Julia Terrill Thomas Foundation Inc
Julia Terrill Thomas Foundation Inc is a private independent foundation established in 2005 in Georgia and granted tax-exempt status in January 2007. Based in Sea Island, Georgia, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to philanthropic grantmaking.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$12.0M
-1.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$635K
+7.6% YoY
Grant Count
21
+5.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$30K
+2.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation was established under the guidance of its founder, Julia Terrill Thomas (1922-2011), who was known for her efforts to support agencies that served as tools to better the lives of others. Her philanthropic interests centered on:
- Community development and social services
- Animal welfare and nature conservation
- Support for organizations addressing discrimination
- Disaster relief and emergency response
- Arts and cultural preservation
- Youth development
Since Julia Terrill Thomas's passing in 2011, the foundation has continued her legacy, managed by close friends including Dewey Benefield, Rees Sumerford, and Susan Goodhue.
Grantmaking
The foundation has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to dozens of organizations aligned with its founder's values. Recent grant activity includes:
Grant Range
of $5,000, with recipients including the American Red Cross - SE Coastal GA ($5,000 in both 2022 and 2023)
Average Grant
of $5,000, with recipients including the American Red Cross - SE Coastal GA ($5,000 in both 2022 and 2023)
Ready to take the next step with Julia Terrill Thomas Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Georgia, with particular emphasis on the Golden Isles community and Glynn County area.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $12,000,000
- Revenue: $947,884
- Expenses: $1,170,576
- Total Liabilities: $798
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $12,025,675 | $12,247,621 | $12,558,428 |
| Revenue | $947,884 | $765,479 | $832,969 |
| Expenses | $1,170,576 | $1,076,286 | $1,252,358 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $969,290 | $904,767 | $1,061,914 |
| Net Investment Income | $756,563 | $591,233 | $653,694 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,026,776 | $904,759 | $924,472 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
98 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is managed by close friends of Julia Terrill Thomas:
- Dewey Benefield
- Rees Sumerford
- Susan Goodhue
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES D BENEFIELD JR | Director | 5 | $62,212 |
| REES M SUMERFORD | Director | 5 | $62,212 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues to award annual grants to local nonprofits in the Golden Isles region. Recent recipients have included the Lucas Center for Entrepreneurship, Friends of Fort Frederica National Monument, and emergency relief organizations serving Glynn County.
Lucas Center Receives $30,000 Grant from the Terry Thomas Foundation \u2014\Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Rhedcloud Foundation Inc
DECATUR, GA
Assets
$6K
Grants
1
Total Given
$13K
Atlanta Committee for Progress Inc
ATLANTA, GA
Assets
$2.1M
Grants
1
Total Given
$15K
Atlanta Postal Credit Union
ATLANTA, GA
Assets
$2.4B
Grants
4
Total Given
$308K
Justice for Children Foundation Inc
SAVANNAH, GA
Assets
$24K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Southeast Area Blood Bankers
PEACHTREE CITY, GA
Assets
$33K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Courts Foundation Inc
ATLANTA, GA
Assets
$38.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$1.6M
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Julia Terrill Thomas 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