Tyler Perry Foundation Inc

ATLANTA, GA EIN: 26-0426383 Website

The Tyler Perry Foundation Inc is a public 501(c)(3) foundation based in Atlanta, Georgia, established in 2006 and granted tax-exempt status in April 2009. The foundation operates as a grantmaking organization dedicated to philanthropic work focused on transforming tragedy into triumph by empowering economically disadvantaged communities to achieve a better quality of life.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$42K

-73.4% YoY

Annual Giving

$2.0M

+148.1% YoY

Grant Count

+26.9% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$61K

+95.5% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Tyler Perry Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $9K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

Mission: To transform tragedy into triumph by seeding individual potential, supporting communities, and harvesting real change.

Primary Focus Areas:

Education
Health and clean water
Arts and culture
Technology
Agriculture
Human rights
Global sustainable economic development

The foundation operates two primary programs: a grant-making program that obtains donations and distributes grants to various charitable relief organizations, and a Christmas program that purchases clothing and other items for disadvantaged children, which are then donated to organizations serving such populations.

Grantmaking

Ready to take the next step with Tyler Perry Foundation Inc?

Assess fit for your org Draft an LOI Find open RFPs

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation supports initiatives across multiple U.S. states and cities, with documented funding activity in:

Georgia (primary location)
California
New York
Pennsylvania
Texas
Illinois

The foundation also supports international work, having donated funds through Charity: Water to bring clean water access to communities in Ethiopia, Haiti, India, and Cambodia, benefiting an estimated 65,079 people across four countries since 2008.

Grant Distribution by State

Georgia $2.0M (34%)

New York $1.9M (33%)

California $1.4M (24%)

Maryland $100K (2%)

District of Columbia $80K (1%)

Texas $65K (1%)

Missouri $60K (1%)

Pennsylvania $51K (1%)

+5 more states

States

California District of Columbia Georgia Illinois Louisiana Maryland Missouri North Carolina New York Oregon Pennsylvania Texas Virginia

Cities

AcworthAtlantaBaltimoreBaton RougeBeverly HillsBrooklynCollege ParkCummingDallasDecaturEast PointFayettevilleGreensboroJonesboroKennesawLilburnLos AngelesMariettaMolineMorrow

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

2024 Financial Summary:

Total Assets: $42,193
Total Revenue: $1.89 million
Total Expenses: $2.01 million
Total Liabilities: $0

Grant Activity:

Total giving in 2024: $2,009,250

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$42,193	$158,869	$185,841
Revenue	$1,893,671	$783,084	$1,078,635
Expenses	$2,010,348	$810,056	$943,173
Qualifying Distributions	$2,009,250	$809,850	$943,173
Net Investment Income	$22	$10	$11
Distributable Amount	$9,386	$4,314	$4,499

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

183 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Metropolitan Museum of Art ($500,000), American Friends of Tiff ($350,000), Baby2baby ($200,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
ATLANTA POLICE ASSOCIATION ATLANTA, GA	TO SUPPORT THEORGANIZATION'SACTIVITIES.	$5,000
CASCADE COMMUNITY SERVICES INC ATLANTA, GA	TO SUPPORT THEORGANIZATION'SACTIVITIES.	$10,000
PRAYFIT MINISTRIES WOODLAND HILLS, CA	RAISING MONEY FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES IMPACTED BY DISABILITY.	$30,000
FORT STREET UNITED METHODIST CHURCH ATLANTA, GA	TO SUPPORT THEORGANIZATION'SACTIVITIES.	$10,000
NEW IMAGE EMERGENCY SHELTER LOS ANGELES, CA	To decrease and prevent homelessness throughout Los Angeles County.	$10,000
Caring For Others Atlanta, GA	TO ERADICATE POVERTY AROUND THE WORLD.	$25,000
Alliance for Chiildren's Rights Los Angeles, CA	To protect the rights of children in poverty and those overcoming abuse and neglect by delivering free legal services, supportive programs, and systemic solutions.	$20,000
Sylvan Hills Middle School Atlanta, GA	To support graduation activities.	$1,850
Ethiopia Education Initiatives New York, NY	TO SUPPORT THEORGANIZATION'SACTIVITIES.	$10,000
Atlanta Youth Soccer Foundation Lilburn, GA	To inspire socio-economically challenged children to reach their fullest potential through a holistic program of physical training, discipline, teamwork and leadership development.	$25,000

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
EMMITT T PERRY JR	Director	2	—
GELILA BEKELE	Director	40	—
JOHN CARY	Director	1	—
JOHN HUDSON	Director	1	—

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

2020

The foundation received the 2020 Governors Award from the Television Academy. Tyler Perry, the foundation's founder, received the People's Choice Award for Humanitarian of the Year, recognizing his philanthropic work.

The Tyler Perry awards a $10K check to a Greensboro nonprofit | wfmynews2.com

The foundation maintains partnerships with numerous organizations including Apex for Youth, Adventure Bags, Caring for Others, Center for Puppetry Arts, Covenant House Georgia, Drew Child Development Center, In A Perfect World, and Jeuness Track Club, among others.

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Tyler Perry Foundation Inc fund?

**Mission:** To transform tragedy into triumph by seeding individual potential, supporting communities, and harvesting real change. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Education • Health and clean water • Arts and culture • Technology • Agriculture • Human rights • Global sustainable economic development The foundation operates two primary programs: a grant-making program that obtains donations and distributes grants to various charitable relief organizations, and a Christmas program that purchases clot…

How do I apply for a grant from Tyler Perry Foundation Inc?

The foundation has demonstrated significant grant-making activity, with total giving of $2,009,250 in 2024. Grant awards have ranged from $700 to $500,000. Recent documented grants include a $10,000 donation to a Greensboro nonprofit and a $1.4 million donation to support families impacted by SNAP cuts. The foundation has also launched grant opportunities for emerging creatives in film, though specific application details were not fully detailed in available sources.

Where does Tyler Perry Foundation Inc make grants?

The foundation supports initiatives across multiple U.S. states and cities, with documented funding activity in: • Georgia (primary location) • California • New York • Pennsylvania • Texas • Illinois The foundation also supports international work, having donated funds through Charity: Water to bring clean water access to communities in Ethiopia, Haiti, India, and Cambodia, benefiting an estimated 65,079 people across four countries since 2008.

What size grants does Tyler Perry Foundation Inc award?

In 2024, Tyler Perry Foundation Inc awarded 33 grants totaling $2.0M — an average of about $61K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Tyler Perry Foundation Inc required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Tyler Perry Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $9K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.