The Sheppard Foundation
The Sheppard Foundation is a private foundation based in Darien, Connecticut. Its 2024 IRS filing is marked as a final return, indicating that the foundation has terminated or is winding down.
The Sheppard Foundation at a glance
In short: The Sheppard Foundation gave $1.1M across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $279K), mostly in Missouri. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,117,060
- -43.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 4
- -76.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $279,265
- +140.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $128,435
- Primary geography
- Missouri (95% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Sheppard Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The final filing states that applications should be submitted by letter describing the purpose, needs, and other pertinent information, with proof of 501(c)(3) status, such as a determination letter. It says giving is not restricted to preselected organizations. These instructions are from the final filing and should not be treated as current application guidance.
- Review Cycle
- None was listed on the final filing.
- Deadline
- None was listed on the final filing.
- Contact
Application contact: John W Sheppard Jr
Mailing address: 10 Davis Lane, Darien, CT 06820
Phone: (203) 655-1754
Website: https://thesheppardfamilyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Sheppard Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The John & Lynn Sheppard Family FD ($1.1M across 2 grants). Together the top 3 received $1.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
70 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 56 grants of 70 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 95% of grant dollars went to recipients in Missouri, 4% to recipients in Connecticut, and 1% to recipients in Georgia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Sheppard Foundation gives
- Giving grew 306% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $225K (2020) to $2.0M (2023). In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The John & Lynn Sheppard Family FD St. Louis, MO | Charitable | $850,191 |
| The John & Lynn Sheppard Family FD St. Louis, MO | Charitable | $206,869 |
| American Red Cross Farmington, CT | Charitable | $50,000 |
| Community Foundation of South Georg Thomasville, GA | Charitable | $10,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | — | $43,044 | $1,126,035 | $1,117,060 | 4 | $1,117,060 | $39,997 | $53,835 |
| 2023 | $1,082,991 | $160,554 | $1,980,544 | $1,975,244 | 17 | $1,975,244 | $160,554 | $144,143 |
| 2022 | $2,902,981 | $271,013 | $335,075 | $325,000 | 17 | $325,000 | $123,908 | $274,071 |
| 2021 | $2,967,043 | $743,322 | $290,400 | $275,000 | 19 | $275,000 | $444,502 | $284,944 |
| 2020 | $2,514,121 | $664,030 | $233,100 | $225,000 | 13 | — | $480,362 | $228,881 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Sheppard Foundation reported a distributable amount of $54K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Sheppard Family Foundation website describes a family mission to love, serve, strengthen, and equip families by helping them develop as leaders, reduce physical needs, engage with educational programs, access sport and wellness opportunities, and mature in their Christian faith.
The foundation’s 2024 filing lists awards for religious, scientific, public safety testing, literary, educational, and prevention of cruelty to children or animals within the United States.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported four grants totaling $1,117,060. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $850,191, with a median of $128,434. Notable grants included $850,191 and $206,869 to The John & Lynn Sheppard Family Foundation in St. Louis, Missouri; $50,000 to the American Red Cross in Farmington, Connecticut; and $10,000 to the Community Foundation of South Georgia in Thomasville, Georgia. Each was listed for charitable purposes.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists John W. Sheppard Jr. as managing trustee, J. Wade Sheppard III as trustee, and Ann S. Mores as trustee.
The Sheppard Foundation is led by John W. Sheppard Jr., Managing Trustee on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
John W. Sheppard Jr.
Managing Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Ann S. Mores
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
J. Wade Sheppard III
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Sheppard Foundation
How much does The Sheppard Foundation give each year?
The Sheppard Foundation gave $1.1M across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.0M across 17 grants.
What is The Sheppard Foundation's typical grant size?
The Sheppard Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $128,435, and its average grant was $279,265, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Sheppard Foundation give grants?
The Sheppard Foundation gives mostly in Missouri: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were St. Louis, MO (2 grants).
Does The Sheppard Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on The Sheppard Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (4 grants).
What does The Sheppard Foundation fund?
The Sheppard Family Foundation website describes a family mission to love, serve, strengthen, and equip families by helping them develop as leaders, reduce physical needs, engage with educational programs, access sport and wellness opportunities, and mature in their Christian faith. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Sheppard Foundation?
The final filing states that applications should be submitted by letter describing the purpose, needs, and other pertinent information, with proof of 501(c)(3) status, such as a determination letter. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is The Sheppard Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Sheppard Foundation reported a distributable amount of $54K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Sheppard Foundation's EIN?
The Sheppard Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-6388719. 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 13, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Figures come from The Sheppard Foundation'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.
The Sheppard Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?