The Williams Brice Edwards Charitable
The Williams-Brice-Edwards Charitable Trust is a private foundation based in Sumter, South Carolina, established in 1988. Located at 5 Broad Street in Sumter, the trust was created through the financial success of Williams Furniture Corporation and affiliated companies. The foundation exists to serve the Sumter County community by recognizing and investing in organizations and initiatives that enhance quality of life in the region.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$57.4M
+4.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.6M
+23.3% YoY
Grant Count
36
+9.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$156K
+13.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Williams Brice Edwards Charitable reported a distributable amount of $5.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The trust is dedicated to improving Sumter County through grants in the following areas:
- Arts and Culture
- Healthcare
- Education
- Religious Programs
- Economic Development
- Quality of Life Projects
The foundation prioritizes opportunities that benefit Sumter's residents, seeking to invest in organizations that positively impact the community.
Grantmaking
According to available records, the trust has made 60 grants totaling $9.4 million and has supported 42 unique organizations. The foundation distributed between $4.6 million and $4.9 million annually from 2020 to 2022.
Grant Range
s:**
Average Grant
amount: $157,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The trust primarily funds organizations operating in Sumter County, South Carolina. Grants have also been distributed to organizations in North Carolina and Texas, though South Carolina remains the primary funding region.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $57,405,876
- Annual Income: $22.1 million
- Total Giving: $5,598,067
- Asset Growth: Assets have grown from $5.2 million in 2011 to $57.4 million in 2024
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $57,405,876 | $55,046,172 | $55,510,074 |
| Revenue | $8,452,969 | $4,864,935 | $2,913,355 |
| Expenses | $6,140,920 | $5,192,898 | $5,509,833 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $5,598,067 | $4,539,523 | $4,851,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $7,910,116 | $4,211,560 | $2,254,522 |
| Distributable Amount | $5,382,860 | $4,429,533 | $4,810,675 |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
164 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include City of Sumter ($1,700,000), Sumter County Museum ($803,500), Usc-sumter ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SUMTER COUNTY MUSEUM SUMTER, SC | SCULPTURE, AIR CONDITIONER, OPERATIONS | $803,500 |
| USC-SUMTER COLUMBIA, SC | MATCHING SCHOLORSHIPS, GYM | $500,000 |
| SALVATION ARMY BOY'S CLUB OF SUMTER SUMTER, SC | SPECIAL PROJECT | $25,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS SUMTER, SC | SPECIAL PROJECT | $75,000 |
| YOUNG LIFE SUMTER, SC | SPECIAL PROJECT | $25,000 |
| DAVIDSON COLLEGE DAVIDSON, NC | OPERATIONS | $2,500 |
| CITY OF SUMTER SUMTER, SC | OPERA HOUSE, VARIOUS CITY PROJECTS | $1,700,000 |
| MORRIS COLLEGE SUMTER, SC | SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS | $100,000 |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT COLUMBIA, SC | SPECIAL PROJECT | $20,000 |
| INDIAN WATERS COUNCIL ENDOWMENT COLUMBIA, SC | CURTAINS & LIGHTING | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Trustees:
- Frank O. Edwards, Chairman
- Florence M. Ervin
- Lauren Edwards Brennan
- Reid Schwartz
- Stephen M. Creech
Advisory Board:
- Cameron G. Chandler
- Thomas E. Player
- Robert C. Richardson
Historical Note: The trust was established with inspiration from Oliver Lafayette Williams, Julian Thomas Buxton, and Walter Edward Covington, who founded and built Williams Furniture Corporation. The trust also reflects the spiritual and financial legacy provided to Phillip L. Edwards by his parents and grandparents: Richard Thomas and Louise Williams Edwards, and Thomas Hardin and Martha Williams Brice.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| FLORENCE M ERVIN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| FRANK O EDWARDS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| LAUREN E BRENNAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Recent grants awarded by the trust include:
**Liberty Steam Charter School** received $200,000 for operations in 2024
**Palmetto Trail** was awarded a grant by the trust (specific amount not detailed in available sources)
Palmetto Trail awarded grant by The Williams-Brice-Edwards ...The trust continues to actively support educational initiatives, community development, and quality-of-life improvements throughout Sumter County.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Williams Brice Edwards Charitable fund?
The trust is dedicated to improving Sumter County through grants in the following areas: • **Arts and Culture** • **Healthcare** • **Education** • **Religious Programs** • **Economic Development** • **Quality of Life Projects** The foundation prioritizes opportunities that benefit Sumter's residents, seeking to invest in organizations that positively impact the community.
How do I apply for a grant from The Williams Brice Edwards Charitable?
**Grant Sizes:** • Typical awards range from $500 to $2,230,000 • Average grant amount: $157,000 • Median grant amount: $25,000–$30,000 • Smallest grant on record: $100 **Recent Activity:** According to available records, the trust has made 60 grants totaling $9.4 million and has supported 42 unique organizations. The foundation distributed between $4.6 million and $4.9 million annually from 2020 to 2022. **Application Process:** No required application form. Organizations must be operating in …
Where does The Williams Brice Edwards Charitable make grants?
The trust primarily funds organizations operating in Sumter County, South Carolina. Grants have also been distributed to organizations in North Carolina and Texas, though South Carolina remains the primary funding region.
What size grants does The Williams Brice Edwards Charitable award?
In 2024, The Williams Brice Edwards Charitable awarded 36 grants totaling $5.6M — an average of about $156K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Williams Brice Edwards Charitable required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Williams Brice Edwards Charitable reported a distributable amount of $5.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Williams Brice Edwards Charitable's EIN?
The Williams Brice Edwards Charitable's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 57-6105891. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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