Trailsend Foundation
The Trailsend Foundation is a private family foundation based in Atlanta, Georgia. Established in 1969 in Ohio and later relocated to Georgia, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with tax-exempt status since April 1973. The foundation maintains assets of approximately $114.9 million and distributes grants across the United States, with particular focus on education, environmental conservation, and community development initiatives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$116.6M
+1.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.6M
-18.2% YoY
Grant Count
47
+20.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$141K
-32.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Trailsend Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary mission centers on supporting conservation, environment, and education. Specific funding priorities include:
- Education and higher education
- Environmental initiatives and natural resources
- Community and economic development
- Community improvement and beautification
The foundation demonstrates a particular emphasis on supporting higher education institutions and conservation-related projects.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not have a public application process and does not accept unsolicited applications. Grantmaking is trustee-directed, with funding decisions made by the board of trustees based on their strategic priorities and existing relationships.
Grant Range
$3,000–$2,000,000
Average Grant
$212,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds projects nationally across the United States, with documented giving in multiple states including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, New York, South Carolina, and Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $114.9–$116.6 million
- Total Revenue: $7.4 million
- Total Expenses: $6.7 million
- Total Liabilities: $3.35 million
- Investment Income and Dividends: $2.6 million
- Net Gain from Sale of Non-Inventory Assets: $4.9 million
Contact Information:
- Address: 6205A Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30328-4524
- Phone: 678-645-4659
- EIN: 23-7256190
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $116,637,985 | $114,881,283 | $116,391,196 |
| Revenue | $9,302,492 | $7,375,720 | $6,713,472 |
| Expenses | $6,426,511 | $6,737,251 | $14,025,274 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $6,689,049 | $8,177,786 | $8,287,515 |
| Net Investment Income | $8,639,040 | $6,694,095 | $5,975,713 |
| Distributable Amount | $7,108,461 | $6,785,166 | $6,851,474 |
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
201 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Emory University ($1,100,000), Hawaii School for Girls ($1,000,000), University of Montana Foundation ($685,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACCESS FUND BOULDER, CO | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| AGAPE COMMUNITY CENTER INC ATLANTA, GA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE SCHOOL OF ST JUDE TANZANIA INC LOUISVILLE, KY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $500,000 |
| ATLANTA POLICE FOUNDATION ATLANTA, GA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| CITY OF REFUGE INC ATLANTA, GA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| COVENANT HOUSE GEORGIA ATLANTA, GA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| CURE CHILDHOOD CANCER INC ATLANTA, GA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| EARTHJUSTICE SAN FRANCISCO, CA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| EMORY UNIVERSITY ATLANTA, GA | SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT | $1,100,000 |
| EMORY UNIVERSITY ATLANTA, GA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $250,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key Personnel:
- James C. Kennedy – Chair/Trustee
- Blair Parry-Okeden – President/Trustee
- Nancy K. Rigby – Treasurer/Secretary
The foundation's leadership team operates on a voluntary basis with no reported compensation for their roles. Nancy K. Rigby also serves as President of Cox Foundations. The foundation is closely connected to the Cox family (Cox Enterprises).
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES C KENNEDY | CHAIR/TRUSTEE | 0.4 | — |
| BLAIR PARRY-OKEDEN | PRESIDENT/TRUSTEE | 0.4 | — |
| NANCY K RIGBY | TREASURER/SECRETARY | 5 | — |
| BARBARA K HARTY | VICE PRESIDENT/TRUSTEE | 0.4 | — |
| ANDREW PARRY-OKEDEN | VICE PRESIDENT/TRUSTEE | 0.4 | — |
| JOHN M DYER | VICE PRESIDENT/TRUSTEE | 0.4 | — |
| JESSIE S MCKELLAR | ASSISTANT SECRETARY | 5 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Trailsend Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary mission centers on supporting conservation, environment, and education. Specific funding priorities include: • Education and higher education • Environmental initiatives and natural resources • Community and economic development • Community improvement and beautification The foundation demonstrates a particular emphasis on supporting higher education institutions and conservation-related projects.
How do I apply for a grant from Trailsend Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: $6.6–$8.1 million • Number of grants: 36–40 annually • Grant range: $3,000–$2,000,000 • Median grant: $50,000 • Average grant: $212,000 **Application Process:** The foundation does not have a public application process and does not accept unsolicited applications. Grantmaking is trustee-directed, with funding decisions made by the board of trustees based on their strategic priorities and existing relationships. **Recent Grant Examples (2023):** • University …
Where does Trailsend Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds projects nationally across the United States, with documented giving in multiple states including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, New York, South Carolina, and Texas.
What size grants does Trailsend Foundation award?
In 2024, Trailsend Foundation awarded 47 grants totaling $6.6M — an average of about $141K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Trailsend Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Trailsend Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Trailsend Foundation's EIN?
Trailsend Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7256190. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Trailsend 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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