NOTE: The Foundation’s board reviews proposals in June and October of each year. We invite applications from organizations we deem eligible after reviewing their organizational summaries.

Mission & Vision

The Babcock Foundation’s mission is to help people and places move out of poverty and achieve greater social and economic justice. We recognize that poverty is complicated and multi-faceted. We believe in the need for significant changes in the systems and structures—laws, behaviors, attitudes, policies and institutions—that make a difference to people and their communities. To overcome tough barriers, people often need concrete assistance, like access to employment, workforce training or affordable housing, that results in direct improvements and supports them in achieving their full potential. We also believe people who develop skills and believe
 in themselves can successfully improve their own lives and act collectively to increase opportunity for themselves and their communities.

Our vision for the South is anchored in a belief in people, organizations and the power of partnerships. We believe more people must directly influence the institutions and leaders that shape their economic and civic lives. Better policy and more collaborative institutions, public and private, should provide supportive and equitable ladders of economic opportunity. More people and communities need to access, control and build assets essential for economic mobility and stability. Progress along all three pathways—civic engagement, supportive policy and institutions, and economic opportunity—is critical to moving people and places out of poverty.

We recognize there are serious challenges to this vision in the South and beyond: Structural racism and other forms of discrimination are major barriers. Political control remains too concentrated. Disinvestment in public goods like education and the safety net has eroded the foundation people need to get ahead. The economy too often rewards short-term market behavior that hurts low-wealth people, communities and natural systems.

Overcoming these challenges and advancing this vision is not easy work. It takes long- term and patient investment. It takes collaboration among unusual partners. It takes effective and well-resourced organizations, enterprises and networks working together in new ways across race, geography, strategy and issues. It requires low-wealth and directly affected people to be central to the solutions in their communities and across the region. It takes
 a commitment to democracy, equity and inclusion.

While these solutions are not simple, we believe they are not only possible but essential to promoting economic opportunity and reducing poverty and inequality in the South.

Our Approaches

Layered Strategies

We don't believe in a "silver bullet" approach to poverty alleviation. Investments in multiple organizations and coalitions over time, using complementary strategies and informed by their understanding of place, are most successful.

Engage with all Assets

We strategically deploy 100 percent of our financial assets (grants, program-related investments and market-rate investments), use our intellectual and reputational capital to influence and leverage investments from other sources, communicate strategically and look for opportunities to convene grantees and other partners for peer learning. We deploy staff as "network officers" to engage deeply in a place, learn the context and determine how best to support our partners.

Robust Networks

We believe networks of people and organizations who bring together diverse strategies, capacities and perspectives have greater impact than those working alone. We support efforts to develop leaders who are directly affected and connect them to partners and opportunities that increase their influence.

Capacity Building

We aim to strengthen every dimension (program, governance, management, administration, finance, culture, etc.) of healthy organizations and networks through patient, long-term general support and attention to organizational development.

Shared Learning

Since its founding in 1953, the Babcock Foundation has been building on its experiences to hone its work and tell the story of the South. We reflect on and capture lessons and share them broadly with our grantee and philanthropic partners. We seek out important crosscutting topics, commission research as needed and share our findings with our colleagues in the field. 

Place-Based

There are many Souths. Each state and region has its own context, history, challenges and opportunities. We believe an understanding of and focus on place are central to defining unique opportunities, challenges and partnerships to move people and places out of poverty.

Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation Grant

We support nonprofits helping people & places move out of poverty & achieve greater social & economic justice.

The Foundation also remains open to new thinking about how to address poverty in the South. In addition to our primary focus, MRBF is interested in supporting new approaches to achieving economic opportunity, systems and policy change, or democracy and civic engagement outcomes. These efforts must demonstrably advance our vision of social and economic justice in the South. Our annual grantmaking allocation for new approaches is significantly smaller than for our primary focus. 

Types of grants

Organizations may use grant funds in a variety of ways, including:

• General operating support 
• Project support
• “Glue” support for networks of grassroots and partner organizations
• Organizational development support

The size and duration of grants is matched to the applicant’s scale of impact, need, capabilities and opportunities, and typically follow these guidelines: 

• We provide one-year funding for initial grants We consider continuation of funding in two-year increments 
• We rarely make grants that exceed 30% of a project or organizational budget

Program-related investments (PRIs): We look for opportunities to make below-market-rate investments to spur economic development in low-wealth communities.

Note:  All other nonprofit program and sponsorship requests may be submitted throughout the year. See the following pages for details about other programs: 

• Alleviating Hunger
• Housing and Shelter

Publix Super Markets Charities supports various types of nonprofit organizations throughout the Southeast with a primary focus on helping youth, promoting education, alleviating hunger, and reducing homelessness.

Our key focus areas.

From alleviating hunger and reducing homelessness to supporting youth programs and education initiatives, we are dedicated to making lives better in the communities where we live and work. Our founder, George Jenkins—affectionately known as Mr. George—believed in giving back and donated his time, talent, and money. We are proud to continue his legacy of building hope and nourishing brighter futures through our support of nonprofit organizations. If you represent a nonprofit organization, request our support.

Encouraging Youth

We believe every child should be able to explore their interests and develop their talents. Our founder, George Jenkins, used to say, “Find out who you are, what you want to be, and go for it.” To help children achieve their dreams, we are proud to support a variety of programs including summer camps, art exhibits, music programs, and youth wellness initiatives that inspire young minds, nurture potential, and build confidence. 

Supporting Education

Inspiring young minds.

We believe every child deserves the opportunity to excel in school and in life. Our founder, George Jenkins, was passionate about helping people, especially children, prepare for opportunities that set them up for success. We are proud to support a variety of educational programs that encourage children’s success in school and spark interest in science, math, technology, the arts, and more.

Bring independent documentary filmmakers to your community for screenings and conversations around powerful stories and the art of filmmaking. Screening Partners are partner organizations that present Southern Circuit screenings, Q&As, and other filmmaker engagements with the community. Screening Partners develop screening audiences through strategic marketing and partnerships. As a group, they participate in the film selection process and discuss programming/marketing strategies for each film. Screening Partners act as hosts to touring filmmakers, providing recommendations for travel, lodging, and dining.

South Arts coordinates filmmaker tours and provides marketing materials for each film. South Arts recognizes the value of filmmaker participation by providing an honorarium for each filmmaker’s tour, with the support of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Screening Partners must be nonprofit, educational, or governmental organizations residing in the South Arts region (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee). Southern Circuit Screening Partners have included schools, churches, arts centers, municipalities, and other organizations, serving audiences of all ages.

Southern Circuit is invested in partnering with Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the South Arts region.

What films are presented?

Southern Circuit prioritizes featuring Southern filmmakers and stories. We are committed to presenting films by filmmakers of color, LGBTQ+ filmmakers, and filmmakers with disabilities. Selected filmmakers should have an ethical relationship with the topics and individuals/communities represented in their work. We are invested in including emerging and first-time filmmakers.

Screening Partners are provided a Southern Circuit Film Guide with potential selections for the season. Screening Partners work together to select six films that will tour to all Screening Partners. The Southern Circuit Film Selection Meeting will be held in June. At least one representative from your organization will be required to participate.

NOTE: Requests related to hunger relief programs must be submitted from March 1 to April 30 for a September decision and announcement. See the following grant pages for details on other programs

• Youth or Education
• Housing and shelter.

Our key focus areas.

From alleviating hunger and reducing homelessness to supporting youth programs and education initiatives, we are dedicated to making lives better in the communities where we live and work. Our founder, George Jenkins—affectionately known as Mr. George—believed in giving back and donated his time, talent, and money. We are proud to continue his legacy of building hope and nourishing brighter futures through our support of nonprofit organizations. If you represent a nonprofit organization, request our support. 

