The Sapelo Foundation Inc
The Sapelo Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Savannah, Georgia. It supports nonprofit organizations and networks working toward a just and sustainable Georgia, with an emphasis on community prosperity, civic power, and environmental protection.
The Sapelo Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Sapelo Foundation Inc gave $1.4M across 47 grants in 2024 (avg $30K), mostly in Georgia. 15% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,421,000
- +4.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 47
- +30.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $30,234
- -19.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $35,459,943
- +1.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 15% first-time grantees (5 of 34, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Georgia (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Sapelo Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
Submit a Letter of Connection for the relevant grant portfolio. Organizations invited to proceed may submit a full application.
- Review Cycle
- The LOC deadline is January 15 for Environmental Justice & Protection and July 15 for Social Justice.
- Deadline
- The LOC deadline is January 15 for Environmental Justice & Protection and July 15 for Social Justice.
- Contact
Application contact: Joseph Thomas Executive Director
Mailing address: 100 Bull Street Ste 200, Savannah, GA 31401
Phone: (912) 298-0222
Website: https://sapelofoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Sapelo Foundation Inc
Who The Sapelo Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Georgia River Network Inc ($264K across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $849K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($5,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
201 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 151 grants of 201 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s mission and grant portfolios focus on Georgia. Its website describes its work as statewide, and its 2024 grant records show that all grant dollars went to recipients listed in Georgia. The foundation also identifies work focused on Sapelo Island and McIntosh County as part of its grantmaking history.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 47 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Sapelo Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
15%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 5 of 34 grantees (15%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $23K; repeat grants $45K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $35K repeat.
- 74% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−9%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 123% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.4M (2023) to $2.7M (2020). In 2024 it made 47 grants totaling $1.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia River Network Inc Savannah, GA | Environment justice & protection grant - to support the charitable mission of the recipient organization | $250,000 |
| Progeorgia State Table Inc Savannah, GA | Grant to support the charitable mission of the recipient organization | $100,000 |
| Southern Center for Human Rights Savannah, GA | Grant to support the charitable mission of the recipient organization | $100,000 |
| Community in Schools of Glynn County Inc Savannah, GA | Mcintosh county grant - to support the charitable mission of the recipient organization | $85,000 |
| Glynn Environmental Coalition Inc Savannah, GA | Grant to support the charitable mission of the recipient organization | $62,000 |
| BVM Capacity Building Institute Savannah, GA | Social justice grant - to support the charitable mission of the recipient organization | $50,000 |
| Georgia Alliance Education Fund Savannah, GA | Grant to support the charitable mission of the recipient organization | $50,000 |
| Georgia Budget and Policy Institute Inc Savannah, GA | Grant to support the charitable mission of the recipient organization | $50,000 |
| As You Sow Savannah, GA | Social justice grant - to support the charitable mission of the recipient organization | $40,000 |
| Fair Count Savannah, GA | Grant to support the charitable mission of the recipient organization | $40,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Sapelo Foundation Inc?
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 | $35,459,943 | $2,134,968 | $2,713,169 | $1,421,000 | 47 | $2,110,506 | $1,734,637 | $1,710,323 |
| 2023 | $35,121,938 | $1,279,564 | $2,194,605 | $1,354,110 | 36 | $1,886,242 | $864,024 | $1,705,057 |
| 2022 | $34,926,097 | $1,007,811 | $2,540,757 | $1,534,000 | 30 | $2,460,054 | $263,057 | $1,806,910 |
| 2021 | $42,646,474 | $4,522,872 | $2,055,591 | $1,561,950 | 42 | $1,947,120 | $4,207,559 | $1,967,723 |
| 2020 | $38,805,529 | $1,037,464 | $3,463,224 | $2,742,738 | 46 | — | $753,973 | $1,754,917 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Sapelo Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to work in partnership toward a just and sustainable Georgia through solutions that increase community prosperity, civic power, and environmental protection.
Its two grant portfolios are Environmental Justice & Protection and Social Justice. Environmental priorities include water supply and access, conservation advocacy, equitable land use, coastal resilience, and climate and clean-energy issues. Social Justice priorities include voting rights and criminal justice. The foundation’s stated objectives include increasing Georgians’ ability to shape and benefit from just policies and to prosper in safe, healthy environments; its social justice portfolio also focuses on civic and social policies, rights, protections, access, and agency.
