The Elmer & Gladys Ferguson Charitable Trust concentrates its giving on local higher education and congregational support, providing general operating funding rather than project-specific grants. A majority of dollars have gone to the University of Mississippi system (repeat grants), with a meaningful portion directed to a local United Methodist congregation in Oxford, suggesting a regional focus on Oxford/central Mississippi institutions.
Concentrated and selective: a small number of moderate-sized grants totaling $62,500, with repeat support to a single university grantee and a single church recipient; grants are unrestricted/general fund rather than program-specific.
A repeated pattern in the Elmer & Gladys Ferguson Charitable Trust’s grantmaking is its support for the University of Mississippi system, including multiple general-fund awards in Oxford. The trust also backs congregational and school-based institutions, showing a preference for core operating needs rather than narrowly defined projects. Among its larger recent grants are $22,500 in 2023 and $21,000 in 2024 to the University of Ms Foundation for general fund support, along with $19,000 in 2023 to Oxford University Umc for its general fund. Other recurring recipients include Christian Brothers High School, Young Life, and Jackson-area nonprofits, which suggests a mix of higher education, faith-based giving, and community support. The grant list also includes individual and scholarship-oriented funding categories, indicating that the trust funds both institutions and people. The overall picture is of a regional trust with steady, repeated relationships and a focus on unrestricted support.
Higher education is the clearest theme in the trust’s recent grantmaking. In 2024, it gave $21,000 to the University of Ms Foundation for general fund support, and it also funded the University of Memphis Foundation for $5,000 in general fund support. Faith-based support appears as another thread: Oxford University Umc received $5,200 in 2024 for general fund support, after a $19,000 award in 2023. School philanthropy is also present. Christian Brothers High School in Memphis received $10,500 in 2024 and $12,000 in 2023, both for general fund support, while Episcopal Collegiate School in Little Rock received $5,000 in 2024 for its annual fund. Community-serving nonprofits appear as well, including The Mustard Seed Inc. in Brandon for general fund support.
The typical grant is small: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $2,500, and the 75th percentile is $4,167. That distribution points to many modest awards with a smaller set of larger grants. The trust also repeats support to the same organizations across years, including the University of Ms Foundation, Oxford University Umc, Christian Brothers High School, Jackson Friends of the Animal Shelt, Boys and Girls Club of Central Ms, Peyton's House, The Mustard Seed Inc., St Michael Catholic Church, New Life Fellowship Church, and Sharing & Caring Food Pantry. The trust is a charitable trust, and it funds individuals as well as organizations. Program-related investments are not part of its activity.
$150K
$3.4M
$352K
$185K
Most grants fall between $1K and $4K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$4K
About 26% of grants go to recipients in MS.
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Notable grantees: University of MS Foundation, Oxford University UMC, Other local religious congregations and regional higher-education institutions (implied by pattern)
Grant recipients are all in the United States. By count, Tennessee is the top giving state, even though the trust is headquartered in DeWitt, Arkansas. Arkansas recipients include DeWitt, Little Rock, and Dardanelle, while Mississippi recipients are concentrated in Oxford, Jackson, Brandon, Vicksburg, and other central Mississippi locations. Oxford appears repeatedly as a recipient city, reflecting a strong Mississippi cluster, especially around university and church institutions.
Recent grants go to universities, schools, churches, and community nonprofits. Examples include the University of Ms Foundation, Oxford University Umc, Christian Brothers High School, Jackson Friends of the Animal Shelt, and The Mustard Seed Inc. The trust also funds individuals, so its support is not limited to institutions.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including the University of Ms Foundation, Oxford University Umc, Christian Brothers High School, Jackson Friends of the Animal Shelt, Boys and Girls Club of Central Ms, Peyton's House, The Mustard Seed Inc., St Michael Catholic Church, New Life Fellowship Church, and Sharing & Caring Food Pantry.
The grant-size distribution is small to moderate. The 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $2,500, and the 75th percentile is $4,167. Recent larger awards include $22,500 to the University of Ms Foundation and $21,000 to the same organization in the next year.
Its giving is regional and entirely U.S.-based in the data provided. Tennessee is the top state by grant count, while Arkansas recipients account for 26% of grants. Mississippi recipients are especially visible in Oxford, Jackson, Brandon, and Vicksburg.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE MAGEE FOUNDATION | UNIVERSITY, MS | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| ARKANSAS ZOOLOGICAL FOUNDATION | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| OXFORD UNIVERSITY UMC | OXFORD, MS | $9,810 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| YOUTH PROGRAMS INC | MEMPHIS, TN | $8,400 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| NORTHMINISTER BAPTIST CHURCH | JACKSON, MS | $7,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| CHRISTIAN BROTHERS HIGH SCHOOL | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | LACROSSE PROGRAM |
| AVE MARIA HOME | BARLETT, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| NEW LIFE OF JACKSON | JACKSON, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | PRISSY WALLACE |
| FRIENDS OF CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | FLOWOOD, MS | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| JACKSON FRIENDS OF THE ANIMAL SHELT | JACKSON, MS | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS FOUNDATION | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| CARING AND SHARING PANTRY | PAULDING, OH | $4,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| UNIVERSITY OF MS FOUNDATION | OXFORD, MS | $4,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF MS FOUNDATION | OXFORD, MS | $4,000 | 2026 | ATHLETIC |
| ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC CHURCH | VICKSBURG, MS | $3,500 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| ST PETER'S CATHOLIC CHURCH | MEMPHIS, TN | $3,100 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| MISSISSIPPI SPAY & NEUTER | RICHLAND, MS | $3,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| PATTILLO CENTER SCHOOL | DEWITT, AR | $3,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| DANA'S HOUSE INC | DEWITT, AR | $3,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| STEWPOT COMMUNITY SERVICES | JACKSON, MS | $3,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| UNIVERSITY OF MS MUSEUM | OXFORD, MS | $2,690 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| JACKSON HEART FOUNDATION | JACKSON, MS | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| UNIVERSITY OF MS FOUNDATION | OXFORD, MS | $2,500 | 2026 | FORD CENTER |
| SAVING GRACE ANIMAL RESCUE | YAZOO CITY, MS | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| ANIMAL RESCUE FUND OF MS INC | JACKSON, MS | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| CHESHIRE ABBEY | JACKSON, MS | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS FOUNDATION | MEMPHIS, TN | $2,000 | 2026 | SCHOOL OF APPLIED SCIENCES |
| MSCLEF | MEMPHIS, TN | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| OPERATION SHOESTRING | JACKSON, MS | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| MS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND AND DEAF | JACKSON, MS | $2,000 | 2026 | LIBRARY |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF CENTRAL MS | JACKSON, MS | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| BREAKTHROUGH T1D | HAGERSTOWN, MD | $1,500 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| SOUTHERN DOMINICAN PROVINCE | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| GREEN VALLEY MOUNTAIN SCHOOL | WAITSFIELD, VT | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| YOUNG LIFE | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| BELZONI ANIMAL RESCUE KENNEL | BELZONI, MS | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| MEMPHIS INNER CITY RUGBY | MEMPHIS, TN | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| SUNNYBROOK CHILDREN'S HOME | RIDGELAND, MS | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE | DURHAM, NH | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| CK2 FOUNDATION | MEMPHIS, TN | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| EDDIE MURPHY CLASSIC INC | MEMPHIS, TN | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| UNIVERSITY OF MS FOUNDATION | OXFORD, MS | $20,000 | 2025 | WILLIAM MAGEE CENTER |
| OXFORD UNIVERSITY UMC | OXFORD, MS | $11,700 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| NORTHMINISTER BAPTIST CHURCH | JACKSON, MS | $10,467 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| YOUTH PROGRAMS INC | MEMPHIS, TN | $8,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| CHRISTIAN BROTHERS HIGH SCHOOL | MEMPHIS, TN | $7,000 | 2025 | LACROSSE PROGRAM |
| ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC CHURCH | VICKSBURG, MS | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| ST PETER'S CATHOLIC CHURCH | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| NEW LIFE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH | DEWITT, AR | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| ST PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH | FLOWOOD, MS | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
THE MAGEE FOUNDATION
$20,000GENERAL FUND
OXFORD UNIVERSITY UMC
$9,810GENERAL FUND
YOUTH PROGRAMS INC
$8,400GENERAL FUND
NORTHMINISTER BAPTIST CHURCH
$7,000GENERAL FUND
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS HIGH SCHOOL
$5,000LACROSSE PROGRAM
NEW LIFE OF JACKSON
$5,000PRISSY WALLACE
JACKSON FRIENDS OF THE ANIMAL SHELT
$5,000GENERAL FUND
CARING AND SHARING PANTRY
$4,000GENERAL FUND
UNIVERSITY OF MS FOUNDATION
$4,000SCHOLARSHIP
UNIVERSITY OF MS FOUNDATION
$4,000ATHLETIC
ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC CHURCH
$3,500GENERAL FUND
ST PETER'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
$3,100GENERAL FUND
MISSISSIPPI SPAY & NEUTER
$3,000GENERAL FUND
PATTILLO CENTER SCHOOL
$3,000GENERAL FUND
DANA'S HOUSE INC
$3,000GENERAL FUND
UNIVERSITY OF MS MUSEUM
$2,690GENERAL FUND
UNIVERSITY OF MS FOUNDATION
$2,500FORD CENTER
SAVING GRACE ANIMAL RESCUE
$2,000GENERAL FUND
ANIMAL RESCUE FUND OF MS INC
$2,000GENERAL FUND
MSCLEF
$2,000GENERAL FUND
MS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND AND DEAF
$2,000LIBRARY
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF CENTRAL MS
$2,000GENERAL FUND
BREAKTHROUGH T1D
$1,500GENERAL FUND
SOUTHERN DOMINICAN PROVINCE
$1,000GENERAL FUND
GREEN VALLEY MOUNTAIN SCHOOL
$1,000GENERAL FUND
BELZONI ANIMAL RESCUE KENNEL
$1,000GENERAL FUND
UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
$1,000GENERAL FUND
CK2 FOUNDATION
$1,000GENERAL FUND
EDDIE MURPHY CLASSIC INC
$1,000GENERAL FUND
UNIVERSITY OF MS FOUNDATION
$20,000WILLIAM MAGEE CENTER
OXFORD UNIVERSITY UMC
$11,700GENERAL FUND
NORTHMINISTER BAPTIST CHURCH
$10,467GENERAL FUND
YOUTH PROGRAMS INC
$8,000GENERAL FUND
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS HIGH SCHOOL
$7,000LACROSSE PROGRAM
ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC CHURCH
$5,000GENERAL FUND
ST PETER'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
$5,000GENERAL FUND
NEW LIFE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH
$5,000GENERAL FUND
ST PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH
$5,000GENERAL FUND