The Links Foundation Incorporated
The Links Foundation, Incorporated is the philanthropic arm of The Links, Incorporated, an international organization of professional women of African descent. The Foundation was established in 1979 to enhance and expand the philanthropic endeavors of The Links, Incorporated. Based in Washington, DC, with additional office locations in Pensacola, FL, the Foundation serves as the primary grantmaking vehicle for The Links, Incorporated's charitable activities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$27.6M
+15.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$7.6M
+84.8% YoY
Grant Count
113
+13.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$67K
+63.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Links Foundation promotes and engages in educational, civic, and intercultural activities to enrich the lives of members of the larger community. The Foundation provides grants to innovative programs that address problems to be solved or opportunities to be seized that are of regional, national, or international significance.
The Foundation supports five primary program facets:
- Services to Youth – Programs supporting youth development and realizing their full potential
- The Arts – Cultural and artistic programming
- National Trends and Services – Programs addressing national issues affecting the African-American community
- International Trends and Services – International literacy and global engagement initiatives
- Health and Human Services – Programs promoting healthy lifestyles and human services
Grantmaking
The Links Foundation has contributed more than $27 million to charitable causes since its founding. Recent financial data shows total giving of $8,046,129 in the most recent fiscal year.
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $5,072 to $1,101,462.
Ready to take the next step with The Links Foundation Incorporated?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation funds programs of regional, national, and international significance. Recent grantmaking activity indicates focus areas in Texas, Florida, and California, though the Foundation's reach extends nationally and internationally.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $27,646,397
- Total Revenues: $13,309,575
- Total Expenses: $10,062,152
- Total Liabilities: $2,090,000
- Total Giving: $8,046,129
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) public charity, tax-exempt since February 1980
EIN: 52-1170830
Rating: The Foundation holds a Four-Star rating with a 97% overall score based on accountability and financial metrics.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $27,646,397 | $24,016,684 | $23,252,589 |
| Revenue | $13,309,575 | $9,130,315 | $7,772,032 |
| Expenses | $10,062,152 | $9,091,247 | $5,746,291 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $145,025 | $239,316 | $114,315 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Central Area ($1,101,462), Chicago Chapter ($365,716), Trinity Chapter ($309,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CENTRAL AREA DES MOINES, IA | SCHOLARSHIP & COMMUNITY CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS | $1,101,462 |
| CHICAGO CHAPTER OAK PARK, IL | SCHOLARSHIP & COMMUNITY CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS | $365,716 |
| TRINITY CHAPTER DALLAS, TX | SCHOLARSHIP & COMMUNITY CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS | $309,000 |
| OAKLAND BAY AREA CHAPTER DANVILLE, CA | CHAPTER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS | $285,422 |
| WESTERN AREA FRIENDSWOOD, TX | COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP & PROGRAMS | $230,800 |
| MEMPHIS CHAPTER MEMPHIS, TN | COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP & PROGRAMS | $217,222 |
| SOUTHERN AREA JACKSONVILLE, FL | SCHOLARSHIP & COMMUNITY CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS | $199,848 |
| DURHAM CHAPTER DURHAM, NC | SCHOLARSHIP & COMMUNITY CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS | $197,073 |
| DALLAS CHAPTER DALLAS, TX | CHAPTER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS | $177,124 |
| PLANO NORTH MOTROPLEX CHAPTER PLANO, TX | COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP & PROGRAMS | $155,900 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Mwika Kankwenda is listed as a contact for The Links Foundation, Incorporated.
