Encouragement Foundation Trust
Encouragement Foundation Trust was a private foundation based in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Its 2019 IRS filing is marked as the organization’s final return: the trust reported distributing all its cash to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations on December 31, 2019, and stated that it was dissolved. It therefore appears to have wound down and stopped grantmaking.
Encouragement Foundation Trust at a glance
In short: Encouragement Foundation Trust gave $256K across 19 grants in 2019 (avg $13K), mostly in South Carolina. Source: 2019 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2019)
- $256,464
- Grants made (2019)
- 19
- Average grant
- $13,498
- Median grant
- $3,000
- Primary geography
- South Carolina (95% of itemized 2019 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2019 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2019; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Encouragement Foundation Trust
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. The filing does not describe an application process or required materials; the trust is now dissolved.
- Contact
Mailing address: 22 Joggling Street, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
Phone: (318) 524-2727
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Encouragement Foundation Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2019
The largest 2019 recipient was Metanoia ($140K). Together the top 10 received $240K.
Grant Size Distribution
19 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 17 grants of 19 (89%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2019, 95% of grant dollars went to recipients in South Carolina. The remaining grant dollars went to recipients in Arkansas (2%), the District of Columbia (1%), Minnesota (1%), and Georgia (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2019 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2019 it made 19 grants totaling $256K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Metanoia North Charleston, SC | Unrestricted Gift to 501(C)(3) Organization | $140,000 |
| American College of the Building Arts Charleston, SC | Unrestricted Gift to 501(C)(3) Organization | $60,000 |
| Coastal Community Foundation Fund Charleston, SC | Unrestricted Gift to 501(C)(3) Organization | $12,500 |
| Charleston Symphony Orchestra Charleston, SC | Unrestricted Gift to 501(C)(3) Organization | $5,000 |
| East Cooper Meals on Wheels Mount Pleasant, SC | Unrestricted Gift to 501(C)(3) Organization | $5,000 |
| Bridge to Rwanda Little Rock, AR | Unrestricted Gift to 501(C)(3) Organization | $4,000 |
| Lowcountry Food Bank North Charleston, SC | Unrestricted Gift to 501(C)(3) Organization | $4,000 |
| Charleston Library Society Charleston, SC | Unrestricted Gift to 501(C)(3) Organization | $3,464 |
| East Cooper Habitat for Humanity Mount Pleasant, SC | Unrestricted Gift to 501(C)(3) Organization | $3,000 |
| Middleton Place Foundation Charleston, SC | Unrestricted Gift to 501(C)(3) Organization | $3,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $497 | $260,450 | $256,464 | 19 | $8,039 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Encouragement Foundation Trust reported a distributable amount of $8K for 2019 — 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 filing does not state a mission for the trust. Its 2019 grants supported organizations working in areas including community development, building arts education, food access, music, and other charitable activities. For example, Metanoia describes its mission as amplifying opportunities for families in Chicora and surrounding historically Black neighborhoods; the American College of the Building Arts says it educates and trains artisans in traditional building arts; and Lowcountry Food Bank describes its mission as pursuing equitable, dignified, and consistent access to food.
Grantmaking
In 2019, the trust gave $256,464 through 19 grants. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $140,000, with a median grant of $3,000. Its largest grants included $140,000 to Metanoia and $60,000 to the American College of the Building Arts. Other notable grants were $12,500 to Coastal Community Foundation Fund, $5,000 each to Charleston Symphony Orchestra and East Cooper Meals on Wheels, and $4,000 each to Bridge to Rwanda and Lowcountry Food Bank. The filing describes the grants as unrestricted gifts to 501(c)(3) organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2019 filing lists Betty W Anderson and Brady Anderson as trustees.
Encouragement Foundation Trust's 2019 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2019 report compensation.
Officers on the 2019 filing
Betty W. Anderson
Trustee
New on the 2019 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brady Anderson
Trustee
New on the 2019 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019. "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 Encouragement Foundation Trust
How much does Encouragement Foundation Trust give each year?
Encouragement Foundation Trust gave $256K across 19 grants in 2019, according to its 2019 IRS Form 990-PF.
What is Encouragement Foundation Trust's typical grant size?
Encouragement Foundation Trust's median grant in 2019 was $3,000, and its average grant was $13,498, across 19 grants on its 2019 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Encouragement Foundation Trust give grants?
Encouragement Foundation Trust gives mostly in South Carolina: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2019 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Charleston, SC (9 grants), North Charleston, SC (2 grants) and Mount Pleasant, SC (2 grants).
Does Encouragement Foundation Trust give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Encouragement Foundation Trust's 2019 grants with a stated purpose (19 of 19) were for general or operating support, per its 2019 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Encouragement Foundation Trust's largest grantees?
Encouragement Foundation Trust's largest 2019 grantees include Metanoia ($140,000), American College of the Building Arts ($60,000) and Coastal Community Foundation Fund ($12,500), according to its 2019 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 83% of its itemized 2019 grant dollars.
What does Encouragement Foundation Trust fund?
The filing does not state a mission for the trust. Its 2019 grants supported organizations working in areas including community development, building arts education, food access, music, and other charitable activities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Encouragement Foundation Trust?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is Encouragement Foundation Trust required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2019, Encouragement Foundation Trust reported a distributable amount of $8K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Encouragement Foundation Trust's EIN?
Encouragement Foundation Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-6637537. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019.
Does Encouragement Foundation Trust accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 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
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 12, 2020)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal year 2019
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Figures come from Encouragement Foundation Trust'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.
Encouragement Foundation Trust down — hundreds of funders to go?