Phil Hardin Foundation
The Phil Hardin Foundation is an independent private foundation established in 1964 in Meridian, Mississippi. Founded by businessman Phil Hardin, owner of Hardin's Bakeries, the foundation was created to channel his business success toward improving educational opportunities in Mississippi. The foundation operates as Mississippi's first statewide foundation and remains one of the state's most significant educational philanthropies.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$63.7M
+25.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.3M
+11.1% YoY
Grant Count
67
+19.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$63K
-7.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Phil Hardin Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's singular mission is "to improve the education of Mississippians." This mission reflects Phil Hardin's belief that excellent education benefits individuals and strengthens communities across the state.
Primary funding priorities include:
- Early childhood education
- Community-based educational initiatives
- Improving student achievement
- Making educational and enrichment opportunities more available and equitable
- Increasing understanding of Mississippi arts, culture, and history
- Building community capacity
- Emergent opportunities where the foundation can be proactive and flexible
The foundation operates seven grant-making priority categories, though specific details are not publicly listed.
Grantmaking
As of 2026, the foundation's grants budget for that calendar year is nearing completion. The foundation is not considering new applications for 2026 funding, with the exception of current grantees seeking renewal of existing grants. Discussions with prospective new grantee partners will be for funding in 2027 at the earliest.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation has a statewide funding footprint across Mississippi, with a special focus on Meridian and Lauderdale County. Recent grant activity includes funding in Meridian, Jackson, Sunflower, and Rosedale.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $63,703,620
- Total revenues: $18,348,779
- Total expenses: $5,340,415
- Annual giving: approximately $4.8 million
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total assets: $50.7 million
- Revenue: $1.26 million
- Expenses: $4.67 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $63,703,620 | $50,695,256 | $54,105,579 |
| Revenue | $18,348,779 | $1,261,058 | $9,018,103 |
| Expenses | $5,340,415 | $4,671,381 | $5,152,586 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,825,522 | $4,405,728 | $4,767,788 |
| Net Investment Income | $18,167,383 | $1,755,312 | $8,844,135 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,066,853 | $2,823,086 | $3,059,460 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Phil Hardin Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Ms Childrens Museum ($510,000), Ms Arts and Entertainment Center ($300,000), Meridian Community College Foundation ($290,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AFTERNOON ADVENTURE LEARNING CENTER NEWTON, MS | AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER TUTORING PROGRAMS | $10,000 |
| BELL VOICES NEW YORK, NY | JACKSON YOUTH NEWSROOM | $25,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF CENTRAL MS INC JACKSON, MS | CULINARY ARTS PROGRAM | $75,000 |
| BUT GOD MINISTRIES RIDGELAND, MS | JFC MONTESSORI | $25,000 |
| CHIKASAW INKANA FOUNDATION TUPELO, MS | CHICKASAW HERITAGE CENTER | $25,000 |
| CHILDRENS FOUNDATION OF MS JACKSON, MS | OPERATING SUPPORT, UNTAPPED POTENTIAL, AMPLIFYING OUR POTENTIAL | $50,000 |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF EAST MS MERIDIAN, MS | MS BOOK FESTIVAL | $1,500 |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTHWEST MS HERNANDO, MS | ADVANCED STEM ACCESS PROGRAM | $50,000 |
| EAST CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT INC MERIDIAN, MS | PRINCIPALS BOOTCAMP | $2,000 |
| EAST MS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION MERIDIAN, MS | MS SCHOLARS AND TECH MASTERS | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Lloyd Gray - Executive Director
Marty Davidson - Vice President for Investments and Treasurer
Sheryl Flood - Executive Director/Office (application support)
The foundation employs 5 staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT F WARD | PRESIDENT | 8 | $77,118 |
| RONNIE L WALTON | SECRETARY | 6 | $63,222 |
| MARTIN DAVIDSON | TREASURER | 6 | $63,222 |
| KACEY BAILEY | DIRECTOR | 4 | $27,000 |
| MICHAEL VAN VECKHOVEN | DIRECTOR | 4 | $26,000 |
| CLAIR HUFF | DIRECTOR | 4 | $27,000 |
| DERRON RADCLIFF | DIRECTOR | 4 | $27,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has committed to several major multi-year projects in Meridian and Jackson. In response to the disruption caused by federal grant cancellations affecting many nonprofit partners, the foundation is working with grantee partners to help mitigate losses and prepare for the future.
Hardin Foundation Pledges $2.5M - University of Mississippi FoundationRecent major pledges include $2.5 million toward a University of Mississippi Medical Center cancer center expansion project.
Hardin Foundation Pledges $2.5M - University of Mississippi FoundationFeatured current grants include:
Any Given Child (Meridian Public School District)
Mississippi Children's Museum (Meridian, Mississippi)
Freedom Project Network (Meridian, Sunflower, Rosedale)
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Phil Hardin Foundation fund?
The foundation's singular mission is "to improve the education of Mississippians." This mission reflects Phil Hardin's belief that excellent education benefits individuals and strengthens communities across the state. Primary funding priorities include: • Early childhood education • Community-based educational initiatives • Improving student achievement • Making educational and enrichment opportunities more available and equitable • Increasing understanding of Mississippi arts, culture, and his…
How do I apply for a grant from Phil Hardin Foundation?
**Grant Activity & Amounts:** • Annual giving: approximately $4.8 million (2024) • Total grants paid out to date: over $80 million • Recent grants include awards to Meridian Community College Foundation ($290,000), Mississippi State University Foundation ($200,000), and Sunflower County & Rosedale & Meridian Freedom Project ($175,250) **Application Process:** • Decision time: 2-3 months (60 days submission before board meeting) • Contact: Lloyd Gray, Executive Director (lgray@philhardin.org) or…
Where does Phil Hardin Foundation make grants?
The foundation has a statewide funding footprint across Mississippi, with a special focus on Meridian and Lauderdale County. Recent grant activity includes funding in Meridian, Jackson, Sunflower, and Rosedale.
What size grants does Phil Hardin Foundation award?
In 2024, Phil Hardin Foundation awarded 67 grants totaling $4.3M — an average of about $63K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Phil Hardin Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Phil Hardin Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Phil Hardin Foundation's EIN?
Phil Hardin Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 64-6024940. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Phil Hardin 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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