George Jenkins Foundation Inc

LAKELAND, FL EIN: 59-3753198

George Jenkins Foundation Inc. is a private foundation established in 2001 and designated as a 501(c)(3) organization with tax-exempt status since February 2003. Based in Lakeland, Florida, the foundation operates as a grantmaking organization that makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$11.7M

-7.6% YoY

Annual Giving

$7.4M

-45.7% YoY

Grant Count

33

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$225K

-45.7% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, George Jenkins Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $515K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation primarily funds contributions for operations and unrestricted donations to support charitable initiatives. Key funding areas include:

  • Education programs, particularly K-12 classical education
  • Youth opportunity and development initiatives
  • Hunger relief and food security programs
  • Community development and operations support

Grantmaking

The foundation makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations only.

Average Grant

award: $255,000

How to Apply

**

Ready to take the next step with George Jenkins Foundation Inc?

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation concentrates its grantmaking in Florida, Virginia, and Arizona, which account for 73% of all grants. The foundation has supported 56 unique organizations, with primary focus on Florida-based recipients.

Grant Distribution by State

11states
+3 more states

Cities

ArlingtonAuburndaleBartowBrevardDripping SpringsEdentonEloiseEmeryvilleGreen LevelHighland CityHillsdaleHoustonImmokaleeIsland ParkJupiterKnoxvilleLake WalesLakelandLeicesterLutz

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Most Recent (2024):

  • Total Assets: $11.7 million to $12.7 million
  • Total Revenues: $6.57 million
  • Total Expenses: $7.54 million
  • Total Liabilities: $0

Historical Trend:

  • Total assets have decreased from $18.5 million in 2011 to $11.7 million in 2024
  • Annual income reported at $15.6 million (as of recent filing)
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$4M$8M$11M$15M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$11,739,404$12,700,144$19,065,884
Revenue$6,574,967$7,461,367$999,750
Expenses$7,535,707$13,827,107$6,747,668
Qualifying Distributions$7,478,179$13,732,394$6,532,874
Net Investment Income$3,805,113$2,658,620$404,472
Distributable Amount$514,966$834,376$1,160,123

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$3M$7M$10M$14M27 grants202030 grants202135 grants202233 grants202333 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

HILLSDALE COLLEGE$1.0MACADEMY PREP OF LAKELAND$910KUNITED WAY OF CENTRAL FL…$905KLAKELAND REGIONAL MEDICA…$563KTHE YMCA$500KHELPING A HERO ORG$367KKIDSPACK$350KONE MORE CHILD$300KVISTE$227KACHIEVEMENT ACADEMY$200K

Grant Size Distribution

158 grants across all recorded years

35<$50K26$50–100K52$100–250K17$250–500K23$500K–1M5$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Hillsdale College ($1,000,000), Academy Prep of Lakeland ($910,000), United Way of Central Florida Inc ($905,000).

RecipientPurposeAmount
ACADEMY PREP OF LAKELAND LAKELAND, FLFOR ACADEMY PREP OF LAKELAND OPERATIONS$910,000
ACHIEVEMENT ACADEMY LAKELAND, FLDONATION FOR OPERATIONS AND BIRTH TO THREE PROGRAM$200,000
ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM SCOTTSDALE, AZLEGAL DEFENSE OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM$200,000
ANCHOR HOUSE INC OF POLK COUNTY AUBURNDALE, FLFUNDING FOR TUTORING AND FULL TIME THERAPIST$188,350
CCDF USA FOUNDATION WASHINGTON DC, DCOPERATIONS$200,000
CENTRAL FLORIDA SPEECH AND HEARING CENTER LAKELAND, FLOPERATIONS$5,000
CITY LORE INC NEW YORK, NYTO COMPLETE DANTE ALIGHIERI & THE DIVINE COMEDY DOCUMENTARY$171,000
FLORIDA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM LAKELAND, FLFUNDING FOR TRAVELING EXHIBITS$99,000
FURRY FRIENDS HUMANE INC JUPITER, FLHURRICANE/TORNADO REPAIRS$20,000
HELPING A HERO ORG HOUSTON, TXSPONSORING BUILDING OF HOMES FOR VETERANS$366,666

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

  • Julia J Fancelli - President
  • Gregory Fancelli - Director
  • Leslie Fancelli Sonatori - Director
  • Principal Officer: LJ Management Services Inc.

The foundation is governed by 4 officers and trustees.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
JULIA J FANCELLIPRESIDENT1
GREGORY FANCELLIDIRECTOR0.25
LESLIE FANCELLIDIRECTOR5
MARIANNE PARSONSSEC., TREASURE5

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

The foundation has been active in supporting education and youth development initiatives through partnerships with organizations like United Way of Central Florida, which administers the George Jenkins Foundation Youth Opportunity Grant program. The foundation has also provided significant support to educational institutions, including grants to Hillsdale College for classical education programming and to Academy Prep Center of Lakeland for operational support.

United Way of Central Florida Announces New George Jenkins Foundation Youth

Contact Information

  • Address: 2000 E Edgewood Dr Ste 102, Lakeland, FL 33803-3600
  • Telephone: 863-668-7333
  • EIN: 59-3753198

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Frequently Asked Questions

What does George Jenkins Foundation Inc fund?

The foundation primarily funds contributions for operations and unrestricted donations to support charitable initiatives. Key funding areas include: • Education programs, particularly K-12 classical education • Youth opportunity and development initiatives • Hunger relief and food security programs • Community development and operations support

How do I apply for a grant from George Jenkins Foundation Inc?

**Grant Activity:** • Made 35 grants in 2024 • Historical grantmaking: 133 grants totaling $33.9 million across available records • Individual grants have ranged from $1,000 to $2.7 million • Average grant award: $255,000 • Median grant: $150,000 • Annual giving grew from $7.3 million in 2021 to $13.7 million in 2023 **Recent Notable Grants (2024):** • Hillsdale College: $1,000,000 for K-12 Education Program in Support of American Classical Education • Academy Prep Center of Lakeland: $910,000 …

Where does George Jenkins Foundation Inc make grants?

The foundation concentrates its grantmaking in Florida, Virginia, and Arizona, which account for 73% of all grants. The foundation has supported 56 unique organizations, with primary focus on Florida-based recipients.

What size grants does George Jenkins Foundation Inc award?

In 2024, George Jenkins Foundation Inc awarded 33 grants totaling $7.4M — an average of about $225K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is George Jenkins Foundation Inc required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, George Jenkins Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $515K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is George Jenkins Foundation Inc's EIN?

George Jenkins Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 59-3753198. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in George Jenkins Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

What could you do with George Jenkins Foundation Inc on Grantable?

  • Assess strategic fit with your organization
  • Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
  • Find open RFPs from this funder
  • Monitor for new funding opportunities

Go from researching George Jenkins Foundation Inc to a real strategy.

Plan your approach