The Kirbo Charitable Foundation concentrates giving in the Southeast (northern Florida and southern Georgia), funding higher-education scholarship funds, regional health care and behavioral health providers, and community safety-net services. They favor medium-to-large grants for capital projects and program support, often making repeat awards to the same local institutions and targeting organizations that serve low-income, rural, and at-risk populations. The foundation also supports nonprofit capacity-building and a smaller number of place-based cultural and environmental causes tied to the region.
The Thomas M and Irene Kirbo Charitable Foundation shows a clear pattern of repeat support for place-based institutions in north Florida and southern Georgia, especially when the ask is a scholarship fund, a health service expansion, or a capital campaign. Recent awards include $125,000 to the Jack Hadley Black History Museum in Thomasville for museum maintenance and the Jack Hadley Yards capital campaign, and $100,000 to the YMCA of the Georgia Sunbelt for health and counseling services to Bainbridge. Scholarship support is another defining feature. The foundation gave $100,000 in 2024 and $100,000 in 2023 to the Valdosta State University Foundation for the Ruby Sullivan/Kirbo Scholars Scholarship Program, then continued that pattern with grants to Andrew College, Jacksonville University, Flagler College, and Mercer University. Health care appears alongside education rather than separately: the foundation backed Baptist Health Foundation, Ascension St. Vincents Foundation, and Bainbridge Memorial Health Foundation for care serving economically challenged, poor, and indigent patients. It also funded the Nonprofit Center of NE Florida for nonprofit-strengthening work and Arc Jacksonville for housing and therapy for adults with IDD and mental illness.
In higher education, the foundation has supported both scholarship endowments and annual scholarship funds. Recent examples include $35,000 to Andrew College for an annual fund for scholarships, $25,000 to Jacksonville University for a nursing scholarship fund, and $25,000 to Flagler College for the Flagler Scholarship Fund. It also funded Mercer University’s School of Law annual fund. Health and counseling services are another visible theme. The foundation gave $100,000 to YMCA of the Georgia Sunbelt for providing health and counseling services to Bainbridge, and $25,000 to Bainbridge Memorial Health Foundation for health care services to the poor and indigent. For community health infrastructure, it awarded $50,000 to Baptist Health Foundation for the Appreciative Inquiry Program at Baptist Medical Center. Their community-support grants also extend to youth and family services, including $25,000 to First Presbyterian Church for youth program services in the inner city and $50,000 to Atlanta Ronald McDonald Charities for a capital campaign expanding care for families of sick children.
$2M
$50M
$2.9M
$2.5M
Most grants fall between $5K and $15K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$15K
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Relatively concentrated regional giving with many repeat grantees; grants are typically mid-size ($50k–$200k), used for a mix of capital projects, scholarship/endowment support, and annual program funding rather than many very small awards.
Notable grantees: Valdosta State University Foundation, Jack Hadley Black History Museum, Ascension St. Vincent's Foundation / Baptist Health Foundation (regional hospitals), Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida, Second Harvest of South Georgia / Feeding the Valley
Typical grants cluster around the low five-figure range, with a p25 of $5,000, a median of $10,000, and a p75 of $15,000. The recent record also shows larger awards for scholarships, health care, and capital projects, including repeated support to the same organizations across multiple years. The foundation is classified as a regular funder and funds individuals. Its pattern favors ongoing relationships rather than one-time grants, with several recipients appearing in consecutive years, including scholarship, health, and nonprofit-capacity recipients.
Grantmaking is concentrated in Florida and southern Georgia, with the strongest activity in Jacksonville, Bainbridge, Thomasville, Valdosta, and Moultrie. Florida accounts for 56% of grants by recipient location, even as many awards also land in nearby Georgia communities. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based. The pattern reflects a regional footprint rather than a national one, with repeated support to institutions in northeast Florida and southwest Georgia.
The foundation repeatedly funds scholarship programs, health and counseling services, and capital or facility projects. Examples in the recent grants list include scholarship funds at Valdosta State University Foundation and Jacksonville University, health-related support through YMCA of the Georgia Sunbelt and Baptist Health Foundation, and capital work for the Jack Hadley Black History Museum.
