Methodist Foundation of Mississippi Inc
The Methodist Foundation of Mississippi is a public charity based in Ridgeland, Mississippi, founded in 1967. It serves churches and related organizations, primarily in Mississippi, through investment management, endowment and trust services, scholarships, and financial education.
Key facts about Methodist Foundation of Mississippi Inc
In short: Methodist Foundation of Mississippi Inc gave $681K across 40 grants in 2024 (avg $17K), mostly in Mississippi. 48% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 64-0507167
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $680,502
- Grants made (2024)
- 40
- Average grant
- $17,013
- Median grant
- $13,580
- New grantees (estimate)
- 48% first-time grantees (19 of 40, 2024)
- Total assets
- $169,480,247
- Primary geography
- Mississippi (95% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$169.5M
+14.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$681K
-28.2% YoY
Grant Count
40
+25.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$17K
-42.6% YoY
Is Methodist Foundation of Mississippi Inc open to new grantees?
48%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 19 of 40 grantees (48%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $17K; repeat grants $17K. How we count
Medians: $14K first-time, $13K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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 states that its mission is to cultivate and administer current and deferred gifts for the benefit of Mississippi United Methodist-related institutions, agencies, local churches, and other ministries, and to educate these institutions in generosity and sound financial practices.
Its work includes managing short- and long-term investments, administering endowments and trusts, providing donor-advised fund services, and offering presentations and workshops on generosity, financial management, and planned giving. It also awards scholarships to eligible students of Methodist or Wesleyan heritage. In 2024, the Foundation reported 132 scholarship awards totaling $239,225: $199,225 to undergraduate students and $40,000 to seminary students. It reported an additional $4,600 awarded through the Global Board of Higher Education.
Grantees in 2024 included churches, educational institutions, and nonprofits. For example, Mississippi State University received $40,275; the University of Mississippi received $27,250; and Palmer Home for Children received $19,526. Palmer Home describes its work as residential and foster care, adoption in selected cases, advocacy for vulnerable children, and caregiver training, while encouraging Christian values. Millsaps College, which received $17,066, describes its mission as including academic excellence, open inquiry, exploration of faith, and contributing to the region’s social, economic, and cultural progress.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 40 itemized grants totaling $680,502. Grant amounts ranged from $5,371 to $58,059, with a median of $13,580. The largest listed awards included $58,059 to Parkway Hills UMC Madison, $40,358 to St Mark’s UMC Brandon, $40,275 to Mississippi State University, and $37,513 to Main Street UMC Hattiesburg. The listed grant purposes were to fulfill the charitable intent of endowments.
Review Cycle
is April 1, 2026.
Ready to take the next step with Methodist Foundation of Mississippi Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation says it serves Methodist and Wesleyan institutions and organizations primarily in Mississippi. In 2024, 95% of its itemized grant dollars went to recipients in Mississippi; the remaining shares went to Georgia (2%), Kentucky (2%), and Texas (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 40 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $150K (2020) to $948K (2023). In 2024 it made 40 grants totaling $681K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Parkway Hills UMC Madison ($58K). Together the top 10 received $340K.
Grant Size Distribution
124 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 120 grants of 124 (97%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Parkway Hills UMC Madison Madison, MS | Fulfill Charitable Intent of Endowment | $58,059 |
| St Mark's UMC Brandon Brandon, MS | Fulfill Charitable Intent of Endowment | $40,358 |
| Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS | Fulfill Charitable Intent of Endowment | $40,275 |
| Main Street UMC Hattiesburg Hattiesburg, MS | Fulfill Charitable Intent of Endowment | $37,513 |
| Amory First UMC Amory, MS | Fulfill Charitable Intent of Endowment | $34,098 |
| St John's UMC Greenwood Greenwood, MS | Fulfill Charitable Intent of Endowment | $31,891 |
| University of Mississippi University, MS | Fulfill Charitable Intent of Endowment | $27,250 |
| Braxton UMC Braxton, MS | Fulfill Charitable Intent of Endowment | $26,237 |
| Big Creek UMC Starkville, MS | Fulfill Charitable Intent of Endowment | $25,178 |
| Palmer Home for Children Columbus, MS | Fulfill Charitable Intent of Endowment | $19,526 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Itemized grant total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $169,480,247 | $5,080,088 | $7,161,146 | $680,502 |
| 2023 | $148,715,980 | $1,667,660 | $5,636,236 | $947,975 |
| 2022 | $134,579,449 | $6,271,287 | $2,978,623 | $204,879 |
The Foundation reported receiving $29,478,866 in gifts and deposits during 2024. Its filing states that assets transferred for investment management are owned and controlled by the depositors and held by the Foundation in a custodial capacity for investment purposes.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $169,480,247 | $148,715,980 | $134,579,449 |
| Revenue | $5,080,088 | $1,667,660 | $6,271,287 |
| Expenses | $7,161,146 | $5,636,236 | $2,978,623 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,813,552 | $809,157 | $5,569,421 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing listed Chris Boone as president and Billie Spraberry as treasurer. Directors listed were Ben Walton, Brent Wilson, Charles Leggett Jr., Dan Gibson, Daniel Herring, David Beckley, Dr. Acie Whitlock Jr., and Dr. Joe N Bailey III.
