The Shearwater Foundation
The Shearwater Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in HUNTSVILLE, AL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 3 grants totaling $57K. Net investment income was $48K.
Key facts about The Shearwater Foundation
- EIN
- 63-1280360
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $57,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 3
- Average grant
- $19,000
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $1,069,545
- Primary geography
- Virginia (44% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated April 2026.
Who The Shearwater Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Shearwater Foundation's 3 itemized 2024 grants were Virginia (44%), Maryland (35%) and Tennessee (21%). 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.1M
+7.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$57K
+1.8% YoY
Grant Count
3
-40.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$19K
+69.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Shearwater Foundation reported a distributable amount of $52K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About The Shearwater Foundation
Based on IRS filings
The Shearwater Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in HUNTSVILLE, AL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 3 grants totaling $57K. Net investment income was $48K.
Focus Areas
Ready to take the next step with The Shearwater Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 3 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,069,545 | $995,320 | $924,941 |
| Revenue | $57,475 | $29,590 | $29,709 |
| Expenses | $66,923 | $67,661 | $62,144 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $57,000 | $56,000 | $52,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $47,552 | $17,929 | $19,565 |
| Distributable Amount | $52,080 | $47,483 | $48,731 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
22 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include American Bird Conservancy ($25,000), Jocotoco Foundation ($20,000), Our Kids Inc ($12,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY THE PLAINS, VA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| JOCOTOCO FOUNDATION BALTIMORE, MD | GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| OUR KIDS INC NASHVILLE, TN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $12,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| J MILTON HARRIS | PRESIDENT | — | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Shearwater Foundation?
The Shearwater Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in HUNTSVILLE, AL. It holds $1.1M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is The Shearwater Foundation?
As of 2024, The Shearwater Foundation holds $1.1M in total assets with $57K in annual revenue. It awarded 3 grants totaling $57K in 2024.
Where does The Shearwater Foundation operate?
The Shearwater Foundation has awarded grants in Alabama, Maryland, Tennessee, Virginia.
What size grants does The Shearwater Foundation award?
In 2024, The Shearwater Foundation awarded 3 grants totaling $57K — an average of about $19K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Shearwater Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Shearwater Foundation reported a distributable amount of $52K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Shearwater Foundation's EIN?
The Shearwater Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 63-1280360. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Shearwater Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Chicago Community Trust
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$6.0B
Grants
3,976
Total Given
$1.4B
The Volgenau Foundation
MCLEAN, VA
Assets
$166.2M
Grants
60
Total Given
$13.4M
The Daniel Foundation of Alabama
BIRMINGHAM, AL
Assets
$114.5M
Grants
521
Total Given
$7.5M
BAND Foundation
WILMINGTON, DE
Assets
—
Grants
49
Total Given
$7.2M
The Blackbaud Giving Fund
CHARLESTON SC, SC
Assets
$52.7M
Grants
1,860
Total Given
$41.4M
Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program
SOUTHEASTERN, PA
Assets
$22.2B
Grants
24,269
Total Given
$3.0B
Doris Duke Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$12.7M
Grants
135
Total Given
$1.9M
The Nature Conservancy
ARLINGTON, VA
Assets
$9.5B
Grants
627
Total Given
$54.1M
Charities Aid Foundation America
ALEXANDRIA, VA
Assets
$485.8M
Grants
14,494
Total Given
$556.0M
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$2.2B
Grants
289
Total Given
$90.3M
March Conservation Fund
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Assets
$77.9M
Grants
79
Total Given
$4.8M
National Philanthropic Trust
JENKINTOWN, PA
Assets
$42.2B
Grants
18,583
Total Given
$5.1B
More Funders in Alabama
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.