The Barnabas Project
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.
The Barnabas Project at a glance
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.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $22,388
- +26.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 13
- +30.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,722
- -2.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,300
- Total assets
- $138,944
- +12.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 50% first-time grantees (6 of 12, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (100% 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 The Barnabas Project
- 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.
- Contact
Mailing address: 26 Security Drive, Jackson, TN 38305
Phone: (731) 668-7070
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Barnabas Project funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
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
The most common grant size was under $50K: 58 grants of 58 (100%).
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
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
Cities
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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $18K (2023) to $69K (2021). In 2024 it made 13 grants totaling $22K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Retha Simmons Jackson, TN | Benevolence - Benefitting Families in Need | $6,040 |
| Hartland Apartments Jackson, TN | Benevolence - Benefitting Family in Need | $2,914 |
| Area Relief Ministries Jackson, TN | Benevolence | $2,737 |
| Mt Moriah Baptist Jackson, TN | Benevolence - Benefitting Family in Need | $2,666 |
| Debbie Gilliland Jackson, TN | Benevolence - Benefitting Family in Need | $1,357 |
| Misc Gift Jackson, TN | Benevolence | $1,350 |
| Bede Amuanwu Jackson, TN | Benevolence | $1,300 |
| Josephine Owino Jackson, TN | Benevolence | $1,000 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $1,000 |
| Scarlet Rope Jackson, TN | Benevolence | $891 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $138,944 | $37,500 | $22,470 | $22,388 | 13 | $22,388 | $6,156 |
| 2023 | $123,914 | $38,500 | $17,718 | $17,718 | 10 | $17,718 | $5,138 |
| 2022 | $105,132 | $33,750 | $21,238 | $21,238 | 12 | $21,238 | $4,648 |
| 2021 | $97,334 | $23,600 | $69,039 | $69,039 | 13 | $69,039 | $6,885 |
| 2020 | $142,773 | $58,315 | $18,397 | $18,397 | 10 | — | $5,522 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Barnabas Project funds
Human Services Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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