Donald and Betty Burke Foundation
The Donald and Betty Burke Foundation is a private foundation based in Bristol, Virginia. Its 2024 filing reports grants for Christian education and mission purposes, along with support for poverty relief, cancer patients, children with hearing loss, and legal aid.
Donald and Betty Burke Foundation at a glance
In short: Donald and Betty Burke Foundation gave $24K across 12 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), top state South Carolina. 42% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $24,376
- +37.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 12
- -7.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $2,031
- +48.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $500
- Total assets
- $19,666
- -45.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 42% first-time grantees (5 of 12, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- South Carolina (47% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated November 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Donald and Betty Burke Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The filing states that the foundation accepts unsolicited requests. There is no formal application format; provide information about how the funds will be used. The filing lists no restrictions on awards.
- Contact
Application contact: Betty Burke
Mailing address: P O Box 16157, Bristol, VA 24209
Phone: (276) 608-4617
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Donald and Betty Burke Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Judah Church ($9K). Together the top 10 received $24K.
Grant Size Distribution
87 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 87 grants of 87 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Bristol, Virginia. Its 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in South Carolina (44%), Virginia (40%), Tennessee (8%), Kentucky (3%), and Texas (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Donald and Betty Burke Foundation open to new grantees?
42%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 12 grantees (42%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $1K; repeat grants $3K. How we count
Medians: $200 first-time, $650 repeat.
- 58% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 22% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $18K (2024) to $31K (2022). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $24K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Judah Church Bristol, VA | Christian Ed. Mission | $9,071 |
| Voice of Deliverance Boiling Springs, SC | Christian Ed. Mission | $6,750 |
| John Ritcheson Ministries Boiling Springs, SC | Christian Ed. Mission | $4,720 |
| John Yaw Boafa Ministries Bristol, VA | Christian Ed. Mission | $1,500 |
| Haven of Rest Rescue Mission Bristol, TN | Assistance of the Poor | $650 |
| Community Family Church and TBM Independence, KY | Christian Ed. Mission | $500 |
| The Happy Shoes Project Ooltewah, TN | Cancer Patient Aid | $500 |
| Dove Song Ministries Cedar Bluff, VA | Christian Ed. Mission | $250 |
| Flashpoint Army Newark, TX | Christian Ed. Mission | $200 |
| Cross United Methodist Church Blountville, TN | Christian Ed. Mission | $110 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $19,666 | $8,868 | $25,014 | $24,376 | 12 | $24,376 | $213 | $1,396 |
| 2024 | $35,812 | $5,899 | $18,441 | $17,795 | 13 | $17,795 | $981 | $2,056 |
| 2023 | $48,354 | $11,657 | $23,753 | $23,100 | 16 | $23,100 | $1,742 | $2,344 |
| 2022 | $60,450 | $7,591 | $32,000 | $31,450 | 27 | $31,450 | $2,021 | $2,154 |
| 2021 | $84,859 | $17,323 | $23,037 | $22,425 | 19 | $22,425 | $2,710 | $4,383 |
| 2020 | $90,573 | $3,912 | $30,135 | $29,295 | 19 | — | $651 | $3,929 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Donald and Betty Burke Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1K for 2025 — 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 2024 grants include support for Christian education and mission work, assistance to people in need, cancer patient aid, and other purposes.
Among its grantees, Haven of Rest Rescue Mission says it provides temporary housing and food to homeless people and assists those facing food insecurity, while helping people escape poverty or addiction. The Happy Shoes Project says it supports cancer patients during treatment. Samaritan’s Purse describes itself as a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to people affected by war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation gave $17,795 through 13 grants. Grants ranged from $100 to $7,900, with a median of $350. Notable grants included $7,900 to Voice of Deliverance, $4,700 to Judah Church, and $1,500 to Highlands Fellowship, each for Christian education and mission purposes. Other grants included $700 to Haven of Rest Rescue Mission for assistance of the poor, $300 to The Happy Shoes Project for cancer patient aid, and $300 to Samaritan’s Purse to meet physical and spiritual needs in crisis- and poverty-stricken areas. Its 2025 filing, the latest on this page, reports 12 grants totaling $24,376.
The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It specifies no application form or format, asks applicants to provide information about how funds will be used, and lists no restrictions on awards.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Betty G Burke as president, W Michael Shortridge and Alexander I Saunders as vice-presidents, and Donna Spurling as secretary/treasurer.
Donald and Betty Burke Foundation is led by Betty G. Burke, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Betty G. Burke
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Alexander I. Saunders
Vice President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Donna Spurling
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
W. Michael Shortridge
Vice President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about Donald and Betty Burke Foundation
How much does Donald and Betty Burke Foundation give each year?
Donald and Betty Burke Foundation gave $24K across 12 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $18K across 13 grants.
What is Donald and Betty Burke Foundation's typical grant size?
Donald and Betty Burke Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $500, and its average grant was $2,031, across 12 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Donald and Betty Burke Foundation that year got $1K on average.
Where does Donald and Betty Burke Foundation give grants?
Donald and Betty Burke Foundation's top state is South Carolina, with 47% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Virginia (45%) and Tennessee (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Bristol, VA (3 grants) and Boiling Springs, SC (2 grants).
Does Donald and Betty Burke Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on Donald and Betty Burke Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Christian Ed. Mission" (8 grants).
Who are Donald and Betty Burke Foundation's largest grantees?
Donald and Betty Burke Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Judah Church ($9,071), Voice of Deliverance ($6,750) and John Ritcheson Ministries ($4,720), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 84% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Donald and Betty Burke Foundation?
Donald and Betty Burke Foundation reported $20K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $24K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Donald and Betty Burke Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants include support for Christian education and mission work, assistance to people in need, cancer patient aid, and other purposes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Donald and Betty Burke Foundation?
The filing states that the foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Donald and Betty Burke Foundation's EIN?
Donald and Betty Burke Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-0928085. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Donald and Betty Burke Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS September 22, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Donald and Betty Burke Foundation funds
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