Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater
Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater is a private foundation based in Lake City, South Carolina. Its 2024 giving supported organizations and activities including a botanical garden, community and economic development, scholarships, education, arts and culture, conservation, health, and research.
Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater at a glance
In short: Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater gave $35.3M across 26 grants in 2024 (avg $1.4M), mostly in South Carolina. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $35,338,013
- +75.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 26
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,359,154
- +75.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $658,140,835
- +5.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- South Carolina (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.
How to apply to Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. It makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 133-B E Main St, Lake City, SC 29560
Phone: (843) 374-0138
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Moore Farms Botanical Garden Foundation ($19.2M). Together the top 10 received $35.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
117 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 55 grants of 117 (47%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2024 grants were concentrated in South Carolina: 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in the state. New Mexico received 1%; New York accounted for 0% as reported. South Carolina recipients included organizations in Lake City, Charleston, Florence, and other locations.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 26 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater gives
- 62% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 66% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 121% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (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 $6K (2020) to $35.3M (2024). In 2024 it made 26 grants totaling $35.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Moore Farms Botanical Garden Foundation Lake City, SC | To Further Exempt Purpose of the Botanical Garden | $19,215,182 |
| Greater Lake City Alliance Lake City, SC | To further the exempt purpose of enhancing the business environment of lake city | $10,130,000 |
| Beemok Family Foundation Charleston, SC | Scholarships Funding | $1,984,031 |
| Musc Foundation Charleston, SC | Operation Upright | $1,158,300 |
| Francis Marion University Development Foundation Florence, SC | Support for Education | $1,020,000 |
| Lake City Creative Alliance Lake City, SC | Support to foster a culturally-rich environment in the sc region | $900,000 |
| International African American Museum Charleston, SC | Funding to further the exempt purpose of the museum | $250,000 |
| Sante Fe Institute Santa Fe, NM | Funding for Education | $250,000 |
| Pee Dee Land Trust Florence, SC | Funding to help conserve,and promote appreciation of resources of the pee dee watershed of sc | $100,000 |
| Target ALS Foundation New York, NY | General Funding | $100,000 |
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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 | $658,140,835 | $39,398,445 | $44,834,368 | $35,338,013 | 26 | $36,542,242 | $25,282,130 | $30,284,563 |
| 2023 | $623,640,789 | $38,568,181 | $31,212,105 | $20,112,036 | 26 | $21,347,965 | $24,973,483 | $28,564,890 |
| 2022 | $499,520,441 | $68,195,128 | $35,404,251 | $25,360,510 | 34 | $26,343,051 | $54,182,903 | $22,529,382 |
| 2021 | $538,432,800 | $34,322,461 | $33,046,489 | $21,239,751 | 29 | $22,261,151 | $23,769,586 | $26,463,217 |
| 2020 | $503,212,882 | $24,861,524 | $9,280,223 | $5,500 | 2 | — | $11,708,961 | $20,907,782 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater reported a distributable amount of $30.3M 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants show support for a range of organizations. For example, the Greater Lake City Alliance describes its mission as providing financial support to governmental entities, charitable organizations, and others, and engaging in community and economic development. The Lake City Creative Alliance says it works to foster a culturally rich regional environment and cultivate the region’s creative economy through arts, music, history, and culture.
Other 2024 grantees describe missions that include honoring African American history (International African American Museum), protecting natural, agricultural, and historical resources in the Pee Dee watershed (Pee Dee Land Trust), advancing ALS research (Target ALS Foundation), providing a liberal arts education to young women (Barnard College), and restoring vision for qualified South Carolina residents (Operation Sight).
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 26 grants totaling $35,338,013. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $19,215,182, with a median grant of $30,000.
The largest grants included $19,215,182 to Moore Farms Botanical Garden Foundation to further the garden’s exempt purpose; $10,130,000 to Greater Lake City Alliance to enhance Lake City’s business environment; $1,984,031 to Beemok Family Foundation for scholarship funding; $1,158,300 to MUSC Foundation for Operation Upright; and $1,020,000 to Francis Marion University Development Foundation for education. Other grants included $900,000 to Lake City Creative Alliance and $250,000 to International African American Museum.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Darla D. Moore as trustee and chair, Harry Lesesne as executive director, Frank M. Rogers IV as treasurer, and Albert Mims as secretary.
Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater is led by Harry Lesesne, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 4 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Harry Lesesne
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$151K (2020) → $309K (2024)
Darla D. Moore
Trustee & Chair
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$132K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Albert Mims
Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Frank M. Rogers IV
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Marion S. Fowler III (2020) — President & Ceo-
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $309K, to Harry Lesesne (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater
How much does Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater give each year?
Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater gave $35.3M across 26 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $20.1M across 26 grants.
What is Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater's typical grant size?
Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater's median grant in 2024 was $30,000, and its average grant was $1,359,154, across 26 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater give grants?
Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater gives mostly in South Carolina: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Lake City, SC (9 grants), Charleston, SC (5 grants), Florence, SC (4 grants) and New York, NY (3 grants).
Does Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater give general operating support?
Yes: 35% of Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (9 of 26) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater's largest grantees?
Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater's largest 2024 grantees include Moore Farms Botanical Garden Foundation ($19,215,182), Greater Lake City Alliance ($10,130,000) and Beemok Family Foundation ($1,984,031), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 89% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater?
Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater reported $658.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $36.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $30.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants show support for a range of organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater?
The foundation 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 Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater's EIN?
Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-3130736. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater 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
(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). Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/darla-moore-and-richard-rainwater-morg_ed61365bd7b64bb29e258d6d8d0aa923
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_273130736_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/darla-moore-and-richard-rainwater-morg_ed61365bd7b64bb29e258d6d8d0aa923},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-05. 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 Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater'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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