Speedwell Foundation
The Speedwell Foundation is a private foundation based in Atlanta, Georgia, founded by Jenny and Michael Messner in 2000. It works to revitalize and connect communities through urban parks and support for schools and scholarships.
Speedwell Foundation at a glance
In short: Speedwell Foundation gave $7.1M across 28 grants in 2024 (avg $254K), mostly in Georgia. 21% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $7,122,937
- +3.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 28
- -3.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $254,391
- +7.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $70,000
- Total assets
- $175,264,905
- +9.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (6 of 28, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Georgia (54% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Speedwell Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 75 Montgomery Ferry Drive Ne, Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone: (908) 273-8052
Website: https://speedwellfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Speedwell Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Georgia Tech Foundation ($3.2M). Together the top 10 received $6.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
138 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 85 grants of 138 (62%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, Georgia organizations received 54% of grant dollars, followed by Maryland at 18%, South Carolina at 10%, New York at 7%, and Washington at 4%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 28 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Speedwell Foundation open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 6 of 28 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $18K; repeat grants $319K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $100K repeat.
- 64% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 25% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 90% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $5.7M (2021) to $7.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 28 grants totaling $7.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Tech Foundation Atlanta, GA | Center for Finance & Technology -Operations $800,000Season Speedwell Talks $100,000Promis Scholarship program $200,000Fellowshio Endowment $2,000,000Tuiition for Cristo Rey High School student $100,000Student support for Cristo Rey Students $200,000 | $3,200,000 |
| United States Naval Academy Foundat Annapolis, MD | Education - Establish professorship in Foreign Studies $1,200,000USNA Campaign Fund $100,000 | $1,300,000 |
| Allegro Charter School Music Charleston, SC | Unrestricted | $500,000 |
| AFS USA New York, NY | Student Scholarship Fund | $315,000 |
| Drexel Fund Seattle, WA | Education Projects within the Drexel Fund. This fund invests in financially sustainable schools serving low-income students in any state with publicly funded private school choice. | $250,000 |
| Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High Scho Atlanta, GA | Support quality education and work experience to young men and women of limited economic means $150,000. | $218,000 |
| Piedmont Park Conservancy Inc Atlanta, GA | Conservation - Support Olmsted Event - $19,591.Support the Parks and Green Space Program $100,000 | $185,000 |
| City Park Alliance Washington, DC | Management software $50,000Greater & Greener Conference $50,000Unrestricted $50,000 | $150,300 |
| Center for Independent Documentary Newton, MA | Conservation - Rails to Trails Documentary | $149,000 |
| Prospect Park Alliance Brooklyn, NY | Conservation - support the parks program | $127,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Speedwell 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $175,264,905 | $19,158,035 | $7,690,972 | $7,122,937 | 28 | $7,294,842 | $16,832,209 | $8,082,472 |
| 2023 | $159,870,822 | $-432,039,041 | $7,816,512 | $6,863,339 | 29 | $7,121,339 | $6,122,438 | $7,624,992 |
| 2022 | $150,189,770 | $5,774,180 | $7,432,531 | $6,947,805 | 27 | $7,121,489 | $4,599,821 | $7,698,679 |
| 2021 | $165,926,993 | $26,115,784 | $6,010,018 | $5,721,170 | 20 | $5,899,442 | $21,524,570 | $7,509,759 |
| 2020 | $150,009,239 | $-169,957,426 | $6,485,867 | $6,181,014 | 34 | — | $4,578,659 | $7,175,861 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Speedwell Foundation reported a distributable amount of $8.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says it champions urban parks and education, aiming to widen access to public spaces and individual opportunities. Its education work includes funding individual schools and scholarships, sponsored study-abroad opportunities for high school students and Naval Academy midshipmen, and an endowment supporting three Olmsted professorships at Georgia Tech. Its urban parks initiatives include efforts to reclaim derelict property and corridors for recreation and wildlife habitat.
Its 2024 grants included support for park and conservation organizations, schools, arts organizations, and education programs. For example, Piedmont Park Conservancy says its mission is to preserve and enhance Piedmont Park as a public green space and cultural and recreational resource. Prospect Park Alliance says it restores, develops, and operates Prospect Park for public enjoyment, while Lancaster County Conservancy describes its work as providing wild and forested lands and clean waterways. The Charleston Symphony Orchestra says it aims to inspire and engage the community through performances and educational programs.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 28 grants totaling $7,122,937. Grant amounts ranged from $66 to $3,200,000, with a median of $70,000.
The largest reported grants included $3,200,000 to Georgia Tech Foundation for several purposes, including a fellowship endowment, the Center for Finance & Technology, scholarships, and support for Cristo Rey students; $1,300,000 to the United States Naval Academy Foundation, including $1,200,000 to establish a professorship in Foreign Studies; and $500,000 to Allegro Charter School Music for unrestricted support. Other grants included $315,000 to AFS USA for its Student Scholarship Fund and $250,000 to the Drexel Fund for education projects.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Michael G. Messner and Jenny K. Messner as trustees.
Speedwell Foundation's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jenny K Messner
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael G Messner
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about Speedwell Foundation
How much does Speedwell Foundation give each year?
Speedwell Foundation gave $7.1M across 28 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $6.9M across 29 grants.
What is Speedwell Foundation's typical grant size?
Speedwell Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $70,000, and its average grant was $254,391, across 28 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Speedwell Foundation that year got $18K on average.
Where does Speedwell Foundation give grants?
Speedwell Foundation gives mostly in Georgia: 54% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Maryland (18%) and South Carolina (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Atlanta, GA (7 grants), Charleston, SC (4 grants), New York, NY (2 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does Speedwell Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 46% of Speedwell Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (13 of 28) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Speedwell Foundation's largest grantees?
Speedwell Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Georgia Tech Foundation ($3,200,000), United States Naval Academy Foundat ($1,300,000) and Allegro Charter School Music ($500,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 70% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Speedwell Foundation?
Speedwell Foundation reported $175.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $7.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $8.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Speedwell Foundation fund?
The foundation says it champions urban parks and education, aiming to widen access to public spaces and individual opportunities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Speedwell Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Speedwell Foundation's EIN?
Speedwell Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-3764378. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Speedwell 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Speedwell Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Speedwell Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/speedwell-foundation-morg_bee25c8fa5bb4e59b6ab59992cd94476
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_223764378_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Speedwell Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/speedwell-foundation-morg_bee25c8fa5bb4e59b6ab59992cd94476},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Speedwell 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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