The Four Bees Foundation
The Four Bees Foundation is a philanthropic organization based in Greenville, South Carolina, operating as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit since November 1988. The foundation manages substantial assets and distributes grants across multiple states.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.7M
+0.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$240K
-4.2% YoY
Grant Count
42
+5.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$6K
-8.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Four Bees Foundation reported a distributable amount of $98K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Ready to take the next step with The Four Bees Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Four Bees Foundation supports a wide geographic area spanning 12 states: Alabama, California, Georgia, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Within these states, the foundation has funded various cities including Belmont, Boone, Brevard, Cashiers, Charlotte, Chattanooga, Clinton, Columbia, Decatur, Easley, Ellicott City, Fletcher, Fort Worth, Garner, Grandville, Granville, Greenville, Greer, Hartsville, Highlands, Mauldin, Mission Ridge, Mount Pleasant, Pawling, Pinewood, Santa Barbara, Savannah, Simpsonville, Spartanburg, Townville, Upper Darby, and Walhalla.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $1,647,907
- Annual Revenue: $342,000
- Annual Expenses: $247,000
- Total Liabilities: $0
The foundation generates consistent revenue to support its grantmaking activities while maintaining a stable asset base.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,652,367 | $1,647,907 | $1,625,343 |
| Revenue | $342,408 | $316,604 | $459,382 |
| Expenses | $246,641 | $259,585 | $206,697 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $239,775 | $250,275 | $202,225 |
| Net Investment Income | $194,680 | $252,079 | $324,213 |
| Distributable Amount | $98,341 | $85,917 | $87,191 |
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
196 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Buncombe Street United Methodist Ch ($76,800), Highlands United Methodist Church ($38,050), Frazee Dream Center ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BILLY GRAHAM EVANGELISTIC ASSOCIATI CHARLOTTE, NC | CHARITABLE GIVING | $500 |
| BUNCOMBE STREET UNITED METHODIST CH GREENVILLE, SC | CHARITABLE GIVING | $76,800 |
| CHRIST CHURCH EPISCOPAL GREENVILLE, SC | CHARITABLE GIVING | $1,250 |
| CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES OF THE CAROLIN MOUNT PLEASANT, SC | CHARITABLE GIVING | $2,000 |
| DENISON UNIVERSITY GRANVILLE, OH | CHARITABLE GIVING | $3,000 |
| EMBRACE THE DREAM FOUNDATION GREENVILLE, SC | CHARITABLE GIVING | $2,000 |
| EMMANUEL'S HAMMER TOWNVILLE, SC | CHARITABLE GIVING | $500 |
| FRAZEE DREAM CENTER EASLEY, SC | CHARITABLE GIVING | $30,000 |
| HIGHLANDS BOLIVIAN MISSION HIGHLANDS, NC | CHARITABLE GIVING | $500 |
| HIGHLANDS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH HIGHLANDS, NC | CHARITABLE GIVING | $38,050 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The Four Bees Foundation is overseen by two trustees:
- Clarence B. Bauknight Jr.
- Lea B. Fulk
Both trustees serve in part-time capacities without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLARENCE B BAUKNIGHT JR | Trustee | 2 | — |
| LEA B FULK | Trustee | 2 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does The Four Bees Foundation make grants?
The Four Bees Foundation supports a wide geographic area spanning 12 states: Alabama, California, Georgia, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Within these states, the foundation has funded various cities including Belmont, Boone, Brevard, Cashiers, Charlotte, Chattanooga, Clinton, Columbia, Decatur, Easley, Ellicott City, Fletcher, Fort Worth, Garner, Grandville, Granville, Greenville, Greer, Hartsville, Highlands, Mauldi…
What size grants does The Four Bees Foundation award?
In 2024, The Four Bees Foundation awarded 42 grants totaling $240K — an average of about $6K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Four Bees Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Four Bees Foundation reported a distributable amount of $98K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Four Bees Foundation's EIN?
The Four Bees Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 57-0854555. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Four Bees Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Friends of Callawassie Island Inc
OKATIE, SC
Assets
$566K
Grants
5
Total Given
$38K
Cw and Dorothy G Love Foundation
MCCOLL, SC
Assets
$70.3M
Grants
57
Total Given
$2.3M
Lenhardt Foundation
CHARLESTON, SC
Assets
$616K
Grants
5
Total Given
$67K
One Two a Few Dance
LANDRUM, SC
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Mcfadden Foundation Inc
CHARLESTON, SC
Assets
$2K
Grants
1
Total Given
$436
World Wide Harvest Ministriesinc
GREENVILLE, SC
Assets
$3K
Grants
5
Total Given
$7K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Four Bees Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching The Four Bees Foundation to a real strategy.