Cheryl Teare, Esq., serves as President of the Washington (DC) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETHEL ISAACS WILLIAMS | NATIONAL PRESIDENT | 8 | — |
| SHUANA TUCKER-SIMS | NATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT | 8 | — |
| SHARON DIXON GENTRY | NATIONAL RECORDING SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| MARCIA L PAGE | NATIONAL TREASURER | 8 | — |
| TYNA D DAVIS | NATIONAL PARLIAMENTARIAN | 2 | — |
| ARELEN ISAACS-LOWE | FINANCIAL SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| ESTHER SILVER-PARKER | DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY | 2 | — |
| ROSALIND HUDNELL | NATIONAL CHAIR, FUND DEVELOPMENT | 2 | — |
| MICHELE HAGANS | NATIONAL CHAIR, BUILDING OPERATIONS | 2 | — |
| STEPHANIE MAYS BOYD | NATIONAL CHAIR, CORPORATE RELATIONS | 2 | — |
| TYSUS JACKSON | NATIONAL CHAIR, STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP | 2 | — |
| KAREN J MORRISON | NATIONAL CHAIR, GLOBAL LEADERS CIRCLE | 2 | — |
| KIM KEENAN | NATIONAL CHAIR, LEGAL AFFAIRS | 2 | — |
| CAROLYN LEWIS | NATIONAL AUDIT CHAIR | 2 | — |
| MARTHA ROBINSON | CENTRAL AREA REPRESENTATIVE | 2 | — |
| BEVERLY ROBERTS-ATWATER | EASTERN AREA REPRESENTATIVE | 2 | — |
| KIMBERLY CAMERON | SOUTHERN AREA REPRESENTATIVE | 2 | — |
| ALANE LILLIE | WESTERN AREA REPRESENTATIVE | 2 | — |
| GWENDOLYN E BOYD | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, (FROM 1/19/23) | 40 | — |
| MEHARI R DEBAS | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE | 20 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Links Foundation, Incorporated announced a $75,000 donation to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). The Foundation named the Obama Presidential Center as its sixth $1 million grantee in 2022. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital received a $1 million legacy grant from the Foundation.
The LINK Foundation Announces First Cycle 2020 Grant Recipients \u2013 Strengthening\Contact Information
- Phone: 202-842-0123
- Website: www.linksinc.org
- Primary Address: 1200 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005-4541
- Mailing Address: PO Box 2044, Pensacola, FL 32513-2044
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Links Foundation Incorporated fund?
The Links Foundation promotes and engages in educational, civic, and intercultural activities to enrich the lives of members of the larger community. The Foundation provides grants to innovative programs that address problems to be solved or opportunities to be seized that are of regional, national, or international significance. The Foundation supports five primary program facets: • **Services to Youth** – Programs supporting youth development and realizing their full potential • **The Arts** …
How do I apply for a grant from The Links Foundation Incorporated?
The Links Foundation has contributed more than $27 million to charitable causes since its founding. Recent financial data shows total giving of $8,046,129 in the most recent fiscal year. **Grant Ranges:** Typical awards range from $5,072 to $1,101,462. **Notable Million-Dollar Grantees:** The Foundation has named six $1 million grantees, including: • Obama Presidential Center (2022) • United Negro College Fund • NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. • National Civil Rights Museum • Smi…
Where does The Links Foundation Incorporated make grants?
The Foundation funds programs of regional, national, and international significance. Recent grantmaking activity indicates focus areas in Texas, Florida, and California, though the Foundation's reach extends nationally and internationally.
What size grants does The Links Foundation Incorporated award?
In 2024, The Links Foundation Incorporated awarded 113 grants totaling $7.6M — an average of about $67K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Links Foundation Incorporated's EIN?
The Links Foundation Incorporated's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1170830. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Links Foundation Incorporated's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Demand Justice Initiative
WASHINGTON, DC
Assets
$7.6M
Grants
1
Total Given
$225K
American Academic Leadership Institute
WASHINGTON, DC
Assets
$3.6M
Grants
2
Total Given
$50K
Cnfa
WASHINGTON, DC
Assets
$18.3M
Grants
9
Total Given
$4.2M
Partnership for a Healthier America
WASHINGTON, DC
Assets
$10.8M
Grants
12
Total Given
$350K
Association of Schools of Allied Health
WASHINGTON, DC
Assets
$2.3M
Grants
2
Total Given
$60K
Fulcrum Foundation Inc
WASHINGTON, DC
Assets
$53K
Grants
10
Total Given
$13K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Links Foundation Incorporated 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 Links Foundation Incorporated to a real strategy.