Among the grantees, PAWMETTO LIFELINE describes its mission as improving the quality of life for people and companion pets through education, medical services, adoptions, collaboration, and outreach. The University of South Carolina Educational Foundation says it supports the university’s academic, research, and charitable endeavors and provides resources for students and faculty. Family Promise of the Midlands says it helps homeless and low-income families achieve sustainable independence by engaging the faith-based community to provide shelter and hospitality.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 13 grants totaling $156,500. Grants ranged from $1,500 to $30,000, with a median of $10,000.
Among its largest reported grants were $30,000 to Fellowship of Christian Athletes for charitable work; $25,000 each to PAWMETTO LIFELINE for pet rescue and adoption and to the University of South Carolina Educational Foundation to support the university’s mission; and $15,000 to Samaritan’s Purse for Christian humanitarian aid. Other reported grants included $10,000 each to Garnet Trust Foundation, Richland County Sheriffs Foundation, Salvation Army, and Shriners Hospitals.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Edward L Bignon, W Edward Howard, and A Dowl Knight as trustees.
Bignon Family Foundation's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
A. Dowl Knight
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Edward L. Bignon
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
W. Edward Howard
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Bignon Family Foundation
How much does Bignon Family Foundation give each year?
Bignon Family Foundation gave $157K across 13 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $190K across 15 grants.
What is Bignon Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Bignon Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $12,038, across 13 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Bignon Family Foundation that year got $5K on average.
Where does Bignon Family Foundation give grants?
Bignon Family Foundation gives mostly in South Carolina: 68% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Missouri (19%) and North Carolina (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Columbia, SC (8 grants).
Does Bignon Family Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 8% of Bignon Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 13) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Bignon Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Bignon Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Fellowship of Christian Athletes ($30,000), Pawmetto Lifeline Inc ($25,000) and University of South Carolina Educational Foundation ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 51% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Bignon Family Foundation?
Bignon Family Foundation reported $453K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $157K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $25K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Bignon Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for organizations working in areas such as pet rescue and adoption, university education, pediatric care, substance-use prevention and recovery, and assistance to families in crisis. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Bignon Family Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Bignon Family Foundation's EIN?
Bignon Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-4753405. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Bignon Family 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
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Bignon Family Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Bignon Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in South Carolina
Central Carolina Community Foundation
Columbia, SC
Central Carolina Community Foundation funds education, human services, health, arts and culture, community development, disaster relief, and related community initiatives through specific grant programs. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,000, and it primarily serves 11 Midlands counties while also funding statewide and nationally. It accepts applications through its online portal during published grant periods for specific opportunities; some programs are invitation-only.
Assets
$264.3M
Grants
488
Total Given
$26.5M
Duke Energy Foundation
Charlotte, NC
The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce and local economic development, disaster resilience, conservation, clean water, and economic opportunity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000; applications for grants of $20,000 or less are accepted year-round, after applicants discuss proposals with a state representative.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
41
Total Given
$25.6M
Greater Houston Community Foundation
Houston, TX
The Foundation makes grants through donor-advised and other donor-established funds for public benefit, human services, education, and health, including initiatives addressing economic mobility and poverty in Harris County. In 2024, its median grant was $25,000; it serves Greater Houston, while grants also go to recipients elsewhere in Texas and beyond. It does not accept proposals for the upcoming High-Impact Grantmaking cycle and plans to invite selected organizations or collaboratives to apply.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
1,724
Total Given
$232.3M
The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta Inc
Atlanta, GA
The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta funds nonprofits across areas including health, education, human services, arts, housing, and civic engagement, with an emphasis on equity and shared prosperity. Its itemized 2024 grants had a median of $21,000, and over 64% of its 2024 grant support stayed in the 23-county metro Atlanta region, though it also funds organizations nationally and internationally. Nonprofits can apply through the foundation’s Grants Portal for competitive opportunities; it also makes donor-advised grants, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
1,414
Total Given
$152.3M
Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina Inc
N Charleston, SC
Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina supports nonprofits and community initiatives in education, health, human services, the environment, arts, social justice, and community development across nine coastal South Carolina counties. Its 2024 itemized grants ranged from $5,057 to $2.3 million, with a median of $16,500; competitive programs accept applications through its online portal.
Assets
$435.6M
Grants
459
Total Given
$26.0M
Community Foundation of Greenville Inc
Greenville, SC
Community Foundation of Greenville funds nonprofits and projects in arts, education, environment, health, and human services, with a focus on Greenville County, South Carolina. Its 2026 Capacity Building Grants award $5,000–$12,500; 2024 grants had a median of $23,900. It accepts unsolicited requests through its Capacity Building Grants program.
Assets
$118.8M
Grants
346
Total Given
$26.4M
More similar funders
More Funders in South Carolina
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Bignon Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/bignon-family-foundation-morg_f60726235b8a4370a59e7266d5741121
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_204753405_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Bignon Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/bignon-family-foundation-morg_f60726235b8a4370a59e7266d5741121},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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 Bignon Family 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.
Bignon Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?