Colonial Foundation Inc
Colonial Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Savannah, Georgia. It supports organizations in its area communities, with stated focus areas spanning arts, education, the environment, safety-net programs, and upward mobility.
Colonial Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Colonial Foundation Inc gave $2.0M across 64 grants in 2024 (avg $32K), mostly in Georgia. 18% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,027,562
- +18.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 64
- +3.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $31,681
- +15.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $13,844,142
- +23.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 18% first-time grantees (11 of 62, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Georgia (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Colonial Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. The filing lists a letter and a copy of the IRS letter granting 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status as application materials. It lists no restrictions on awards and names Clayton D. Cheshire as the application contact.
- Review Cycle
- None listed.
- Deadline
- None listed.
- Contact
Application contact: Clayton D Cheshire
Mailing address: 101 North Lathrop Avenue, Savannah, GA 31415
Phone: (912) 236-1331
Website: https://colonialgroupinc.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Colonial Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Junior Achievement ($403K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
310 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 261 grants of 310 (84%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Savannah, Georgia. In 2024, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Georgia. The filing also lists recipients in South Carolina, the District of Columbia, Illinois, and Wyoming, each at 0% when rounded.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 64 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Colonial Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
18%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 11 of 62 grantees (18%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $17K; repeat grants $36K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 79% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 31% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 194% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.5M (2021) to $2.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 64 grants totaling $2.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Achievement Atlanta, GA | Contribution | $400,000 |
| United Way Savannah, GA | Contribution | $305,597 |
| YMCA Savannah, GA | Contribution | $300,000 |
| St Andrew's School Savannah, GA | Contribution | $207,500 |
| Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia Savannah, GA | Contribution | $141,000 |
| Benedictine Military School Savannah, GA | Contribution | $100,000 |
| Elevate Savannah Savannah, GA | Contribution | $76,250 |
| Mighty Eighth Savannah, GA | Contribution | $60,000 |
| St Vincent's Academy Savannah, GA | Contribution | $55,000 |
| Savannah Classical Academy Foundation Savannah, GA | Contribution | $50,000 |
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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 | $13,844,142 | $4,033,852 | $2,153,960 | $2,027,562 | 64 | $2,027,562 | $878,028 | $1,046,149 |
| 2023 | $11,170,025 | $3,671,816 | $1,804,326 | $1,705,589 | 62 | $1,705,589 | $802,357 | $838,982 |
| 2022 | $9,371,165 | $2,836,414 | $1,925,605 | $1,854,261 | 62 | $1,854,261 | $1,101,004 | $818,027 |
| 2021 | $8,676,304 | $2,470,335 | $1,661,488 | $1,548,859 | 50 | $1,548,859 | $871,975 | $801,473 |
| 2020 | $7,880,124 | $2,315,434 | $1,802,260 | $1,723,004 | 72 | — | $1,017,886 | $637,674 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Colonial Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s website identifies five focus areas: arts and cultural enrichment; education and lifelong learning; environmental conservation and sustainability; safety-net programs addressing economic hardship, homelessness, food insecurity, and other basic needs; and upward mobility, including workforce development and financial literacy.
Its 2024 grants included organizations working in varied areas. For example, Elevate Savannah describes its mission as building long-term relationships with urban youth and equipping them to thrive and contribute to their community. Savannah Philharmonic Corporation says it aims to enrich the community through orchestral performances and promote appreciation of the arts. Other supported organizations include schools, youth-serving groups, a food bank, and health and senior-service organizations.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 64 grants totaling $2,027,562. Grant amounts ranged from $250 to $400,000, with a median of $5,000.
The largest reported grants included $400,000 to Junior Achievement in Atlanta; $305,597 to United Way in Savannah; $300,000 to YMCA in Savannah; $207,500 to St. Andrew’s School in Savannah; and $141,000 to Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia in Savannah. Other notable awards were $100,000 to Benedictine Military School, $76,250 to Elevate Savannah, and $60,000 to Mighty Eighth, all in Savannah.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists R. H. Demere Jr. as chairman, Christian B. Demere as president and CEO, and Clayton D. Cheshire as CFO.
Colonial Foundation Inc is led by Christian B. Demere, President & CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2020); none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Christian B. Demere
President & CEO
President → President & CEO, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
R. H. Demere Jr.
Chairman
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Clayton D. Cheshire
CFO
V.p. Finance & Treasurer → CFO, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: R. Houstoun Demere III (2020–2022) — Secretary
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 Colonial Foundation Inc
How much does Colonial Foundation Inc give each year?
Colonial Foundation Inc gave $2.0M across 64 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.7M across 62 grants.
What is Colonial Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Colonial Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $31,681, across 64 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Colonial Foundation Inc that year got $17K on average.
Where does Colonial Foundation Inc give grants?
Colonial Foundation Inc gives mostly in Georgia: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Savannah, GA (43 grants) and Atlanta, GA (7 grants).
Does Colonial Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 64 grants with a stated purpose on Colonial Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Contribution" (60 grants) and "Matching Gift" (4 grants).
Who are Colonial Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Colonial Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Junior Achievement ($402,500 across 2 grants), United Way ($306,597 across 2 grants) and YMCA ($300,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Colonial Foundation Inc?
Colonial Foundation Inc reported $13.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Colonial Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s website identifies five focus areas: arts and cultural enrichment; education and lifelong learning; environmental conservation and sustainability; safety-net programs addressing economic hardship, homelessness, food insecurity, and other basic needs; and upward mobility, including workforce development and financial literacy. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Colonial Foundation Inc?
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Colonial Foundation Inc's EIN?
Colonial Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-1693323. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Colonial Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/colonial-foundation-inc-morg_95647248b61740febea2290d05fc36ff
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_581693323_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Colonial Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/colonial-foundation-inc-morg_95647248b61740febea2290d05fc36ff},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Colonial Foundation Inc'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.
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