Alleviating Hunger

Nourishing hope with food banks.

Providing nourishing meals to our neighbors in need is at the heart of who we are. Our founder, George Jenkins, believed that as a food retailer, we had a responsibility to feed the hungry. “We’re not only in the grocery business; we’re in the people business,” he often said. Since 2015, Publix Super Markets Charities has contributed more than $32.5 million to hunger-related programs. We are proud to continue our commitment to alleviate hunger in our communities year-round by supporting local food banks and other nonprofits across the Southeast.

Mission Statement

The Philip L. Van Every Foundation provides thoughtful grant awards to support the programs and services of qualified nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations located in North and South Carolina which demonstrate dedicated service to their community and focus on the areas of healthcare/rehabilitation, education, human/community service and arts/culture/history.

Grants Overview

The Van Every Foundation supports the vision and legacy of Philip L. Van Every by making meaningful gifts to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations in the Carolinas which strengthen our communities, demonstrate fiscal responsibility, exhibit strength in leadership and have a proven track record of success. 

Education, Human/Community Service, Healthcare/Rehabilitation and Arts/Culture/History are our primary areas of focus and receive 95 percent of our funding. A very limited portion of our funding supports organizations that fall outside these perimeters.

Areas of Focus

North and South Carolina are the Foundation’s primary regions of interest. Education, Human/Community Service, Healthcare/Rehabilitation and Arts/Culture/History are our main areas of focus and receive more than 90 percent of our funding. A very limited portion of our funding supports organizations that fall outside these parameters. 

Education

As Americans, we find ourselves living in an increasingly competitive global economy. Carolinians are entering or re-entering a job market via which the competition is fierce and industry is more competitive than ever before.

The Philip L. Van Every Foundation is addressing this issue by supporting Colleges and Universities that provide high quality affordable educational opportunities and scholarship assistance for students seeking undergraduate/graduate degrees or workforce training. We believe that education is critical to the future success of our children, families, communities, state and nation.

Healthcare/Rehabilitation

The Philip L. Van Every Foundation is committed to improving the health and quality of life for individuals residing in North and South Carolina.

We respond to our commitment by investing in programs and services that focus on medical innovation, research, education, rehabilitative care, prevention, wellness and substance abuse.

Human & Community Service

The Philip L. Van Every Foundation is committed to improving lives and strengthening communities in North and South Carolina.

We support organizations that address the underlying causes of a myriad of social issues, meet the critical needs of people in their service area and focus on creating financially stable and healthy families.

Arts, Culture,History

Arts, culture and history promote creativity, innovation, exploration and diversity while improving the quality of life for residents of our communities. Dynamic performances and museums as well as other cultural and historic venues engage and inspire audiences, building bridges throughout our region. Arts education plays a pivotal role in enriching the lives of children and provides them with a well-rounded education and the creativity they will need to lead in a global economy.

The Philip L. Van Every Foundation recognizes the important role that the arts play in our communities and supports select organizations that provide quality cultural experiences for residents of North and South Carolina.

Grant Amounts & Deadlines

The Van Every Foundation awards grants to select organizations annually. Typical grant awards range in size from $10,000 to $50,000. Less than 20 percent of our grant awards are in the form of multi-year pledges. The average duration of pledges is 3 years.  

Letters of inquiry are accepted throughout the year but are reviewed by the Board in March, June, September and December. Letters of inquiry and full grant proposals (if invited) must be received by the 10th of the month prior to the upcoming meeting month in order to be reviewed. Requests not received by that date will be considered at the next quarterly board meeting.

Grants

We believe that when capacity building is successful, it strengthens and improves an organizations ability to achieve its mission, sustain itself over time, and have a quantifiable impact on the community in which it serves.

The Foundation encourages grant requests that support an organizations ability to establish and/or maintain a solid operating structure, and develop and sustain good governance practices. We believe that when capacity building is successful, it strengthens and improves an organizations ability to achieve its mission, sustain itself over time, and have a quantifiable impact on the community in which it serves.

Capacity Building funding opportunities may include:

•  Projects designed to improve the organization’s ability to monitor and respond to the needs of its clients and supporters
• Projects involving adoption of management innovation, process improvement and accountability
• Strategies to form collaborative ventures with public, private or other nonprofit institutions
• To support technology audits and analyses of information management systems
• Purchases of computers (hardware or software) or other equipment necessary to improve the organization’s ability to achieve its mission
• Efforts to diversify the organization’s revenue streams

Examples of Capacity Building include:

• Financial planning
• Organizational assessment
• Strategic and long-range planning
• Program evaluation and planning
• Developing marketing plans
• Leadership development
• Mergers/collaboration
• Feasibility studies

NOTE: All requests related to housing and shelter  programs must be submitted by the deadline above for a decision and announcement near the end of the year. See the following grant pages for details on other programs

• Youth or Education
• Alleviating Hunger

Our key focus areas.

From alleviating hunger and reducing homelessness to supporting youth programs and education initiatives, we are dedicated to making lives better in the communities where we live and work. Our founder, George Jenkins—affectionately known as Mr. George—believed in giving back and donated his time, talent, and money. We are proud to continue his legacy of building hope and nourishing brighter futures through our support of nonprofit organizations. If you represent a nonprofit organization, request our support

Reducing Housing Insecurity & Homelessness

Building hope.

Our founder, George Jenkins, believed a home provided more than shelter. He believed it gave families safety, independence, and hope. To help those struggling with housing insecurity, Publix Super Markets Charities supports Habitat for Humanity and other nonprofits that provide housing and shelter services across the Southeast. Over the last seven years, we have donated more than $28 million to organizations that provide transitional support, client service programs, and financial support for housing.

Who We Are

The roots of the Community Foundation for the CSRA run deep in Augusta and its surrounding communities. For more than 25 years, we have faithfully connected the philanthropic spirit of our community members with nonprofits and community initiatives throughout Richmond, Columbia, McDuffie and Burke counties in Georgia and Aiken and Edgefield counties in South Carolina. All of our work is grounded in our collective desire to enhance the quality of life for all residents of our region — for today and tomorrow.

In everything we do, we strive to:

• Cultivate generosity by giving donors the tools and information they need to make a significant difference in our community
• Strengthen non-profits by connecting organizations to financial resources, training and opportunities for meaningful collaboration
• Engage our community around issues that matter to us all

Women in Philanthropy

Women in Philanthropy is a charitable organization of over 200 women in the Central Savannah River Area of Georgia and South Carolina who are committed to a philanthropic effort focused on the unique needs of women and children within the local communities.

Focus Areas:

• Arts
• Education
• Health and Social-Well Being

NOTE: New applicants are encouraged to contact Nikki Estes at 404-874-7244 x816 to discuss eligibility before applying.

Presentation Grants Program

Presentation Grants are an opportunity for organizations in South Arts' nine-state region to receive fee support to present Southern guest film directors, visual and performing artists, or writers from outside of the presenter's state. Artist fee support is awarded for:

• film (documentary, fiction, experimental, and animation),
• performing arts (theater, music, opera, musical theater, and dance),
• literary arts (fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry),
• traditional arts, and
• visual arts (crafts, drawing, experimental, painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed media).

Projects must include both a public presentation (film screening, performance, reading, or exhibition) and an educational/community engagement component. These grants are limited and very competitive. Based on the artist fee, the maximum request is $9,500 for modern dance and contemporary ballet or $7,500 for other artistic disciplines. 

South Arts is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. We have prioritized this commitment to ensure that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) led organizations, LGBTQIA+ led organizations, and organizations representing persons with disabilities are represented as both applicants and grantees. In addition, we encourage applications for projects that engage BIPOC artists, LGBTQIA+ artists, and artists with disabilities.