Furman University
Furman University is a public charity based in Greenville, South Carolina, formed in 1826. Its stated mission is to provide a distinctive liberal arts education across the fine arts, humanities, social sciences, mathematics and sciences, and selected professional disciplines. Its 2025 filing reports 12 grants totaling $306,897, primarily to organizations in South Carolina.
Furman University at a glance
In short: Furman University gave $307K across 12 grants in 2025 (avg $26K), mostly in South Carolina. 25% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $306,897
- +14.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 12
- +33.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $25,575
- -14.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $12,199
- Total assets
- $1,449,547,125
- +3.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (3 of 12, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- South Carolina (91% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Furman University
- Contact
Mailing address: 3300 Poinsett Highway, Greenville, SC 29613
Phone: (864) 294-3496
Website: https://furman.edu
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Furman University funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Greenville Arena District ($78K). Together the top 10 received $293K.
Grant Size Distribution
46 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 32 grants of 46 (70%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 91% of grant dollars went to recipients in South Carolina, 5% to recipients in Washington, D.C., and 4% to recipients in Georgia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Furman University open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 12 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $20K; repeat grants $28K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $11K repeat.
- 67% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−5%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $194K (2021) to $456K (2020). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $307K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Greenville Arena District Greenville, SC | Sponsorship | $78,000 |
| The Greenville Drive LLC Greenville, SC | Sponsorship | $60,000 |
| Upcountry History Museum Greenville, SC | Operating Support | $50,000 |
| Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce Greenville, SC | Sponsorship | $35,350 |
| Empire Mock Trial Association Inc Washington, DC | Sponsorship | $15,000 |
| Prisma Health - Upstate Atlanta, GA | Sponsorship | $13,397 |
| Upstate SC Alliance Inc Greenville, SC | Sponsorship | $11,000 |
| Greenville Arts Festival Greenville, SC | Sponsorship | $10,000 |
| Our Upstate SC Greenville, SC | Sponsorship | $10,000 |
| City of Greenville SC Greenville, SC | Sponsorship | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,449,547,125 | $296,850,871 | $280,054,127 | $306,897 | 12 | $64,412,741 |
| 2024 | $1,399,667,880 | $288,883,583 | $270,132,887 | $268,000 | 9 | $60,117,373 |
| 2023 | $1,280,396,314 | $223,194,398 | $256,073,141 | $301,195 | 10 | $21,160,870 |
| 2022 | $1,328,407,958 | $253,351,985 | $239,545,718 | $323,500 | 10 | $40,499,285 |
| 2021 | $1,291,963,279 | $303,593,837 | $213,669,090 | $193,500 | 5 | $65,376,898 |
| 2020 | $1,049,847,532 | $208,077,263 | $233,094,116 | $456,100 | 11 | $13,380,096 |
| 2019 | $1,092,540,721 | $234,337,015 | $237,513,970 | $429,125 | 9 | $28,706,816 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Furman’s stated mission is to provide a distinctive education in the liberal arts and selected professional disciplines. Its 2024 filing describes instruction, scholarships based on financial need and academic merit, and high-impact learning through research, internships and study abroad. Its website also highlights support for teaching, faculty-student research, academic programs and student experiences.
The 2025 grants included sponsorships and operating support for organizations with varied missions. For example, the Upcountry History Museum describes its mission as connecting people, history and culture; the Greenville Arts Festival says it aims to create a fine arts festival that enhances quality of life and economic vitality in South Carolina; and United Ministries says it provides opportunities for people in Greenville County facing barriers including lack of education or employment skills, financial crisis or homelessness. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not Furman’s.
Grantmaking
Furman reported 12 grants totaling $306,897 in filing year 2025. Grant amounts ranged from $6,650 to $78,000, with a median of $12,198. Most listed grants were for sponsorship; one was identified as operating support.
The largest awards were $78,000 to Greenville Arena District for sponsorship, $60,000 to The Greenville Drive LLC for sponsorship, $50,000 to Upcountry History Museum for operating support, and $35,350 to Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce for sponsorship. Other awards included $15,000 to Empire Mock Trial Association for sponsorship and $13,397 to Prisma Health - Upstate for sponsorship.
