Shepherd Foundation Inc
Shepherd Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Atlanta, Georgia. Its 2025 filing reports 55 grants totaling $269,500, with recipients including organizations in education, health care, religious heritage, and human services.
Shepherd Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Shepherd Foundation Inc gave $270K across 55 grants in 2025 (avg $5K), mostly in Georgia. 11% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $269,500
- -12.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 55
- -15.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $4,900
- +3.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $3,095,245
- +2.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 11% first-time grantees (6 of 55, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Georgia (74% 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 Shepherd Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s 2023 filing states that a letter request is acceptable and should state the purpose and details; it has no formal application form. The filing lists no deadline. It also states that activities are not classified by purpose, that donations are for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, and educational functions promoting the advancement and well-being of mankind, and that no restrictions are placed on donations.
- Contact
Application contact: Mr Stephen B Shepherd Shepherd Foun
Mailing address: PO Box 8088 Station F, Atlanta, GA 31006-8088
Phone: (404) 325-9350
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Shepherd Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Shepherd Center Foundation ($48K). Together the top 10 received $222K.
Grant Size Distribution
300 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 299 grants of 300 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, Georgia received 74% of grant dollars, followed by North Carolina at 9%, Florida at 4%, Iowa at 4%, and Virginia at 4%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 55 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Shepherd Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
11%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 55 grantees (11%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $4K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $1K repeat.
- 85% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 51% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 152% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $168K (2023) to $308K (2024). In 2025 it made 55 grants totaling $270K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Shepherd Center Foundation Atlanta, GA | General Fund | $48,000 |
| Atlanta Classical Academy Atlanta, GA | General Fund | $43,000 |
| Young Harris College Young Harris, GA | General Fund | $35,000 |
| Ga Public Policy Fdn Atlanta, GA | General Fund | $22,500 |
| Presbyterian Heritage Center Montreat, NC | General Fund | $20,000 |
| Peachtree Presbyterian Church Atlanta, GA | General Fund | $13,000 |
| Canine Companions Orlanda, FL | General Fund | $10,000 |
| UGA Foundation Athens, GA | General Fund | $10,000 |
| UVA College & Graduate Boone, IA | General Fund | $10,000 |
| Operation Smile Virginia Beach, VA | General Fund | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Shepherd Foundation Inc?
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 | $3,095,245 | $379,006 | $298,187 | $269,500 | 55 | $269,500 | $106,382 | $177,155 |
| 2024 | $3,013,226 | $525,432 | $328,547 | $308,167 | 65 | $308,167 | $355,052 | $158,121 |
| 2023 | $2,816,341 | $56,875 | $189,245 | $167,700 | 57 | $167,700 | $59,695 | $151,830 |
| 2022 | $2,948,711 | $352,818 | $199,043 | $178,225 | 55 | $178,225 | $332,000 | $160,146 |
| 2021 | $2,794,937 | $237,284 | $207,143 | $185,666 | 68 | — | $215,820 | $169,882 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Shepherd Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $177K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for a range of organizations. For example, Shepherd Center Foundation says its mission is to support Shepherd Center by expanding community awareness, securing private financial support for patient services, and encouraging volunteer involvement. Young Harris College describes its mission as educating students in liberal arts and professional programs and preparing graduates for service and meaningful lives. The Presbyterian Heritage Center describes itself as an educational organization focused on teaching about Presbyterian and Reformed church history.
Other 2025 recipients include Operation Smile, which says it provides surgery for people born with cleft lip and cleft palate and supports medical education and health-system strengthening; Atlanta Speech School, whose mission is to bring deep reading to every child; and Atlanta Children’s Shelter, which says it works to break the cycle of poverty for families facing homelessness.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 55 grants totaling $269,500. Grants ranged from $100 to $48,000, with a median of $1,000. The largest grants included $48,000 to Shepherd Center Foundation, $43,000 to Atlanta Classical Academy, $35,000 to Young Harris College, $22,500 to GA Public Policy Fdn, and $20,000 to the Presbyterian Heritage Center. The listed purposes for these grants were “GENERAL FUND.”
