Self Foundation
Self Foundation is a private foundation based in Marks, Mississippi. Its 2024 filing reports 32 grants totaling $123,890 to organizations in several states, with the largest shares of grant dollars going to recipients in Tennessee and Mississippi.
Self Foundation at a glance
In short: Self Foundation gave $124K across 32 grants in 2024 (avg $4K), mostly in Tennessee. 19% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $123,890
- -18.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 32
- -31.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $3,872
- +19.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $4,334,456
- +13.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (6 of 32, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (52% 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 Self Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Its filing lists Peyton Self as the contact, a letter as the application material, no deadlines, and no restrictions on awards. The separate Self Family Foundation website says applicants must contact its president or grants and administration director before submitting a proposal and describes a written proposal process.
- Review Cycle
- None listed on the filing.
- Deadline
- None listed on the filing.
- Contact
Application contact: Peyton Self
Mailing address: PO Box 367, Marks, MS 38646
Phone: (662) 326-8047
Website: https://selffoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Self Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was St Jude Children's Hospital ($20K). Together the top 10 received $93K.
Grant Size Distribution
231 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 231 grants of 231 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, grant dollars went to recipients in Tennessee (52%), Mississippi (30%), New York (8%), Texas (8%), and Virginia (1%). The Self Family Foundation website describes its work as serving Greenwood, South Carolina, and surrounding counties; that stated geographic focus is not established here as applying to the Marks-based foundation.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 32 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Self Foundation open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 6 of 32 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $4K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 69% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 25% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 80% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $124K (2024) to $167K (2020). In 2024 it made 32 grants totaling $124K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| St Jude Children's Hospital Memphis, TN | General | $20,000 |
| Teach for America Oxford, MS | General | $12,500 |
| Ballet Memphis Memphis, TN | General | $10,000 |
| Fractured Atlas New York, NY | True Story Pictures Project | $10,000 |
| MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, TX | General | $10,000 |
| Quitman County Educational Foundation Marks, MS | General | $8,440 |
| Libertas School of Memphis Memphis, TN | General | $7,000 |
| Camp Marymount Fairview, TN | General | $5,000 |
| M28 Ministries Inc Oxford, MS | General | $5,000 |
| St Peter Catholic Church Memphis, TN | General | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Self Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,334,456 | $460,081 | $215,960 | $123,890 | 32 | $159,980 | $404,101 | $199,859 |
| 2023 | $3,821,802 | $130,685 | $239,715 | $152,380 | 47 | $188,227 | $79,778 | $179,826 |
| 2022 | $3,575,859 | $251,859 | $235,817 | $145,178 | 62 | $180,877 | $205,825 | $186,707 |
| 2021 | $4,476,546 | $420,273 | $255,585 | $164,528 | 56 | $206,281 | $370,954 | $201,038 |
| 2020 | $3,921,947 | $130,253 | $261,555 | $167,164 | 34 | — | $81,272 | $171,040 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Self Foundation reported a distributable amount of $200K 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
No mission statement for the Marks-based Self Foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations whose work includes children’s health, education, arts and culture, religious ministry, and conservation. For example, St. Jude Children’s Hospital received a grant for general purposes; Teach for America describes its mission as developing and supporting leaders to teach underserved students; and Opera Memphis says it aims to entertain and inspire people through opera.
Separately, the Self Family Foundation website says it supports education, community development, and access to arts and culture, particularly early childhood development. Its described examples include maternal health, child nutrition, Montessori education, and teacher training.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 32 grants totaling $123,890. Awards ranged from $100 to $20,000, with a median grant of $2,000. The largest grants included $20,000 to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, $12,500 to Teach for America, $10,000 each to Ballet Memphis, Fractured Atlas, and MD Anderson Cancer Center, and $8,440 to Quitman County Educational Foundation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Peyton M. Self III and W. King Self Jr. as trustees.
Self Foundation's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; all 2 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Peyton M. Self III
Trustee
Director → Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$25K (2020) → $18K (2024)
W. King Self Jr.
Trustee
Director → Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$25K (2020) → $18K (2024)
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 $18K, to Peyton M Self III (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Self Foundation
How much does Self Foundation give each year?
Self Foundation gave $124K across 32 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $152K across 47 grants.
What is Self Foundation's typical grant size?
Self Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,000, and its average grant was $3,872, across 32 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Self Foundation that year got $3K on average.
Where does Self Foundation give grants?
Self Foundation gives mostly in Tennessee: 52% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Mississippi (30%) and New York (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Memphis, TN (15 grants), Oxford, MS (3 grants), Marks, MS (2 grants) and Cordova, TN (2 grants).
Does Self Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 88% of Self Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (28 of 32) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Self Foundation's largest grantees?
Self Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include St Jude Children's Hospital ($20,000), Teach for America ($12,500) and Ballet Memphis ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 34% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Self Foundation?
Self Foundation reported $4.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $160K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $200K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Self Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the Marks-based Self Foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations whose work includes children’s health, education, arts and culture, religious ministry, and conservation. For example, St. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Self Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Self Foundation's EIN?
Self Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 64-6025269. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Self Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
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
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Self Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Mississippi
Community Foundation of Greater Memphis Inc
Memphis, TN
The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis supports community needs, nonprofit capacity building, and donor-directed and theme-based grants, with awards across West Tennessee, eastern Arkansas, and northern Mississippi. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,200, though amounts varied widely; unsolicited requests are accepted only through specific application-based opportunities, not stated as a general process.
Assets
$953.1M
Grants
761
Total Given
$134.3M
Christian Community Foundation of Memphis
Memphis, TN
The foundation supports a broad range of U.S. charities through donor-advised funds, with a particular focus on Christian ministries and community transformation in Memphis; its Hope for Memphis Fund serves eligible Gospel-centered nonprofits in the Memphis metro area. Its 2025 grants had a median of $22,050, and it accepts applications for the Hope for Memphis Fund during its stated application cycle.
Assets
$229.0M
Grants
636
Total Given
$109.7M
Jr Hyde III Family Foundation
Memphis, TN
The foundation funds Memphis-area nonprofits working in education, arts and culture, civic leadership, neighborhoods, and public spaces, with an emphasis on equity and opportunity. Its 2024 median grant was $37,500, though awards varied widely; organizations may apply online after contacting program staff to discuss fit.
Assets
$256.5M
Grants
141
Total Given
$12.9M
Ergon Foundation Inc
Jackson, MS
The foundation funds medical research, education, community development, and services for children with communication disorders, with most giving in Mississippi. In 2025, its grants ranged from $2,500 to $615,000, with a median of $25,000. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$210.7M
Grants
158
Total Given
$10.8M
Pinebelt Foundation
Hattiesburg, MS
Pinebelt Foundation supports charitable activities, community programs, and scholarships, with grants spanning varied local needs. In 2025, its grants had a median of $10,000, though amounts varied widely; its primary focus is the Pine Belt of South Mississippi. It accepts applications through GOapply for listed grant programs.
Assets
$61.9M
Grants
133
Total Given
$5.2M
Laura C Higdon Charitable Foundation
Jackson, MS
The Laura C Higdon Charitable Foundation funds scholarships for individuals in Escambia County, Alabama, and Santa Rosa County, Florida. Its 2025 awards ranged from $500 to $2,000, with a median of $1,000; the filing says application materials are not applicable and does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$1.4M
Grants
106
Total Given
$96K
More similar funders
More Funders in Mississippi
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Self Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/self-foundation-morg_4bcb89051bc845c3842a0a528264e440
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_646025269_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Self Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/self-foundation-morg_4bcb89051bc845c3842a0a528264e440},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Self 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.
Self Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?