The Edwin and Jeanette May Foundation makes a small number of sizable grants focused on direct-service charities, faith-based parish support, higher education, and veteran/medical-related health services. Their giving mixes secular and religious recipients and favors organizations that provide hands-on assistance (service dogs, health programs) or community institutions (college, church). The foundation shows a preference for larger, targeted investments rather than many small gifts.
Concentrated giving: few large grants totaling nearly $1M, with repeat funding (Canines for Service received multiple awards). Mix of one-off major gifts and multi-grant support to selected organizations rather than broad, distributed grantmaking.
A defining feature of the Edwin and Jeanette May Foundation is its repeated support for service dog programs, with Canines for Service receiving $200,000 in 2023 and another $200,000 in 2025. That pattern sits alongside sizable gifts to faith-based and direct-service organizations, showing a foundation that favors targeted grants over broad scattershot giving. Recent support includes $200,000 to St Bernadette Catholic Church in Hollywood, Florida, and $150,000 to Warrior Health Foundation in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, pointing to a mix of parish support and veteran-related health work. The foundation also backs higher education and community-serving institutions, including Lees-McRae College, Cape Fear Community College, and Southwestern Community College. Its recent grants cluster around organizations that provide hands-on assistance or serve defined communities, rather than general-purpose philanthropy across many sectors. The grant list shows more than one year of support for several recipients, suggesting an approach that can continue relationships when a program or institution fits the foundation’s priorities.
Service dog and assistance animal programs are a visible part of the foundation’s giving. It awarded $200,000 to Canines for Service in Wilmington, North Carolina, in both 2023 and 2025, and also gave $100,000 to Golden Paws Assistance Dogs in Naples, Florida, in 2025. Higher education is another recurring area: Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina, received $200,000 in 2025 and $22,000 in 2023, while Southwestern Community College in Sylva, North Carolina, received $75,000 in 2025 and $50,000 in 2023. Faith-based support appears through parish-level giving, including $200,000 to St Bernadette Catholic Church in Hollywood, Florida. The foundation also funds veteran-related health services, including $150,000 to Warrior Health Foundation in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Typical grants cluster in the $50,000 to $100,000 range, with a p25 of $50,000, median of $75,000, and p75 of $100,000. The distribution includes repeated awards to several recipients across 2023 and 2025, which points to ongoing relationships rather than one-time gifts only. The foundation is not a vehicle for individual giving and does not make program-related investments. Its grantmaking shows a small number of comparatively large awards, often tied to charitable activities rather than unrestricted public narratives.
$1.1M
$24.5M
$3.4M
$1.3M
Most grants fall between $50K and $100K, with a median of $75K.
25th Percentile
$50K
Median
$75K
75th Percentile
$100K
About 7% of grants go to recipients in NC.
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Notable grantees: Canines for Service, Lees-McRae College, St. Bernadette Catholic Church, Warrior Health Foundation
Giving is national, but the grants land mostly in a few states and cities. Florida appears often, with recipients in Hollywood, Palm Beach Gardens, Naples, Estero, Jacksonville, and other locations. North Carolina is also prominent, including Wilmington, Banner Elk, Sylva, and Boone. Michigan recipients appear as well, with Hope Against Trafficking in Pontiac. All grants in the provided list go to U.S. recipients, and 7% of grants are to organizations in the foundation’s HQ state of Michigan.
The grant list shows support for service dog and assistance animal programs, higher education, parish-level Catholic church support, and veteran-related health services. Examples include Canines for Service, Lees-McRae College, St Bernadette Catholic Church, and Warrior Health Foundation.
Yes. Several recipients appear in more than one year, including Canines for Service in 2023 and 2025, Lees-McRae College in 2023 and 2025, Southwestern Community College in 2023 and 2025, and Cape Fear Community College in 2023 and 2025.
The grant-size distribution centers on larger awards: p25 is $50,000, median is $75,000, and p75 is $100,000. Recent grants also include $150,000 and $200,000 awards, showing that the foundation often makes substantial gifts.
