The Four Bees Foundation
The Four Bees Foundation is a private foundation based in Greenville, South Carolina. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, primarily in South Carolina and North Carolina, with additional recipients in other states.
The Four Bees Foundation at a glance
In short: The Four Bees Foundation gave $240K across 42 grants in 2024 (avg $6K), mostly in South Carolina. 33% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $239,775
- -4.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 42
- +5.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $5,709
- -8.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,125
- Total assets
- $1,652,367
- +0.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (14 of 42, 2024)
- Primary geography
- South Carolina (62% 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 Four Bees Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 7 Rockingham Road, Greenville, SC 29607
Phone: (864) 430-7451
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Four Bees Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Buncombe Street United Methodist Ch ($77K). Together the top 10 received $209K.
Grant Size Distribution
196 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 190 grants of 196 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 62% of grant dollars went to recipients in South Carolina, 27% to North Carolina, and 7% to Tennessee. Ohio and Texas each accounted for 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 42 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Four Bees Foundation open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 14 of 42 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $852; repeat grants $8K. How we count
Medians: $75 first-time, $2K repeat.
- 60% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+18%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 244% 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 $198K (2020) to $250K (2023). In 2024 it made 42 grants totaling $240K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Buncombe Street United Methodist Ch Greenville, SC | Charitable Giving | $76,800 |
| Highlands United Methodist Church Highlands, NC | Charitable Giving | $38,050 |
| Frazee Dream Center Easley, SC | Charitable Giving | $30,000 |
| MC Callie School Chattanooga, TN | Charitable Giving | $17,000 |
| ZOE Ministry Garner, NC | Charitable Giving | $12,000 |
| Triune Mercy Center Greenville, SC | Charitable Giving | $10,000 |
| United Way of Greenville Greenville, SC | Charitable Giving | $10,000 |
| Jump Start Spartanburg, SC | Charitable Giving | $5,000 |
| Primera Iglesia Bautista Cashiers, NC | Charitable Giving | $5,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau Cashiers, NC | Charitable Giving | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Four Bees Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,652,367 | $342,408 | $246,641 | $239,775 | 42 | $239,775 | $194,680 | $98,341 |
| 2023 | $1,647,907 | $316,604 | $259,585 | $250,275 | 40 | $250,275 | $252,079 | $85,917 |
| 2022 | $1,625,343 | $459,382 | $206,697 | $202,225 | 46 | $202,225 | $324,213 | $87,191 |
| 2021 | $1,407,095 | $84,100 | $206,136 | $203,900 | 29 | $203,900 | $81,864 | $106,479 |
| 2020 | $1,820,702 | $669,304 | $200,810 | $197,975 | 39 | — | $60,097 | $70,878 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2024 grants include support for organizations whose work ranges from local ministry and assistance for people experiencing homelessness to international aid and housing.
Triune Mercy Center describes itself as a non-denominational mission church that ministers with and alongside homeless people in Greenville. Samaritan’s Purse describes its work as providing spiritual and physical aid to people affected by war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine. Emmanuel’s Hammer says it seeks to restore hope by helping people obtain safe, sanitary, and secure homes. Highlands Bolivian Mission says it works to improve living conditions for poor people, particularly children, in Montero, Bolivia, and the surrounding area. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 42 grants totaling $239,775. Grant amounts ranged from $25 to $76,800, with a median grant of $1,125.
Among the largest grants were $76,800 to Buncombe Street United Methodist Church in Greenville, South Carolina; $38,050 to Highlands United Methodist Church in Highlands, North Carolina; $30,000 to Frazee Dream Center in Easley, South Carolina; $17,000 to McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee; and $12,000 to Zoe Ministry in Garner, North Carolina. Other listed grants included $10,000 each to Triune Mercy Center and United Way of Greenville, both in Greenville, and $5,000 each to Jump Start in Spartanburg, Primera Iglesia Bautista in Cashiers, and Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau in Cashiers. Triune Mercy Center, Samaritan’s Purse, Emmanuel’s Hammer, and Highlands Bolivian Mission also received 2024 grants of $10,000, $1,000, $500, and $500, respectively.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Clarence B. Bauknight Jr. and Lea B. Fulk as trustees.
The Four Bees Foundation's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Clarence B. Bauknight Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lea B. Fulk
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 Four Bees Foundation
How much does The Four Bees Foundation give each year?
The Four Bees Foundation gave $240K across 42 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $250K across 40 grants.
What is The Four Bees Foundation's typical grant size?
The Four Bees Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,125, and its average grant was $5,709, across 42 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Four Bees Foundation that year got $852 on average.
Where does The Four Bees Foundation give grants?
The Four Bees Foundation gives mostly in South Carolina: 62% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were North Carolina (27%) and Tennessee (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Greenville, SC (17 grants), Highlands, NC (2 grants) and Cashiers, NC (2 grants).
Does The Four Bees Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 42 grants with a stated purpose on The Four Bees Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable Giving" (42 grants).
Who are The Four Bees Foundation's largest grantees?
The Four Bees Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Buncombe Street United Methodist Ch ($76,800), Highlands United Methodist Church ($38,050) and Frazee Dream Center ($30,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 60% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Four Bees Foundation?
The Four Bees Foundation reported $1.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $240K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $98K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Four Bees Foundation fund?
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2024 grants include support for organizations whose work ranges from local ministry and assistance for people experiencing homelessness to international aid and housing. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Four Bees Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and 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 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.
Does The Four Bees Foundation 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
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Four Bees Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in South Carolina
South Carolina Christian Foundation
Spartanburg, SC
The foundation funds Christian ministries, churches, and quality-of-life organizations, with particular attention through its Community Trust Grants to Christian nonprofits in five South Carolina counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $15,000, though awards varied widely; most grant dollars went to South Carolina, with additional funding in other states. Community Trust applicants must submit a Ministry Introduction Form and be invited to apply; the profile does not state whether other requests are unsolicited.
Assets
$45.4M
Grants
285
Total Given
$11.6M
Yeargin Foundation
Greenville, SC
Assets
—
Grants
24
Total Given
$665K
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
Central Carolina Community Foundation
Columbia, SC
Central Carolina Community Foundation funds education, human services, health, arts and culture, community development, disaster relief, and related community initiatives through specific grant programs. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,000, and it primarily serves 11 Midlands counties while also funding statewide and nationally. It accepts applications through its online portal during published grant periods for specific opportunities; some programs are invitation-only.
Assets
$264.3M
Grants
488
Total Given
$26.5M
Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina Inc
N Charleston, SC
Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina supports nonprofits and community initiatives in education, health, human services, the environment, arts, social justice, and community development across nine coastal South Carolina counties. Its 2024 itemized grants ranged from $5,057 to $2.3 million, with a median of $16,500; competitive programs accept applications through its online portal.
Assets
$435.6M
Grants
459
Total Given
$26.0M
Community Foundation of Greenville Inc
Greenville, SC
Community Foundation of Greenville funds nonprofits and projects in arts, education, environment, health, and human services, with a focus on Greenville County, South Carolina. Its 2026 Capacity Building Grants award $5,000–$12,500; 2024 grants had a median of $23,900. It accepts unsolicited requests through its Capacity Building Grants program.
Assets
$118.8M
Grants
346
Total Given
$26.4M
More similar funders
More Funders in South Carolina
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Four Bees Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-four-bees-foundation-morg_d0ecdfc20e4d4999b33dfcaf67b0383d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_570854555_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Four Bees Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-four-bees-foundation-morg_d0ecdfc20e4d4999b33dfcaf67b0383d},
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 The Four Bees Foundation'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.
The Four Bees Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?