The Van Devender Family Foundation is a private, non-operating foundation based in Jackson, Mississippi. Established in 1997, the foundation operates as a charitable trust focused on philanthropic grantmaking to organizations across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$137K
+3.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$760K
-11.9% YoY
Grant Count
47
-17.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$16K
+6.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not maintain a published mission statement. However, its grantmaking priorities encompass the following areas:
- Housing and Community Development — Housing assistance and community development initiatives
- Education — School-based programs and educational institutions
- Religious Organizations — Church support and religious community initiatives
- Ministry and Religious Support — Community outreach through faith-based organizations
- Health and Disease Prevention — Public health and disease prevention programs
- Senior Services — Programs serving older adults
- Animal Welfare — Animal-focused charitable work
- Memorials — Memorial-based giving
- Cultural Programs — General cultural initiatives
Grantmaking
Recent grants were awarded across all focus areas through 2024-2025.
Grant Range
** $200 to $250,000
Average Grant
Amount:** Varies by program area, ranging from $3,925 (housing/community) to $35,009 (school programs)
How to Apply
** No formal application process information is available in public sources.
Ready to take the next step with Van Devender Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Mississippi, with some grants extending to California and Tennessee.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Fiscal Year (2025):
- Total Assets: $137,499
- Total Revenue: $776,843
- Total Expenses: $761,770
- Total Giving: $760,050
Previous Fiscal Year (2024):
- Total Assets: $132,726
- Total Revenue: $975,907
- Total Expenses: $864,160
- Total Giving: $862,986
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $137,499 | $132,726 | $15,454 |
| Revenue | $776,843 | $975,907 | $1,242,802 |
| Expenses | $761,770 | $864,160 | $1,253,893 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $760,433 | $862,986 | $1,253,877 |
| Net Investment Income | $7,951 | $4,772 | $2,786 |
| Distributable Amount | $8,808 | $4,117 | $1,609 |
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
247 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- William J. Van Devender — Trustee
- Mollie M. Van Devender — Trustee
William Van Devender is a successful businessman and former college football player who earned three letters at the Monster Man position for Ole Miss (1968-70) and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the University of Mississippi (1971) and an MBA from Southern Methodist University (1973). He has been a significant philanthropic supporter of educational and athletic initiatives in Mississippi.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| WILLIAM J VAN DEVENDER | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| MOLLIE M VAN DEVENDER | TRUSTEE | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Van Devenders have been recognized for their philanthropic contributions to educational and athletic initiatives. In 2013, Billy and Mollie Van Devender received the Distinguished American Award from the Ole Miss Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in recognition of their long-term support of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum and their service to the community.
Women\u2019s Sports Foundation Continues to Provide Grants to Aspiring Women\The Van Devenders partnered with the Archie Manning family to make significant contributions toward the renovation of Ole Miss's indoor football practice facility, which was subsequently named the Olivia and Archie Manning Athletics Performance Center. Van Devender and Manning were college teammates and roommates at Ole Miss.
The foundation has also supported Children's of Mississippi, contributing to the institution's expansion initiatives.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Veterans Memory Park in Ridgeland
RIDGELAND, MS
Assets
$88K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Kappa Delta Sorority Inc 0805
OXFORD, MS
Assets
$725K
Grants
1
Total Given
$66K
William a Coleman Trust Ua Dtd 04091986 Tr
JACKSON, MS
Assets
$316K
Grants
4
Total Given
$14K
Northeast Ms Board of Realtors
TUPELO, MS
Assets
$683K
Grants
1
Total Given
$6K
United Way of South Mississippi
GULFPORT, MS
Assets
$1.2M
Grants
16
Total Given
$901K
Alcorn State University Foundation Inc
LORMAN, MS
Assets
$60.1M
Grants
1
Total Given
$2.6M
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Van Devender Family 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