The top state by grant count is Florida. Recent Florida recipients include organizations in Hollywood, Palm Beach Gardens, Naples, Estero, and Jacksonville. Michigan receives a smaller share, at 7% of grants.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Its recent giving is directed to charitable organizations and institutions.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE | SYLVA, NC | $212,500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| CANINES FOR SERVICE | WILMINGTON, NC | $200,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| WARRIOR HEALTH FOUNDATION | PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL | $200,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| OPERATION LIGHT SHINE | HERMITAGE, TN | $150,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| CAPE FEAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE | WILMINGTON, NC | $100,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| HOPE AGAINST TRAFFICKING | PONTIAC, MI | $75,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| A21 CAMPAIGN INC | FORT WORTH, TX | $75,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| AWAKE | CLINTON, MD | $50,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| READING IS FUNDAMENTAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $40,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION | LINVILLE, NC | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| CANINES FOR SERVICE | WILMINGTON, NC | $200,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| ST BERNADETTE CATHOLIC CHURCH | HOLLYWOOD, FL | $200,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| LEES-MCRAE COLLEGE | BANNER ELK, NC | $200,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| WARRIOR HEALTH FOUNDATION | PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL | $150,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| GOLDEN PAWS ASSISTANCE DOGS | NAPLES, FL | $100,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| SAMARITAN'S PURSE | BOONE, NC | $100,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| SOAR | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| HOPE AGAINST TRAFFICKING | PONTIAC, MI | $75,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE | SYLVA, NC | $75,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| A21 CAMPAIGN INC | FORT WORTH, TX | $75,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| TIM TEBOW FOUNDATION | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $75,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| ADOPT AN ANGEL | WILMINGTON, NC | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| LORENZO WALKER TECHNICAL COLLEGE | NAPLES, FL | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| LACES OF LOVE | NAPLES, FL | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| FOCUS | NEW CANAAN, CT | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| CAPE FEAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE | WILMINGTON, NC | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| AWAKE | CLINTON, MD | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| CANINES FOR SERVICE | WILMINGTON, NC | $200,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE | SYLVA, NC | $150,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| GOLDEN PAWS ASSISTANCE DOGS | NAPLES, FL | $100,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| HOPE AGAINST TRAFFICKING | PONTIAC, MI | $75,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| A21 CAMPAIGN INC | FORT WORTH, TX | $75,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| FIRST THINGS FOUNDATION INC | NAPLES, FL | $75,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| SOAR | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| WINGS OF SHELTER INTERNATIONAL | ESTERO, FL | $75,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| CAPE FEAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE | WILMINGTON, NC | $50,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| LORENZO WALKER TECHNICAL COLLEGE | NAPLES, FL | $50,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| LEES-MCRAE COLLEGE | BANNER ELK, NC | $23,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| CANINES FOR SERVICE | WILMINGTON, NC | $200,000 | 2023 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| HOPE AGAINST TRAFFICKING | PONTIAC, MI | $108,000 | 2023 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| FIRST THINGS FOUNDATION INC | NAPLES, FL | $100,000 | 2023 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| A21 CAMPAIGN INC | FORT WORTH, TX | $90,000 | 2023 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| WINGS OF SHELTER INTERNATIONAL | ESTERO, FL | $85,000 | 2023 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE | SYLVA, NC | $50,000 | 2023 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| LORENZO WALKER TECHNICAL COLLEGE | NAPLES, FL | $50,000 | 2023 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| CAPE FEAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE | WILMINGTON, NC | $50,000 | 2023 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| SOAR | WASHINGTON, DC | $40,000 | 2023 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| LEES-MCRAE COLLEGE | BANNER ELK, NC | $22,000 | 2023 | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$212,500CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
CANINES FOR SERVICE
$200,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
OPERATION LIGHT SHINE
$150,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
CAPE FEAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$100,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
HOPE AGAINST TRAFFICKING
$75,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
AWAKE
$50,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION
$5,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
CANINES FOR SERVICE
$200,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
ST BERNADETTE CATHOLIC CHURCH
$200,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
SOAR
$75,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
HOPE AGAINST TRAFFICKING
$75,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$75,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
ADOPT AN ANGEL
$50,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
LORENZO WALKER TECHNICAL COLLEGE
$50,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
FOCUS
$50,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
CAPE FEAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$50,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
AWAKE
$50,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
CANINES FOR SERVICE
$200,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$150,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
HOPE AGAINST TRAFFICKING
$75,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
A21 CAMPAIGN INC
$75,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
FIRST THINGS FOUNDATION INC
$75,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
SOAR
$75,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
WINGS OF SHELTER INTERNATIONAL
$75,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
LORENZO WALKER TECHNICAL COLLEGE
$50,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
CANINES FOR SERVICE
$200,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
HOPE AGAINST TRAFFICKING
$108,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
FIRST THINGS FOUNDATION INC
$100,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
A21 CAMPAIGN INC
$90,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
WINGS OF SHELTER INTERNATIONAL
$85,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$50,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
LORENZO WALKER TECHNICAL COLLEGE
$50,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
SOAR
$40,000CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES