Billups-Garth Foundation
Billups-Garth Foundation is a private foundation, based in Columbus, MS. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $129K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 6 grants totaling $13K. Net investment income was $1K.
Billups-Garth Foundation at a glance
In short: Billups-Garth Foundation gave $13K across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $2K), mostly in Mississippi. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $13,200
- +540.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- +200.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $2,200
- +113.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $129,013
- -8.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Mississippi (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Billups-Garth Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Columbus Lowndes Public Library ($8K across 2 grants). Together the top 5 received $13K.
Grant Size Distribution
23 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 23 grants of 23 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Billups-Garth Foundation gives
- Giving grew 151% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 196% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2K (2023) to $25K (2020). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $13K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus Lowndes Public Library Columbus, MS | Billups Garth Archives | $7,500 |
| City of Columbus Columbus, MS | Donation-Survey Work for Fossil Park | $2,000 |
| MUW Foundation Columbus, MS | Donation for Repairs | $1,000 |
| Cafb 14 FFS Marketing Columbus, MS | Stark Education During Air Show | $1,000 |
| Black Prairie Blues Museum West Point, MS | Promote Blues Education | $1,000 |
| Columbus Lowndes Public Library Columbus, MS | Promoting History of Columbus | $700 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $129,013 | $1,336 | $13,981 | $13,200 | 6 | $13,200 | $1,336 | $6,750 |
| 2023 | $141,658 | $1,306 | $2,069 | $2,062 | 2 | $2,062 | $1,306 | $6,848 |
| 2022 | $142,421 | $479 | $10,677 | $10,000 | 5 | $10,000 | $479 | $7,303 |
| 2021 | $152,619 | $492 | $7,274 | $5,250 | 4 | $5,795 | $492 | $7,713 |
| 2020 | $159,401 | $1,612 | $24,551 | $24,500 | 6 | — | $1,612 | $7,881 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Billups-Garth Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Billups-Garth Foundation is led by Rufus Ward Jr., President on every filing since 2020; none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Rufus Ward Jr.
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Alice Lancaster
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Carmen Montgomery
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Ken P'poole
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Sharon Hardy
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Carleton Billups Jr.
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Billups-Garth Foundation
How much does Billups-Garth Foundation give each year?
Billups-Garth Foundation gave $13K across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2K across 2 grants.
What is Billups-Garth Foundation's typical grant size?
Billups-Garth Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,000, and its average grant was $2,200, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Billups-Garth Foundation give grants?
Billups-Garth Foundation gives mostly in Mississippi: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Columbus, MS (5 grants).
Does Billups-Garth Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on Billups-Garth Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Billups-Garth Foundation's largest grantees?
Billups-Garth Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Columbus Lowndes Public Library ($8,200 across 2 grants), City of Columbus ($2,000) and MUW Foundation ($1,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 85% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Billups-Garth Foundation?
Billups-Garth Foundation reported $129K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $13K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $7K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Billups-Garth Foundation's EIN?
Billups-Garth Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 64-0657597. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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