Methodist Foundation of Mississippi Inc is led by John Branning, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 3 of 29 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
John Branning
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$33K (2021) → $107K (2024)
Chris Boone
President
Director → Vice President, 2023
Vice President → President, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Acie Whitlock Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ben Walton
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles Leggett Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Henry Holifield
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joe N. Bailey III
Director
Director → Vice President, 2022
Vice President → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John David Robinson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Moore
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Riley
Director
Past President → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lester Myers
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mitchell Hedgepeth
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ron Whitehead
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tim Prather
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Walker Sturdivant
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Zachary Beasley
Director
President → Past President, 2021
Past President → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan Gibson
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Beckley
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim Moss
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul Davis
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matt Trusty
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tim Sisk
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wesley Pepper
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brent Wilson
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Herring
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Cook
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Billie Spraberry
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$83K (2020) → $98K (2024)
Todd D. Marion
Associate Director & CFO
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$64K (2022) → $136K (2024)
Jan Hitt
Past President
Secretary → President, 2023
President → Past President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (13)
- Former: Joe Landrum (2020–2023) — Past President
- Former: Aislinn Kopp (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Freddie J. Bagley (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jesse L. Ross Jr. (2020–2022) — Past President
- Former: Mary Lee Reed (2020–2022) — Associate Director & CFO
- Former: Tom McCormick (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Bishop James Swanson (2021–2022) — Chairperson
- Former: Jeff Shannon (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Richard M. Hicks (2020–2021) — Executive Director
- Former: Wade Watts (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Anna Fleming-Jones (2020) — Director
- Former: James Swanson (2020) — Chairperson
- Former: Turner Arant (2020) — Director
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 $136K, to Todd D Marion (Associate Director/CFO). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 2415, Ridgeland, MS 39158-2415
Phone: (601) 948-8845
Website: https://methodistfm.org
Frequently asked questions about Methodist Foundation of Mississippi Inc
How much does Methodist Foundation of Mississippi Inc give each year?
Methodist Foundation of Mississippi Inc gave $681K across 40 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $948K across 32 grants.
What is Methodist Foundation of Mississippi Inc's typical grant size?
Methodist Foundation of Mississippi Inc's median grant in 2024 was $13,580, and its average grant was $17,013, across 40 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Methodist Foundation of Mississippi Inc that year got $17K on average.
Where does Methodist Foundation of Mississippi Inc give grants?
Methodist Foundation of Mississippi Inc gives mostly in Mississippi: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Madison, MS (5 grants), Jackson, MS (5 grants), Hattiesburg, MS (3 grants) and Starkville, MS (3 grants).
Does Methodist Foundation of Mississippi Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 40 grants with a stated purpose on Methodist Foundation of Mississippi Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Fulfill Charitable Intent of Endowment" (40 grants).
Who are Methodist Foundation of Mississippi Inc's largest grantees?
Methodist Foundation of Mississippi Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Parkway Hills UMC Madison ($58,059), St Mark's UMC Brandon ($40,358) and Mississippi State University ($40,275), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Methodist Foundation of Mississippi Inc?
Methodist Foundation of Mississippi Inc reported $169.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.1M.
What does Methodist Foundation of Mississippi Inc fund?
The Foundation states that its mission is to cultivate and administer current and deferred gifts for the benefit of Mississippi United Methodist-related institutions, agencies, local churches, and other ministries, and to educate these institutions in generosity and sound financial practices. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Methodist Foundation of Mississippi Inc?
Methodist Foundation of Mississippi Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check methodistfm.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Methodist Foundation of Mississippi Inc's EIN?
Methodist Foundation of Mississippi Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 64-0507167. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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