International Paper Company Foundation
The International Paper Company Foundation is a private foundation based in Memphis, Tennessee. It supports community needs through grants and donations focused on education, hunger, health and wellness, and disaster relief, primarily in communities where International Paper operates and has a significant employee presence.
International Paper Company Foundation at a glance
In short: International Paper Company Foundation gave $3.4M across 472 grants in 2024 (avg $7K), top state District of Columbia. 26% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,398,964
- -8.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 472
- -9.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $7,201
- +0.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $3,500
- Total assets
- $76,361,428
- +8.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 26% first-time grantees (115 of 438, 2024)
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (10% 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 International Paper Company Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited grant requests, but requests from charitable organizations based in the Memphis metro area are by invitation only. U.S. applicants must be eligible charitable organizations and operate in a community where International Paper operates and has a significant employee presence. Applications are submitted through the online grant application system; most requests go through local review. Local facility nominations, recommendations, committee reviews, alignment with funding guidelines and strategic priorities, and available budgets inform decisions. The foundation emphasizes communities where International Paper employees live and work.
- Review Cycle
- The 2026 U.S. grant cycle opens March 1 and closes October 1. Local deadlines may vary by facility.
- Deadline
- The 2026 U.S.
- Contact
Application contact: Jessica Seidner
Mailing address: 6400 Poplar Avenue C/O Tax Dept, Memphis, TN 38197-0001
Phone: (901) 419-6870
Website: https://internationalpaper.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from International Paper Company Foundation
Who International Paper Company Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Reading Is Fundamental ($263K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
2,741 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 2,677 grants of 2,741 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant funding is primarily directed to communities where International Paper operates and maintains a significant employee presence. In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were in Washington, DC (10%), Georgia (9%), Texas (7%), Alabama (6%), and Louisiana (6%). Memphis-area requests are accepted by invitation only. Organizations outside the United States are directed to submit requests through their local International Paper facility.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 472 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is International Paper Company Foundation open to new grantees?
26%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 115 of 438 grantees (26%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $8K. How we count
Medians: $4K first-time, $4K repeat.
- 59% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−19%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 94% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $3.4M (2020) to $4.2M (2021). In 2024 it made 472 grants totaling $3.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Is Fundamental Washington, DC | Rif & international paper books for ownership + matching grants | $250,000 |
| Bonterra LLC Austin, TX | Invoice for: 2024-2025 Cybergrants Software | $128,896 |
| Earth's Birthday Project Santa Fe, NM | 2024 Butterflies & Sunflowers Classroom | $102,500 |
| Earth's Birthday Project Santa Fe, NM | 2024 Butterflies & Sunflowers Classroom | $102,500 |
| Signet Memphis, TN | Donated Materials (Pouches) for Menstrual Health Program | $58,472 |
| Atlanta Community Food Bank Atlanta, GA | Increased Food Distribution Across Metro Atlanta | $50,000 |
| Good Shepherd Community Center Inc DBA Good Shepherd Vicksburg, MS | The Little Piggy Bank | $50,000 |
| Hoyt Arboretum Friends Foundation Portland, OR | Youth Education Programs at Hoyt Arboretum | $50,000 |
| Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Inc Indianapolis, IN | 2024 Community Forestry, Engagement, and Greenspace Workday | $50,000 |
| Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Foundation Chaska, MN | Minnesota landscape arboretum's school services programs: field trips and plantmobile | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with International Paper Company Foundation?
