The M W Murphy Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1998 and based in El Dorado, Arkansas. As a 501(c)(3) organization, it operates as a family foundation focused on philanthropic activities through grants to educational institutions and other charitable organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$12.0M
-0.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$567K
+157.9% YoY
Grant Count
28
+211.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20K
-17.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, M W Murphy Foundation reported a distributable amount of $895K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Grantmaking
The foundation maintains a modest but active grantmaking program. Recent grants have included:
Grant Range
s typically range from approximately $23,000 to $100,000, with a median grant amount of $23,000. The foundation made six grants in its most recent reporting year, with a total of nine grants documented across its recent grantmaking activity.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking extends across multiple states, with documented funding activity in Mississippi, Louisiana, and California. The foundation maintains its primary office in El Dorado, Arkansas.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $12,004,536 (as of 2024)
Total Giving: $566,780 (2024)
Revenue Sources (2024):
- Investment income and dividends: $391,774
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $241,332
- Miscellaneous revenues: $387
Total Revenues: $633,493 (2024)
Total Expenses: $650,508 (2024)
Total Liabilities: $0
The foundation has maintained substantial assets with no outstanding liabilities, generating revenue primarily through investment income and capital gains.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $12,004,536 | $12,006,771 | $11,742,592 |
| Revenue | $633,493 | $552,679 | $-1,844 |
| Expenses | $650,508 | $292,706 | $854,413 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $566,891 | $219,775 | $773,539 |
| Net Investment Income | $549,876 | $288,595 | $224,059 |
| Distributable Amount | $895,491 | $774,683 | $773,693 |
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
99 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Hendrix College ($100,000), Tulane University ($100,000), Hope Enterprise Corporation ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BACKBEAT FOUNDATION NEW ORLEANS, LA | GENERAL FUND | $5,000 |
| LUISA CATANO SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA | SCHOLARSHIP | $20,618 |
| EVELYN HALL ORANGE, CA | SCHOLARSHIP | $22,497 |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION JACKSON, MS | NOVA FOUNDATION FUND | $20,000 |
| JACE BIENEMY NEW ORLEANS, LA | SCHOLARSHIP | $5,680 |
| DEEP SOUTH TODAY RIDGELAND, MS | GENERAL FUND | $20,000 |
| ELLIS MARSALIS CENTER FOR MUSIC NEW ORLEANS, LA | GENERAL FUND | $5,000 |
| KEONI N BRADLEY MIAMI, FL | SCHOLARSHIP | $29,701 |
| GREATER NEW ORLEANS FOUNDATION NEW ORLEANS, LA | GENERAL FUND | $30,000 |
| HENDRIX COLLEGE CONWAY, AR | GENERAL FUND | $100,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Martha W Murphy serves as President and Director of the foundation and is identified as the primary supporter of the organization.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARTHA W MURPHY | PRESIDENT/DI | — | — |
Contact Information
Address: 200 N Jefferson Avenue, El Dorado, AR 71730-5841
Telephone: 870-862-4961
EIN: 71-0802701
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a grant from M W Murphy Foundation?
The foundation maintains a modest but active grantmaking program. Recent grants have included: • Hendrix College: $100,000 (General Fund) • Hope Enterprise Corporation: $50,000 (General Fund) • MD Anderson Cancer Center: $50,000 (General Fund) Grant sizes typically range from approximately $23,000 to $100,000, with a median grant amount of $23,000. The foundation made six grants in its most recent reporting year, with a total of nine grants documented across its recent grantmaking activity.
Where does M W Murphy Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking extends across multiple states, with documented funding activity in Mississippi, Louisiana, and California. The foundation maintains its primary office in El Dorado, Arkansas.
What size grants does M W Murphy Foundation award?
In 2024, M W Murphy Foundation awarded 28 grants totaling $567K — an average of about $20K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is M W Murphy Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, M W Murphy Foundation reported a distributable amount of $895K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is M W Murphy Foundation's EIN?
M W Murphy Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 71-0802701. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in M W Murphy Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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