Spelman College
Spelman College is a public charity based in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 1881, it is a private, nonprofit institution of higher education whose stated mission centers on the academic excellence of women of African descent. Its reported activities include instruction, student services, academic support, and research.
Spelman College at a glance
In short: Spelman College gave $262K across 13 grants in 2025 (avg $20K), top state North Carolina. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $262,114
- +5.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 13
- +30.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $20,163
- -19.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $17,648
- Total assets
- $1,030,254,800
- +3.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (10% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Spelman College
- How to Apply
-
Spelman’s website describes an internal process for College proposals: researchers are asked to contact the Director of Research Development and Sponsored Programs after identifying a funding opportunity. Proposals require internal routing and approvals before submission; the office also assists with budgets and identifies required materials for subawardees. This guidance concerns proposals submitted by Spelman and does not state whether the College accepts external grant applications.
- Contact
Mailing address: 350 Spelman Lane Sw, Atlanta, GA 30314
Phone: (404) 681-3643
Website: https://spelman.edu
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Spelman College funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University of Maryland Eastern Shore ($36K). Together the top 10 received $242K.
Grant Size Distribution
36 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 33 grants of 36 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing’s recipient-state breakdown reports 10% of grant dollars in North Carolina and 90% under the state entry “?”. Listed recipients include organizations in multiple states; the information does not establish a broader geographic focus.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Spelman College gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $70K (2022) to $262K (2025). In 2025 it made 13 grants totaling $262K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Maryland Eastern Shore | Salary, Fringe and Indirect Costs etc. for research on NSF Grant 24229 | $35,999 |
| William Paterson University | Salary, Fringe and Indirect Costs etc. for research on NSF Grant 24229 | $34,213 |
| University of Wisconsin | Salary, Fringe and Indirect Costs etc. for research on NSF Grant 24090 | $33,784 |
| University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke, NC | Boosting Applications from Faculty at MSIs Mentoring Program | $26,158 |
| Clark Atlanta University | Salaries, Fringe, Prof Svcs, Travel and Meeting, Materials, Supplied, Indirect Costs | $25,000 |
| Morehouse College | Salary, Fringe and Indirect Costs etc. for research on NSF Grant 24101 AUC Granted | $25,000 |
| University of North Texas | Costs etc. for research on NSF Grant 24229 | $17,648 |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Boosting Applications from Faculty at MSIs Mentoring Program | $17,439 |
| Morehouse School of Medicine | Salary, Fringe and Indirect Costs etc. for research on NSF Grant 24101 AUC Granted | $13,645 |
| Institute for Future Intelligence Inc | Salary, Fringe and Indirect Costs etc. for research on NSF Grant 24100 | $12,688 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Amounts are reported by filing year.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,030,254,800 | $174,023,542 | $186,365,679 | $262,114 | 13 | $12,689,438 |
| 2024 | $993,511,573 | $288,422,165 | $171,469,550 | $249,470 | 10 | $41,688,146 |
| 2023 | $870,926,521 | $194,372,216 | $160,810,189 | $102,254 | 5 | $25,220,358 |
| 2022 | $821,952,118 | $204,393,744 | $145,583,655 | $69,507 | 3 | $28,303,136 |
| 2021 | $855,779,306 | $182,970,731 | $117,097,563 | $173,620 | 5 | $26,580,537 |
| 2020 | $668,899,439 | $194,986,172 | $123,089,218 | $129,835 | 5 | $32,105,648 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Spelman’s stated mission is to be “a historically Black college and global leader in the education of women of African descent,” dedicated to its students’ academic excellence. Its filing describes instruction, student services, academic support, and research conducted under grants with government agencies or sponsoring organizations.
Spelman Forward allocates campaign fundraising priorities to expanding access for future leaders ($325 million), teaching and learning ($100 million), innovation ($45 million), and wellness ($30 million). The College says the access priority is intended to support scholarships and financial aid.
The 2025 grants listed include support for university research and a mentoring program. One recipient, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, received $26,158 for a faculty mentoring program. The UNCP Foundation describes its own mission as seeking, accepting, and administering private contributions for the university.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Spelman reported 13 grants totaling $262,114. Grant amounts ranged from $5,194 to $35,999, with a median of $17,648. Listed purposes include research costs associated with NSF and NASA grants, and the Boosting Applications from Faculty at MSIs Mentoring Program.
