Phil Hardin Foundation
Meridian, MS · EIN 64-6024940. Reported 235 grants totalling $16.0M to 105 organizations across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Phil Hardin Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $48,200. Half of everything it gave fell between $15,000 and $75,000; the smallest was $500 and the largest $510,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ms Childrens Museum | Jackson, MS | $1,495,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Ms Arts and Entertainment Center | Meridian, MS | $1,228,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Meridian Community College Foundation | Meridian, MS | $1,124,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Lauderdale County School District | Meridian, MS | $1,079,122 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| University of Ms Medical Center | Jackson, MS | $877,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Meridian Public School District | Meridian, MS | $750,200 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Mississippi State University Foundation | Mississippi State, MS | $641,781 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Freedom Project Network | Sunflower, MS | $615,250 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Milsaps College | Jackson, MS | $592,656 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Ms Alliance of Nonprofits | Jackson, MS | $429,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Childrens Foundation of Ms | Jackson, MS | $400,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| United Way of East Ms | Meridian, MS | $320,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Ms University for Women Foundation | Columbus, MS | $300,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Foundation for Ms History | Jackson, MS | $250,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Jackson Public School District | Jackson, MS | $250,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Belhaven Unviversity | Jackson, MS | $248,600 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Meridian Symphony Association | Meridian, MS | $225,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Ms Inc | Jackson, MS | $200,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Ms Acquarium Foundation | Gulfport, MS | $200,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Spring Initiative | Clarksdale, MS | $200,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Foundation for Public Broadcasting in Ms | Jackson, MS | $160,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| New Destiny Daycare & Learning Academy | Meridian, MS | $150,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Operation Shoe String Inc | Jackson, MS | $150,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| The Mississippi Reading Clinic | Jackson, MS | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Nea Foundation for the Improvement of Education | Washington, DC | $150,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Womens Foundation of Ms | Jackson, MS | $140,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| East Ms Business Development Foundation | Meridian, MS | $137,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| National Center of Education and the Economy | Washington, DC | $125,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Trinity Dyslexia Center | Meridian, MS | $114,700 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| The Weshler Foundation | Meridian, MS | $104,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| But God Ministries | Ridgeland, MS | $100,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Community Foundation of Northwest Ms | Hernando, MS | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Friends of Russell C Davis Planetarium | Jackson, MS | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Jackson Medical Mall Foundation | Jackson, MS | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Magnolia Speech for the Deaf | Jackson, MS | $100,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Mississippi Arts Commission | Jackson, MS | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Ms Arts Commission | Jackson, MS | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Ms Campaign for Teen Pregnancy | Jackson, MS | $100,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| National Center on Education & the Economy | Washington, DC | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Program of Research & Evaluation for Public School | Hattiesburg, MS | $100,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Scott County School District | Forest, MS | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| University of Mississippi Foundation | Oxford, MS | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Meridian Art Association | Meridian, MS | $95,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Save the Music Foundation | New York, NY | $80,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| United Way of Northeast Ms | Tupelo, MS | $78,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Great City Ms Foundation | Jackson, MS | $75,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Illuminations Center for Dyslexia Inc | Meridian, MS | $75,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Meridian Junior Auxillary | Meridian, MS | $61,300 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Griot Arts | Clarksdale, MS | $60,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Hope Village for Children | Meridian, MS | $60,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Pine Grove Association | Canton, MS | $60,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| The Writing Revolution | New York, NY | $60,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Community Foundation of East Ms | Meridian, MS | $56,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Ms Book Festival | Jackson, MS | $55,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Meridian Freedom Project | Meridian, MS | $51,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Chikasaw Inkana Foundation | Tupelo, MS | $50,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Community Foundation for Ms | Jackson, MS | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Jocelyn Jessop | Philadelphia, PA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Lauren Rogers Museum | Laurel, MS | $50,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Mission First Inc | Jackson, MS | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Mississippi College | Clinton, MS | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Ms Statewide Afterschool Network | Jackson, MS | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| National Board for Professionals | Arlington, VA | $50,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Public Education Forum of Ms | Jackson, MS | $50,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Walter Anderson Museum of Art | Ocean Springs, MS | $50,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| We Will Go | Jackson, MS | $47,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| East Ms Business Development Corporation | Meridian, MS | $45,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| National Council on Teacher Quality | Washington, DC | $45,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Juanita Sims Doty Foundation | Jackson, MS | $38,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Afternoon Adventure Learning Center | Newton, MS | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Jimmie Rodgers Foundation Inc | Meridian, MS | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Ms School for Math and Science Foundation Inc | Columbus, MS | $29,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Harrisburg Cultural and Social Services Center Inc | Tupelo, MS | $26,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Bell Voices | New York, NY | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Mississippi Book Festival | Jackson, MS | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Mississippi Museum of Art | Jackson, MS | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Sunflower County Freedom Project | Sunflower, MS | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Nurture Our Future | Laurel, MS | $23,925 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Palmer Home for Children | Lake Cormorant, MS | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Philanthropy Southeast | Atlanta, GA | $18,930 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Mississippi Humanities Council Inc | Jackson, MS | $17,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Rosedale Community Youth Center | Rosedale, MS | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Ms State University Foundation | Mississippi State, MS | $11,781 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Meridian Public School District Foundation | Meridian, MS | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Parents Campaign Research and Education Fund | Jackson, MS | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Southeastern Council of Foundations | Atlanta, GA | $8,360 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| East Ms Veterans Foundation | Meridian, MS | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Youth Ministry | Batesville, MS | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| From the Heart Productions | Oxnard, CA | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Marty Stuart Center | Philadelphia, MS | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Mississippi Early Childhood Association | Jackson, MS | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| East Center for Educational Development Inc | Meridian, MS | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Enterprise School District | Enterprise, MS | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Meridian Council for the Arts | Meridian, MS | $3,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Harrison County Library System | Gulfport, MS | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Meridian High School Department of Theater | Meridian, MS | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| West Hills Elementary | Meridian, MS | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Angel Services Inc | Stateline, MS | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Oren Dunn City Museum Association | Tupelo, MS | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Ms Association in Partners in Education | Madison, MS | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Grantmakers for Education | Portland, OR | $1,300 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Mooreville High School | Mooreville, MS | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Meridian High School | Meridian, MS | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Mhs Marching Band | Meridian, MS | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Youth Outreach | Jackson, MS | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
67 of 105 (64%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 71%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is about typical. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Ms Childrens Museum
MS CHILDRENS MUSEUM-MERIDIAN, MS AND ABC COME PLAY WITH ME - Lauderdale County School District
THE HELPFUL ENCOURAGING ADVOCATES RESPONSE TO TRAUMA PROGRAM AND PRE-K - Meridian Community College Foundation
PHIL HARDIN FOUNDATION HONORS COLLEGE; BEEP, ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIPS, RELOCATION AND RENOVATION, PHIL HARDIN SCHOLARSHIPS, AND TUITION GUARANTEE ENDOWMENT - Meridian Public School District
TEACH MERIDIAN INCENTIVE GRANT, MERIDIAN LEARNS-AMERICORPS YEAR 2, ADDITIONAL SCHOOL NURSES, & MS HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA COMPETITIONS - Ms Arts and Entertainment Center
MS ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT CENTER - University of Ms Medical Center
UM SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND MS BASE PAIR CONSORTIUM
What kind of organizations it funds
By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 81 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 56 | $3,639,353 | $50,000 |
| 2022 | 56 | $4,233,516 | $50,000 |
| 2023 | 56 | $3,829,936 | $37,500 |
| 2024 | 67 | $4,253,600 | $35,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Already committed for future years
Form 990-PF has a separate schedule for grants approved but not yet paid. Phil Hardin Foundation has 111 of them, worth $27.7M. This is the one part of the filing that looks forward rather than back -- and it also tells you how much of the next year's budget is already spoken for.
| Organization | Location | Approved |
|---|---|---|
| Meridian Community College Foundation | Meridian, MS | $2,390,000 |
| Meridian Community College Foundation | Meridian, MS | $2,185,000 |
| Mississippi Children's Museum | Jackson, MS | $2,000,000 |
| Meridian Community College Foundation | Meridian, MS | $1,950,000 |
| Mississippi Children's Museum | Jackson, MS | $1,715,000 |
| Ms Childrens Museum | Meridian, MS | $1,250,000 |
| Ms State University Foundation | Ms State, MS | $1,200,000 |
| Ms State University Foundation | Mississippi State, MS | $1,000,000 |
| Mississippi Childrens Museum | Meridian, MS | $875,000 |
| Mississippi State University Foundation | Mississippi State, MS | $800,000 |
| University of Ms Medical Center | Jackson, MS | $765,000 |
| Meridian Community College Foundation | Meridian, MS | $600,000 |
| Meridian Community College Foundation | Meridian, MS | $592,250 |
| University of Ms Medical Center | Jackson, MS | $472,500 |
| Lauderdale County School District | Meridian, MS | $420,000 |
Where its money goes
Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 95% of this one's giving went to organizations in Mississippi. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $48,200. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Mississippi.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from Phil Hardin Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.
Address of record on the latest return: 2750 North Park Drive, Meridian, MS, 39305. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 64-6024940 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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