Simmons First Foundation Inc
Simmons First Foundation Inc is a private, corporate foundation based in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Established in 2016, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to making a positive impact in its communities through targeted grant funding and community partnerships.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$19.3M
+7.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$868K
-13.6% YoY
Grant Count
102
+13.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$9K
-23.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Simmons First Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $896K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation is devoted to enhancing youth development through targeted grant funding. Its primary mission is to empower 501(c)(3), religious, and governmental organizations that focus on building brighter futures for young individuals in K-12 education.
The foundation supports programs in the following areas:
- Youth development and youth services
- Education
- Human services
- Community development and poverty alleviation
- Accessibility improvements for individuals with disabilities
- Special needs education
Grantmaking
The foundation made 17 grants in its most recent reporting period. Recent grants include:
Grant Range
s & Types:**
Review Cycle
opens April 1 through July 31. The foundation encourages inquiries and provides guidance and support to applicants throughout the grant application process. Organizations can contact the foundation directly for applications and assistance.
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Simmons First Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations across a six-state footprint:
- Arkansas
- Kansas
- Missouri
- Oklahoma
- Tennessee
- Texas
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $19,302,698
- Total Giving: $868,108
- Total Revenues: $1,192,376
- Total Expenses: $994,618
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $17.9 Million
- Revenue: $536,000
- Expenses: $1.04 Million
- Total Liabilities: $0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $19,302,698 | $17,928,123 | $17,445,579 |
| Revenue | $1,192,376 | $535,590 | $2,289,975 |
| Expenses | $994,618 | $1,035,403 | $387,633 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $868,108 | $1,004,291 | $362,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $832,176 | $524,575 | $539,105 |
| Distributable Amount | $896,209 | $810,570 | $733,640 |
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
217 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Simmons First Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Arkansas Game & Fish ($60,256), Centers for Youth and Families ($25,000), Pga Tour Charities ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 100 BLACK MEN OF WEST TENNESSEE INC JACKSON, TN | COMMUNITY SERVICES | $5,000 |
| AGAPE CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES MEMPHIS, TN | PCN STARS PROGRAM | $15,600 |
| ALS ASSOCIATION ROGERS, AR | ALS CEO SOAK | $13,000 |
| AMERICAN CULINARY FEDERATION JACKSONVILLE, FL | COMMUNITY SERVICES | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION DALLAS, TX | CPR IN SCHOOLS PROGRAM | $7,505 |
| AR FAMILY ALLIANCE FORT SMITH, AR | DREAM TEAM - BED PROJECT | $1,000 |
| AR KIDS READ LITTLE ROCK, AR | GRADE LEVEL READING - CURRICULUM AND BOOKS FOR CENTRAL ARKANSAS STUDENTS | $10,000 |
| AR SHERIFF'S YOUTH RANCH BATESVILLE, AR | GENERAL DONATION FOR YOUTH PROGRAMMING | $10,000 |
| ARKANSAS GAME & FISH LITTLE ROCK, AR | TRACK CHAIR PROGRAM | $60,256 |
| BEE AREA PARTNERSHIP BEEVILLE, TX | COMMUNITY SERVICES | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- J. Thomas May – Chairman & CEO
- Shannon Morgan – Executive Director
- Jamie Green – Office Manager
Board of Directors:
- Robert L Shoptaw
- Dr. Harry L Ryburn
- Dr. Kaleybra Mitchell
- George Makris
- Marty D Casteel
- Mary Pringos
- Scott McGeorge
- Carla Martin
- Catherine Smart
- Pat Anderson
- Steve Massanelli
- Robert Fehlman
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| J THOMAS MAY | PRESIDENT | — | — |
| ROBERT L SHOPTAW | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| DR HARRY L RYBURN | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| DR KALEYBRA MITCHELL | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| GEORGE MAKRIS | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| MARTY D CASTEEL | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| MARY PRINGOS | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| SCOTT MCGEORGE | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| CARLA MARTIN | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| CATHERINE SMART | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| PAT ANDERSON | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| STEVE MASSANELLI | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| ROBERT FEHLMAN | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| DAVID GARNER | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| SHANNON MORGAN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $34,615 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has demonstrated active grantmaking in recent periods, including:
A $50,000 contribution to the UAM-UADA Waterfowl Research Center (Snowden Waterfowl Center of Excellence)
Simmons First Foundation contributes $50,000 to UAM-UADA Waterfowl ResearchA partnership with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to create outdoor accessibility for mobility-impaired individuals
Simmons First Foundation/AGFC partnership clearing new path outdoors forSupport for special needs education through grants to schools serving students with exceptional needs
Funding for community development initiatives focused on poverty alleviation and accessibility improvements
Contact Information
Address: PO Box 7009, Pine Bluff, AR 71611-7009
Phone: 870-541-1243
Website: simmonsfirstfoundation.com
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Simmons First Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation is devoted to enhancing youth development through targeted grant funding. Its primary mission is to empower 501(c)(3), religious, and governmental organizations that focus on building brighter futures for young individuals in K-12 education. The foundation supports programs in the following areas: • Youth development and youth services • Education • Human services • Community development and poverty alleviation • Accessibility improvements for individuals with disabilities • Spec…
How do I apply for a grant from Simmons First Foundation Inc?
**Grant Sizes & Types:** • Typical grant awards range from $500 to $100,000 • Median grant amount: $10,000 • Maximum grant observed: $37,000 • The foundation offers mini grants (specific details subject to change) **Recent Grant Activity:** The foundation made 17 grants in its most recent reporting period. Recent grants include: • $50,000 to UAM-UADA Waterfowl Research Center • $25,000 to Francis A Allen School for Exceptional Children for Sensory Gym Retrofit • $23,000 to Stillwater Public Edu…
Where does Simmons First Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation funds organizations across a six-state footprint: • Arkansas • Kansas • Missouri • Oklahoma • Tennessee • Texas
What size grants does Simmons First Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Simmons First Foundation Inc awarded 102 grants totaling $868K — an average of about $9K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Simmons First Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Simmons First Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $896K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Simmons First Foundation Inc's EIN?
Simmons First Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-4607601. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Simmons First Foundation Inc'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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