Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation logo

Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Winston-Salem, NC EIN: 56-0690140 Website
Children and youthAdultsEconomically disadvantaged peopleLow-income peopleEducation

The Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation is a private foundation based in Winston-Salem, an individual recipient It supports nonprofits serving the South that help people and places move out of poverty and advance social and economic justice, with an emphasis on power building and racial equity.

Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation at a glance

In short: Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation gave $17.7M across 76 grants in 2024 (avg $232K), top state Georgia. 42% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2024)
$17,666,250
+80.2% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
76
+49.0% vs 2023
Average grant
$232,451
+20.9% vs 2023
Median grant
$202,500
Total assets
$181,658,302
-2.2% vs 2023
New grantees (estimate)
42% first-time grantees (30 of 72, 2024)
Primary geography
Georgia (23% 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 Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation

How to Apply

Prospective grantee partners may submit an organizational summary at any point in the year. Foundation staff review summaries to determine whether to invite a full grant proposal. The Foundation uses a rolling application process and does not accept paper applications; submission information and required materials are provided on its website. Its filing states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It gives preference to the southeastern United States and does not make grants to individuals, for construction, or for international programs.

Review Cycle
Rolling application process.
Deadline
Rolling application process.
Contact

Application contact: See Foundation Website Wwwmrfborg
Mailing address: 500 West 5Th Street Ste 800, Winston Salem, NC 27101
Phone: (336) 748-9222
Website: https://www.mrbf.org

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Progeorgia State Table Inc: $1.3MProgeorgia State Table Inc$1.3MPower Coalition for Equity and Justice: $1.1MPower Coalition for Equity andJustice$1.1MAlabama Forward: $850KAlabama Forward$850KMississippi Engaged: $805KMississippi Engaged$805KAsian Americans Advancing Justice: $700KAsian Americans AdvancingJustice$700KState Voices: $675KState Voices$675KCenter on Budget and Policy Priortities: $638KCenter on Budget and PolicyPriortities$638KState Leadership Project: $575KState Leadership Project$575KNorth Carolina Asian Americans Together: $405KNorth Carolina Asian AmericansTogether$405KGeorgia Budget and Policy Institute Inc: $400KGeorgia Budget and PolicyInstitute Inc$400K

The largest 2024 recipient was Progeorgia State Table Inc ($1.3M). Together the top 10 received $7.4M.

Organizations only. It also paid 5 grants to individuals ($380,000), which are not listed by name.

Grant Size Distribution

576 grants across all recorded years

231<$50K74$50–100K134$100–250K107$250–500K24$500K–1M6$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 231 grants of 576 (40%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The Foundation invites proposals from organizations serving the South, and its filing states a preference for the southeastern United States. In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in Georgia (23%), an individual recipient (22%), Louisiana (13%), Washington, DC (9%), and Mississippi (9%).

Grant Distribution by State

23states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 76 itemized grants.

Cities

AtlantaRaleighDurhamNew OrleansCharlestonWashingtonJacksonLittle RockBereaDecaturWhitesburgNorcrossSelmaBirminghamNorth CharlestonGreenvilleMontgomeryBaton RougeAshevilleNashville

Is Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation open to new grantees?

42%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 30 of 72 grantees (42%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $175K; repeat grants $296K. How we count

Medians: $40K first-time, $275K repeat.

  • 18% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving grew 111% from 2021 to 2024. Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 226% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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

$0$10M$20M$30M$40M319 grants2020 46 grants2021 84 grants2022 51 grants2023 76 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $8.4M (2021) to $31.2M (2020). In 2024 it made 76 grants totaling $17.7M.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Progeorgia State Table Inc Atlanta, GAGeneral Operating/Regranting$1,250,000
Power Coalition for Equity and Justice New Orleans, LAGeneral Operating/Regranting$1,080,000
Alabama Forward Montgomery, ALGeneral Operating/Regranting/ Organizational Development$850,000
Mississippi Engaged Jackson, MSGeneral Operating/Regranting/ Organizational Development$805,000
Asian Americans Advancing Justice Norcross, GAGeneral Operating/Regranting$700,000
State Voices Washington, DCGeneral Operating/Regranting$675,000
Center on Budget and Policy Priortities Washington, DCGeneral Operating$637,500
State Leadership Project Raleigh, NCGeneral Operating/Regranting$575,000
North Carolina Asian Americans Together Raleigh, NCGeneral Operating/Regranting$405,000
Georgia Budget and Policy Institute Inc Atlanta, GAGeneral Operating/Regranting/ Organizational Development$400,000
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

The Foundation reported 76 grants in 2024, 51 in 2023, and 84 in 2022.

