The Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation is a private foundation based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 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.
Key facts about Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation
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.
- EIN
- 56-0690140
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $17,666,250
- Grants made (2024)
- 76
- Average grant
- $232,451
- Median grant
- $202,500
- New grantees (estimate)
- 42% first-time grantees (30 of 72, 2024)
- Total assets
- $181,658,302
- Primary geography
- Georgia (23% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Prospective grantee partners may submit an organizational summary at any point in the year. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- Rolling application process.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$181.7M
-2.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$17.7M
+80.2% YoY
Grant Count
76
+49.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$232K
+20.9% YoY
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.
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.
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. Alabama Forward 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 Alabama Forward for general operating, regranting, and organizational development. Other substantial awards included $805,000 to Mississippi Engaged and $700,000 to Asian Americans Advancing Justice.
Review Cycle
Rolling application process.
How to Apply
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.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation
Ready to take the next step with Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation?
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%), North Carolina (22%), Louisiana (13%), Washington, DC (9%), and Mississippi (9%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 76 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
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.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
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
The most common grant size was under $50K: 231 grants of 576 (40%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Progeorgia State Table Inc Atlanta, GA | General Operating/Regranting | $1,250,000 |
| Power Coalition for Equity and Justice New Orleans, LA | General Operating/Regranting | $1,080,000 |
| Alabama Forward Montgomery, AL | General Operating/Regranting/ Organizational Development | $850,000 |
| Mississippi Engaged Jackson, MS | General Operating/Regranting/ Organizational Development | $805,000 |
| Asian Americans Advancing Justice Norcross, GA | General Operating/Regranting | $700,000 |
| State Voices Washington, DC | General Operating/Regranting | $675,000 |
| Center on Budget and Policy Priortities Washington, DC | General Operating | $637,500 |
| State Leadership Project Raleigh, NC | General Operating/Regranting | $575,000 |
| North Carolina Asian Americans Together Raleigh, NC | General Operating/Regranting | $405,000 |
| Georgia Budget and Policy Institute Inc Atlanta, GA | General Operating/Regranting/ Organizational Development | $400,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $181,658,302 | $20,707,509 | $26,318,548 | $17,666,250 |
| 2023 | $185,812,542 | $7,793,293 | $16,143,088 | $9,802,500 |
| 2022 | $177,340,979 | −$48,332,996 | $27,128,329 | $21,796,670 |
The Foundation reported 76 grants in 2024, 51 in 2023, and 84 in 2022.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $181,658,302 | $185,812,542 | $177,340,979 |
| Revenue | $20,707,509 | $7,793,293 | $-48,332,996 |
| Expenses | $26,318,548 | $16,143,088 | $27,128,329 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $22,008,817 | $13,453,287 | $24,826,951 |
| Net Investment Income | $18,013,919 | $5,216,166 | $9,991,093 |
| Distributable Amount | $9,740,268 | $8,557,322 | $10,432,306 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
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.
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
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 September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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