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 | $76,361,428 | $4,492,901 | $3,647,702 | $3,398,964 | 472 | $3,439,084 | $4,470,194 | $3,653,945 |
| 2023 | $70,730,002 | $4,003,373 | $4,459,546 | $3,713,740 | 520 | $3,790,726 | $3,980,873 | $3,317,910 |
| 2022 | $64,187,134 | $2,983,963 | $4,147,235 | $4,019,870 | 537 | $4,019,870 | $2,842,384 | $3,428,962 |
| 2021 | $81,658,973 | $7,512,006 | $4,717,020 | $4,220,712 | 590 | $4,258,470 | $7,487,963 | $3,879,703 |
| 2020 | $76,574,251 | $6,122,333 | $3,644,363 | $3,370,638 | 622 | — | $6,099,494 | $3,371,932 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, International Paper Company Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.7M 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 stated purpose describes International Paper as a producer of renewable, fiber-based products and says the company addresses critical community needs through grant funding and donations focused on education, hunger, health and wellness, and disaster relief. Its giving also reflects these areas: in 2024, grants included support for literacy, food distribution, health programming, youth education, and community forestry and greenspace projects.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of grantees. Reading Is Fundamental says it works to address the U.S. literacy crisis by inspiring children’s joy of reading. The Atlanta Community Food Bank describes its mission as engaging, educating, and empowering the community to fight hunger. Keep Indianapolis Beautiful says it works with neighbors and volunteers to create vibrant public spaces. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own work.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 472 grants totaling $3,398,964. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $250,000, with a median grant of $3,500. Notable awards included $250,000 to Reading Is Fundamental for its Books for Ownership program and matching grants; $50,000 to the Atlanta Community Food Bank for increased food distribution across metro Atlanta; and $50,000 each to Hoyt Arboretum Friends Foundation for youth education programs and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful for community forestry, engagement, and greenspace work.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Jessica Seidner as board member/president beginning in December and Sarah Norton as president through November. Dynisha Woods began as executive director in November; Alissa Campbell Shaw served through October. Other listed officers and directors were Marc Van Lieshout, member representative in lieu of secretary; Delaine R. Smith, board member through November; Sophie Beckham, board member; Amanda Ye Jenkins, board member beginning in December; Diana Winalski, treasurer; and April Liddle, secretary.
International Paper Company Foundation is led by Alissa Campbell Shaw, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 12 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Alissa Campbell Shaw
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Seidner
Board Member & President
Board Member → Board Member & President, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dynisha Woods
Executive Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Norton
President
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
April Liddle
Secretary
Assistant Secretary → Secretary & Assistant Secretary, 2023
Secretary & Assistant Secretary → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erich L. Simpkins
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marc Van Lieshout
Member Rep in Lieu of Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Delaine R. Smith
Board Member
President → Board Member & President, 2023
Board Member & President → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sophie Beckham
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Neil Harris
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amanda Ye Jenkins
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Diana Winalski
Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Vincent T. Smith (2020–2024) — Assistant Secretary · Filing note: Ended 5/2023
- Former: Carol W. Tusch (2020–2023) — Treasurer · Filing note: Ended 5/2023
- Former: John W. Buntin (2020–2023) — Assistant Treasurer · Filing note: Ended 5/2023
- Former: Diana Winalski Begin (2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Sarah Norton Begin (2023) — President
- Former: James McDonald (2020) — Director
- Former: Jekka Pinckney (2020) — Secretary
- Former: Michelle R. King (2020) — Assistant Secretary
- Former: Thomas A. Cleves (2020) — Director
- Former: Vincent J. Miraglia (2020) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about International Paper Company Foundation
How much does International Paper Company Foundation give each year?
International Paper Company Foundation gave $3.4M across 472 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.7M across 520 grants.
What is International Paper Company Foundation's typical grant size?
International Paper Company Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $3,500, and its average grant was $7,201, across 472 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from International Paper Company Foundation that year got $6K on average.
Where does International Paper Company Foundation give grants?
International Paper Company Foundation's top state is District of Columbia, with 10% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Georgia (9%) and Texas (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Pensacola, FL (16 grants), Savannah, GA (15 grants), Wilmington, NC (15 grants) and Selma, AL (13 grants).
Does International Paper Company Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 0% of International Paper Company Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 472) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Project Learn" (3 grants).
Who are International Paper Company Foundation's largest grantees?
International Paper Company Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Reading Is Fundamental ($263,000 across 2 grants), Earth's Birthday Project ($205,000 across 2 grants) and Bonterra LLC ($138,182 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 18% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is International Paper Company Foundation?
International Paper Company Foundation reported $76.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does International Paper Company Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated purpose describes International Paper as a producer of renewable, fiber-based products and says the company addresses critical community needs through grant funding and donations focused on education, hunger, health and wellness, and disaster relief. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from International Paper Company Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited grant requests, but requests from charitable organizations based in the Memphis metro area are by invitation only. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is International Paper Company Foundation's EIN?
International Paper Company Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6155080. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does International Paper Company Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). International Paper Company Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/international-paper-company-foundation-morg_a061d48ad1e74caf8db90c0be452f405
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_136155080_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{International Paper Company Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/international-paper-company-foundation-morg_a061d48ad1e74caf8db90c0be452f405},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. 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 International Paper Company Foundation'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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