The Shepherd Foundation
The Shepherd Foundation is a private foundation, based in Wilmington, NC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2022. In 2022, it awarded 5 grants totaling $176K. Net investment income was $3K.
The Shepherd Foundation at a glance
In short: The Shepherd Foundation gave $176K across 5 grants in 2022 (avg $35K), mostly in Kentucky. Source: 2022 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2022)
- $175,632
- +2427.1% vs 2021
- Grants made (2022)
- 5
- -16.7% vs 2021
- Average grant
- $35,126
- +2932.5% vs 2021
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Primary geography
- Kentucky (98% of itemized 2022 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2022 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2022; updated September 2026.
Who The Shepherd Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2022
The largest 2022 recipient was Fidelity Charitable ($172K). Together the top 5 received $176K.
Grant Size Distribution
16 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 15 grants of 16 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2022 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Shepherd Foundation gives
- In 2022 it paid out well above 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 2022, annual grant giving ranged from $3K (2020) to $176K (2022). In 2022 it made 5 grants totaling $176K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fidelity Charitable Covington, KY | Charitable | $172,482 |
| Angel Ministries Raleigh, NC | Religious Activities | $1,000 |
| Pioneers - USA Orlando, FL | Charitable | $1,000 |
| Campus Crusade Raleigh, NC | Religious Activities | $600 |
| Wycliffe Bible Orlando, FL | Religious Activities | $550 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | — | $3,257 | $178,716 | $175,632 | 5 | $175,632 | $3,257 | $7,377 |
| 2021 | $178,474 | $16,262 | $11,085 | $6,950 | 6 | $6,950 | $10,762 | $8,091 |
| 2020 | $139,854 | $17,593 | $5,494 | $3,250 | 5 | — | $7,593 | $5,383 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Shepherd Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7K for 2022 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Shepherd Foundation is led by Lee A. Whitehurst, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2022 report compensation.
Officers on the 2022 filing
Lee A. Whitehurst
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Ann D. Whitehurst
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2022. "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 Shepherd Foundation
How much does The Shepherd Foundation give each year?
The Shepherd Foundation gave $176K across 5 grants in 2022, according to its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2021 it gave $7K across 6 grants.
What is The Shepherd Foundation's typical grant size?
The Shepherd Foundation's median grant in 2022 was $1,000, and its average grant was $35,126, across 5 grants on its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Shepherd Foundation give grants?
The Shepherd Foundation gives mostly in Kentucky: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Raleigh, NC (2 grants) and Orlando, FL (2 grants).
Does The Shepherd Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2022: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on The Shepherd Foundation's 2022 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Religious Activities" (3 grants).
Who are The Shepherd Foundation's largest grantees?
The Shepherd Foundation's largest 2022 grantees include Fidelity Charitable ($172,482), Angel Ministries ($1,000) and Pioneers - USA ($1,000), according to its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 99% of its itemized 2022 grant dollars.
How much is The Shepherd Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2022, The Shepherd Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Shepherd Foundation's EIN?
The Shepherd Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-2010297. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2022.
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
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 21, 2022)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2022
Live grants for the work The Shepherd Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in The Shepherd Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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