Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation
The Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation is a private foundation based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations in California, Florida, and Iowa, with the largest shares of grant dollars going to recipients in California and Florida.
Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation at a glance
In short: Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation gave $350K across 16 grants in 2025 (avg $22K), mostly in California. 13% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $349,603
- +10.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 16
- +6.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $21,850
- +3.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $17,500
- Total assets
- $7,948,963
- +38.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 13% first-time grantees (2 of 16, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (64% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it contributes only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 832 Georgia Ave 401, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Phone: (310) 806-4000
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was San Francisco SPCA ($50K). Together the top 10 received $275K.
Grant Size Distribution
78 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 69 grants of 78 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, recipients in California received 64% of grant dollars, recipients in Florida received 33%, and recipients in Iowa received 3%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation open to new grantees?
13%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 2 of 16 grantees (13%) were first-time recipients. With only 16 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $18K; repeat grants $22K. How we count
Medians: $18K first-time, $18K repeat.
- 88% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−4%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 101% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $283K (2020) to $366K (2022). In 2025 it made 16 grants totaling $350K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco SPCA San Francisco, CA | Unrestricted | $50,000 |
| SF-Marin Food Bank San Francisco, CA | Unrestricted | $50,000 |
| Florida Humane Society Pompano Beach, FL | Unrestricted | $35,000 |
| Abandonned Pet Rescue Inc Lauderdale, FL | Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Rocket Dog Rescue Inc San Francisco, CA | Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Alvarado Elementary PTA San Francisco, CA | Unrestricted | $20,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area Oakland, CA | Unrestricted | $20,000 |
| Wind in the Willows Early Learning Center San Francisco, CA | Unrestricted | $20,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Boward Inc Fort Lauderdale, FL | Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Broward County Fort Lauderdale, FL | Unrestricted | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Shepard Milner Wardlaw 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $7,948,963 | $262,810 | $406,372 | $349,603 | 16 | $378,539 | $241,736 | $373,064 |
| 2024 | $5,754,222 | $665,566 | $363,420 | $317,442 | 15 | $330,307 | $634,817 | $349,603 |
| 2023 | $5,454,195 | $295,200 | $373,078 | $333,512 | 16 | $338,449 | $256,180 | $322,379 |
| 2022 | $5,535,050 | $174,541 | $420,975 | $365,916 | 17 | $365,916 | $131,812 | $333,512 |
| 2021 | $5,946,825 | $842,627 | $351,315 | $303,961 | 14 | $303,961 | $796,005 | $365,916 |
| 2020 | $5,387,730 | $262,730 | $317,099 | $282,922 | 13 | — | $220,771 | $303,961 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation reported a distributable amount of $373K for 2025 — 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 foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations working in areas including animal welfare, youth mentoring, education, and Everglades conservation. These are grantees’ stated missions, not a mission statement for the foundation.
For example, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area says its mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. SPARK SF Public Schools says it raises private financial support and builds partnerships to support San Francisco Unified School District’s mission, with priorities including learning, innovation, equity, access, wellness, and talent. The Everglades Foundation says it works to restore and protect the Everglades through science, advocacy, and education. Big Cat Rescue says it funds care for cats formerly housed at its sanctuary, works to end abuse of big cats in captivity, and seeks to prevent their extinction in the wild. The Humane Society of Sonoma County says it works to save lives and benefit the well-being of pets and their people.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation made 16 grants totaling $349,603. Grant amounts ranged from $9,603 to $50,000, with a median grant of $17,500. All listed purposes for the largest grants were “unrestricted.”
Among the largest 2025 grants were $50,000 each to San Francisco SPCA and SF-Marin Food Bank; $35,000 to Florida Humane Society; $25,000 each to Abandoned Pet Rescue and Rocket Dog Rescue; and $20,000 each to Alvarado Elementary PTA, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area, and Wind in the Willows Early Learning Center. Other notable grants included $15,000 each to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward, Boys & Girls Club of Broward County, Boys & Girls Club of San Francisco, and The Everglades Foundation. Additional 2025 grants included $15,000 to SPARK SF Public Schools, $10,000 to Big Cat Rescue, and $10,000 to the Humane Society of Sonoma County.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Magnolia Trust Company and Truist Bank as trustees.
Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; all 2 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Truist Bank
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$10K (2023) → $26K (2025)
Magnolia Trust Company
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
$3K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Truist Bank FKA Suntrust Bank (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $26K, to Truist Bank (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation
How much does Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation give each year?
Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation gave $350K across 16 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $317K across 15 grants.
What is Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation's typical grant size?
Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $17,500, and its average grant was $21,850, across 16 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation that year got $18K on average.
Where does Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation give grants?
Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation gives mostly in California: 64% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Florida (33%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (7 grants) and Fort Lauderdale, FL (2 grants).
Does Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (16 of 16) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation's largest grantees?
Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include San Francisco SPCA ($50,000), SF-Marin Food Bank ($50,000) and Florida Humane Society ($35,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation?
Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation reported $7.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $379K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $373K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation fund?
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations working in areas including animal welfare, youth mentoring, education, and Everglades conservation. These are grantees’ stated missions, not a mission statement for the foundation. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it contributes only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation's EIN?
Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-6991937. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Shepard Milner Wardlaw 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
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/shepard-milner-wardlaw-foundation-morg_49b8f66180394fdabd3762bf2c98b7c0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_476991937_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Shepard Milner Wardlaw Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/shepard-milner-wardlaw-foundation-morg_49b8f66180394fdabd3762bf2c98b7c0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. 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 Shepard Milner Wardlaw 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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