Furman’s grants website describes services for university faculty and staff seeking external funding, including proposal review, help with guidelines, funding searches and submission through the Grants Office. It does not state an application process for outside organizations seeking grants from Furman.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists A Alexander Taylor, Anthony W McDade, Beth Taylor, C Kemm ons Wilson III, Charles Ambrose, Christi Newsom Byron, Christina Henderson, David Laxer and David May as trustees, and Cynthia Davis as vice chair.
Furman University is led by Elizabeth Davis, President on every filing since 2019; 19 of 50 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Elizabeth Davis
President
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$520K (2019) → $634K (2025)
Kevin T. Byrne
Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2021
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Austin Johnk
Director of Investments
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$210K (2025)
A. Alexander Taylor II
Trustee
Chair → Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James A. Lanier Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin R. Bryant
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lee C. Dillworth
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rachelle H. Thompson
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Thomson Shi
Trustee
Trustee → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Yendelela Neely Holston
Trustee
Secretary → Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matthew W. Wilson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard N. Wrenn Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anthony W. McDade
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
C. Kemmons W. Wilson III
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kristin Baucom Davies
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles Ambrose
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Johanna Frierson
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul L. Robertson III
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Laxer
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Frances Ellison
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Cullen
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Traci Miller
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Beth Taylor
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Kaiser
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Raymond King
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christi Newsom Byron
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christina Henderson
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David May
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Denton McLane
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Rust
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steve Spinks
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Clayton Hendrix
Head Football Coach
Head Coach Football → Men's Head Football Coach, 2021
Men's Head Football Coach → Head Football Coach, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$277K (2019) → $388K (2025)
Connie L. Carson
Vice President for Student Life
Vice President Student Life → Vice President for Student Life, 2023
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$194K (2019) → $299K (2025)
George C. Shields
Professor of Chemistry
Vice President of Aa & Provost → Chemistry Professor, 2021
Chemistry Professor → Professor of Chemistry, 2022
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$273K (2019) → $210K (2025)
Heidi McCrory
Vice President for Development
Vice President Development → Vice President for Development, 2023
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$143K (2019) → $242K (2025)
Jeff Redderson
Assistant Vice President for Facilities Services
Associate Vice President for Facilities Services → Associate Vice President for Facilities, 2024
Associate Vice President for Facilities → Assistant Vice President for Facilities Services, 2025
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$161K (2019) → $181K (2025)
Robert Richey
Men's Head Basketball Coach
Men's Basketball Coach → Men's Head Basketball Coach, 2021
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$201K (2019) → $760K (2025)
Shon Herrick
Vice President for Development
Interim Vice President Development → Vice President for Development, 2025
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$163K (2019) → $168K (2025)
Susan Maddux
Vice President for Finance & Administrator
Vice President Finance & Administration → Vice President for Finance & Administration, 2023
Vice President for Finance & Administration → Vice President for Finance & Administrator, 2025
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$30K (2019) → $416K (2025)
Thomas E. Evelyn II
Vice President for Uni Committee
Vice President University Communications → Vice President for University Communications, 2023
Vice President for University Communications → Vice President for Uni Committee, 2025
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$229K (2019) → $304K (2025)
Jason Donnelly
Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics
Athletics Director → Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$124K (2020) → $315K (2025)
Elizabeth Seman
Chief of Staff
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$151K (2022) → $188K (2025)
Jeremy Cass
Dean of Faculty
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$180K (2022) → $208K (2025)
Meredith E. Green
General Counsel
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$165K (2023) → $195K (2025)
Robert Kenney
Chief Investment Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$273K (2023) → $318K (2025)
Beth Pontari
Vice President for Acad Affairs & Provost
Academic Affairs & Provost → Vice President for Acad Affairs & Provost, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$266K (2024) → $303K (2025)
Danny Tang
Chief Info Officer
Chief Information Officer → Chief Info Officer, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$233K (2024) → $222K (2025)
Emily Schuck
Vice President of Enrollment Management
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$140K (2024) → $213K (2025)
Jason W. Richards
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia Davis
Vice Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (47)
- Former: Brenda J. Thames (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: David L. Hauser (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Robert E. Hill Jr. (2019–2024) — Vice Chair
- Former: Christina Newsom Byron (2020–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Jolley Bruce Christman (2022–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Don Gordon (2024) — Riley Institute Founding Director
- Former: Lizanne Thomas (2024) — Trustee
- Former: David J. Trone (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: John C. Yates (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Peace Sterling Sullivan (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: William Byrd Traxler Jr. (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Beth Pontari Interim Vp For (2023) — Academic Affairs & Provost
- Former: Clayton Hendricks (2023) — Head Football Coach
- Former: David P. Steinour Chief (2023) — Information Officer
- Former: John Wheeler Assoc Provost (2023) — For Integrative Science
- Former: Kenneth Peterson Vp Academic (2023) — Affairs & Provost
- Former: Ricard Meade Former (2023) — Men's Head Lacrosse Coach
- Former: W. Michale Hendricks Vp For (2023) — Enrollment Management
- Former: David P. Steinour (2019–2022) — Chief Information Officer
- Former: Kenneth Peterson (2019–2022) — Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost
- Former: Kristopher N. Kapoor (2019–2022) — Chief Investment Officer
- Former: Michael Hendricks (2019–2022) — Vice President Enrollment Management
- Former: P. Edwin Good (2019–2022) — Chair
- Former: Richard Francis Meade (2019–2022) — Former Men's Head Lacrosse Coach
- Former: Anthony Herrera (2022) — Chief Innovation Officer
- Former: Christina Newson Bryon (2022) — Trustee
- Former: Daniel S. Sanders Jr. (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: David G. Ellison (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Donald Gordan (2019–2021) — Executive Director Riley Institute
- Former: James M. Ney (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Mary Seawell Metz (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Richard Cullen (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Tony R. Thene (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Michael C. Riordan (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Baxter M. Wynn (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Carl F. Kohrt (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: John Donald Anderson (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Michael J. Buddie (2019–2020) — Former Officer
- Former: Robert L. Blocker (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Sean P. Hartness (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Stanford J. Jennings (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: William R. Timmons III (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Amy Blackwell (2020) — Assistant Vice President Finance
- Former: Francie M. Heller (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Gordon R. Herring (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Mary Lou Merkt (2019) — Vice President Finance & Administration
- Former: Michael Gatchell (2019) — Former Vice President Development
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $760K, to Robert Richey (Men's Head Basketball Coach). 19 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Furman University
How much does Furman University give each year?
Furman University gave $307K across 12 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $268K across 9 grants.
What is Furman University's typical grant size?
Furman University's median grant in 2025 was $12,199, and its average grant was $25,575, across 12 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Furman University that year got $20K on average.
Where does Furman University give grants?
Furman University gives mostly in South Carolina: 91% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Greenville, SC (10 grants).
Does Furman University give general operating support?
Occasionally: 8% of Furman University's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 12) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Sponsorship" (11 grants).
Who are Furman University's largest grantees?
Furman University's largest 2025 grantees include Greenville Arena District ($78,000), The Greenville Drive LLC ($60,000) and Upcountry History Museum ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 61% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Furman University?
Furman University reported $1.4B in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $296.9M.
What does Furman University fund?
Furman’s stated mission is to provide a distinctive education in the liberal arts and selected professional disciplines. Its 2024 filing describes instruction, scholarships based on financial need and academic merit, and high-impact learning through research, internships and study abroad. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Furman University?
Furman University has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check furman.edu for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Furman University's EIN?
Furman University's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 57-0314395. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 15, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 13, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Furman University funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Furman University's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Furman University funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/furman-university-morg_3665ab4bfe594d9d91528e8efe5d297d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_570314395_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Furman University funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/furman-university-morg_3665ab4bfe594d9d91528e8efe5d297d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Furman University'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.
Furman University down — hundreds of funders to go?