Yes. The recent grants list shows repeated awards to several recipients across multiple years, including Valdosta State University Foundation in 2023 and 2024, Baptist Health Foundation in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and First Presbyterian Church in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Typical awards are relatively modest, with a p25 of $5,000, a median of $10,000, and a p75 of $15,000. The recent record also includes larger six-figure grants for scholarship and capital work, showing that the foundation uses a wide range of grant sizes depending on the project.
Giving is regional and concentrated in Florida and southern Georgia. Florida recipients make up 56% of grants by location, and the recent grants list clusters around Jacksonville, Bainbridge, Thomasville, Valdosta, and Moultrie.
Recent grants support health care for economically challenged or indigent people, youth services, housing and therapy for adults with IDD and mental illness, and museum preservation tied to Black history. The foundation also supported a capital campaign for families of sick children and a program for nonprofit-strengthening work.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JACKSONVILLE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND HISTORY | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $125,000 | 2026 | GENESIS CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO FUND A NEW MUSEUM FACILITY |
| JACK HADLEY BLACK HISTORY MUSEUM | THOMASVILLE, GA | $100,000 | 2026 | MAINTENANCE OF MUSEUM TO HONOR BLACK HISTORY AND SUPPORT OF THE JACK HADLEY YARDS CAPITAL CAMPAIGN PROJECT |
| YMCA OF THE GEORGIA SUNBELT | MOULTRIE, GA | $50,000 | 2026 | PROVIDING HEALTH AND COUNSELING SERVICES TO BAINBRIDGE, GA |
| ATLANTA RONALD MCDONALD CHARITIES INC | ATLANTA, GA | $50,000 | 2026 | A NEW WORLD OF CARE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO EXPAND THE EXISTING FACILITY TO SERVE FAMILIES OF SICK CHILDREN |
| FRIENDS WITH JESUS | BAINBRIDGE, GA | $50,000 | 2026 | AFTER SCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR AT RISK YOUTH |
| ASCENSION ST VINCENTS FOUNDATION | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $50,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL GIVING FUND TO PROVIDE THE ECONOMICALLY CHALLENGED WITH HEALTH CARE |
| BAPTIST HEALTH FOUNDATION | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $50,000 | 2026 | APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY NURSING PROGRAM AT BAPTIST MEDICAL CTR. |
| ABRAHAM BALDWIN AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION | TIFTON, GA | $45,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| ARC JACKSONVILLE | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $30,000 | 2026 | ARC JACKSONVILLE LODGE |
| NONPROFIT CENTER OF NE FL | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $25,000 | 2026 | PROGRAMS TO STRENGTHEN THE NONPROFIT COMMUNITY |
| FLAGLER COLLEGE | ST AUGUSTINE, FL | $25,000 | 2026 | FLAGLER SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FL FOUNDATION | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $25,000 | 2026 | BROOKS SCHOOL OF HEALTH CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING PROGRAM |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $25,000 | 2026 | YOUTH PROGRAM SERVICES IN INNER CITY |
| BAINBRIDGE MEMORIAL HEALTH FOUNDATION | BAINBRIDGE, GA | $25,000 | 2026 | HEALTHCARE SERVICES TO THE POOR AND INDIGENT |
| DOWNTOWN ECUMENICAL SERVICES - RISE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $25,000 | 2026 | NEW FACILITY TO PROVIDE FOOD, CLOTHING AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE POOR |
| JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $25,000 | 2026 | NURSING SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF NE FLORIDA | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $20,000 | 2026 | MENTORING PROGRAMS FOR AT RISK YOUTH |
| REEF BALL FOUNDATION | ATHENS, GA | $20,000 | 2026 | PRESERVATION OF MARINE HABITATS |
| EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY FD | JOHNSON CITY, TN | $20,000 | 2026 | AUDIOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT |
| FRIENDS OF JIMMY CARTER NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE | PLAINS, GA | $20,000 | 2026 | PROVIDES EDUCATION AND BUILDING PROGRAMS IN SOUTHWEST GEORGIA |
| GEORGIA HEIRS PROPERTY LAW CTR | ATHENS, GA | $20,000 | 2026 | LEGAL SERVICES TO PROMOTE SOCIAL JUSTICE |
| VASHTI CENTER FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN | THOMASVILLE, GA | $15,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE AFTERSCHOOL SERVICES, MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, RESIDENTIAL FOSTER CARE TO VULNERABLE FAMILIES IN THOMAS COUNTY, GA. |
| PREVENT BLINDNESS GA | SANDY SPRINGS, GA | $15,000 | 2026 | VISION SCREENING FOR ELDERLY AND INDIGENT |
| SECOND HARVEST OF SOUTH GEORGIA | VALDOSTA, GA | $15,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE FOOD TO THE ECONOMICALLY CHALLENGED |
