Thomas T and Bernice F Irvin Foundation
The Thomas T. and Bernice F. Irvin Foundation is a private foundation based in Toccoa, Georgia. The foundation was incorporated in 1997 to support the charitable causes of Thomas T. Irvin and Bernice Frady Irvin. Thomas Irvin was a prominent Georgia public servant who served in the Georgia General Assembly beginning in 1962 and as Georgia's Commissioner of Agriculture from 1969 to 2011. Bernice Frady Irvin passed away in 2014, and Thomas Irvin died in 2017.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.8M
+1.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$190K
-12.3% YoY
Grant Count
88
+12.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$2K
-22.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Thomas T and Bernice F Irvin Foundation reported a distributable amount of $236K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports causes aligned with the values of Thomas and Bernice Irvin, with a particular emphasis on education. Both founders were advocates for education and maintained strong affection for educational institutions, particularly Piedmont College. The foundation also supports health services, community development, and local charitable organizations in the Toccoa and Stephens County area.
Grantmaking
Recent grants made by the foundation include:
Grant Range
s range from $500 to $240,000, indicating flexibility in funding amounts based on project scope and organizational needs.
Ready to take the next step with Thomas T and Bernice F Irvin Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Georgia, with a strong concentration in the Toccoa and Stephens County area. The foundation has also supported Piedmont College, which is located in the region.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
According to available data, the foundation's total giving has been reported at approximately $190,450 to $217,225 in recent years, positioning it among the top foundations in Toccoa, Georgia by total giving.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,762,898 | $3,714,908 | $3,811,750 |
| Revenue | $326,077 | $204,824 | $183,081 |
| Expenses | $278,087 | $301,666 | $279,485 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $214,890 | $241,889 | $181,133 |
| Net Investment Income | $264,874 | $145,047 | $84,730 |
| Distributable Amount | $235,574 | $213,987 | $223,356 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include North Georgia Technical College ($52,000), Mt Airy Masonic Lodge #141 Foundation ($10,500), Lord's Help ($5,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A PLACE OF HOPE NORTH GEORGIA CLAYTON, GA | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION | $500 |
| ABRAHAM BALDWIN AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE TIFTON, GA | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION | $1,000 |
| ALPHA GAMMA RHO KANSAS CITY, MO | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION | $500 |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION DALLAS, TX | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION | $1,000 |
| AMERICAN LEGION TOCCOA, GA | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION | $1,000 |
| ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH WMU MT AIRY, GA | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION | $500 |
| ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH MT AIRY, GA | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION | $5,000 |
| ATLANTA SPEECH SCHOOL ATLANTA, GA | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION | $2,000 |
| BAT CAVE FIRE DEPT HENDERSONVILLE, NC | TO ASSIST WITH RECOVERY FROM HURRICANE DAMAGE | $5,000 |
| CHIMNEY ROCK FIRE DEPT CHIMNEY ROCK, NC | TO ASSIST WITH RECOVERY FROM HURRICANE DAMAGE | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
James Irvin, the couple's oldest son and a Toccoa attorney, serves as a trustee of the foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES T IRVIN | CEO/CFO | 10 | $49,500 |
| LISA I COLLIER | SECRETARY | 1 | $750 |
| ROB THOMAS IRVIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The most significant recent grant activity was the $240,000 gift announced in 2020 to support Piedmont College's School of Education. This major gift funded the complete renovation of Nielsen Hall, a 17,000-square-foot building on the college's historic quad. The renovated facility includes eight classrooms, four seminar rooms, a technology classroom, and administrative offices. The architectural centerpiece of the building, the Tommy and Bernice Irvin Atrium, was named in honor of the foundation's founders.
$240K gift to support new home for Piedmont School of EducationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Thomas T and Bernice F Irvin Foundation fund?
The foundation supports causes aligned with the values of Thomas and Bernice Irvin, with a particular emphasis on education. Both founders were advocates for education and maintained strong affection for educational institutions, particularly Piedmont College. The foundation also supports health services, community development, and local charitable organizations in the Toccoa and Stephens County area.
How do I apply for a grant from Thomas T and Bernice F Irvin Foundation?
Recent grants made by the foundation include: • **$240,000** to Piedmont College's School of Education (2020) for renovation of Nielsen Hall and creation of the Tommy and Bernice Irvin Atrium • **$2,000** to Open Arms Clinic (2024) for general contribution • **$1,000** to Toccoa Life (2024) for general operations • **$1,000** to Knox Whiten Foundation (2023) for general support • **$500** to Toccoa-Stephens County Foundation (2023) for general operating fund Grant sizes range from $500 to $240,…
Where does Thomas T and Bernice F Irvin Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Georgia, with a strong concentration in the Toccoa and Stephens County area. The foundation has also supported Piedmont College, which is located in the region.
What size grants does Thomas T and Bernice F Irvin Foundation award?
In 2024, Thomas T and Bernice F Irvin Foundation awarded 88 grants totaling $190K — an average of about $2K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Thomas T and Bernice F Irvin Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Thomas T and Bernice F Irvin Foundation reported a distributable amount of $236K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Thomas T and Bernice F Irvin Foundation's EIN?
Thomas T and Bernice F Irvin Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-2359763. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Thomas T and Bernice F Irvin Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
The O Wayne Rollins Foundation
ATLANTA, GA
Assets
$432.0M
Grants
29
Total Given
$39.5M
Rhedcloud Foundation Inc
DECATUR, GA
Assets
$6K
Grants
1
Total Given
$13K
Atlanta Committee for Progress Inc
ATLANTA, GA
Assets
$2.1M
Grants
1
Total Given
$15K
Atlanta Postal Credit Union
ATLANTA, GA
Assets
$2.4B
Grants
4
Total Given
$308K
Justice for Children Foundation Inc
SAVANNAH, GA
Assets
$24K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Southeast Area Blood Bankers
PEACHTREE CITY, GA
Assets
$33K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Thomas T and Bernice F Irvin Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Thomas T and Bernice F Irvin Foundation to a real strategy.