Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation
The Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. In 2024, it reported 48 grants totaling $1,645,500, supporting organizations including universities, arts organizations, health providers, and an environmental organization.
Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation at a glance
In short: Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation gave $1.6M across 48 grants in 2024 (avg $34K), mostly in South Carolina. 23% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,645,500
- +7.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 48
- +11.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $34,281
- -3.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $40,017,348
- +4.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 23% first-time grantees (8 of 35, 2024)
- Primary geography
- South Carolina (56% 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 Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: Foundation Source 501 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809-1377
Phone: (800) 839-1754
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Clemson University Foundation ($300K). Together the top 10 received $1.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
238 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 179 grants of 238 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars were distributed primarily to recipients in South Carolina (56%), followed by North Carolina (17%), Maryland (10%), Virginia (8%), and Colorado (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 48 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation open to new grantees?
23%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 35 grantees (23%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $49K; repeat grants $46K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $19K repeat.
- 54% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 30% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 92% 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 $1.5M (2023) to $2.4M (2021). In 2024 it made 48 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Clemson University Foundation Clemson, SC | Pelham Foundation Endowment for Architecture Scholars fund | $300,000 |
| Furman University Greenville, SC | Jean Timmons Pelham Endowed Scholarship fund | $200,000 |
| Duke University Durham, NC | Jean & Heyward Pelham Scholarship Fund | $100,000 |
| Duke University Durham, NC | Garden Gateway Capital Campaign | $100,000 |
| Furman University Greenville, SC | Support of Renovation and Expansion of Timmons Arena | $100,000 |
| University of Maryland Medical System Corporation Greenwood Village, CO | Roslyn and Leonard Stoler Center for Advanced Medicine | $100,000 |
| Chesapeake Bay Foundation Inc Annapolis, MD | General & Unrestricted | $75,000 |
| Signature Theatre Inc Arlington, VA | General & Unrestricted | $75,000 |
| The Warehouse Theatre Greenville, SC | General & Unrestricted | $55,000 |
| Arlington Free Clinic Inc Arlington, VA | General & Unrestricted | $50,000 |
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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 | $40,017,348 | $3,855,411 | $1,978,477 | $1,645,500 | 48 | $1,722,925 | $1,559,573 | $1,870,513 |
| 2023 | $38,140,414 | $8,327,899 | $1,736,016 | $1,526,112 | 43 | $1,602,182 | $6,071,726 | $1,630,315 |
| 2022 | $31,547,501 | $3,401,362 | $1,984,790 | $1,819,800 | 61 | $1,901,373 | $1,212,055 | $1,594,546 |
| 2021 | $30,130,929 | $4,664,858 | $2,521,331 | $2,365,500 | 46 | $2,443,702 | $2,476,329 | $1,696,296 |
| 2020 | $27,987,402 | $2,992,646 | $1,871,992 | $1,760,500 | 40 | — | $804,794 | $1,354,563 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.9M 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants went to organizations whose own missions include higher education and research, theater and education, healthcare access, cancer-related community work, independent student journalism, and saving the Chesapeake Bay. For example, Furman University describes its mission as providing a distinctive liberal arts education, while Arlington Free Clinic says it advances health equity by providing comprehensive healthcare to neighbors who would otherwise lack access.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 48 grants totaling $1,645,500. Grants ranged from $2,500 to $300,000, with a median grant of $15,000.
The largest listed grants included $300,000 to Clemson University Foundation for its Pelham Foundation Endowment for Architecture Scholars fund; $200,000 to Furman University for the Jean Timmons Pelham Endowed Scholarship fund; and two $100,000 grants to Duke University, for the Jean & Heyward Pelham Scholarship Fund and the Garden Gateway Capital Campaign. Furman University also received $100,000 for renovation and expansion of Timmons Arena. Other grants included $75,000 to Chesapeake Bay Foundation for general and unrestricted support, $75,000 to Signature Theatre for general and unrestricted support, and $50,000 to Arlington Free Clinic for general and unrestricted support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Ann P Cullen as Trustee and Chairperson, and Richard T Pelham and William H Pelham as Trustees.
Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation is led by Ann P Cullen, Trustee & Chairperson on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ann P Cullen
Trustee & Chairperson
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard T Pelham
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William H Pelham
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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 Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation
How much does Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation give each year?
Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation gave $1.6M across 48 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.5M across 43 grants.
What is Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation's typical grant size?
Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $34,281, across 48 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation that year got $49K on average.
Where does Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation give grants?
Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation gives mostly in South Carolina: 56% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were North Carolina (17%) and Maryland (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Greenville, SC (19 grants), Durham, NC (7 grants), Washington, DC (6 grants) and Annapolis, MD (3 grants).
Does Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 56% of Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (27 of 48) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Charitable Event" (5 grants).
Who are Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation's largest grantees?
Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Clemson University Foundation ($300,000), Furman University ($300,000 across 2 grants) and Duke University ($234,000 across 6 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 51% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation?
Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation reported $40.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.9M (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 Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants went to organizations whose own missions include higher education and research, theater and education, healthcare access, cancer-related community work, independent student journalism, and saving the Chesapeake Bay. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation's EIN?
Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3291660. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, 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
Live grants for the work Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 23, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/jean-t-and-heyward-g-pelham-foundation-morg_fb04089e2bc14e6882a3ac1047cb6721
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_203291660_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Jean T and Heyward G Pelham Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/jean-t-and-heyward-g-pelham-foundation-morg_fb04089e2bc14e6882a3ac1047cb6721},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-23. 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 Jean T and Heyward G Pelham 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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