The Speedwell Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2000 by Jenny and Michael Messner. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, the foundation works to revitalize, enhance, and connect communities through the creation of urban parks and the funding of schools and scholarships. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with no employees.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$175.3M
+9.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$7.1M
+3.8% YoY
Grant Count
28
-3.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$254K
+7.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Speedwell Foundation champions urban parks and education—two interconnected areas of effort designed to open and expand public spaces to wider populations where every person feels welcome. The foundation invests in infrastructures that strengthen civic involvement and democratic ideals, including opportunities such as biking reclaimed greenways, learning in technology-enriched classrooms, and traveling abroad to experience new cultures.
The foundation has responded to significant events with targeted initiatives. The Speedwell AFS Study Abroad Scholarships were initiated following the 9/11 attacks. The Red Fields to Green Fields initiative, which transforms vacant and foreclosed real estate into parks, was launched in response to the 2008 Financial Crisis. During the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the foundation commissioned a study of the Economic Impacts of Covid-19 on the Georgia Economy.
Grantmaking
The Speedwell Foundation has made 110 grants totaling $25.7 million, with a median grant size of $20,000. Individual grants have ranged from $1,000 to $5,000,000, with an average award of $234,000.
Grant Range
of $20,000. Individual grants have ranged from $1,000 to $5,000,000, with an average award of $234,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Speedwell Foundation distributes funding across multiple states, with primary focus on Georgia, South Carolina, and the District of Columbia. The foundation has made grants reaching organizations across 15 states, with Connecticut, Georgia, and Maryland accounting for 35% of all grants.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $175,264,905
- Total Revenues: $19,158,035
- Total Expenses: $7,690,972
- Annual Income: $203.9 million
Total assets have grown significantly from $74.2 million in 2011 to $175.3 million in 2024.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $175,264,905 | $159,870,822 | $150,189,770 |
| Revenue | $19,158,035 | $-432,039,041 | $5,774,180 |
| Expenses | $7,690,972 | $7,816,512 | $7,432,531 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $7,294,842 | $7,121,339 | $7,121,489 |
| Net Investment Income | $16,832,209 | $6,122,438 | $4,599,821 |
| Distributable Amount | $8,082,472 | $7,624,992 | $7,698,679 |
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
138 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The Speedwell Foundation was founded by Jenny and Michael Messner. The foundation is governed by 2 officers and trustees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr Michael G Messner | Trustee | 5 | — |
| Mrs Jenny K Messner | Trustee | 5 | — |
Contact Information
- Phone: 908-273-8052
- Address: 75 Montgomery Ferry Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30309-2710
- Website: speedwellfoundation.org
- EIN: 22-3764378
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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