C Spire Foundation
C Spire Foundation is a corporate foundation established in 2005 and based in Ridgeland, Mississippi. The foundation is funded by C Spire and operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to improving quality of life in markets where C Spire Wireless operates.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$383K
-44.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$850K
+64.4% YoY
Grant Count
55
-11.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$15K
+85.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, C Spire Foundation reported a distributable amount of $27K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation works to inspire excellence and transform the communities it serves. Primary funding areas include:
- STEM Education & Digital Literacy: Computer science education, professional skills development, and technology training
- Education: Academic programs with special emphasis on improving educational opportunities in Mississippi
- Health & Wellness: Healthcare initiatives and medical research
- Athletics: Sports-related programs
- Civic Affairs: Community development and civic engagement
- Safety: Public safety and disaster preparedness initiatives
The foundation serves students of all races, genders, and backgrounds, with a focus on providing clear pathways to high-paying, fast-growing career fields.
Grantmaking
Ready to take the next step with C Spire Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds programs in:
- Mississippi
- Tennessee
- Alabama
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent (2024):
- Total Assets: $383,081
- Total Revenues: $591,511
- Total Expenses: $896,491
- Total Liabilities: $0
Previous Year (2023):
- Total Assets: $688,000
- Total Revenues: $600,000
- Total Expenses: $585,000
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $383,081 | $688,061 | $672,825 |
| Revenue | $591,511 | $600,000 | $600,000 |
| Expenses | $896,491 | $584,764 | $344,398 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $896,491 | $584,764 | $344,398 |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | $27,012 | $32,582 | $25,817 |
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
175 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from C Spire Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Mississippi State University Center for Cyber Education ($180,000), Friends of Russell C Davis Planetarium ($100,000), Base Camp Academy ($75,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ARISE MS Oxford, MS | Summer Research Program STEM | $10,000 |
| Base Camp Academy Water Valley, MS | Sustaining Sponsor Base Camp Coding Academy STEM | $75,000 |
| Ballard Health Foundation Johnson City, TN | Hurricane Recovery Assistance | $5,000 |
| BPO International Clinton, MS | Outreach Ministry | $5,000 |
| ChaTech Chattanooga, TN | TechX Awards Competition | $5,000 |
| Common Ground Troy Troy, AL | Academic Tutoring Mentoring Workforce | $10,000 |
| Delta State University Cleveland, MS | Annual Scholarship | $6,000 |
| Educate Learning Center Como, MS | STEAM Program Social & Public Policy | $10,000 |
| Eudora Welty Foundation Jackson, MS | Scholastic Writing Awards | $20,000 |
| Holmes County Consolidated School District Lexington, MS | Annual Academic Celebration | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Elizabeth C Pickering: Executive Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELIZABETH C PICKERING | EXEC DIR PRESIDENT | 8 | $8,750 |
| TANYA RANKIN | VICE PRESIDENT | — | — |
| WESLEY GOINGS | TREASURER | — | — |
| CARA CARR | SECRETARY | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation announced a $5 million gift to support a new cancer center and research institute at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The C Spire Foundation and Creekmore family also donated $1 million to Children's of Mississippi at UMMC.
C Spire Announces $5 Million Gift to Support New UMMC Cancer ...In 2024, the foundation continued its commitment to STEM education through a $180,000 grant to Mississippi State University for online computer science classes.
C Spire Foundation, MSU continue commitment to STEM education in MississippiSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does C Spire Foundation fund?
The foundation works to inspire excellence and transform the communities it serves. Primary funding areas include: • **STEM Education & Digital Literacy**: Computer science education, professional skills development, and technology training • **Education**: Academic programs with special emphasis on improving educational opportunities in Mississippi • **Health & Wellness**: Healthcare initiatives and medical research • **Athletics**: Sports-related programs • **Civic Affairs**: Community develo…
How do I apply for a grant from C Spire Foundation?
**Grant Amounts**: Typical awards range from $350 to $180,000. **Recent Grants** (2024): • Friends of the Russell C Davis Planetarium: $100,000 • Base Camp Coding Academy: $75,000 (sustaining sponsor) • Mississippi State University Foundation: $40,000 • 23 total grants made in 2024 **Notable Commitments**: • More than $3 million donated for college and university scholarships • $1 million donated to train Mississippi computer science teachers • $5 million gift to support new University of Missi…
Where does C Spire Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds programs in: • Mississippi • Tennessee • Alabama
What size grants does C Spire Foundation award?
In 2024, C Spire Foundation awarded 55 grants totaling $850K — an average of about $15K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is C Spire Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, C Spire Foundation reported a distributable amount of $27K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is C Spire Foundation's EIN?
C Spire Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3426826. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in C Spire Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
SAINT LOUIS, MO
Assets
—
Grants
9,499
Total Given
$73.1M
Community Foundation for Mississippi
JACKSON, MS
Assets
$90.3M
Grants
104
Total Given
$6.2M
WK Kellogg Foundation
BATTLE CREEK, MI
Assets
$454.4M
Grants
1,778
Total Given
$286.5M
Natl Christian Charitable Fdn Inc
ALPHARETTA, GA
Assets
$6.1B
Grants
16,327
Total Given
$2.6B
Ergon Foundation Inc
JACKSON, MS
Assets
$210.7M
Grants
158
Total Given
$10.8M
Van Devender Family Foundation
JACKSON, MS
Assets
$137K
Grants
47
Total Given
$760K
Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program
SOUTHEASTERN, PA
Assets
$22.2B
Grants
24,269
Total Given
$3.0B
Charities Aid Foundation America
ALEXANDRIA, VA
Assets
$444.9M
Grants
10,157
Total Given
$466.3M
Christian Community Foundation of
MEMPHIS, TN
Assets
$218.6M
Grants
612
Total Given
$82.3M
Walker Foundation
RIDGELAND, MS
Assets
$16.0M
Grants
52
Total Given
$931K
Tulsa Community Foundation
TULSA, OK
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
1,066
Total Given
$158.6M
Network for Good
WASHINGTON, DC
Assets
$96.2M
Grants
4,733
Total Given
$216.2M
More Funders in Mississippi
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.