Clemson University Foundation
The foundation is organized to promote the welfare and future development of clemson university in its educational and scientific research purposes and to seek and receive gifts for the benefit of clemson university through endowment giving and other fundraising activities, and to manage such funds prudently and within established policy. To learn more about the work of the Clemson University Foundation, please visit our website at https://www.clemson.edu/giving/cufoundations/index.html.
Clemson University Foundation at a glance
In short: Clemson University Foundation gave $52.8M across 3 grants in 2025 (avg $17.6M), mostly in South Carolina. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $52,795,002
- +43.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 3
- +50.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $17,598,334
- -4.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $3,424,311
- Total assets
- $1,549,370,771
- +9.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- South Carolina (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Clemson University Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Clemson University ($49.3M). Together the top 3 received $52.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
8 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was $5M or more: 5 grants of 8 (63%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Clemson University Foundation gives
- Giving grew 102% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $23.7M (2021) to $52.8M (2025). In 2025 it made 3 grants totaling $52.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Clemson University Clemson, SC | To promote the welfare and future development of clemson university through programmatic and scholarship support | $49,273,628 |
| Clemson University Continuing Education & Conference Complex Corporation Clemson, SC | Project Expenses | $3,424,311 |
| Clemson Alumni Association Clemson, SC | Lease Costs Reimbursements | $97,063 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,549,370,771 | $118,572,121 | $77,839,431 | $52,795,002 | 3 | $28,597,509 |
| 2024 | $1,412,386,703 | $75,284,806 | $58,851,751 | $36,717,831 | 2 | $22,691,624 |
| 2023 | $1,308,176,142 | $75,039,646 | $47,057,942 | $29,338,090 | 1 | $24,401,025 |
| 2022 | $1,218,679,731 | $80,225,172 | $41,167,949 | $26,182,749 | 1 | $34,260,013 |
| 2021 | $1,240,950,463 | $112,486,660 | $34,717,393 | $23,683,425 | 1 | $17,394,258 |
| 2020 | $944,348,237 | $65,187,016 | $40,908,186 | $27,227,264 | 3 | $15,228,237 |
About Clemson University Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Clemson University Foundation is a public charity focused on Education, based in Clemson, SC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.5B in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 3 grants totaling $52.8M. Net investment income was $28.6M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Clemson University Foundation is led by M. Karen McCauley, President & CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2022); 8 of 30 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
M. Karen McCauley
President & CEO
President & CEO From → President & CEO, 2023
On filings since 2022
32.5 hrs/week
$253K (2023) → $353K (2025)
James Clements
Clemson University President
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$644K (2020) → $919K (2025)
Cheryl R. Holland
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cheri M. Phyfer
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emily P. Wallace
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey J. Brown
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marshall L. Brown
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Raymond E. Jones
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert J. Stanzione
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ernest D. Haynes III
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark D. Wasserman
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Noel Geoffroy
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anita Hargett
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim Hendrix
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Johan Eveland
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Brennan
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Allissa East
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Billy Milam
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ashley Johnson
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carlos Hill
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Edmund Reese
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kim Dennis
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John C. Alexander
CIO
On filings since 2020
7.5 hrs/week
$106K (2020) → $199K (2025)
Laura Mooney
Secretary to
Secretary From → Secretary to, 2025
On filings since 2024
34.5 hrs/week
$57K (2024) → $63K (2025)
Jovanna King
Development Officer
New on the 2025 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$273K (2025)
Lisa Robinson
Secretary From
New on the 2025 filing
33.5 hrs/week
$65K (2025)
Regina Steele Travis
Treasurer & CFO
New on the 2025 filing
33.5 hrs/week
$256K (2025)
Timothy Jones
CTO
New on the 2025 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$148K (2025)
Anthony L. Mathis
Past Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
Chair → Past Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Dan Garrison
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (44)
- Former: April Purvis (2020–2024) — Secretary to
- Former: David L. Morrow (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Kenneth L. Smith (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Regina Steele (2023–2024) — Treasurer & CFO
- Former: Aubrey Harrell (2024) — Director
- Former: Carols Hill (2024) — Director
- Former: Amy J. Yoder (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Ann W. Hunter (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Bryant Aubrey Harrell (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: G. Mark Phillips (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Gerald M. Glenn (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: James R. Kingman (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Johnathan P. Weitz (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Alice Evatt (2022–2023) — Treasurer & CFO
- Former: Robert C. Riggins (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Deborah C. Newsom (2020–2022) — Treasurer & CFO
- Former: Harrison F. Trammell (2020–2022) — President & CEO
- Former: Harry T. Hall IV (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: James P. Creel Jr. (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Janine A. Bowen (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Leon J. Hendrix III (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Michael C. Crapps (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Robert B. Hambright (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Bob Riggins (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Jonathan J. Centurino (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Robert Morgan (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Albert D. McAlister (2020) — Director
- Former: Barton A. Proctor (2020) — Director
- Former: Beth Moore (2020) — Secretary
- Former: Bryant G. Barnes (2020) — Director
- Former: Celeste D. Boykin (2020) — Director
- Former: D. Byrd Miller III (2020) — Director
- Former: E. Mitchell Norville (2020) — Director
- Former: Gregg F. Morton (2020) — Director
- Former: J. Allen Martin (2020) — Director
- Former: James C. Self III (2020) — Director
- Former: James H. Owen Jr. (2020) — Director
- Former: John M. Griffin Jr. (2020) — Director
- Former: M. Brent Beason (2020) — Director
- Former: Michael D. Dowling (2020) — Director
- Former: R. Charles Eldridge Jr. (2020) — Director
- Former: Sharon M. Struthers (2020) — Director
- Former: Stephanie D. Visceglia (2020) — Director
- Former: William P. Bradley (2020) — Director
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $919K, to James Clements (Clemson University President). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Clemson University Foundation
How much does Clemson University Foundation give each year?
Clemson University Foundation gave $52.8M across 3 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $36.7M across 2 grants.
What is Clemson University Foundation's typical grant size?
Clemson University Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $3,424,311, and its average grant was $17,598,334, across 3 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Clemson University Foundation give grants?
Clemson University Foundation gives mostly in South Carolina: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Clemson, SC (3 grants).
Does Clemson University Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on Clemson University Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
How large is Clemson University Foundation?
Clemson University Foundation reported $1.5B in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $118.6M.
What is Clemson University Foundation?
Clemson University Foundation is a public charity focused on Education, based in Clemson, SC. It holds $1.5B in total assets as of 2025.
What is Clemson University Foundation's EIN?
Clemson University Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 57-0426335. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
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Clemson University Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?