The Poplar Foundation
The Poplar Foundation is a private foundation, based in Memphis, TN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $59.5M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 2 grants totaling $16.8M. Net investment income was $5.1M.
The Poplar Foundation at a glance
In short: The Poplar Foundation gave $16.8M across 2 grants in 2025 (avg $8.4M), mostly in Tennessee. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $16,793,879
- -27.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 2
- +100.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $8,396,940
- -63.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $8,396,940
- Total assets
- $59,514,186
- -19.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated November 2026.
Who The Poplar Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Community Foundation of Greater Memphis ($14.1M). Together the top 2 received $16.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
6 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was $5M or more: 5 grants of 6 (83%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Poplar Foundation gives
- Giving grew 28% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 533% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $13.1M (2022) to $26.9M (2023). In 2025 it made 2 grants totaling $16.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Foundation of Greater Memphis Memphis, TN | Support of Community Fdn Activities | $14,108,965 |
| Christian Community Foundation Memphis, TN | Support of Community Fdn Activities | $2,684,914 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $59,514,186 | $5,447,244 | $19,289,610 | $16,793,879 | 2 | $17,231,737 | $5,145,195 | $3,233,888 |
| 2024 | $73,780,848 | $184,914 | $26,104,649 | $23,180,600 | 1 | $23,757,546 | — | $4,565,911 |
| 2023 | $98,853,990 | $-14,934 | $29,653,442 | $26,865,320 | 1 | $27,264,792 | — | $5,874,236 |
| 2022 | $121,539,347 | $-2,371,714 | $15,605,188 | $13,090,569 | 1 | $13,358,127 | — | $6,711,359 |
| 2021 | $149,801,224 | $18,419,294 | $27,170,565 | $25,401,174 | 1 | $25,767,792 | $24,002,873 | $8,745,488 |
| 2020 | $186,538,310 | $8,459,772 | $25,506,475 | $21,800,000 | 1 | — | $1,816,189 | $7,882,017 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Poplar Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.2M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Poplar Foundation is led by Thomas Marino, Secretary & Executive Director on the 2025 filing; 2 of 6 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Thomas Marino
Secretary & Executive Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$273K (2025)
George Staley Cates
Director & President
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Edward Cates
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Compton
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Margaret Cates
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dallas Geer
Treasurer & CFO
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$279K (2025)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Andrew R. McCarroll (2020–2024) — Director & Secretary
- Former: G. Staley Cates (2020–2021) — Director & President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $279K, to Dallas Geer (Treasurer/CFO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Poplar Foundation
How much does The Poplar Foundation give each year?
The Poplar Foundation gave $16.8M across 2 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $23.2M across 1 grant.
How large is The Poplar Foundation?
The Poplar Foundation reported $59.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $17.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
Where does The Poplar Foundation operate?
The Poplar Foundation has awarded grants in Tennessee.
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 2020–2025.
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS September 9, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Poplar Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Poplar Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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