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Frances P Bunnelle Foundation

EIN 57-1095197 · Pawleys Isl, SC

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE VISION OF THE FRANCES P. BUNNELLE FOUNDATION IS A DIVERSE COMMUNITY WITH ABUNDANT OPPORTUNITY FOR WORK, RECREATION AND SUSTAINABLE LIVING. THE FOUNDATION BUILDS COMMUNITY BY LISTENING TO, LEARNING FROM, AND SERVING LOCAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$3.2 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 96%
Employees
0
Volunteers
75
Highest pay
$257,699, cfo thru 10/30/25

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 38% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $1.4 million spent. THE FRANCES P. BUNNELLE FOUNDATION SERVES THE GEORGETOWN COUNTY REGION THROUGH A ROBUST GRANTMAKING PROGRAM AND LEADS OTHER IMPORTANT COMMUNITY-WIDE INITIATIVES. THE BUNNELLE CENTER: IN 2025, THE FOUNDATION CONTINUED TO MAKE MEETING SPACE AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE TO NONPROFITS SERVING GEORGETOWN COUNTY. THE BUILDING INCLUDES TWO MEETING ROOMS, ONE WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE 30 PEOPLE, AND ANOTHER SMALL MEETING ROOM THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE 12. PALMETTO GIVING DAY: THE FOUNDATION WAS PROUD TO SUPPORT PALMETTO GIVING DAY IN 2025 WITH MATCHING FUNDS AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. OVER $4.2 MILLION WAS RAISED OVER A 36-HOUR PERIOD THROUGH ONLINE GIVING TO SUPPORT 89 ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE GEORGETOWN COUNTY. PATHWAYS TO POSSIBILITIES: IN 2025 THE FOUNDATION HOSTED THE 7TH ANNUAL PATHWAYS TO POSSIBILITIES CAREER EXPO WHICH REACHED OVER 6,200 8TH GRADERS FROM 10 COUNTIES. THE EVENT CONNECTS STUDENTS WITH CAREER EDUCATION AND FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES WITH OVER 100 REGIONAL EMPLOYERS IN AN INTERACTIVE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE.
  2. $1.3 million spent. GRANTMAKING: IN 2025 THE FOUNDATION AWARDED OVER $1.3M IN GRANTS TO 112 DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT GEORGETOWN COUNTY IN THE AREAS THAT MEET THE BUNNELLE MISSION. THESE GRANTS WERE DISTRIBUTED AS FOLLOWS: 124 GRANTS TOTALING $567,763 SUPPORTING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS, 83 GRANTS TOTALING $285,715 SUPPORTING HUMAN NEEDS PROGRAMS, 7 GRANTS TOTALING $20,830 SUPPORTING ECONOMIC VITALITY INITIATIVES, 25 GRANTS TOTALING $392,792 SUPPORTING ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS, AND 12 GRANTS TOTALING $49,970 SUPPORTING ROOT CAUSES OF POVERTY EFFORTS.
  3. CRADLE TO CAREER: THE CRADLE TO CAREER (C2C) INITIATIVE HIGHLIGHTS THE BUNNELLE FOUNDATION'S WORK TO ENSURE THAT ALL YOUNG PEOPLE IN GEORGETOWN COUNTY WILL HAVE THE CHARACTER, COMPETENCIES, CREATIVITY AND MOTIVATION REQUIRED FOR TRADITIONAL AND NEW ECONOMY JOBS. THE INITIATIVE WAS CREATED TO ADDRESS THE TREND OF YOUNG PEOPLE LEAVING GEORGETOWN COUNTY AFTER HIGH SCHOOL DUE TO A LACK OF OPPORTUNITIES IN THE AREA, PROMOTING POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC VITALITY THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS THAT WILL HELP CREATE OPPORTUNITIES IN GEORGETOWN COUNTY. PROJECTS INCLUDE INTERNSHIPS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES AND A YOUTH BOARD FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2000.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.