The Sun Belt Conference acts primarily as a revenue‑distributing intermediary that channels conference earnings back to its member public universities, with large, formulaic payments to support campus athletic programs and conference operations. Grants are highly concentrated among conference members across the Southeast and South‑Central U.S., reflecting regular, repeat distributions rather than competitive project grants.
Concentrated, repeat distributions: relatively few large, regular grants directed to member universities (many recipients receive multiple equalized payments), indicating formulaic revenue sharing rather than one‑off program grants.
The Sun Belt Conference’s grantmaking is defined by large, repeat distributions to its member universities, not by project-based philanthropy. In 2024, Georgia State University received $2,010,000 marked as a distribution to members, the largest recent grant in the data. Other major 2024 payments went to Coastal Carolina University and Troy University at $1,970,000 each, and to University of South Alabama, University of Louisiana Lafayette, and Georgia Southern University at $1,920,000 each. That pattern shows the conference moving substantial earnings back into the institutions that participate in the league. The 2025 records continue the same structure, with multiple members receiving the same $1,757,089 payment, including Appalachian State University, Marshall University, Texas State University, Troy University, and University of Southern Mississippi. The repeated amounts and member-only recipient list point to a formal internal allocation model centered on athletics funding and conference operations. Rather than supporting individuals or outside nonprofits, the conference functions as a financial intermediary for public universities within its membership.
The clearest theme in the grant records is support for member athletics programs and conference operations. In 2024, Coastal Carolina University received $1,970,000 as a distribution to members, and Troy University received the same amount, showing large institutional payments tied to the league structure. Georgia Southern University also received $1,920,000 in 2024 for the same purpose. The 2025 entries keep that same pattern, with University of Louisiana Lafayette receiving $1,899,784 and University of Louisiana Monroe receiving $1,757,089. These grants are not framed as restricted project awards; they are recorded as distributions to members, which aligns with internal revenue sharing. The recipient list also reflects a concentration in public universities across the Southeastern and South-Central U.S., consistent with a conference serving NCAA Division I institutions.
The grant-size spread is tight: p25 is $1,597,500, median is $1,757,089, and p75 is $1,863,112. That clustering suggests formula-driven payments rather than discretionary awards of varying size. The recent record also shows repeated recipients across years, including Appalachian State University, Coastal Carolina University, Arkansas State University, Texas State University, Georgia State University, and University of Louisiana Lafayette. The conference does not fund individuals, and the grants are recorded as member distributions. The pattern is consistent with an internal allocation structure tied to conference membership rather than an open application process.
$23.9M
$23.3M
$47M
$48M
Most grants fall between $1.6M and $1.9M, with a median of $1.8M.
25th Percentile
$1.6M
Median
$1.8M
75th Percentile
$1.9M
HERBERT L CARTER III
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Notable grantees: University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Appalachian State University, Coastal Carolina University, Georgia State University, Texas State University
All recent grants in the data went to U.S. recipients, with 42 grants and 100.0% in the United States. The recipient list includes universities in Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, Missouri, Mississippi, and Virginia. Frequent recipient cities include Statesboro, GA; Boone, NC; Conway, SC; San Marcos, TX; and Monroe, LA. The distribution reflects a regional network of public universities rather than a broad national or international grantmaking footprint.
Recent grants go to member public universities, including Georgia State University, Coastal Carolina University, Troy University, University of South Alabama, and University of Louisiana Lafayette. Every grant in the recent sample is marked as a distribution to members.
The recent grant-size distribution is tightly clustered: p25 is $1,597,500, median is $1,757,089, and p75 is $1,863,112. That pattern suggests standardized payments rather than widely varying award amounts.
No. The foundation data identifies funds individuals as false, and the recent grants all go to organizations, specifically member universities.
The record shows repeated payments to the same universities across 2023, 2024, and 2025, including Appalachian State University, Coastal Carolina University, Arkansas State University, Texas State University, Georgia State University, and University of Louisiana Lafayette. That points to recurring distributions rather than isolated awards.
The grant descriptions point to member income support for athletics funding and conference operations. In the recent grants, each payment is labeled as a distribution to members, not as a project-specific award.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA LAFAYETTE | — | $1,899,784 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY | — | $1,757,089 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| COASTAL CAROLINA UNIVERSITY | — | $1,757,089 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY | — | $1,757,089 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA | — | $1,757,089 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY | — | $1,757,089 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY | — | $1,757,089 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY | — | $1,757,089 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| MARSHALL UNIVERSITY | — | $1,757,089 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE | — | $1,757,089 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| TROY UNIVERSITY | — | $1,757,089 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY | — | $1,757,089 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI | — | $1,757,089 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY | — | $934,873 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY | — | $2,010,000 | 2024 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| COASTAL CAROLINA UNIVERSITY | — | $1,970,000 | 2024 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| TROY UNIVERSITY | — | $1,970,000 | 2024 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY | — | $1,920,000 | 2024 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA LAFAYETTE | — | $1,920,000 | 2024 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA | — | $1,920,000 | 2024 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY | — | $1,870,000 | 2024 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY | — | $1,870,000 | 2024 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY | — | $1,870,000 | 2024 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE | — | $1,870,000 | 2024 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| MARSHALL UNIVERSITY | — | $100,000 | 2024 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI | — | $50,000 | 2024 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY | — | $1,842,448 | 2023 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA LAFAYETTE | — | $1,822,500 | 2023 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| COASTAL CAROLINA UNIVERSITY | — | $1,697,500 | 2023 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY | — | $1,672,500 | 2023 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE | — | $1,597,500 | 2023 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY | — | $1,597,500 | 2023 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY | — | $1,597,500 | 2023 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| TROY UNIVERSITY | — | $1,597,500 | 2023 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA | — | $1,597,500 | 2023 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY | — | $1,597,500 | 2023 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS LITTLE ROCK | — | $315,000 | 2023 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS ARLINGTON | — | $315,000 | 2023 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY | — | $50,000 | 2023 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI | — | $50,000 | 2023 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| MARSHALL UNIVERSITY | — | $50,000 | 2023 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
| OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY | — | $25,000 | 2023 | DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS |
UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA LAFAYETTE
$1,899,784DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY
$1,757,089DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
COASTAL CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
$1,757,089DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
$1,757,089DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
$1,757,089DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY
$1,757,089DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY
DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY
$1,757,089DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
MARSHALL UNIVERSITY
$1,757,089DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
$1,757,089DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
TROY UNIVERSITY
$1,757,089DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
$1,757,089DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
$1,757,089DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
$934,873DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY
$2,010,000DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
COASTAL CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
$1,970,000DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
TROY UNIVERSITY
$1,970,000DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
$1,920,000DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA LAFAYETTE
$1,920,000DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
$1,920,000DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY
$1,870,000DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY
$1,870,000DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
$1,870,000DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
$1,870,000DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
MARSHALL UNIVERSITY
$100,000DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
$50,000DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY
$1,842,448DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA LAFAYETTE
$1,822,500DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
COASTAL CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
$1,697,500DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
$1,672,500DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
$1,597,500DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY
$1,597,500DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
$1,597,500DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
TROY UNIVERSITY
$1,597,500DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
$1,597,500DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY
$1,597,500DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS LITTLE ROCK
$315,000DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS ARLINGTON
$315,000DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
$50,000DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
$50,000DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
MARSHALL UNIVERSITY
$50,000DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY
$25,000DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS