The Barnabas Project

Private foundation · Grantmaker Jackson, TN EIN: 62-1848840

The Barnabas Project is a private foundation based in Jackson, Tennessee. Its stated charitable activity is providing necessities to people in need for reasons beyond their control, to help alleviate human suffering and distress.

Key facts about The Barnabas Project

In short: The Barnabas Project gave $22K across 13 grants in 2024 (avg $2K), mostly in Tennessee. 50% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
62-1848840
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$22,388
Grants made (2024)
13
Average grant
$1,722
Median grant
$1,300
New grantees (estimate)
50% first-time grantees (6 of 12, 2024; small sample)
Total assets
$138,944
Primary geography
Tennessee (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to apply
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Full details ↓

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$139K

+12.1% YoY

Annual Giving

$22K

+26.4% YoY

Grant Count

13

+30.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$2K

-2.8% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Barnabas Project reported a distributable amount of $6K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Is The Barnabas Project open to new grantees?

50%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 6 of 12 grantees (50%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $2K. How we count

Medians: $1K first-time, $946 repeat.

  • 33% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving fell 68% from 2021 to 2024. Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 364% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

In its 2024 filing, the foundation describes its ongoing activities as providing necessities to people in need for reasons beyond their control. Its 2024 grants were described as benevolence, including assistance benefiting families and school children in need.

The foundation supported Area Relief Ministries, which received $2,737 in 2024. The grantee describes its mission as providing emergency aid to people in need, helping people attain self-sufficiency, and addressing other community needs for homeless people.

Grantmaking

In 2024, the foundation gave $22,388 through 13 grants. Grants ranged from $190 to $6,040, with a median of $1,300. Among the largest grants were $6,040 to Retha Simmons, $2,914 to Hartland Apartments, $2,737 to Area Relief Ministries, and $2,666 to Mt Moriah Baptist. The listed grant purposes included benevolence and assistance benefiting families in need.

How to Apply

The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with The Barnabas Project?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

All 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Tennessee. The listed 2024 recipients were in Jackson, Tennessee.

Grant Distribution by State

2states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.

Cities

JacksonCleveland

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$20K$40K$60K$80K10 grants2020 13 grants2021 12 grants2022 10 grants2023 13 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $18K (2023) to $69K (2021). In 2024 it made 13 grants totaling $22K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Retha Simmons: $6KRetha Simmons$6KHartland Apartments: $3KHartland Apartments$3KArea Relief Ministries: $3KArea Relief Ministries$3KMt Moriah Baptist: $3KMt Moriah Baptist$3KDebbie Gilliland: $1KDebbie Gilliland$1KMisc Gift: $1KMisc Gift$1KBede Amuanwu: $1KBede Amuanwu$1KJosephine Owino: $1KJosephine Owino$1KScarlet Rope: $891Scarlet Rope$891Universal Beauty: $643Universal Beauty$643

The largest 2024 recipient was Retha Simmons ($6K). Together the top 10 received $21K.

Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($1,000), which are not listed by name.

Grant Size Distribution

58 grants across all recorded years

58<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 58 grants of 58 (100%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Retha Simmons Jackson, TNBenevolence - Benefitting Families in Need$6,040
Hartland Apartments Jackson, TNBenevolence - Benefitting Family in Need$2,914
Area Relief Ministries Jackson, TNBenevolence$2,737
Mt Moriah Baptist Jackson, TNBenevolence - Benefitting Family in Need$2,666
Debbie Gilliland Jackson, TNBenevolence - Benefitting Family in Need$1,357
Misc Gift Jackson, TNBenevolence$1,350
Bede Amuanwu Jackson, TNBenevolence$1,300
Josephine Owino Jackson, TNBenevolence$1,000
1 grant to individuals Recipients not named —$1,000
Scarlet Rope Jackson, TNBenevolence$891

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants
2024 $138,944 $37,500 $22,470 $22,388
2023 $123,914 $38,500 $17,718 $17,718
2022 $105,132 $33,750 $21,238 $21,238
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
$0$20K$40K$60K$80K2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$138,944$123,914$105,132
Revenue$37,500$38,500$33,750
Expenses$22,470$17,718$21,238
Qualifying Distributions$22,388$17,718$21,238
Distributable Amount$6,156$5,138$4,648

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Dean P Currie as president; Richard L Fite as secretary; and Jeffrey J Ball, David Burleson, William D Dement, Mike Cobb, John Neblett, and Vincent Matlock as trustees.

The Barnabas Project is led by Dean P. Currie, President since 2021 (on filings since 2020); none of the 8 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Dean P. Currie

    President

    Chairman → President, 2021

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • David Burleson

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Jeffrey J. Ball

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • William D. Dement

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • John Neblett

    Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    No compensation reported

  • Mike Cobb

    Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    No compensation reported

  • Vincent Matlock

    Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    No compensation reported

  • Richard L. Fite

    Secretary

    Vice Chairman → Secretary, 2021

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

Former officers (2)
  • Former: Larry A. Butler (2020) — Secretary
  • Former: Mark M. Layne (2020) — Treasurer

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.

Contact

Mailing address: 26 Security Drive, Jackson, TN 38305
Phone: (731) 668-7070

Frequently asked questions about The Barnabas Project

How much does The Barnabas Project give each year?

The Barnabas Project gave $22K across 13 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $18K across 10 grants.

What is The Barnabas Project's typical grant size?

The Barnabas Project's median grant in 2024 was $1,300, and its average grant was $1,722, across 13 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Barnabas Project that year got $2K on average.

Where does The Barnabas Project give grants?

The Barnabas Project gives mostly in Tennessee: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Jackson, TN (12 grants).

Does The Barnabas Project give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on The Barnabas Project's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Benevolence" (6 grants) and "Benevolence - Benefitting Family in Need" (4 grants).

Who are The Barnabas Project's largest grantees?

The Barnabas Project's largest 2024 grantees include Retha Simmons ($6,040), Hartland Apartments ($2,914) and Area Relief Ministries ($2,737), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($1,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 52% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is The Barnabas Project?

The Barnabas Project reported $139K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $22K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $6K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does The Barnabas Project fund?

In its 2024 filing, the foundation describes its ongoing activities as providing necessities to people in need for reasons beyond their control. Its 2024 grants were described as benevolence, including assistance benefiting families and school children in need. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from The Barnabas Project?

The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it states that it 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 The Barnabas Project's EIN?

The Barnabas Project's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-1848840. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Does The Barnabas Project 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.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching The Barnabas Project by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in The Barnabas Project's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

Cooper Family Charitable Foundation Inc

Nashville, TN

The foundation generally supports educational, environmental, and poverty-related purposes, with 2025 grants ranging from $25,000 to $400,000 and a median of $100,000. It is based in Nashville, and recent grants went to organizations in several states, especially Tennessee, Texas, California, and Washington, DC. Its 2023 filing says requests should include the contribution’s purpose and amount; it does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Assets

$24.1M

Grants

11

Total Given

$1.5M

Joey Logano Charitable Foundation Inc

Huntersville, NC

The foundation funds nonprofit programs serving children and young adults in crisis, especially those in foster care, with most recent grants supporting organizations in North Carolina. In 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $250,000, with a median of $30,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; proposals are invited from selected potential grantees.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$3.9M

Grants

18

Total Given

$1.1M

Denyse Cares Foundation Inc

Douglasville, GA

The foundation supports youth, elderly people, veterans, and related community services, with recent grants spanning child welfare, pregnancy care, crisis support, public safety, nature preservation, and HIV/AIDS services. Its 2025 grants ranged from $100 to $15,250, with a median of $2,500; most funding went to Georgia, with smaller amounts in Massachusetts and Tennessee. It funds preselected organizations only and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$394K

Grants

18

Total Given

$62K

Charles P Wilson Foundation Inc

Paris, TN

The foundation supports community programs, Christian organizations and education, and adoption-related work, with most funding going to Tennessee. In 2024, grants ranged from $1,000 to $193,500, with a median of $10,000. Application materials were listed as undeveloped, and no deadline or unsolicited-request policy was stated.

Assets

$18.6M

Grants

35

Total Given

$1.3M

Duke Energy Foundation

Charlotte, NC

The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce and local economic development, disaster resilience, conservation, clean water, and economic opportunity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000; applications for grants of $20,000 or less are accepted year-round, after applicants discuss proposals with a state representative.

Assets

$1.9M

Grants

41

Total Given

$25.6M

Crews Family Foundation

Germantown, TN

The Crews Family Foundation supports Tennessee organizations working in education, child and family services, health, food assistance, and community development. In 2024, it made 61 grants ranging from $1,000 to $2.14 million, with a median grant of $12,500. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$108.3M

Grants

61

Total Given

$5.0M

The JEM Project

Tiburon, CA

The JEM Project funds U.S.-based nonprofits working in child welfare, animal welfare, women’s empowerment, and environmental sustainability, with most 2024 grant dollars going to California. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $500,000, with a median of $25,075. It does not accept unsolicited requests; it invites selected returning partners to apply.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$33.7M

Grants

64

Total Given

$3.0M

McKesson Foundation Inc

Dallas, TX

The McKesson Foundation funds cancer support and care, healthcare workforce pathways, and emergency response, with grants mainly supporting organizations in the United States and Canada. Its 2025 grants had a median of $100,000, though amounts ranged from $10,000 to about $2.47 million. Its filing says it does not accept unsolicited requests, while its application page describes an online application process with stated submission windows.

Assets

$1.6M

Grants

76

Total Given

$16.6M

Second Mountain Ministries

Spring, TX

Second mountain's mission is to support those who are vulnerable, marginalized or disenfranchised in the U.S. and internationally through rescue, relief, restoration, and development.

International, Foreign Affairs & National Security

Assets

$48K

Grants

2

Total Given

$89K

Ch Robinson Worldwide Foundation

Sioux Falls, SD

The foundation funds community needs, supply-chain and logistics initiatives, and environmental sustainability, with a Twin Cities program focused on hunger, shelter, K–12 education, and workforce development. Its 2024 grants ranged from $750 to $2.69 million, with a median of $5,000; its Twin Cities program focuses on Minneapolis–St. Paul, while grants also went to organizations elsewhere. The Strategic Industry program is invitation-only, while the Twin Cities program has an application process.

Education

Assets

$18.2M

Grants

87

Total Given

$4.0M

Windermere Foundation

Seattle, WA

The Windermere Foundation funds nonprofits serving homeless and low-income families, especially children, through housing, emergency assistance, food, health, child care, and youth programs. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,200 to $236,500, with a median of $10,300; it focuses on the Western U.S., with most funding going to Washington. Its website offers an application and funding guidelines, but the available information does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Assets

$2.8M

Grants

95

Total Given

$1.7M

John a Gizzio Sr

West Chester, PA

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$183K

Grants

7

Total Given

$226K

More Funders in Tennessee

The Barnabas Project down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?