The Selby and Richard McRae Foundation concentrates its funding on capital and facility needs for independent and faith-affiliated schools, youth development programs, and postsecondary scholarship support in the Southeast (centered in Mississippi). Grants are sizable and project-focused—building chapels, classrooms, camp facilities, and contributing to capital campaigns—indicating a preference for tangible, place-based investments that improve physical infrastructure and student opportunities. The foundation gives repeatedly to a small set of institutions rather than many one-off grants, and supports both religious (Episcopal) and secular independent schools as well as youth-serving nonprofits and a university foundation.
A defining feature of the Selby and Richard Mcrae Foundation is its repeated support for school construction and campus improvements. The foundation has backed chapel, classroom, and lower school work at St Andrew's Episcopal School in Ridgeland, Mississippi in both 2024 and 2025, and it also made a $200,000 grant to Jackson Preparatory School for a capital campaign in 2025. That pattern points to a funder that favors tangible, place-based investments over diffuse support. Their grantmaking also reaches youth-serving facilities and higher education. In 2025, Mississippi's Toughest Kids Foundation received $310,000 for Camp Kamassa activity center, sidewalks, and a family cabin, while the University of North Carolina Asheville Foundation Inc. received $200,000 for student scholarships and athletic enhancements. The foundation also supports churches and arts institutions, including Galloway United Methodist Church, the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, and the Mississippi Museum of Art. Alongside these institutional grants, it funds direct-service work such as legal aid and disaster response, showing a portfolio that combines infrastructure, student opportunity, and community services.
Independent and faith-affiliated schools are a major theme in the Selby and Richard Mcrae Foundation’s giving. In 2025, Jackson Preparatory School received $200,000 for a capital campaign, and St Andrew's Episcopal School received $275,000 for chapel, classroom, and lower school construction. Mccallie School in Chattanooga also received $100,000 for its scholarship fund and science technology building. Youth development and camp infrastructure are another clear thread. Mississippi's Toughest Kids Foundation was awarded $310,000 for Camp Kamassa activity center, sidewalks, and a family cabin, while YMCA of Western North Carolina received $50,000 in 2024 and $50,000 in 2025 for Camp Watia. The foundation also funds postsecondary and student support, including $200,000 to the University of North Carolina Asheville Foundation Inc. for student scholarships and athletic enhancements.
The foundation’s typical grant size sits at a p25 of $10,000, a median of $25,000, and a p75 of $67,500, with many awards at the upper end of that range and several six-figure grants. The same recipients appear in multiple years, including St Andrew's Episcopal School, University of North Carolina Asheville Foundation Inc., Mississippi Center for Justice, Stewpot Community Services, Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, YMCA of Western North Carolina, and Galloway United Methodist Church. That repeat giving suggests an ongoing relationship model rather than isolated one-time awards. It also funds individuals, and it does not make program-related investments.
$2.4M
$36.3M
$1.9M
$2.9M
Most grants fall between $10K and $68K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$68K
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Concentrated, large-dollar project grants to a small number of recipients; repeat funding for flagship grantees; emphasis on capital/capacity investments over general operating support.
Notable grantees: St Andrew's Episcopal School, Mississippi's Toughest Kids Foundation, Jackson Preparatory School, University of North Carolina Asheville Foundation
Grant dollars are concentrated in Mississippi, which receives 68% of grants and is the top state by grant count. Jackson appears frequently as a recipient city, alongside Ridgeland, Madison, Flowood, and Crystal Springs. Outside Mississippi, the foundation gives in Asheville, North Carolina; Nashville, Tennessee; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and St. Louis, Missouri. All recorded grants in the provided data went to U.S. recipients.
Its giving centers on independent and faith-affiliated schools, youth development facilities, and postsecondary student support. The recent grants also include legal services, disaster relief, homelessness assistance, arts institutions, churches, and medical-related support, showing a mix of infrastructure, education, and community service funding.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including St Andrew's Episcopal School, University of North Carolina Asheville Foundation Inc., Mississippi Center for Justice, Stewpot Community Services, Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, YMCA of Western North Carolina, and Galloway United Methodist Church.
The stated distribution is p25 $10,000, median $25,000, and p75 $67,500. Recent awards also include larger gifts such as $310,000 to Mississippi's Toughest Kids Foundation and $275,000 to St Andrew's Episcopal School.
Mississippi is the main recipient state, with 68% of grants going to recipients in MS. Recent Mississippi recipients include Jackson, Ridgeland, Madison, Flowood, Crystal Springs, and other in-state organizations.
