The Clendenin Foundation makes a small number of substantial, unrestricted grants to civic and social-service institutions in the Southeast, favoring operating support for established organizations. Recent giving emphasizes performing arts, pediatric health care, and local community self‑help initiatives, with repeat support to a flagship performing arts center.
Concentrated, small-portfolio strategy: few (four) relatively large grants totaling $305K, with repeat funding to at least one primary grantee and an emphasis on general operating support rather than project-restricted funding.
A repeat general-operating grant to The Straz Center for Performing Arts stands out in the Clendenin Foundation’s recent giving: $120,000 in 2024 followed by $85,000 in 2025. That pattern fits a funder that favors unrestricted support for established organizations rather than tightly scoped project awards. Recent grants show a mix of performing arts, pediatric health care, community self-help, youth services, and faith-based social-service groups, with several organizations appearing in more than one year. The foundation’s largest recent gifts also include support for Childrens Health Care of Atlanta and Bluffton Self Help, both at $50,000 in 2024, indicating a willingness to make substantial operating grants to institutions serving different parts of the Southeast. Other recurring awards go to groups such as Lambscroft Ministries, Gainesville First United Methodist Church, Mars Hill Community Church, and Pope John Paul II High School. Across the recent grants list, the common thread is core support for organizations with an ongoing local role in their communities.
Performing arts is a clear part of the foundation’s portfolio. In 2025, it gave $25,000 to Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa for general operating purposes, alongside earlier support for The Straz Center for Performing Arts. Pediatric and family health also appears in the record: Childrens Health Care of Atlanta received $50,000 in 2024 and $40,000 in 2025, both for general operating purposes. Community self-help is another recurring theme. Bluffton Self Help received $50,000 in both 2024 and 2025, while Bluffton Jasper Volunteers in Medicine received $20,000 in each of those years. Youth-oriented support shows up in grants to Boys and Girls Club of Bluffton and Drug Awareness Inc, each funded for operating purposes.
Grant sizes cluster around mid-five-figure and low-five-figure awards, with a typical range of p25 $5,000, median $10,000, and p75 $20,000. The recent record shows repeated support to the same organizations across 2024 and 2025, including multiple operating grants to several recipients. That points to ongoing relationships rather than one-time project funding. The foundation is structured as a private family foundation, does not fund individuals, and does not make program-related investments. Most grants are unrestricted or general operating support, often framed as core support for established nonprofits.
$920K
$8M
-$183K
$585K
Most grants fall between $5K and $20K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$20K
About 8% of grants go to recipients in GA.
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Notable grantees: The Straz Center for Performing Arts, Children's Health Care of Atlanta, Bluffton Self Help
Giving is regional and concentrated in the Southeast, with the most frequent recipient state being Georgia. Recipients in Georgia include Atlanta, Gainesville, Powder Springs, and Oakwood. Florida appears through Tampa and Alabama through Birmingham, while South Carolina recipients include Bluffton, Beaufort, and nearby community organizations. Tennessee recipients include Nashville and Hendersonville. All recent grants in the list went to U.S. organizations.
The foundation most often gives general operating or unrestricted support. In the recent grants list, awards are repeatedly labeled “general operating purposes,” including multi-year support for organizations such as The Straz Center for Performing Arts, Childrens Health Care of Atlanta, and Bluffton Self Help.
Its recent grant pattern centers on modest-to-substantial operating awards: p25 is $5,000, median is $10,000, and p75 is $20,000. The list also includes larger gifts at $50,000, $85,000, and $120,000.
Yes. Several recipients appear in both 2024 and 2025, including The Straz Center for Performing Arts, Childrens Health Care of Atlanta, Bluffton Self Help, Lambscroft Ministries, and Bluffton Jasper Volunteers in Medicine. That indicates repeat support rather than isolated one-off gifts.
The recent grants include performing arts, pediatric health care, community self-help, youth services, and faith-based social-service organizations. Examples in the record include The Straz Center for Performing Arts, Childrens Health Care of Atlanta, Bluffton Self Help, Boys and Girls Club of Bluffton, and Lambscroft Ministries.
