Frances P Bunnelle Foundation
The Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation is a public charity established in 2000 by Frances P. Bunnelle to support charitable causes serving Georgetown County, South Carolina. The foundation operates as a supporting organization of the Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina and is headquartered in Pawleys Island, SC.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$46.6M
+6.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.5M
+89.0% YoY
Grant Count
82
+6.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$42K
+77.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to enhance the quality of life in Georgetown County by concentrating on areas consistent with Frances P. Bunnelle's values. The foundation's vision is a diverse community with abundant opportunity for work, recreation, and sustainable living.
Primary focus areas include:
- Meeting basic human needs
- Addressing the root causes of poverty
- Preserving the environment
- Promoting economic vitality
- Encouraging positive youth development
The foundation builds community by listening to, learning from, and serving local nonprofit organizations.
Grantmaking
Since making its first grants in 2003, the Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation has distributed more than $26 million to worthy causes serving Georgetown County.
Review Cycle
**Application & Resources:**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Georgetown County, South Carolina
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $46,583,833
- Total Annual Giving: $3,527,011
- Cumulative Grants Distributed (since 2003): More than $26 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $46,583,833 | $43,887,161 | $41,493,327 |
| Revenue | $2,102,911 | $1,037,003 | $2,049,442 |
| Expenses | $5,204,609 | $3,440,118 | $3,209,019 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,880,574 | $892,987 | $1,939,801 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from Frances P Bunnelle Foundation
Bunnelle Youth Board Grants
FRANCES P BUNNELLE FOUNDATION
Amount
Up to $2,500
Deadline
Rolling / Open
FPBF: Grants for the Common Good (Fall Cycle)
FRANCES P BUNNELLE FOUNDATION
Amount
US $2,500 - US $15,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
FPBF: Grants for the Common Good (Spring Cycle)
FRANCES P BUNNELLE FOUNDATION
Amount
US $2,500 - US $15,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Staff:
Geales Sands | Executive Director | gsands@bunnelle.org | (843) 237-1582
- Joined the Foundation in 2004 as its Executive Director and first employee. Previously worked in volunteer recruitment and placement as well as in development for nonprofits. Riley Fellow and Senior Fellow with the Waccamaw American Leadership Forum. Holds a B.A. in Art History from Louisiana State University.
Ashley Nelson | Senior Director | anelson@bunnelle.org
The foundation also maintains a Youth Board.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAY C FUNNYE | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| MICHELLE MAPP | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| CHARLES R SWENSON | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| C MICHAEL BRANHAM | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| DR BETTY D CLARK | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| SARAH P SMITH | CHAIRMAN | 3 | — |
| JANE LITZ | CFO | 1 | — |
| GEALES SANDS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 45 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation serves as a convener and thought leader in the Georgetown County community. Recent initiatives include:
Supporting Palmetto Giving Day with matching funds
Organizing the Pathways to Possibilities Career Expo, reaching over 4,000 eighth graders
Providing meeting space at no cost to nonprofits
Offering meeting rooms equipped with state-of-the-art technology through the Bunnelle Center
The foundation operates the Cradle 2 Career initiative, which includes the Pathways 2 Possibilities program and an Internship Program focused on youth development.
Bunnelle Foundation awards grants toward youth developmentContact Information
Mailing Address: Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation P.O. Box 1965 Pawleys Island, SC 29585
Physical Address: Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation 95 Centermarsh Lane Pawleys Island, SC 29585
Phone: (843) 237-1222 Fax: (843) 237-1220
Website: www.bunnelle.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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