The Poplar Foundation
The Poplar Foundation is a private foundation, 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 grant totaling $23.2M.
The Poplar Foundation at a glance
In short: The Poplar Foundation gave $23.2M across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $23.2M), mostly in Tennessee. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $23,180,600
- -13.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $23,180,600
- -13.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $23,180,600
- Total assets
- $73,780,848
- -25.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Poplar Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Christian Community Foundation ($23.2M).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was $5M or more: 5 grants of 5 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How The Poplar Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−9%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 520% 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $13.1M (2022) to $26.9M (2023). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $23.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Christian Community Foundation Memphis, TN | Support of Community Fdn Activities | $23,180,600 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 $4.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Poplar Foundation is led by George Staley Cates, Director & President on every filing since 2022; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
George Staley Cates
Director & President
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrew R. McCarroll
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/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
Former officers (1)
- Former: G. Staley Cates (2020–2021) — Director & President
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 Poplar Foundation
How much does The Poplar Foundation give each year?
The Poplar Foundation gave $23.2M across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $26.9M across 1 grant.
How large is The Poplar Foundation?
The Poplar Foundation reported $73.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $23.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.6M (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 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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