The Slemp Foundation
The Slemp Foundation is a private foundation established through the will of the late Campbell Bascom Slemp, a U.S. Congressman from Virginia. The foundation was established in 1946 and is based in Detroit, Michigan, with administrative operations in Frankfort, Kentucky and Wilmington, Delaware. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and has been tax-exempt since January 1947.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$28.8M
+2.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.3M
-12.1% YoY
Grant Count
263
+74.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
-49.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Slemp Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.6M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Slemp Foundation's mission, as expressed in Congressman Slemp's will, is to:
- Improve the health, education, and welfare of Lee and Wise County, Virginia residents or their descendants
- Care, maintain, and develop the Janie Slemp Newman Museum (now the Southwest Virginia Museum)
- Care and maintain the Slemp Cemetery and the Seminary Methodist Church in Lee County, Virginia
The foundation's primary giving focuses on education, including college scholarships and support for educational institutions. Additional program areas include the arts, healthcare, historical preservation, and community welfare. The foundation maintains a specific program for the maintenance, preservation, documentation, and education of the public regarding the historical significance of a cemetery located in Lee County.
Grantmaking
The Slemp Foundation awards approximately $2,500 scholarships annually to college students who are Lee and Wise County residents or their descendants. Between 100 to 150 students are funded by the foundation each year.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Slemp Foundation primarily funds organizations and individuals in Lee and Wise Counties, Virginia. The foundation also supports institutions in Virginia, Tennessee, and Ohio, with particular emphasis on the southwestern Virginia region, often referred to as the "Gap region."
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending June 2024:
- Total Assets: $28,017,578
- Total Revenues: $2,168,818
- Total Expenses: $2,429,305
- Total Liabilities: $7,160 (as of 2023)
As of Fiscal Year Ending June 2023:
- Total Assets: $28.3 million
- Total Revenues: $14.6 million
- Total Expenses: $1.95 million
The foundation has awarded over $35 million in scholarships, pledges, and charitable grants since its inception in 1946.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $28,823,372 | $28,017,578 | $28,274,112 |
| Revenue | $3,045,993 | $2,168,818 | $14,620,097 |
| Expenses | $2,240,199 | $2,429,305 | $1,945,790 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,745,865 | $1,887,011 | $1,775,231 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,824,067 | $1,643,924 | $14,473,445 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,559,822 | $1,498,800 | $1,255,149 |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
154 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Slemp Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Boy Scouts of America ($10,000), Boy Scouts of America ($10,000), A Anderson ($1,250).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A Anderson Coeburn, VA | Scholarship Grant | $1,250 |
| A Belcher Pound, VA | Scholarship Grant | $1,250 |
| A Bowen Reed Pennington Gap, VA | Scholarship Grant | $1,250 |
| A Bryant Pound, VA | Scholarship Grant | $1,250 |
| A Edwards Dryden, VA | Scholarship Grant | $1,250 |
| A Fritts Dryden, VA | Scholarship Grant | $1,250 |
| A Khan Wise, VA | Scholarship Grant | $1,250 |
| A Kisner Wise, VA | Scholarship Grant | $1,250 |
| A Lawson Wise, VA | Scholarship Grant | $1,250 |
| A Litton Big Stone Gap, VA | Scholarship Grant | $1,250 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Nancey Edmonds Smith — Trustee
- James C. Smith — General contact for organizational inquiries
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mary A Edmonds | Trustee | 5 | $19,450 |
| Melissa S Jensen | Trustee | 10 | $19,450 |
| Pamela Orcutt | Trustee | 1 | $18,450 |
| Virginia E Sircy | Trustee | 5 | $19,450 |
| James C Smith | Trustee | 40 | $140,450 |
| Nancey E Smith | Trustee | 10 | $19,450 |
| Melissa S Swatzyna | Trustee | 5 | $19,450 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Slemp Foundation continues to support educational institutions and community programs in Lee and Wise Counties. Recent beneficiaries have included Mountain Empire Community College and the University of Virginia – Wise, which have received gifts and pledges in excess of $7.5 million combined. The foundation has also supported cultural arts programs including the Trail of the Lonesome Pine Outdoor Drama, ProArt Concert Series, Creative Arts Summer Camp, and various performing arts programs in the region.
Foundations Support UVA Wise Students Through New Gifts | UVA WiseFrequently Asked Questions
What does The Slemp Foundation fund?
The Slemp Foundation's mission, as expressed in Congressman Slemp's will, is to: • Improve the health, education, and welfare of Lee and Wise County, Virginia residents or their descendants • Care, maintain, and develop the Janie Slemp Newman Museum (now the Southwest Virginia Museum) • Care and maintain the Slemp Cemetery and the Seminary Methodist Church in Lee County, Virginia The foundation's primary giving focuses on education, including college scholarships and support for educational ins…
How do I apply for a grant from The Slemp Foundation?
The Slemp Foundation awards approximately $2,500 scholarships annually to college students who are Lee and Wise County residents or their descendants. Between 100 to 150 students are funded by the foundation each year. For charitable grants to qualifying nonprofit organizations, typical award amounts range from $711 to $295,000. Recent grants include: • Stickleyville Volunteer Fire Dept: $101,600 (2024) • Stickleyville School Community Center Association: $69,365 (2024) • Friends of Lonesome Pi…
Where does The Slemp Foundation make grants?
The Slemp Foundation primarily funds organizations and individuals in Lee and Wise Counties, Virginia. The foundation also supports institutions in Virginia, Tennessee, and Ohio, with particular emphasis on the southwestern Virginia region, often referred to as the "Gap region."
What size grants does The Slemp Foundation award?
In 2025, The Slemp Foundation awarded 263 grants totaling $1.3M — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Slemp Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, The Slemp Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Slemp Foundation's EIN?
The Slemp Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-6025080. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Slemp Foundation'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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