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2024$181,658,302$20,707,509$26,318,548$17,666,25076$22,008,817$18,013,919$9,740,268
2023$185,812,542$7,793,293$16,143,088$9,802,50051$13,453,287$5,216,166$8,557,322
2022$177,340,979$-48,332,996$27,128,329$21,796,67084$24,826,951$9,991,093$10,432,306
2021$253,832,619$55,868,843$15,286,461$8,376,25046$10,629,331$22,476,361$10,922,539
2020$213,051,745$43,943,278$28,335,731$31,169,142319—$12,395,565$8,690,211

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation reported a distributable amount of $9.7M 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 mission is to help people and places move out of poverty and achieve greater social and economic justice. Its stated pathways of change are democracy and civic engagement, supportive policies and institutions, and economic opportunity.

It invites proposals from local, statewide, regional, and national nonprofits serving the South. Its stated criteria include accountability to low-wealth communities, clear analysis and strategies, values-aligned networks, a long-term view, and the ability to act when opportunities arise.

Recent grantees illustrate the kinds of organizations it supports. Mississippi Engaged describes itself as a statewide table coordinating and resourcing civic engagement efforts to build community power. An individual recipient describes its work as coordinating civic engagement and advancing policy through a coalition of Alabama organizations. Asian Americans Advancing Justice–Atlanta says it works on civil and human rights through policy advocacy, legal services, organizing, civic engagement, and impact litigation.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 76 grants totaling $17,666,250. Grants ranged from $15,000 to $1,250,000, with a median of $202,500. The largest grants included $1,250,000 to ProGeorgia State Table Inc. for general operating and regranting; $1,080,000 to Power Coalition for Equity and Justice for general operating and regranting; and $850,000 to an individual recipient for general operating, regranting, and organizational development. Other substantial awards included $805,000 to Mississippi Engaged and $700,000 to Asian Americans Advancing Justice.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Ashleigh Gardere as board president; Chad Berry as vice president; Kara Mountcastle as secretary; and Kenneth Mountcastle III as treasurer. Other listed board members are Tamieka Atkins, Jerry Gonzalez, Dr. Tim Lampkin, Holt Mountcastle, Kathy Mountcastle, and Laura Mountcastle.

Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation is led by Flozell Daniels Jr., Chief Executive Officer since 2023 (on filings since 2022); 11 of 17 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Flozell Daniels Jr.

    Chief Executive Officer

    CEO → Chief Executive Officer, 2023

    On filings since 2022

    40 hrs/week

    $77K (2022) → $357K (2024)

  • Ashleigh Gardere

    Board Member - President

    Board Member → Board Member - Vice President, 2021

    Board Member - Vice President → Board Member - President, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    3 hrs/week

    $4K (2020) → $3K (2024)

  • Chad Berry

    Board Member - Vice President

    Board Member → Board Member - Vice President, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    3 hrs/week

    $3K (2020) → $4K (2024)

  • Elena Conley

    Chief Strategy Officer

    Chief Strategy Officer → Chief Strategy Officer & Interim CEO, 2022

    Chief Strategy Officer & Interim CEO → Chief Strategy Officer, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $119K (2020) → $213K (2024)

  • Jennifer Barksdale

    Chief Finance & Operations Officer

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $123K (2020) → $220K (2024)

  • Jerry Gonzalez

    Board Member

    Board Member - Vice President → Board Member -President, 2021

    Board Member -President → Board Member, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    3 hrs/week

    $3K (2020) → $4K (2024)

  • Stephanie Tyree

    Board Member

    On filings since 2020

    3 hrs/week

    $3K (2020) → $4K (2024)

  • Dwayne Patterson To

    Chief Equity Officer

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $150K (2024)

  • Tamieka Atkins

    Board Member

    New on the 2024 filing

    3 hrs/week

    $5K (2024)

  • Tim Lampkin

    Board Member

    New on the 2024 filing

    3 hrs/week

    $5K (2024)

  • Will Vandenberg

    Board Member

    New on the 2024 filing

    3 hrs/week

    $6K (2024)

  • Holt Mountcastle

    Board Member

    On filings since 2020

    3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kara Mountcastle

    Board Member - Secretary

    Board Member → Board Member - Secretary, 2021

    On filings since 2020

    3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kathy Mountcastle

    Board Member

    On filings since 2020

    3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kenneth Mountcastle III

    Board Member - Treasurer

    On filings since 2020

    3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Laura Mountcastle

    Board Member

    Board Member - President → Board Member, 2021

    On filings since 2020

    3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Mary Mountcastle

    Board Member

    On filings since 2020

    3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (9)
  • Former: Dwayne Patterson (2020–2023) — Chief Equity Officer
  • Former: James Mitchell (2020–2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Laveeda Battle (2020–2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Micah Gilmer (2020–2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Tyree Stephanie (2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Zachary Lassiter (2020–2022) — Board Member
  • Former: Justin Maxson (2020–2021) — CEO
  • Former: Karama Neal (2020–2021) — Board Member
  • Former: Danielle Sprately (2020) — Chief Equity Learning Officer

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.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Flozell Daniels Jr — Chief Executive Officer: $357KFlozell Daniels JrChief Executive Officer$357KJennifer Barksdale — Chief Finance and Operations Officer: $220KJennifer BarksdaleChief Finance and Operations…$220KElena Conley — Chief Strategy Officer: $213KElena ConleyChief Strategy Officer$213KDwayne Patterson to 924 — Chief Equity Officer: $150KDwayne Patterson to 924Chief Equity Officer$150KWill Vandenberg — Board Member: $6KWill VandenbergBoard Member$6KDr Tim Lampkin — Board Member: $5KDr Tim LampkinBoard Member$5KTamieka Atkins — Board Member: $5KTamieka AtkinsBoard Member$5KChad Berry — Board Member - Vice President: $4KChad BerryBoard Member - Vice President$4KJerry Gonzalez — Board Member: $4KJerry GonzalezBoard Member$4KStephanie Tyree — Board Member: $4KStephanie TyreeBoard Member$4KAshleigh Gardere — Board Member - President: $3KAshleigh GardereBoard Member - President$3K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $357K, to Flozell Daniels Jr (Chief Executive Officer). 11 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation

How much does Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation give each year?

Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation gave $17.7M across 76 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $9.8M across 51 grants.

What is Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation's typical grant size?

Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $202,500, and its average grant was $232,451, across 76 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation that year got $175K on average.

Where does Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation give grants?

Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation's top state is Georgia, with 23% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were North Carolina (22%) and Louisiana (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were New Orleans, LA (7 grants), Atlanta, GA (6 grants), Raleigh, NC (6 grants) and Durham, NC (6 grants).

Does Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation give general operating support?

Yes: 97% of Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (74 of 76) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation's largest grantees?

Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Progeorgia State Table Inc ($1,250,000), Power Coalition for Equity and Justice ($1,080,000) and Alabama Forward ($850,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 5 grants to individuals ($380,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 18% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation?

Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation reported $181.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $22.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $9.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation fund?

The Foundation’s mission is to help people and places move out of poverty and achieve greater social and economic justice. Its stated pathways of change are democracy and civic engagement, supportive policies and institutions, and economic opportunity. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation?

Prospective grantee partners may submit an organizational summary at any point in the year. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation's EIN?

Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-0690140. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

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

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 23, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/mary-reynolds-babcock-foundation-morg_3a1f71cc889049e685a05bf1adc97608

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_560690140_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/mary-reynolds-babcock-foundation-morg_3a1f71cc889049e685a05bf1adc97608},
  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 Mary Reynolds Babcock 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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