William Griffin Besant Memorial
William Griffin Besant Memorial is a private foundation, based in Tuscaloosa, AL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 6 grants totaling $51K. Net investment income was $35K.
William Griffin Besant Memorial at a glance
In short: William Griffin Besant Memorial gave $51K across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $9K), mostly in Alabama. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $51,000
- +37.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $8,500
- +37.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $1,107,720
- +21.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Alabama (90% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who William Griffin Besant Memorial funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Cystic Fibrosis Foundation ($26K). Together the top 6 received $51K.
Grant Size Distribution
23 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 23 grants of 23 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How William Griffin Besant Memorial gives
- Giving grew 65% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 90% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $31K (2021) to $51K (2024). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $51K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Mountain Brook, AL | General Operations | $26,000 |
| Big Oak Ranch Gadsden, AL | General Operations | $5,000 |
| Eagle's Wings Coker, AL | General Operations | $5,000 |
| St Jude's Memphis, TN | General Operations | $5,000 |
| Sendme Refuge Inc Vermont, AL | General Operations | $5,000 |
| Free Will Baptist Children's Home Eldridge, AL | General Operations | $5,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,107,720 | $270,855 | $63,999 | $51,000 | 6 | $51,000 | $35,355 | $56,468 |
| 2023 | $915,483 | $288,096 | $47,670 | $37,000 | 6 | $37,000 | $18,265 | $42,913 |
| 2022 | $675,057 | $95,815 | $49,784 | $42,000 | 5 | $42,000 | $25,915 | $36,046 |
| 2021 | $629,026 | $159,376 | $39,211 | $31,000 | 6 | $31,000 | $6,298 | $30,779 |
| 2020 | $508,861 | $508,861 | — | — | — | — | — | $207 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, William Griffin Besant Memorial reported a distributable amount of $56K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
William Griffin Besant Memorial is led by Richard W Besant, President & Vice President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Richard W Besant
President & Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan K Besant
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about William Griffin Besant Memorial
How much does William Griffin Besant Memorial give each year?
William Griffin Besant Memorial gave $51K across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $37K across 6 grants.
What is William Griffin Besant Memorial's typical grant size?
William Griffin Besant Memorial's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $8,500, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does William Griffin Besant Memorial give grants?
William Griffin Besant Memorial gives mostly in Alabama: 90% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Tennessee (10%).
Does William Griffin Besant Memorial give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of William Griffin Besant Memorial's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 6) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are William Griffin Besant Memorial's largest grantees?
William Griffin Besant Memorial's largest 2024 grantees include Cystic Fibrosis Foundation ($26,000), Big Oak Ranch ($5,000) and Eagle's Wings ($5,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 71% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is William Griffin Besant Memorial?
William Griffin Besant Memorial reported $1.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $51K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $56K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What is William Griffin Besant Memorial's EIN?
William Griffin Besant Memorial's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-4370241. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work William Griffin Besant Memorial funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in William Griffin Besant Memorial's focus areas in our free grants database
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