The foundation supports organizations and networks pursuing policy advocacy, civic engagement, and grassroots organizing. Among its 2024 grantees, Georgia Rivers describes its mission as protecting and connecting people with Georgia’s rivers. The Southern Center for Human Rights says it works for equality, dignity, and justice for people affected by the criminal legal system in the Deep South. BVM Capacity Building Institute says it provides information, training, and resources to build the capacity of community-based organizations working toward social justice. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own work.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 47 grants totaling $1,421,000. Grants ranged from $1,500 to $250,000, with a median of $25,000.
Notable 2024 grants included $250,000 to Georgia River Network for environmental justice and protection; $100,000 each to ProGeorgia State Table and the Southern Center for Human Rights; $85,000 to Communities in Schools of Glynn County for a McIntosh County grant; and $62,000 to Glynn Environmental Coalition. Other grants included $50,000 each to BVM Capacity Building Institute, Georgia Alliance Education Fund, and an individual recipient and Policy Institute, and $40,000 each to As You Sow, Fair Count, and New Georgia Project.
The foundation’s process begins with a Letter of Connection (LOC). Staff and a board committee review LOCs and invite selected organizations to submit a full application; invited applications are reviewed at the board’s spring meeting. The foundation’s filing states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. The filing also points applicants to materials concerning grant reporting, organizational development, and funding restrictions.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists the following trustees: Bettieanne Childers Hart, Irene Reynolds Schier, Laura Mountcastle, Michael Grant, Midge Sweet, Nicole Bagley, Phillip N Carey, the Honorable Nan Grogan Orrock, William K Broker, and Avery Galiette. Laura Mountcastle is also listed as treasurer; Michael Grant as secretary; Nicole Bagley as president; and Phillip N Carey as vice president.
The Sapelo Foundation Inc is led by Joseph Thomas, Executive Director on every filing since 2023; 1 of 12 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Joseph Thomas
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$84K (2023) → $145K (2024)
Nicole Bagley
Trustee & President
President → Trustee & President, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bettieanne Childers Hart
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Irene Reynolds Schier
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura Mountcastle
Trustee & Treasurer
Treasurer → Trustee & Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Grant
Trustee & Secretary
Secretary → Trustee & Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Midge Sweet
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Phillip N. Carey
Trustee & Vice President
Vice President → Trustee & Vice President, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
The Honorable Nan Grogan Orrock
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William K. Broker
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Avery Galiette
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hattie Portis-Jones
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Juan A. Figueroa (2022–2023) — Executive Director
- Former: Christine Reeves Strigaro (2020–2022) — Executive Director
- Former: Seandra Pope (2020–2021) — Trustee · Filing note: Resigned 102021
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $145K, to Joseph Thomas (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about The Sapelo Foundation Inc
How much does The Sapelo Foundation Inc give each year?
The Sapelo Foundation Inc gave $1.4M across 47 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.4M across 36 grants.
What is The Sapelo Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Sapelo Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $30,234, across 47 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Sapelo Foundation Inc that year got $23K on average.
Where does The Sapelo Foundation Inc give grants?
The Sapelo Foundation Inc gives mostly in Georgia: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Savannah, GA (46 grants).
Does The Sapelo Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 47 grants with a stated purpose on The Sapelo Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Sapelo Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Sapelo Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Georgia River Network Inc ($264,000 across 3 grants), Southern Center for Human Rights ($103,000 across 2 grants) and Progeorgia State Table Inc ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($5,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Sapelo Foundation Inc?
The Sapelo Foundation Inc reported $35.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Sapelo Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to work in partnership toward a just and sustainable Georgia through solutions that increase community prosperity, civic power, and environmental protection. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Sapelo Foundation Inc?
Submit a Letter of Connection for the relevant grant portfolio. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Sapelo Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Sapelo Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-0827472. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Sapelo Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Sapelo Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-sapelo-foundation-inc-morg_607a84fc1c014ecbbcbfa6078e4a3f6a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_580827472_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Sapelo Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-sapelo-foundation-inc-morg_607a84fc1c014ecbbcbfa6078e4a3f6a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Sapelo Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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