Georgia is the top state by grant count. The Georgia recipient list includes Atlanta, Gainesville, Powder Springs, and Oakwood, showing repeated support across multiple parts of the state.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE STRAZ CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS | TAMPA, FL | $85,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| BLUFFTON SELF HELP | BLUFFTON, SC | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| CHILDRENS HEALTH CARE OF ATLANTA | ATLANTA, GA | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| LAMBSCROFT MINISTRIES | NASHVILLE, TN | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| LOWRY PARK ZOO | TAMPA, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| BRIARWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| GAINESVILLE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | GAINESVILLE, GA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| BLUFFTON JASPER VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE | BLUFFTON, SC | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| POPE JOHN PAUL II HIGH SCHOOL | HENDERSONVILLE, TN | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| MARS HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH | POWDER SPRINGS, GA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| THIS STUFF MATTERS | POWDER SPRINGS, GA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| DRUG AWARENESS INC | GAINESVILLE, GA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| ROTARY FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT | TOPEKA, KS | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| FAMILY PROMISE OF HALL COUNTY INC | OAKWOOD, GA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| UNITED WAY OF THE LOW COUNTY | BEAUFORT, SC | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| SOAR SPECIAL RECREATION OF LOW | HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| HOPEFUL HORIZONS | BEAUFORT, SC | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF BLUFFTON | BLUFFTON, SC | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | BOONE, IA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| UNITED NETWORK FOR ORGAN SHARING | RICHMOND, VA | $3,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY OF GEORGIA | ATLANTA, GA | $1,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| THE STRAZ CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS | TAMPA, FL | $120,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| CHILDRENS HEALTH CARE OF ATLANTA | ATLANTA, GA | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| BLUFFTON SELF HELP | BLUFFTON, SC | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| LAMBSCROFT MINISTRIES | NASHVILLE, TN | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| DRUG AWARENESS INC | GAINESVILLE, GA | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| GAINESVILLE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | GAINESVILLE, GA | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| MARS HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH | POWDER SPRINGS, GA | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| BLUFFTON JASPER VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE | BLUFFTON, SC | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| POPE JOHN PAUL II HIGH SCHOOL | HENDERSONVILLE, TN | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| FAMILY PROMISE OF HALL COUNTY INC | OAKWOOD, GA | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| THIS STUFF MATTERS | POWDER SPRINGS, GA | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| BRIARWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF BLUFFTON | BLUFFTON, SC | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| GOOD NEWS AT NOON SHELTER MINISTRY | GAINESVILLE, GA | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| HOPEFUL HORIZONS | BEAUFORT, SC | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| ROTARY FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| FAMILY PROMISE OF BEAUFORT COUNTY | BLUFFTON, SC | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| SOUTH CAROLINA SHERIFF ASSOCIATION | COLUMBIA, SC | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| UNITED WAY OF THE LOW COUNTY | BEAUFORT, SC | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT | TOPEKA, KS | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| SPECIAL OLYMPICS GEORGIA | NORCROSS, GA | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| SOAR SPECIAL RECREATION OF LOW | HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| UNITED NETWORK FOR ORGAN SHARING | RICHMOND, VA | $3,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
| UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY OF GEORGIA | ATLANTA, GA | $2,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES |
THE STRAZ CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS
$85,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
BLUFFTON SELF HELP
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
CHILDRENS HEALTH CARE OF ATLANTA
$40,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
LAMBSCROFT MINISTRIES
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
LOWRY PARK ZOO
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
BRIARWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
GAINESVILLE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
BLUFFTON JASPER VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
POPE JOHN PAUL II HIGH SCHOOL
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
MARS HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
THIS STUFF MATTERS
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
DRUG AWARENESS INC
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
ROTARY FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
FAMILY PROMISE OF HALL COUNTY INC
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
UNITED WAY OF THE LOW COUNTY
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
SOAR SPECIAL RECREATION OF LOW
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
HOPEFUL HORIZONS
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF BLUFFTON
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
UNITED NETWORK FOR ORGAN SHARING
$3,500GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY OF GEORGIA
$1,500GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
THE STRAZ CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS
$120,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
CHILDRENS HEALTH CARE OF ATLANTA
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
BLUFFTON SELF HELP
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
LAMBSCROFT MINISTRIES
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
DRUG AWARENESS INC
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
GAINESVILLE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
MARS HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
BLUFFTON JASPER VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
POPE JOHN PAUL II HIGH SCHOOL
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
FAMILY PROMISE OF HALL COUNTY INC
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
THIS STUFF MATTERS
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
BRIARWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF BLUFFTON
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
GOOD NEWS AT NOON SHELTER MINISTRY
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
HOPEFUL HORIZONS
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
ROTARY FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
FAMILY PROMISE OF BEAUFORT COUNTY
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
SOUTH CAROLINA SHERIFF ASSOCIATION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
UNITED WAY OF THE LOW COUNTY
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
SPECIAL OLYMPICS GEORGIA
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
SOAR SPECIAL RECREATION OF LOW
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
UNITED NETWORK FOR ORGAN SHARING
$3,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES
UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY OF GEORGIA
$2,000GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES