Southern Partners Fund Inc
Southern Partners Fund (SPF) is a public charity and grantmaking foundation based in Atlanta, Georgia, established in 1998. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting grassroots community organizations in the rural South. SPF is distinguished by its commitment to democratic philanthropy, with a Board of Directors composed entirely of grassroots leaders from rural communities across its service region.
Key facts about Southern Partners Fund Inc
- EIN
- 58-2409301
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,007,121
- Grants made (2024)
- 73
- Average grant
- $41,193
- Median grant
- $25,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (24 of 73, 2024)
- Total assets
- $24,386,045
- Primary geography
- Georgia (34% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Southern Partners Fund Inc funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Southern Partners Fund Inc's 73 itemized 2024 grants were Georgia (34%), North Carolina (14%) and Mississippi (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Durham, NC (4 grants), Columbia, SC (2 grants), Raleigh, NC (2 grants) and Baton Rouge, LA (2 grants). None of its 73 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Social,Economic & Environm Justice" (73 grants).
Is Southern Partners Fund Inc open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 24 of 73 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $22K; repeat grants $51K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $35K repeat.
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Southern Partners Fund Inc
- How to evaluate Southern Partners Fund Inc as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$24.4M
-4.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.0M
+67.5% YoY
Grant Count
73
+12.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$41K
+49.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Southern Partners Fund serves rural Southeastern communities and organizations seeking racial, economic, and environmental justice by providing them with financial resources, technical assistance and training, and access to systems of information and power.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Immigration Rights
- Voter Rights & Engagement
- Education Reform
- Environmental Justice
Core Values & Purpose:
- Develop and nurture grassroots community-based leaders and organizers
- Build the capacity of their organizations
- Strengthen rural communities and their residents
- Develop equitable peer relationships that support fundamental transformation toward a just society
- Operate democratically with a diverse membership of up to 100 leaders and supporters of grassroots organizations throughout the rural South
Grantmaking
In 2023, Southern Partners Fund awarded $2,008,522 in grants to 77 nonprofit organizations located in its 12-state funding region. Typical grant awards range from $5,420 to $640,000.
Review Cycle
- SPF: The Discretionary Fund Grant
Ready to take the next step with Southern Partners Fund Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Southern Partners Fund serves a 12-state region in the rural South, with primary funding activity in North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 73 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $25,523,608
- Total Revenue: $7,416,810
- Total Expenses: $3,699,274
- Total Giving: $2,008,522 (in grants to 77 organizations)
- Number of Employees: 7
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $24,386,045
- Total Giving: $3,289,154
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $24,386,045 | $25,523,608 | $20,097,875 |
| Revenue | $3,526,632 | $7,416,810 | $2,134,554 |
| Expenses | $4,989,215 | $3,699,274 | $3,290,615 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,060,646 | $336,793 | $445,426 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
303 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Southern Partners Fund Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include McIntosh Sustainable Envirome ($640,000), Nollie Jenkins Family Center ($100,000), North Carolina Business Counc ($95,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MCINTOSH SUSTAINABLE ENVIROME Danen, GA | Social,Economic & Environm Justice | $640,000 |
| NOLLIE JENKINS FAMILY CENTER Durant, MS | Social,Economic & Environm Justice | $100,000 |
| NORTH CAROLINA BUSINESS COUNC Raleigh, NC | Social,Economic & Environm Justice | $95,000 |
| NORTH FLORIDA EDUCATIONAL DEV Gretna, FL | Social,Economic & Environm Justice | $94,500 |
| FARMWORKERS SELF-HELP INC Dade City, FL | Social,Economic & Environm Justice | $84,000 |
| EMANCIPATE NC Durham, NC | Social,Economic & Environm Justice | $70,000 |
| SOUTH CAROLINA PROGRESSIVE NE Columbia, SC | Social,Economic & Environm Justice | $70,000 |
| PEACH CONCERNED CITIZENS INC Ft Valley, GA | Social,Economic & Environm Justice | $66,341 |
| CASA AZUL DE WILSON Wilson, NC | Social,Economic & Environm Justice | $65,000 |
| KENTUCKY CIVIC ENGAGEMENT TAB Lexington, KY | Social,Economic & Environm Justice | $65,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Executive Director: Fernando Cuevas Jr.
Southern Partners Fund Inc is led by Fernando Cuevas Jr., Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 10 of 11 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Fernando Cuevas Jr.
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$159K (2020) → $185K (2024)
Dianna Freelon-Foster
Chairman
On filings since 2023
10 hrs/week
$8K (2023) → $9K (2024)
John Littles
Director
Chairman → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$7K (2020) → $8K (2024)
Karen Watson
Director
Director → Chair, 2022
Chair → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$7K (2020) → $8K (2024)
Brett Bursey
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
10 hrs/week
$5K (2022) → $8K (2024)
Shaq Cosse
Director
On filings since 2023
10 hrs/week
$8K (2023) → $8K (2024)
Nadeska Concha
Director
New on the 2024 filing
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tirso Moreno
Vice Chairman
Board Member → Director, 2023
Director → Vice Chairman, 2024
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$7K (2020) → $8K (2024)
Margarita Romo
Secretary
Secretary → Director, 2023
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2022
10 hrs/week
$5K (2022) → $8K (2024)
Daphne Saethang
CFO
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$98K (2023) → $94K (2024)
Erin Dale-McClellan
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
10 hrs/week
$8K (2023) → $8K (2024)
Former officers (5)
- Former: Carolyn Ford (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Gardenia White (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Antoine Smith (2023) — Program Officer
- Former: Rose Johnson (2020–2022) — Former Chair
- Former: Teumbay Barnes (2020) — Director
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
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Southern Partners Fund Inc fund?
**Mission:** Southern Partners Fund serves rural Southeastern communities and organizations seeking racial, economic, and environmental justice by providing them with financial resources, technical assistance and training, and access to systems of information and power. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Immigration Rights • Voter Rights & Engagement • Education Reform • Environmental Justice **Core Values & Purpose:** • Develop and nurture grassroots community-based leaders and organizers • Build the …
How do I apply for a grant from Southern Partners Fund Inc?
In 2023, Southern Partners Fund awarded $2,008,522 in grants to 77 nonprofit organizations located in its 12-state funding region. Typical grant awards range from $5,420 to $640,000. **Active Grant Opportunities:** • Democratic Philanthropy In Action - Hubert E. Sapp Regular Grant Cycle • SPF: The Discretionary Fund Grant **Programs & Services:** SPF launched the Social Justice Institute (SJI) as a leadership development and capacity building program to enhance the sustainability of grantee gro…
Where does Southern Partners Fund Inc make grants?
Southern Partners Fund serves a 12-state region in the rural South, with primary funding activity in North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.
What size grants does Southern Partners Fund Inc award?
In 2024, Southern Partners Fund Inc awarded 73 grants totaling $3.0M — an average of about $41K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Southern Partners Fund Inc's EIN?
Southern Partners Fund Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-2409301. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.