Ergon Foundation Inc
Ergon Foundation Inc is a private foundation established in 1980 and based in Jackson, Mississippi. The foundation is affiliated with Ergon, Inc., a global energy company. As a 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation has maintained tax-exempt status since May 1982.
Key facts about Ergon Foundation Inc
- EIN
- 64-0656341
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $10,827,500
- Grants made (2025)
- 158
- Average grant
- $68,528
- Median grant
- $25,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 39% first-time grantees (49 of 127, 2025)
- Total assets
- $210,685,072
- Primary geography
- Mississippi (84% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated June 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Ergon Foundation Inc funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Ergon Foundation Inc's 158 itemized 2025 grants were Mississippi (84%). The most frequent recipient cities were Jackson, MS (62 grants), Ridgeland, MS (12 grants), Flowood, MS (9 grants) and Madison, MS (7 grants). 70% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Capital Campaign" (3 grants), "Building Fund" (3 grants) and "Canopy Children's Solutions" (3 grants).
Is Ergon Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
39%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 49 of 127 grantees (39%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $72K; repeat grants $93K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $38K repeat.
- 54% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−4%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 93% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Ergon Foundation Inc
- How to evaluate Ergon Foundation Inc as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$210.7M
+1.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$10.8M
+2.4% YoY
Grant Count
158
+0.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$69K
+1.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ergon Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $11.6M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Ergon Foundation supports organizations across multiple sectors including:
- Education (including STEM education and higher education)
- Health
- Human Services and youth development
- Religion and faith-based organizations
- Arts and Culture
- Public Safety (fire departments and safety organizations)
- Sports and athletic organizations
- Environment
The foundation maintains a strong commitment to supporting Mississippi communities while also extending support to organizations in Ohio and Tennessee, where Ergon maintains business operations.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$2,500 to $725,000
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Ergon Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation distributes grants across the United States with primary focus on:
- Mississippi
- Ohio
- Tennessee
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 158 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending June 2023:
- Total Assets: $208,112,809
- Total Revenue: $6,529,245
- Total Expenses: $12,240,531
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Investment Income and Dividends: $5,175,883
- Net Gain from Sale of Non-Inventory Assets: $1,113,737
As of Fiscal Year Ending June 2022:
- Total Assets: $223 million (approximately)
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $210,685,072 | $208,340,867 | $208,112,809 |
| Revenue | $14,173,254 | $11,690,616 | $6,529,245 |
| Expenses | $11,829,049 | $11,462,558 | $12,240,531 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $10,843,517 | $10,606,224 | $11,457,836 |
| Net Investment Income | $13,397,729 | $10,979,301 | $5,811,610 |
| Distributable Amount | $11,640,277 | $10,849,631 | $10,644,981 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
685 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest recipients include University of Mississippi Medical Center ($1,125,000 across 3 grants), Jackson Preparatory School Foundation ($535,000 across 4 grants), The University of Texas Foundation ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER Jackson, MS | CANCER CENTER AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FUND | $615,000 |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS FOUNDATION Austin, TX | MD ANDERSON CANCER RESEARCH | $500,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER Jackson, MS | CANCER CENTER AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FUND | $500,000 |
| JACKSON ACADEMY INC Jackson, MS | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $300,000 |
| JACKSON PREPARATORY SCHOOL FOUNDATION Flowood, MS | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $300,000 |
| MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC Starkville, MS | DIVERSITY/STEM | $300,000 |
| CLEVELAND CLINIC Cleveland, OH | GENERAL SUPPORT | $250,000 |
| GREAT CITY MS FOUNDATION Jackson, MS | GENERAL SUPPORT | $250,000 |
| MAGNOLIA SPEECH SCHOOL Madison, MS | BUILDING FUND | $250,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI FOUNDATION Oxford, MS | ENG/COMP - DEI - BUS INNOV/ENTREP | $250,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key leadership includes:
- Emmitte J Haddox (President)
- Leslie B Lampton III (Vice-President/Director)
- Lee C Lampton (Vice-President/Director)
- William W Lampton (Vice-President/Director)
- Robert H Lampton (Vice-President/Director)
- Kathryn W Stone (Treasurer)
- Dawn Wright (Secretary)
The foundation is supported by the Estate of Leslie B Lampton and remains under the leadership of the Lampton family.
Compensation Overview
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2025 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ted B Edwards | President | 10 | — |
| Leslie B Lampton III | Vice- President/Director | 0.25 | — |
| Lee C Lampton | Vice- President/Director | 0.25 | — |
| William W Lampton | Vice- President/Director | 0.25 | — |
| Robert H Lampton | Vice- President/Director | 0.25 | — |
| Leslie B Lampton IV | Director | 0.25 | — |
| Lee C Lampton Jr | Director | 0.25 | — |
| Walter O Lampton | Director | 0.25 | — |
| Anastasia L Triplett | Director | 0.25 | — |
| Kathryn W Stone | Treasurer | 0.25 | — |
| Dawn Wright | Secretary | 10 | — |
| Daniela Linick | Assistant Secretary | 10 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has supported several notable initiatives:
**Mississippi Coding Academies:** Awarded a multi-year grant to support the Mississippi Coding Academies – NeXT by MCA
Ergon Foundation, Inc. Awarded a Multi-Year Grant to Support the Mississippi\**Asphalt Research and Education:** Donated one million dollars for asphalt research and education
Ergon Foundation, Inc. donates one million dollars for asphalt research and**Engineering Co-Op Program:** Offers an Engineering Co-Op Program providing hands-on experience in mechanical and civil engineering disciplines, including systems design, cost estimation, project justification, contractor review, and construction management
**Summer Bridge Program:** In partnership with Mississippi State University, supports a five-week residential initiative designed to help underrepresented engineering students transition from high school to college, covering program costs to promote diversity in engineering fields
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ergon Foundation Inc fund?
The Ergon Foundation supports organizations across multiple sectors including: • Education (including STEM education and higher education) • Health • Human Services and youth development • Religion and faith-based organizations • Arts and Culture • Public Safety (fire departments and safety organizations) • Sports and athletic organizations • Environment The foundation maintains a strong commitment to supporting Mississippi communities while also extending support to organizations in Ohio and T…
How do I apply for a grant from Ergon Foundation Inc?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does Ergon Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation distributes grants across the United States with primary focus on: • Mississippi • Ohio • Tennessee
What size grants does Ergon Foundation Inc award?
In 2025, Ergon Foundation Inc awarded 158 grants totaling $10.8M — an average of about $69K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Ergon Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Ergon Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $11.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Ergon Foundation Inc's EIN?
Ergon Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 64-0656341. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does Ergon Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.