The Poplar Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in MEMPHIS, TN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $73.8M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grants totaling $23.2M.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$73.8M
-25.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$23.2M
-13.7% YoY
Grant Count
1
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$23.2M
-13.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Poplar Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About The Poplar Foundation
Based on IRS filings
The Poplar Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in MEMPHIS, TN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $73.8M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grants totaling $23.2M.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $73,780,848 | $98,853,990 | $121,539,347 |
| Revenue | $184,914 | $-14,934 | $-2,371,714 |
| Expenses | $26,104,649 | $29,653,442 | $15,605,188 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $23,757,546 | $27,264,792 | $13,358,127 |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | $4,565,911 | $5,874,236 | $6,711,359 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 1 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Christian Community Foundation ($23,180,600).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION MEMPHIS, TN | SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY FDN ACTIVITIES | $23,180,600 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEORGE STALEY CATES | DIRECTOR/PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| ANDREW R MCCARROLL | DIRECTOR/SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| KEVIN COMPTON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARGARET CATES | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| EDWARD CATES | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Poplar Foundation?
The Poplar Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in MEMPHIS, TN. It holds $73.8M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is The Poplar Foundation?
As of 2024, The Poplar Foundation holds $73.8M in total assets with $185K in annual revenue. It awarded 1 grants totaling $23.2M in 2024.
Where does The Poplar Foundation operate?
The Poplar Foundation has awarded grants in Tennessee.
What size grants does The Poplar Foundation award?
In 2024, The Poplar Foundation awarded 1 grants totaling $23.2M — an average of about $23.2M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Poplar Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Poplar Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Poplar Foundation's EIN?
The Poplar Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-1586727. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Poplar Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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