The Mark Elliott Motley Foundation Inc
The Mark Elliott Motley Foundation Inc is a private foundation established in 2002 in South Carolina by Ronald L. Motley, Esq. to serve the needs of his community and honor the memory of his son, Mark Elliott Motley. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization governed by a Board of Directors under South Carolina law.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.1M
-2.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$200K
+4.9% YoY
Grant Count
47
+30.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$4K
-19.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Mark Elliott Motley Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $179K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation provides grants primarily to tax-exempt public charities and government agencies located in Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties in South Carolina. Its funding priorities focus on improving the health, education, and welfare of children and young adults.
The foundation does not make grants to individuals and does not provide loans to charities.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $1,000 to $10,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation limits grants to tax-exempt public charities located in Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties in South Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending June 2025:
- Total Assets: $2,063,162
- Total Revenues: $169,115
- Total Expenses: $216,779
- Total Giving: $200,000
As of Fiscal Year Ending June 2024:
- Total Assets: $2.11 Million
- Revenue: $182,000
- Expenses: $202,000
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,063,162 | $2,110,826 | $2,130,478 |
| Revenue | $169,115 | $182,127 | $-104,903 |
| Expenses | $216,779 | $201,779 | $207,422 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $200,000 | $190,700 | $195,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $156,994 | $165,325 | $39,747 |
| Distributable Amount | $179,283 | $166,193 | $162,008 |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
207 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Charleston County Parks Foundation ($10,000), Lowcountry Food Bank ($10,000), Lowcountry Orphan Relief ($10,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ASHLEY HALL FOUNDATION CHARLESTON, SC | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS | $1,000 |
| ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED CHARLESTON, SC | CENTER FOR BLIND | $2,500 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE LOWCOUNTRY N CHARLESTON, SC | ADULT ROLE MODELS FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS | $2,500 |
| CAMP HAPPY DAYS INC CHARLESTON, SC | CAMP FOR KIDS | $7,500 |
| CAMP RISE ABOVE CHARLESTON, SC | IMPROVE DISABLED ADULT AND CHILDREN'S QUALITY OF LIFE | $8,000 |
| CAROLINA ART ASSOCIATION CHARLESTON, SC | KIDS EDUCATION PROGRAM | $2,000 |
| CAROLINA YOUTH DEVELOPEMENT CENTER N CHARLESTON, SC | CHILD WELFARE PROGRAM | $5,000 |
| CHARLESTON AREA THERAPEUTIC JOHNS ISLAND, SC | THERAPY CENTER | $7,500 |
| CHARLESTON COUNTY PARKS FOUNDATION CHARLESTON, SC | KIDS EDUCATION PROGRAMS | $10,000 |
| CHARLESTON STAGE COMPANY INC CHARLESTON, SC | PROMOTE EDUCATION | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Jennifer Motley Lee - Director, Chairman
- William E. Craver III - Director, President
- Jennifer B. Alphonse - Director, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary
- Douglas D. Kugley - President (Contact)
- Ronald L. Motley (1944-2013) - Founder
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JENNIFER M LEE | CHAIRMAN | 0.1 | — |
| WILLIAM E CRAVER III | PRESIDENT/TREASURER | 0.25 | — |
| JENNIFER ALPHONSE | VICE PRESIDENT/SECRETARY | 2 | — |
Contact Information
Mailing Address: The Mark Elliott Motley Foundation, Inc. c/o Jennifer B. Alphonse P.O. Box 1014 Charleston, SC 29402
Phone: 843-577-7557
Website: www.motleyfoundation.org
EIN: 27-0013752
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Mark Elliott Motley Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation provides grants primarily to tax-exempt public charities and government agencies located in Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties in South Carolina. Its funding priorities focus on improving the health, education, and welfare of children and young adults. The foundation does not make grants to individuals and does not provide loans to charities.
How do I apply for a grant from The Mark Elliott Motley Foundation Inc?
**Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $1,000 to $10,000. **Recent Activity:** In the most recent fiscal year (ending June 2025), the foundation made 40 grants totaling approximately $200,000. Recent grantees have included: • Pattison's Academy (Kids Education Program) - $10,000 • Charleston County Parks Foundation (Kids Education Programs) - $10,000 • Lowcountry Food Bank (Provide Food To Families) - $10,000 **Eligibility:** Grants are limited to tax-exempt charities and government agencie…
Where does The Mark Elliott Motley Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation limits grants to tax-exempt public charities located in Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties in South Carolina.
What size grants does The Mark Elliott Motley Foundation Inc award?
In 2025, The Mark Elliott Motley Foundation Inc awarded 47 grants totaling $200K — an average of about $4K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Mark Elliott Motley Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, The Mark Elliott Motley Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $179K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Mark Elliott Motley Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Mark Elliott Motley Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-0013752. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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