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.
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
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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
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 | — | — | — |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Southern Partners Fund Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Executive Director: Fernando Cuevas Jr.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| FERNANDO CUEVAS JR | Executive Dir. | 40 | $184,976 |
| DAPHNE SAETHANG | CFO | 40 | $94,204 |
| DIANNA FREELON-FOSTER | Chairman | 10 | $9,250 |
| KAREN WATSON | Director | 10 | $7,500 |
| BRETT BURSEY | Director | 10 | $7,500 |
| SHAQ COSSE | Director | 10 | $7,500 |
| JOHN LITTLES | Director | 10 | $7,500 |
| MARGARITA ROMO | Secretary | 10 | $7,500 |
| ERIN DALE-MCCLELLAN | Treasurer | 10 | $7,500 |
| TIRSO MORENO | VICE CHAIRMAN | 10 | $7,500 |
| NADESKA CONCHA | Director | 10 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Southern Partners Fund Inc on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities