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
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Julia Terrill Thomas Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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)
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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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Boys Girls Club of Southeast Georgi ($109,000), Frederica Academy ($100,000), College of Coastal Ga Foundation ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BOYS GIRLS CLUB OF SOUTHEAST GEORGI BRUNSWICK, GA | DARIEN BOYS & GIRLS CENTER & TEEN CENTER ($75k) AND PLAYGROUND ($34k) | $109,000 |
| COASTAL GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY ST SIMONS ISLAND, GA | RESTORATION OF HISTORICAL GAZEBO AT LIGHTHOUSE MUSEUM LAWN | $10,000 |
| FREDERICA ACADEMY ST SIMONS ISLAND, GA | PAVILLION FOR OUTDOOR FUNCTIONS, EDUCATION & STAGE | $100,000 |
| MAP INTERNATIONAL BRUNSWICK, GA | FORKLIFT FOR ADJACENT WAREHOUSE | $25,000 |
| GOLDEN ISLES YMCA FOUNDATION BRUNSWICK, GA | CAPITAL SUPPORT TO REINFORCE THE STRUCTURE OF THE OUTDOOR POOL | $75,000 |
| GLYNN COMMUNITY CRISIS CENTER INC BRUNSWICK, GA | CAPITAL SUPPORT FOR SHELTER KITCHEN WITH STOVE AND REFRIGERATOR APPLIANCES FOR KITCHEN AREA | $4,000 |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF SOUTH COASTAL GEO BRUNSWICK, GA | REFURBISH THE OUTDOOR TRAIL ENCIRCLING PROPERTY FOR DOGS TO RECEIVE EXERCISE | $10,000 |
| SHARE - SPEECH HEARING REHABILITATI BRUNSWICK, GA | SUPPORT FOR FLOORING THROUGHOUT FACILITY IN HALLS AND LOBBY AREAS | $10,000 |
| STAR FOUNDATION INC BRUNSWICK, GA | SUPPORT FOR FACILITY RELOCATION AND MATERIALS TO DO COMMUNITY OUTREACH FOR STUDENT ENROLLMENT | $22,000 |
| HOSPICE OF THE GOLDEN ISLES BRUNSWICK, GA | SERVER & CAMERAS TO MANAGE ENTIRE CAMPUS | $15,000 |
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Julia Terrill Thomas Foundation Inc fund?
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 Tho…
How do I apply for a grant from Julia Terrill Thomas Foundation Inc?
The foundation has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to dozens of organizations aligned with its founder's values. Recent grant activity includes: • **Emergency Disaster Relief for Glynn County, GA**: Average grant size of $5,000, with recipients including the American Red Cross - SE Coastal GA ($5,000 in both 2022 and 2023) • **Sound System for Welcome Center Theater** (Friends of Fort Frederica National Monument): $25,000 • **Lucas Center for Entrepreneurship**: $30,000 The foundation …
Where does Julia Terrill Thomas Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Georgia, with particular emphasis on the Golden Isles community and Glynn County area.
What size grants does Julia Terrill Thomas Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Julia Terrill Thomas Foundation Inc awarded 21 grants totaling $635K — an average of about $30K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Julia Terrill Thomas Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Julia Terrill Thomas Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.0M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Julia Terrill Thomas Foundation Inc's EIN?
Julia Terrill Thomas Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-2354370. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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