Fund for Southern Communities Inc
Fund for Southern Communities Inc is a public charity based in Decatur, Georgia. Established in 1981, it makes grants and provides technical assistance to grassroots community groups working for social change in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Key facts about Fund for Southern Communities Inc
In short: Fund for Southern Communities Inc gave $469K across 22 grants in 2024 (avg $21K), mostly in Georgia. 64% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- EIN
- 58-1426028
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990 filing, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $469,276
- Grants made (2024)
- 22
- Average grant
- $21,331
- Median grant
- $20,500
- New grantees (estimate)
- 64% first-time grantees (14 of 22, 2024)
- Total assets
- $4,734,512
- Primary geography
- Georgia (62% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The funder’s guidelines invite eligible organizations to apply and provide application and eligibility information. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2024; updated September 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.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 filing · View filing
Total Assets
$4.7M
+8.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$469K
-54.1% YoY
Grant Count
22
-31.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$21K
-33.3% YoY
Is Fund for Southern Communities Inc open to new grantees?
64%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 14 of 22 grantees (64%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $19K; repeat grants $26K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $28K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The funder’s stated mission is to support and unite organizations and donors working to create just and sustainable communities that are free of oppression and embrace and celebrate all people. It says its grantmaking and related activities foster social change initiated by community-based groups in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Its guidelines identify work against discrimination, workers’ rights, self-determination in low-income and disenfranchised communities, environmental protection, non-traditional arts and media, and peace. The funder also describes support for groups working on environmental justice, anti-racism, women’s rights, youth development, LGBTQ rights, civil rights, and disability rights. It says grantees may receive technical assistance as well as financial support.
Examples of 2024 grantees illustrate the range of organizations funded. Black Girls Film Camp, which received $37,500, says it works to close the representation gap in media by cultivating next-generation storytellers. 3D Girls Incorporated, which received $30,000, says it educates and empowers young women to advocate for themselves and their families. Black Girls Smile Inc, also awarded $30,000, describes a focus on the mental health needs of young Black women. The Beautiful Project Inc, awarded $18,500, describes using storytelling and visual arts to advance healing and representational justice for Black girls, gender-expansive youth, and women.
Grantmaking
The 2024 filing reports 22 grants totaling $469,276. Individual grants ranged from $5,250 to $40,163, with a median of $20,500. The largest listed grants included $40,163 to Trans Forming in Atlanta for “TRANS FORMING,” and $37,500 each to Black Girls Film Camp in Charlotte for the “Black Girl Dream Fund” and New Vision MSK in Warner Robins for “Neighborhood Planning.”
Review Cycle
per organization, with possible exceptions when special targeted funds are available. They say applicants must be registered as nonprofits in Georgia, North Carolina, or South Carolina and have 501(c)(3) status or a fiscal agent; a limited number of 501(c)(4) organizations with a fiscal agent may be accepted. The funder says it may request a budget and reporting for grants with restrictions.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Fund for Southern Communities Inc
Ready to take the next step with Fund for Southern Communities Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The funder identifies Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina as its service area. In 2024, grant dollars were distributed as follows: Georgia, 62%; North Carolina, 18%; South Carolina, 14%; and Tennessee, 6%. The funder’s website notes that donor-advised grants are sometimes made outside its three-state service area.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 22 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $469K (2024) to $2.2M (2022). In 2024 it made 22 grants totaling $469K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Trans Forming ($40K). Together the top 10 received $318K.
Grant Size Distribution
145 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 127 grants of 145 (88%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Trans Forming Atlanta, GA | Trans Forming | $40,163 |
| Black Girls Film Camp Charlotte, NC | Black Girl Dream Fund | $37,500 |
| New Vision MSK Warner Robins, GA | Neighbohood Planning | $37,500 |
| HH Sisters Hazlehurst Haile Baxley, GA | Black Girl Dream Fund | $30,370 |
| 3D Girls Atlanta, GA | Various | $30,000 |
| Black Girls Smile Inc Atlanta, GA | Black Girl Dream Fund | $30,000 |
| Find Design Nashville, TN | Neighbohood Planning | $30,000 |
| Hope for Youth Inc Mableton, GA | Black Girl Dream Fund | $27,750 |
| Koinonia Community Solutions Winterville, NC | Black Girl Dream Fund | $27,750 |
| Every Black Girl Columbia, SC | Black Girl Dream Fund | $27,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,734,512 | $677,869 | $680,339 | $469,276 |
| 2023 | $4,364,393 | $1,269,956 | $1,260,851 | $1,022,625 |
| 2022 | $3,955,170 | $2,696,112 | $2,452,251 | $2,173,445 |
The 2024 filing reports 22 grants; the 2023 filing reports 32, and the 2022 filing reports 61.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,734,512 | $4,364,393 | $3,955,170 |
| Revenue | $677,869 | $1,269,956 | $2,696,112 |
| Expenses | $680,339 | $1,260,851 | $2,452,251 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $219,355 | $36,792 | $149,398 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Alice Eason Jenkins as Executive Director; Darren Holmes as Chairman; Demetria Ledbetter as Treasurer; and Imara Canady as Secretary. It lists Shelia Moore, Chrystal Morris, Shanon Pazdera, and Brian K. Sanders as directors.
Fund for Southern Communities Inc is led by Alice Eason Jenkins, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 1 of 8 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Alice Eason Jenkins
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$103K (2021) → $111K (2024)
Darren Holmes
Chairman
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian K. Sanders
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chrystal Morris
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shanon Pazdera
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shelia Moore
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Demetria Ledbetter
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Imara Canady
Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Julir G. Smithwick (2021) — Director
- Former: Monica R. Simpson (2021) — Director
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 $111K, to Alice Eason Jenkins (Executive Dir.).
Contact
Mailing address: 4153-C Flat Shoals Pkwy 314, Decatur, GA 30034
Phone: (404) 371-8404
Website: https://fundforsouth.org
Frequently asked questions about Fund for Southern Communities Inc
How much does Fund for Southern Communities Inc give each year?
Fund for Southern Communities Inc gave $469K across 22 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. In 2023 it gave $1.0M across 32 grants.
What is Fund for Southern Communities Inc's typical grant size?
Fund for Southern Communities Inc's median grant in 2024 was $20,500, and its average grant was $21,331, across 22 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Organizations receiving their first grant from Fund for Southern Communities Inc that year got $19K on average.
Where does Fund for Southern Communities Inc give grants?
Fund for Southern Communities Inc gives mostly in Georgia: 62% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing went to recipients there. The next largest states were North Carolina (18%) and South Carolina (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Atlanta, GA (8 grants), Columbia, SC (2 grants) and Conyers, GA (2 grants).
Does Fund for Southern Communities Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 22 grants with a stated purpose on Fund for Southern Communities Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 filing were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Black Girl Dream Fund" (12 grants) and "Neighborhood Planning" (4 grants).
Who are Fund for Southern Communities Inc's largest grantees?
Fund for Southern Communities Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Trans Forming ($40,163), Black Girls Film Camp ($37,500) and New Vision MSK ($37,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Together they received 25% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Fund for Southern Communities Inc?
Fund for Southern Communities Inc reported $4.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Its revenue that year was $678K.
What does Fund for Southern Communities Inc fund?
The funder’s stated mission is to support and unite organizations and donors working to create just and sustainable communities that are free of oppression and embrace and celebrate all people. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Fund for Southern Communities Inc?
The funder’s guidelines invite eligible organizations to apply and provide application and eligibility information. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Fund for Southern Communities Inc's EIN?
Fund for Southern Communities Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-1426028. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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