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Stephen B Shepherd as Director/V.P., W Clyde Shepherd as Secretary, and James H Shepherd III as Vice-President.
Shepherd Foundation Inc's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Stephen B. Shepherd
Director & V.p.
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James H. Shepherd III
Vice President
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
W. Clyde Shepherd
Secretary
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Shepherd Foundation Inc
How much does Shepherd Foundation Inc give each year?
Shepherd Foundation Inc gave $270K across 55 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $308K across 65 grants.
What is Shepherd Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Shepherd Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $1,000, and its average grant was $4,900, across 55 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Shepherd Foundation Inc that year got $8K on average.
Where does Shepherd Foundation Inc give grants?
Shepherd Foundation Inc gives mostly in Georgia: 74% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was North Carolina (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Atlanta, GA (25 grants), Decatur, GA (4 grants), Montreat, NC (2 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does Shepherd Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Shepherd Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (55 of 55) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Shepherd Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Shepherd Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Shepherd Center Foundation ($48,000), Atlanta Classical Academy ($43,000) and Young Harris College ($35,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 47% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Shepherd Foundation Inc?
Shepherd Foundation Inc reported $3.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $270K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $177K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Shepherd Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for a range of organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Shepherd Foundation Inc?
The foundation’s 2023 filing states that a letter request is acceptable and should state the purpose and details; it has no formal application form. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Shepherd Foundation Inc's EIN?
Shepherd Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-6065260. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 17, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 14, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Live grants for the work Shepherd Foundation Inc funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- UK Annual Writing Award: 'Pleasure in the Task of Writing' £250 (1st prize); £50 (runners-up); books for school library · Due November 5, 2026
- Nellie Mae Event Sponsorship Fund Grant Up to US $5,000 · Due November 5, 2026
- Rubin and Gloria Feldman Family Educational Institute Up to $5,000 · Due November 5, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Shepherd Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Smurfit Westrock US Foundation
Atlanta, GA
The Smurfit Westrock US Foundation funds sustainable nonprofit projects in health and nutrition, education, basic care, and reducing inequalities, in communities where Smurfit Westrock operates. Its giving varies widely: it awarded $9,298 in 2023, compared with $6.6 million across 3,633 grants in 2022. It accepts applications year-round through an online form.
Assets
—
Grants
1
Total Given
$9K
Duke Energy Foundation
Charlotte, NC
The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce and local economic development, disaster resilience, conservation, clean water, and economic opportunity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000; applications for grants of $20,000 or less are accepted year-round, after applicants discuss proposals with a state representative.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
41
Total Given
$25.6M
McKesson Foundation Inc
Dallas, TX
The McKesson Foundation funds cancer support and care, healthcare workforce pathways, and emergency response, with grants mainly supporting organizations in the United States and Canada. Its 2025 grants had a median of $100,000, though amounts ranged from $10,000 to about $2.47 million. Its filing says it does not accept unsolicited requests, while its application page describes an online application process with stated submission windows.
Assets
$1.6M
Grants
76
Total Given
$16.6M
The Sartain Lanier Family Foundation Inc
Atlanta, GA
The Sartain Lanier Family Foundation primarily funds K–12 education, especially literacy, afterschool and summer programs, and college and career readiness in metro Atlanta’s Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $971,946, with a median of $25,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; nonprofits may submit an exploratory submission, and full proposals are by invitation only.
Assets
$97.3M
Grants
88
Total Given
$4.4M
Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley Inc
Columbus, GA
The Foundation supports a broad range of charitable work, with a primary focus on the Chattahoochee Valley; its 2025 grants went mainly to Georgia and Florida. Grant sizes varied widely, with a median of $18,250 in 2025, and most giving is through donor-advised funds. Most donor-advised funds do not accept applications; the profile identifies a Community Impact Grant program but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$392.3M
Grants
207
Total Given
$25.9M
More similar funders
More Funders in Georgia
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Shepherd Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/shepherd-foundation-inc-morg_25253915a7b84567bf1086345c5b67a7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_586065260_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Shepherd Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/shepherd-foundation-inc-morg_25253915a7b84567bf1086345c5b67a7},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-03. 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 Shepherd Foundation Inc'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.
Shepherd Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?