The largest listed awards were $35,999 to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and $34,213 to William Paterson University, both for salary, fringe, and indirect costs related to research on NSF Grant 24229. Other notable awards included $33,784 to the University of Wisconsin for NSF Grant 24090 research; $26,158 to the University of North Carolina at Pembroke for the mentoring program; and $25,000 each to Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College for research-related costs.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Gwendolyn Adams Norton as Secretary; Lovette Twyman Russell as Chair; Ronda E. Stryker as Vice-Chair; and Rosalind G. Brewer as Interim President/Chair Emerita. Helene Gayle is listed as President through November 21, 2024. Trustees listed include Allegra Lawrence-Hardy, Bonnie Shelton Carter, Cara Johnson Hughes, Carmen D. Harris, and Cheryl Mayberry McKissack.
Spelman College is led by Helene Gayle, President on every filing since 2023; 21 of 58 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Helene Gayle
President
On filings since 2023
35 hrs/week
$306K (2023) → $2M (2025)
Rosalind G Brewer
Interim President & Chair Emerita
Chair → Chair Emerita, 2023
Chair Emerita → Interim President & Chair Emerita, 2025
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lovette Twyman Russell
Chair
Trustee → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bernadette Cohen
Director of Human Resources
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$158K (2020) → $190K (2025)
Arthur Frazier
Director of Facilities Management & Services
New on the 2025 filing
35 hrs/week
$189K (2025)
Barbara Chirinos
Artistic Director, Performing Arts Center, Center for Innovation & The Arts
New on the 2025 filing
35 hrs/week
$69K (2025)
Bonnie Shelton Carter
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Claire Arnold
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Colleen J Taylor
Trustee
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia E Jackson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Helen Smith Price
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Janine Brown
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathy N Waller
Trustee
Secretary → Co-Chair, 2021
Co-Chair → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kaye Foster
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Dunn
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Suzanne F Shank
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Theodore R Aronson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cara Johnson Hughes
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carmen D Harris
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth McCormack
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
G G Michelson
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
June Gary Hopps
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lawrence M Schall
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marian Wright Edelman
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pauletta Pearson Washington
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peggy Dulany
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Russell Edgerton PhD
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vicki R Palmer
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Yvonne R Jackson
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Allegra Lawrence-Hardy
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cheryl Mayberry McKissack
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kamau Bobb PhD
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Keon T Holmes CFA
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sherina Maye Edwards
Alumna Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Zoe Shepard
Student Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Loren K Robinson MD MSHP
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Darryl Holloman
Vice President of Academic Affairs
Vice President Academic Affairs → Vice President of Academic Affairs, 2023
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$178K (2020) → $216K (2025)
Dawn Alston
CFO, Senior Vice President of Business & Financial Affairs
CFO, Vice President of Bus & Finance Affiars → CFO, Vice President of Bus & Finance Affairs, 2021
CFO, Vice President of Bus & Finance Affairs → CFO, Senior Vice President of Business & Financial Affairs, 2023
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$187K (2020) → $334K (2025)
Ingrid Hayes
Senior Vice President of Enrollment Management
Senior Vice President of Enrollment Management → Vice President of Enrollment Management, 2021
Vice President of Enrollment Management → Senior Vice President of Enrollment Management, 2023
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$170K (2020) → $262K (2025)
John Wilson
Vice President & Chief Information Officer
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$76K (2020) → $227K (2025)
Julie Dash
Professor
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$183K (2020) → $189K (2025)
Mark Lee
Senior Vice President Academic Affairs
Faculty Trustee & Associate Professor → Senior Vice President Academic Affairs, 2025
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$95K (2020) → $118K (2025)
Myra Burnett
Vice President Institutional Resarch
Vice President Institutional Research → Vice President Institutional Resarch, 2022
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$211K (2020) → $240K (2025)
Rhonda Honegan
Senior Advisor of Investment Operations
Director of Investment → Executive Director of Investments, 2023
Executive Director of Investments → Senior Advisor of Investment Operations, 2025
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$158K (2020) → $188K (2025)
Terri Reed
Secretary of the College
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$211K (2020) → $282K (2025)
Beverly Guy-Sheftall
Professor
On filings since 2022
35 hrs/week
$223K (2022) → $220K (2025)
Marissa Pace
