The Sapelo Foundation Inc
The Sapelo Foundation Inc is a private family foundation based in Savannah, Georgia, incorporated in 1949. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) philanthropic organization dedicated to advancing social and environmental progress across Georgia. Beyond traditional grantmaking, the foundation serves as a mission investor, convener, thought partner, and advocate for nonprofit organizations and networks statewide.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$35.5M
+1.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.4M
+4.9% YoY
Grant Count
47
+30.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$30K
-19.6% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To work in partnership toward a just and sustainable Georgia through solutions that increase community prosperity, civic power, and environmental protection.
Vision: An inclusive Georgia where people and the environment thrive together; where communities are free from barriers to dignity and success; and where systems recognize historical harm while advancing equity and ecological health.
The foundation promotes progressive social change affecting vulnerable populations, rural communities, and the natural environment. Core strategies include:
- Strengthening the capacity and infrastructure of grassroots organizations and coalitions
- Supporting policy and advocacy efforts at the local, state, and federal levels
- Amplifying local stories and supporting narrative change that connect social justice and environmental justice issues to everyday concerns
Primary Grant Portfolios:
- Environmental Justice & Protection — Currently focused on the Georgia Water Coalition, a strategic campaign addressing water resource management and policy
- Social Justice — Currently focused on the JUSTGeorgia initiative, which addresses juvenile justice policy in Georgia
- Organizational Development Fund — Supporting training for nonprofit leaders and staff
- McIntosh County Scholarships — Scholarships for financially needy residents of McIntosh County, Georgia, who are graduates of McIntosh County Academy with a 2.0 GPA or better, for attendance at accredited colleges, universities, or technical colleges
Grantmaking
The foundation considers grants for general operating support, multi-year support, and organizational development. The foundation supports grantee partners that pursue power-building strategies, such as policy advocacy, civic engagement, and grassroots community organizing.
Grant Range
$20,000
Review Cycle
January 15
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Georgia, with particular emphasis on:
- Statewide Georgia initiatives
- McIntosh County, Georgia
- Savannah area
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total Assets: $35.1 million
- Total Revenue: $1.28 million
- Total Expenses: $2.19 million
- Total Liabilities: $381,000
- Investment Income and Dividends: $787,498
Staffing: The foundation operates with 2 compensated employees, with most trustees and officers serving without compensation.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $35,459,943 | $35,121,938 | $34,926,097 |
| Revenue | $2,134,968 | $1,279,564 | $1,007,811 |
| Expenses | $2,713,169 | $2,194,605 | $2,540,757 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,110,506 | $1,886,242 | $2,460,054 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,734,637 | $864,024 | $263,057 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,710,323 | $1,705,057 | $1,806,910 |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
201 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Sapelo Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Georgia River Network Inc ($250,000), Progeorgia State Table Inc ($100,000), Southern Center for Human Rights ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 9 TO 5 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WORKING WOMEN SAVANNAH, GA | GRANT TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE MISSION OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION | $20,000 |
| ACLU FOUNDATION OF GEORGIA INC SAVANNAH, GA | GRANT TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE MISSION OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION | $25,000 |
| ALBANY COMMUNITIES TOGETHER INC SAVANNAH, GA | GRANT TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE MISSION OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION | $5,000 |
| AS YOU SOW SAVANNAH, GA | SOCIAL JUSTICE GRANT - TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE MISSION OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION | $40,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF SOUTHEAST GEORGIA SAVANNAH, GA | MCINTOSH COUNTY GRANT - TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE MISSION OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION | $25,000 |
| BVM CAPACITY BUILDING INSTITUTE SAVANNAH, GA | SOCIAL JUSTICE GRANT - TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE MISSION OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION | $50,000 |
| COMMUNITY IN SCHOOLS OF GLYNN COUNTY INC SAVANNAH, GA | MCINTOSH COUNTY GRANT - TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE MISSION OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION | $85,000 |
| DEEP CENTER SAVANNAH, GA | SOCIAL JUSTICE GRANT - TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE MISSION OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION | $35,000 |
| FAIR COUNT SAVANNAH, GA | GRANT TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE MISSION OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION | $40,000 |
| FLINT RIVERKEEPER INC SAVANNAH, GA | ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND PROTECTION GRANT - TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE MISSION OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Juan A. Figueroa — Interim Executive Director (compensation: $41,740)
- Joseph Thomas — Executive Director (compensation: $84,097)
The foundation is governed by 13 officers and trustees, including both family members and non-family community members with deep and diverse expertise about Georgia.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BETTIEANNE CHILDERS HART | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| IRENE REYNOLDS SCHIER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| LAURA MOUNTCASTLE | TRUSTEE, TREASURER | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL GRANT | TRUSTEE, SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| MIDGE SWEET | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| NICOLE BAGLEY | TRUSTEE, PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| PHILLIP N CAREY | TRUSTEE, VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| THE HONORABLE NAN GROGAN ORROCK | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| WILLIAM K BROKER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| AVERY GALIETTE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| HATTIE PORTIS-JONES | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JOSEPH THOMAS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $145,000 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Sapelo Foundation Inc fund?
**Mission:** To work in partnership toward a just and sustainable Georgia through solutions that increase community prosperity, civic power, and environmental protection. **Vision:** An inclusive Georgia where people and the environment thrive together; where communities are free from barriers to dignity and success; and where systems recognize historical harm while advancing equity and ecological health. The foundation promotes progressive social change affecting vulnerable populations, rural …
How do I apply for a grant from The Sapelo Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • According to available records, the foundation has made 118 grants totaling $5.8 million • Median grant size: $20,000 • Individual grants have ranged from $750 to $544,000, with an average award of $49,000 • The foundation has supported 60 unique organizations • Annual giving has decreased from $2.7 million in 2020 to $1.5 million in 2022 **Recent Grants (2023):** • Georgia River Network: $250,000 (Environment Justice & Protection Grant) • Southern Center for Human Rights:…
Where does The Sapelo Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Georgia, with particular emphasis on: • Statewide Georgia initiatives • McIntosh County, Georgia • Savannah area
What size grants does The Sapelo Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, The Sapelo Foundation Inc awarded 47 grants totaling $1.4M — an average of about $30K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Sapelo Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Sapelo Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Sapelo Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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