The Shearwater Foundation
The Shearwater Foundation is a private foundation, based in Huntsville, AL. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.2M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 5 grants totaling $57K. Net investment income was $42K.
The Shearwater Foundation at a glance
In short: The Shearwater Foundation gave $57K across 5 grants in 2025 (avg $11K), top state Alabama. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $57,000
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 5
- +66.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $11,400
- -40.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $12,000
- Total assets
- $1,150,675
- +7.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Alabama (44% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Shearwater Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Jocotoco Foundation ($20K). Together the top 5 received $57K.
Grant Size Distribution
21 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 21 grants of 21 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Shearwater Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+10%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 104% 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $52K (2022) to $91K (2020). In 2025 it made 5 grants totaling $57K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jocotoco Foundation Baltimore, MD | General Support | $20,000 |
| Village of Promise Huntsville, AL | General Support | $15,000 |
| Our Kids Inc Nashville, TN | General Support | $12,000 |
| Impact America Birmingham, AL | General Support | $5,000 |
| Huntsville Hospital Foundation Huntsville, AL | General Support | $5,000 |
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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 | $1,150,675 | $53,216 | $67,714 | $57,000 | 5 | $57,000 | $41,502 | $54,631 |
| 2024 | $1,069,545 | $57,475 | $66,923 | $57,000 | 3 | $57,000 | $47,552 | $52,080 |
| 2023 | $995,320 | $29,590 | $67,661 | $56,000 | 5 | $56,000 | $17,929 | $47,483 |
| 2022 | $924,941 | $29,709 | $62,144 | $52,000 | 4 | $52,000 | $19,565 | $48,731 |
| 2021 | $1,135,823 | $57,891 | $68,423 | $59,000 | 4 | $59,000 | $47,591 | $55,576 |
| 2020 | $1,075,754 | $31,923 | $98,609 | $91,000 | 6 | — | $26,534 | $50,296 |
| 2019 | $1,034,307 | $85,192 | $86,864 | $80,093 | 6 | — | $54,812 | $50,787 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Shearwater Foundation reported a distributable amount of $55K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Shearwater Foundation is led by J. Milton Harris, President on every filing since 2019 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
J. Milton Harris
President
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 Shearwater Foundation
How much does The Shearwater Foundation give each year?
The Shearwater Foundation gave $57K across 5 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $57K across 3 grants.
What is The Shearwater Foundation's typical grant size?
The Shearwater Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $12,000, and its average grant was $11,400, across 5 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Shearwater Foundation give grants?
The Shearwater Foundation's top state is Alabama, with 44% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Maryland (35%) and Tennessee (21%). The most frequent recipient cities were Huntsville, AL (2 grants).
Does The Shearwater Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Shearwater Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 5) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Shearwater Foundation's largest grantees?
The Shearwater Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Jocotoco Foundation ($20,000), Village of Promise ($15,000) and Our Kids Inc ($12,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 82% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Shearwater Foundation?
The Shearwater Foundation reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $57K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $55K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
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 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 17, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Shearwater Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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