Associate Vice President Business & Financial Affairs
On filings since 2023
35 hrs/week
$177K (2023) → $199K (2025)
Grant Warner
Professor
On filings since 2024
35 hrs/week
$242K (2024) → $252K (2025)
Asella Braxton
Associate Vice President Business & Financial Affairs
New on the 2025 filing
35 hrs/week
$185K (2025)
Barbara Miller
Vice President Communications & External Relations
New on the 2025 filing
35 hrs/week
$104K (2025)
Danielle Dickens
Faculty Representative
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
$118K (2025)
Pamela Scott-Johnson
Provost & Vice President Academic Affairs
New on the 2025 filing
35 hrs/week
$340K (2025)
Salena Jegede
Senior Vice President Institutional Advancement
New on the 2025 filing
35 hrs/week
$295K (2025)
Gwendolyn Adams Norton
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ronda E Stryker
Vice Chair
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daria Valentine
Alumna Representative
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Simone Moales
Student Representative
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Terri Walthour
Vice President Human Resources & Culture
New on the 2025 filing
35 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (35)
- Former: Jessie Brooks (2020–2024) — Vice President of Institutional Advancement
- Former: Loren K Robinson (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Mary Schmidt Campbell PhD (2020–2024) — Former President & Trustee
- Former: Keva Wright Berry (2021–2024) — Alumna Representative
- Former: Dolores Bradley (2022–2024) — Professor
- Former: Karen Brakke PhD (2022–2024) — Faculty Trustee & Professor
- Former: Breah Banks (2023–2024) — Student Representative
- Former: Frank Baker (2023–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Lisa Hibbard (2023–2024) — Faculty Representative
- Former: Lydia Sermons (2024) — Vice President for Public Relations & Communications
- Former: Raquel Hill (2024) — Professor
- Former: Gena Hudgins Ashe (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Cheryl Finley (2021–2023) — Professor
- Former: Elizabeth Gowans (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Tiffany Watson (2023) — Associate Vice President & Espelman
- Former: Helga Greenfield (2020–2022) — Cos, Director, Title III & Gov Rltns
- Former: Mary Lynne Diggs (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Richard D Legon (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Robert D Flanigan Jr. (2020–2022) — Chief Investment Officer & Treasurer
- Former: Sharon Davies (2020–2022) — Provost
- Former: Thomas H Castro (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Angela Farris Watkins (2021–2022) — Faculty Representative
- Former: Robert Holland Jr. (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Jillian Jackson (2022) — Student Representative
- Former: Marionette Holmes (2022) — Professor
- Former: Jane Smith (2020–2021) — Vice President for College Relations
- Former: Mary Brock (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Walter R. Allen PhD (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Fana Haileselassie (2021) — Student Trustee
- Former: D'rita Robinson (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Johnnella Butler (2020) — Professor
- Former: Nia Malone (2020) — Student Trustee
- Former: Pamela Joseph (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Pushpa N. Parekh (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Tara L. Buckner (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $2.0M, to Helene Gayle (President (thru 11/21/2024)). 21 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Spelman College
How much does Spelman College give each year?
Spelman College gave $262K across 13 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $249K across 10 grants.
What is Spelman College's typical grant size?
Spelman College's median grant in 2025 was $17,648, and its average grant was $20,163, across 13 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Spelman College give grants?
Spelman College's top state is North Carolina, with 10% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Does Spelman College give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on Spelman College's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Spelman College's largest grantees?
Spelman College's largest 2025 grantees include University of Maryland Eastern Shore ($35,999), William Paterson University ($34,213) and University of Wisconsin ($33,784), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 40% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Spelman College?
Spelman College reported $1.0B in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $174.0M.
What does Spelman College fund?
Spelman’s stated mission is to be “a historically Black college and global leader in the education of women of African descent,” dedicated to its students’ academic excellence. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Spelman College?
Spelman’s website describes an internal process for College proposals: researchers are asked to contact the Director of Research Development and Sponsored Programs after identifying a funding opportunity. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Spelman College's EIN?
Spelman College's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-0566243. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 16, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Spelman College's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Spelman College funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/spelman-college-morg_0a66fb6480244d3a94a699d35aae2851
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_580566243_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Spelman College funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/spelman-college-morg_0a66fb6480244d3a94a699d35aae2851},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Spelman College'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.
Spelman College down — hundreds of funders to go?