Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc
The Festus & Helen Stacy Foundation is a private foundation based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, established in 1980. It partners with Christian organizations worldwide through collaborative, strategic, and relational giving, with stated geographic investment areas of South Florida—with an emphasis on Broward County—national work, and international work, primarily in emerging nations.
Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc at a glance
In short: Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc gave $2.5M across 34 grants in 2024 (avg $73K), mostly in Florida. 32% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,497,757
- +43.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 34
- +21.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $73,463
- +18.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $57,892,337
- +8.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 32% first-time grantees (11 of 34, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Florida (56% 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 Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds, according to its stated application policy. Its guidelines also ask organizations without prior personal knowledge or a relationship with foundation staff or board members—and those not invited to apply—not to apply. For organizations proceeding with a request, applications may be submitted at any time during the year. The foundation says it responds within 60 days with either a denial or a request for a complete proposal; the full process may take 4–6 months. Grants are preferably for specific projects and are made to organizations tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3). The foundation generally does not fund church operating budgets, building projects, scholarships, or individuals. It encourages applicants to seek other funding as part of a broad-based funding approach.
- Contact
Mailing address: 5110 N Federal Highway 100, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
Phone: (954) 776-3386
Website: https://stacy.cc
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc
Who Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Hope South Florida Inc ($433K). Together the top 10 received $1.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
135 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 74 grants of 135 (55%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation identifies South Florida, with an emphasis on Broward County; national work with national impact; and international work, primarily in emerging nations, as its geographic investment areas. In 2024, 56% of grant dollars went to recipients in Florida, followed by Colorado (13%), Georgia (6%), North Carolina (5%), and Michigan (4%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 34 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc open to new grantees?
32%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 11 of 34 grantees (32%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $92K; repeat grants $65K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $34K repeat.
- 41% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 36% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 123% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2024). 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 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.7M (2023) to $2.5M (2024). In 2024 it made 34 grants totaling $2.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hope South Florida Inc Fort Lauderdale, FL | To be used for qualified purposes of the organization. | $433,333 |
| Compassion International Colorado Springs, CO | To be used for qualified purposes of the organization. | $333,744 |
| First Baptist Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL | To be used for qualified purposes of the organization. | $333,333 |
| Cross International Inc Pompano Beach, FL | To be used for qualified purposes of the organization. | $191,000 |
| National Christian Foundation of South Florida Fort Lauderdale, FL | To be used for qualified purposes of the organization. | $182,000 |
| Every Mother's Advocate North Lauderdale, FL | To be used for qualified purposes of the organization. | $100,000 |
| Our Daily Bread Ministries Foundation Grand Rapids, MI | To be used for qualified purposes of the organization. | $100,000 |
| Haggai International Institute for Advanced Leadership Training Inc Peachtree Corners, GA | To be used for qualified purposes of the organization. | $98,000 |
| National World War II Museum Inc New Orleans, LA | To be used for qualified purposes of the organization. | $83,333 |
| Embracing God Ministries Inc Virginia Beach, VA | To be used for qualified purposes of the organization. | $64,000 |
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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 | $57,892,337 | $1,983,454 | $4,378,074 | $2,497,757 | 34 | $3,285,638 | $1,570,579 | $2,666,930 |
| 2023 | $53,475,807 | $2,148,616 | $3,306,050 | $1,735,190 | 28 | $2,491,879 | $1,654,193 | $2,608,612 |
| 2022 | $54,026,289 | $2,620,036 | $3,558,632 | $2,074,764 | 37 | $2,758,544 | $2,077,719 | $2,752,320 |
| 2021 | $44,377,406 | $3,649,028 | $3,295,942 | $1,832,431 | 36 | — | $3,264,278 | $2,769,311 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc reported a distributable amount of $2.7M 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 mission is to partner with Christian organizations worldwide that have demonstrated the ability to make a lasting impact by helping others and extending the love, mercy, and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Its grants typically support ministries working in evangelism and church planting, leadership development, holistic ministries, media and technology, stewardship, and children and youth. The foundation describes holistic ministries as serving people’s physical and spiritual needs, including people who are imprisoned, enslaved, orphaned, widowed, homeless, or disabled.
Examples of grantees’ work include Hope South Florida, whose stated mission is to provide hope for homeless and hurting people through housing, case management, support services, and strategic alliances; Asian Partners International, which says it supports church-planting movements in limited- and restricted-access countries; and Strategic Global Assistance, which says it supports leader development in various countries. These are grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 34 grants totaling $2,497,757. Grant amounts ranged from $1,225 to $433,333, with a median grant of $50,000. Among the largest awards were $433,333 to Hope South Florida, $333,744 to Compassion International, $333,333 to First Baptist Fort Lauderdale, $191,000 to Cross International, and $182,000 to National Christian Foundation of South Florida. The filing listed each of these grants as being for the recipient’s qualified purposes.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Douglas A. Stepelton as president; Virlee S. Stepelton as secretary/treasurer; and Sean D. Stepelton and Brett S. Stepelton as directors and vice presidents.
Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc is led by Douglas A. Stepelton, President on every filing since 2021; all 4 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Douglas A. Stepelton
President
On filings since 2021
30 hrs/week
$63K (2021) → $78K (2024)
Brett S. Stepelton
Director & Vice President
On filings since 2021
45 hrs/week
$210K (2021) → $244K (2024)
Sean D. Stepelton
Director & Vice President
On filings since 2021
45 hrs/week
$210K (2021) → $246K (2024)
Virlee S. Stepelton
Sec'y & Treasurer
On filings since 2021
20 hrs/week
$18K (2023) → $64K (2024)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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 $246K, to Sean D Stepelton (DIRECTOR,VP). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc
How much does Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc give each year?
Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc gave $2.5M across 34 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.7M across 28 grants.
What is Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc's typical grant size?
Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $73,463, across 34 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc that year got $92K on average.
Where does Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc give grants?
Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc gives mostly in Florida: 56% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Colorado (13%) and Georgia (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Fort Lauderdale, FL (10 grants), Davie, FL (2 grants) and Miami, FL (2 grants).
Does Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 34 grants with a stated purpose on Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Be Used for Qualified Purposes of the Organization." (34 grants).
Who are Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc's largest grantees?
Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc's largest 2024 grantees include Hope South Florida Inc ($433,333), Compassion International ($333,744) and First Baptist Fort Lauderdale ($333,333), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 44% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc?
Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc reported $57.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to partner with Christian organizations worldwide that have demonstrated the ability to make a lasting impact by helping others and extending the love, mercy, and teachings of Jesus Christ. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds, according to its stated application policy. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc's EIN?
Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1706311. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Does Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc 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 2021–2024
Live grants for the work Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/festus-and-helen-stacy-foundationinc-morg_adb2612cb6c34c9cbc0e4d69f1881c7c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_311706311_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Festus \& Helen Stacy Foundationinc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/festus-and-helen-stacy-foundationinc-morg_adb2612cb6c34c9cbc0e4d69f1881c7c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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 Festus & Helen Stacy Foundationinc'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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