| DOWNTOWN ECUMENICAL SERVICES | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $15,000 | 2026 | FOOD, CLOTHING, AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE POOR |
| NORTH FLORIDA SCHOOL OF SPECIAL EDUCATION | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $15,000 | 2026 | VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES |
| ANGELWOOD | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $15,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN & ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES |
| GROVEWAY COMMUNITY GROUP INC | ROSWELL, GA | $15,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE PROGRAMS FOR AT RISK YOUTH AND FAMILIES |
| CLARA WHITE MISSION | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $15,000 | 2026 | HOUSING, TRAINING AND FEEDING OF VETERANS AND HOMELESS |
| ATLANTA MUSIC PROJECT | ATLANTA, GA | $15,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT OF EDUCATION OF YOUNG MUSICIANS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES |
| YOUTH CRISIS CENTER | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $15,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE PROGRAMS FOR VULNERABLE YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES |
| GREATER HICKORY COOPERATIVE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY | HICKORY, NC | $15,000 | 2026 | PROVIDES CRISIS ASSISTANCE, MEDICAL CLINIC SERVICES, LOW COST PHARMACY TO THE GREATER HICKORY AREA |
| GRADY COUNTY GEORGIA SHERIFF DEPT | CAIRO, GA | $15,000 | 2026 | TRAINING PROGRAM FOR DOGS USED FOR DRUG ENFORCEMENT AND SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS |
| THE SALVATION ARMY OF BAINBRIDGE GEORGIA | BAINBRIDGE, GA | $15,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE THANKSGIVING DAY MEALS TO THE FOOD INSECURE IN BAINBRIDGE, GEORGIA |
| PINE CASTLE | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $15,000 | 2026 | SERVICES FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES |
| DECATUR COUNTY FAMILY CONNECTION | BAINBRIDGE, GA | $15,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SHELTER, COUNSELING AND SAFETY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN CRISIS |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF JACKSONVILLE | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $15,000 | 2026 | LODGING FOR FAMILIES OF HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN |
| SULZBACHER CENTER | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $15,000 | 2026 | SERVICES TO THE HOMELESS |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY | COLUMBUS, GA | $15,000 | 2026 | PARKS MEMORIAL LIBRARY IN STEWART COUNTY GEORGIA |
| CITY RESCUE MISSION | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $15,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE HOUSING AND ADDICTION RECOVERY TO THE HOMELESS |
| FEEDING THE VALLEY | COLUMBUS, GA | $15,000 | 2026 | FOOD BANK FACILITY IN SOUTHERN SERVICE AREA AND DOUGHERTY CTY |
| YOUNG LIFE | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $15,000 | 2026 | CHRISTIAN MINISTRY TO LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE YOUTH |
| SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION OF SOUTHWEST GEORGIA | BAINBRIDGE, GA | $15,000 | 2026 | KIRBO SCHOLARS FUND |
| HUBBARD HOUSE | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $15,000 | 2026 | SHELTER SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE |
| BOOKS FOR KEEPS | ATHENS, GA | $12,500 | 2026 | BOOK DISTRIBUTIONS TO AT RISK CHILDREN |
| JERICHO SCHOOL | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $12,000 | 2026 | INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION TO YOUTH WITH AUTISM |
| ATLANTA COMMUNITY FOOD BANK | ATLANTA, GA | $10,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FAMILIES WITH FOOD INSECURITY |
| SAMARITAN COUNSELING OF SW GEORGIA | BAINBRIDGE, GA | $10,000 | 2026 | FAITH BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM |
| GEORGIA JUSTICE PROJECT | ATLANTA, GA | $10,000 | 2026 | PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS |
| VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | FREE HEALTHCARE TO LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS |
JACKSONVILLE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND HISTORY
$125,000GENESIS CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO FUND A NEW MUSEUM FACILITY
JACK HADLEY BLACK HISTORY MUSEUM
$100,000MAINTENANCE OF MUSEUM TO HONOR BLACK HISTORY AND SUPPORT OF THE JACK HADLEY YARDS CAPITAL CAMPAIGN PROJECT
YMCA OF THE GEORGIA SUNBELT
$50,000PROVIDING HEALTH AND COUNSELING SERVICES TO BAINBRIDGE, GA
ATLANTA RONALD MCDONALD CHARITIES INC
$50,000A NEW WORLD OF CARE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO EXPAND THE EXISTING FACILITY TO SERVE FAMILIES OF SICK CHILDREN
FRIENDS WITH JESUS
$50,000AFTER SCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR AT RISK YOUTH
ASCENSION ST VINCENTS FOUNDATION
$50,000ANNUAL GIVING FUND TO PROVIDE THE ECONOMICALLY CHALLENGED WITH HEALTH CARE
BAPTIST HEALTH FOUNDATION
$50,000APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY NURSING PROGRAM AT BAPTIST MEDICAL CTR.