Yes. Recent grants went to recipients in Asheville, North Carolina; Nashville and Chattanooga, Tennessee; and St. Louis, Missouri. The recipient country distribution in the provided data is entirely U.S.-based.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MISSISSIPPI'S TOUGHEST KIDS FOUNDATION | CRYSTAL SPRINGS, MS | $310,000 | 2025 | CAMP KAMASSA ACTIVITY CENTER, SIDEWALKS, & FAMILY CABIN |
| ST ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL | RIDGELAND, MS | $275,000 | 2025 | CHAPEL, CLASSROOM, & LOWER SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION |
| JACKSON PREPARATORY SCHOOL | FLOWOOD, MS | $200,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA ASHEVILLE FOUNDATION INC | ASHEVILLE, NC | $200,000 | 2025 | STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS & ATHLETIC ENHANCEMENTS |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | JACKSON, MS | $190,000 | 2025 | DISASTER RELIEF HURRICAN HELENE WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA |
| MISSISSIPPI CENTER FOR JUSTICE | JACKSON, MS | $125,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME PEOPLE OF MISSISSIPPI |
| GALLOWAY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | JACKSON, MS | $104,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHURCH BUDGET |
| FRANKLIN ROAD ACADEMY | NASHVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| STEWPOT COMMUNITY SERVICES | JACKSON, MS | $80,000 | 2025 | ASSISTANCE TO HOMELESS PEOPLES |
| MISSISSIPPI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | JACKSON, MS | $60,000 | 2025 | CONCERT SPONSORSHIP |
| WILSON RESEARCH FOUNDATION | JACKSON, MS | $50,000 | 2025 | NEW EQUIPMENT |
| CHURCH OF ST MICHAEL AND ST GEORGE | ST LOUIS, MO | $50,000 | 2025 | PLAYGROUND CONSTRUCTION |
| PISGAH LEGAL SERVICES | ASHEVILLE, NC | $50,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW INCOME PEOPLE OF NC |
| YMCA OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA | ASHEVILLE, NC | $50,000 | 2025 | CAMP WATIA |
| MISSISSIPPI MUSEUM OF ART | JACKSON, MS | $50,000 | 2025 | EXHIBIT SPONSORSHIP |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WESTERN NC | ASHEVILLE, NC | $50,000 | 2025 | DISASTER RESPONSE HURRICANE HELENE |
| WE WILL GO MINISTRIES | JACKSON, MS | $48,000 | 2025 | LITERACY EXPANSION PROJECT |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF MISSISSIPPI | JACKSON, MS | $40,000 | 2025 | MS BOOK FESTIVAL |
| MISSISSIPPI STATE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION | RIDGELAND, MS | $35,000 | 2025 | UNIV OF MS MEDICAL SCHOOL RURAL PHYSICIANS SCHOLARSHIP |
| BADDOUR CENTER | SENATOBIA, MS | $27,660 | 2025 | TRIP SPONSORSHIP FOR MENTALLY CHALLENGED ADULTS |
| CAMP TWIN LAKES INC | ATLANTA, GA | $25,000 | 2025 | CAMP SPONSORSHIP FOR MENTALLY CHALLENGED CHILDREN |
| FIRST ROBOTICS - LOUISIANA MISSISSIPPI | METAIRIE, LA | $25,000 | 2025 | ROBOTICS TEAM SUPPORT AND EVENT SPONSORSHIP |
| EASTMAN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION | MERIDIAN, MS | $25,000 | 2025 | LAUREN ROGERS MUSEUM OF ART SPEAKER SERIES |
| SPRINGBOARD TO OPPORTUNITIES | JACKSON, MS | $25,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL 529 PLAN PROGRAM |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF MISSISSIPPI | JACKSON, MS | $25,000 | 2025 | SURPLUS STORE |
| SUNNYBROOK CHILDREN'S HOME INC | RIDGELAND, MS | $25,000 | 2025 | NEW GROUP HOME CONSTRUCTION |
| VERNER CENTER FOR EARLY LEARNING | ASHEVILLE, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| OPERATION SHOESTRING | JACKSON, MS | $24,000 | 2025 | MINISTRY TO INTER-CITY FAMILIES & CHILDREN |
| METROPOLITAN OPERA ASSOCIATION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MISSISSIPPI OPERA | JACKSON, MS | $20,000 | 2025 | PROMOTE OPERA APPRECIATION |
| BAPTIST HEALTH FOUNDATION | JACKSON, MS | $20,000 | 2025 | MOBILE CARDIOVASCULAR UNIT |
| BETHLEHEM CENTER THE | JACKSON, MS | $12,000 | 2025 | MINISTRY TO INTER-CITY FAMILIES & CHILDREN |
| BALLET MISSISSIPPI | JACKSON, MS | $10,000 | 2025 | NUTCRACKER PERFORMANCE |
| WILDLIFE MISSISSIPPI | STONEVILLE, MS | $10,000 | 2025 | WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN MISSISSIPPI |
| RARE CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION | DURHAM, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SOCIETY RIDGE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH | JACKSON, MS | $10,000 | 2025 | CHURCH BUILDING FUND |
| MIDTOWN PARTNERS INC | JACKSON, MS | $10,000 | 2025 | CREATIVE ECONOMY COORDINATOR SALARY |
| WELLS MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | JACKSON, MS | $5,000 | 2025 | WELLSFEST EVENT SPONSORSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY PRESS OF MS | JACKSON, MS | $5,000 | 2025 | INTERNSHIP SPONSORSHIP & PUBLICATION COSTS OF MS GOVERNORS MANSION BOOK |
| OPERA THEATRE OF ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BOSTON UNIVERSITY | BOSTON, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | WOMEN'S LIGHTWEIGHT ROWING PROGRAM |
| EXPONENT PHILANTHROPY | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,660 | 2025 | ENHANCE PROGRAMS FOR SMALL FOUNDATIONS |
| MISSISSIPPI CHORUS | JACKSON, MS | $1,000 | 2025 | CHOIR TOUR SPONSORSHIP |
| PASSTHROUGH ENTITY DONATIONS | VARIOUS, MS | $71 | 2025 | UNKNOWN |
| ST ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL | RIDGELAND, MS | $325,000 | 2024 | CHAPEL, CLASSROOM, & LOWER SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION |
| ST ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL | RIDGELAND, MS | $275,000 | 2024 | CHAPEL, CLASSROOM, & LOWER SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION |
| HELPMATE INC | ASHEVILLE, NC | $250,000 | 2024 | SHELTER FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA ASHEVILLE FOUNDATION INC | ASHEVILLE, NC | $200,000 | 2024 | STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS & ATHLETIC ENHANCEMENTS |
| MAGNOLIA SPEECH SCHOOL | MADISON, MS | $182,500 | 2024 | PLAYGROUND CONSTRUCTION & FLAG POLE CONSTRUCTION |
| MAGNOLIA SPEECH SCHOOL | MADISON, MS | $182,500 | 2024 | PLAYGROUND CONSTRUCTION & FLAG POLE CONSTRUCTION |
CAMP KAMASSA ACTIVITY CENTER, SIDEWALKS, & FAMILY CABIN
ST ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
$275,000CHAPEL, CLASSROOM, & LOWER SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION
JACKSON PREPARATORY SCHOOL
$200,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS & ATHLETIC ENHANCEMENTS
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$190,000DISASTER RELIEF HURRICAN HELENE WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME PEOPLE OF MISSISSIPPI
GALLOWAY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$104,000GENERAL CHURCH BUDGET
MISSISSIPPI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$60,000CONCERT SPONSORSHIP
CHURCH OF ST MICHAEL AND ST GEORGE
$50,000PLAYGROUND CONSTRUCTION
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WESTERN NC
$50,000DISASTER RESPONSE HURRICANE HELENE
MISSISSIPPI STATE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION
$35,000UNIV OF MS MEDICAL SCHOOL RURAL PHYSICIANS SCHOLARSHIP
BADDOUR CENTER
$27,660TRIP SPONSORSHIP FOR MENTALLY CHALLENGED ADULTS
FIRST ROBOTICS - LOUISIANA MISSISSIPPI
$25,000ROBOTICS TEAM SUPPORT AND EVENT SPONSORSHIP
EASTMAN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
$25,000LAUREN ROGERS MUSEUM OF ART SPEAKER SERIES
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF MISSISSIPPI
$25,000SURPLUS STORE
VERNER CENTER FOR EARLY LEARNING
$25,000GENERAL FUND
MISSISSIPPI OPERA
$20,000PROMOTE OPERA APPRECIATION
BETHLEHEM CENTER THE
$12,000MINISTRY TO INTER-CITY FAMILIES & CHILDREN
BALLET MISSISSIPPI
$10,000NUTCRACKER PERFORMANCE
WILDLIFE MISSISSIPPI
$10,000WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN MISSISSIPPI
SOCIETY RIDGE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
$10,000CHURCH BUILDING FUND
MIDTOWN PARTNERS INC
$10,000CREATIVE ECONOMY COORDINATOR SALARY
WELLS MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$5,000WELLSFEST EVENT SPONSORSHIP
UNIVERSITY PRESS OF MS
$5,000INTERNSHIP SPONSORSHIP & PUBLICATION COSTS OF MS GOVERNORS MANSION BOOK
OPERA THEATRE OF ST LOUIS
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
$5,000WOMEN'S LIGHTWEIGHT ROWING PROGRAM
EXPONENT PHILANTHROPY
$1,660ENHANCE PROGRAMS FOR SMALL FOUNDATIONS
MISSISSIPPI CHORUS
$1,000CHOIR TOUR SPONSORSHIP
PASSTHROUGH ENTITY DONATIONS
$71UNKNOWN
ST ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
$325,000CHAPEL, CLASSROOM, & LOWER SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION
ST ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
$275,000CHAPEL, CLASSROOM, & LOWER SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS & ATHLETIC ENHANCEMENTS