ABRAHAM BALDWIN AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$45,000SCHOLARSHIPS
FLAGLER COLLEGE
$25,000FLAGLER SCHOLARSHIP FUND
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FL FOUNDATION
$25,000BROOKS SCHOOL OF HEALTH CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING PROGRAM
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$25,000YOUTH PROGRAM SERVICES IN INNER CITY
BAINBRIDGE MEMORIAL HEALTH FOUNDATION
$25,000HEALTHCARE SERVICES TO THE POOR AND INDIGENT
DOWNTOWN ECUMENICAL SERVICES - RISE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
$25,000NEW FACILITY TO PROVIDE FOOD, CLOTHING AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE POOR
JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY
$25,000NURSING SCHOLARSHIP FUND
REEF BALL FOUNDATION
$20,000PRESERVATION OF MARINE HABITATS
EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY FD
$20,000AUDIOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
FRIENDS OF JIMMY CARTER NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
$20,000PROVIDES EDUCATION AND BUILDING PROGRAMS IN SOUTHWEST GEORGIA
VASHTI CENTER FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN
$15,000PROVIDE AFTERSCHOOL SERVICES, MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, RESIDENTIAL FOSTER CARE TO VULNERABLE FAMILIES IN THOMAS COUNTY, GA.
PREVENT BLINDNESS GA
$15,000VISION SCREENING FOR ELDERLY AND INDIGENT
DOWNTOWN ECUMENICAL SERVICES
$15,000FOOD, CLOTHING, AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE POOR
VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES
ANGELWOOD
$15,000SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN & ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES
GROVEWAY COMMUNITY GROUP INC
$15,000PROVIDE PROGRAMS FOR AT RISK YOUTH AND FAMILIES
HOUSING, TRAINING AND FEEDING OF VETERANS AND HOMELESS
ATLANTA MUSIC PROJECT
$15,000SUPPORT OF EDUCATION OF YOUNG MUSICIANS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES
PROVIDE PROGRAMS FOR VULNERABLE YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES
PROVIDES CRISIS ASSISTANCE, MEDICAL CLINIC SERVICES, LOW COST PHARMACY TO THE GREATER HICKORY AREA
GRADY COUNTY GEORGIA SHERIFF DEPT
$15,000TRAINING PROGRAM FOR DOGS USED FOR DRUG ENFORCEMENT AND SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS
THE SALVATION ARMY OF BAINBRIDGE GEORGIA
$15,000PROVIDE THANKSGIVING DAY MEALS TO THE FOOD INSECURE IN BAINBRIDGE, GEORGIA
DECATUR COUNTY FAMILY CONNECTION
$15,000PROVIDE SHELTER, COUNSELING AND SAFETY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN CRISIS
LODGING FOR FAMILIES OF HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN
PARKS MEMORIAL LIBRARY IN STEWART COUNTY GEORGIA
CITY RESCUE MISSION
$15,000PROVIDE HOUSING AND ADDICTION RECOVERY TO THE HOMELESS
FOOD BANK FACILITY IN SOUTHERN SERVICE AREA AND DOUGHERTY CTY
SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION OF SOUTHWEST GEORGIA
$15,000KIRBO SCHOLARS FUND
JERICHO SCHOOL
$12,000INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION TO YOUTH WITH AUTISM
SAMARITAN COUNSELING OF SW GEORGIA
$10,000FAITH BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM
VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE
$10,000FREE HEALTHCARE TO LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS