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Stephens Family Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Stephens Family Foundation

Its FY2024 filing reports that it accepted unsolicited grant applications.

$135k
Granted FY2024still arriving
11
Grants FY2024still arriving
5
States reached
$108k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
0187% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2024.

Animals$352kEducation$35kPhilanthropy$8kArts & Culture$6kHealth$3kHuman Services$3kHousing & Shelter$3kPublic Safety & Disaster$1kOther$0
02FY2024 · 11 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2024

  • Under $10k10 grants · $27k
  • $50k–250k1 grant · $108k
$3,000
Median grant
5
States reached
$271k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
ROCCO'S HEARTLAND RESCUE INC$108,000
SAVE A PET$5,000
Individual grant recipient$4,500
TOO BROKE GIRLS ANIMAL RESCUE$4,000
LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY$4,000
ROCK ON RESCUE$3,000
SFC VIRGINIA$2,500
ROSIE RESCUE$1,000
THE HOPE HIGHWAY$1,000
PRECIOUS PAWS RESCUE INC$1,000
LUCKY DOG RESCUE RANCH$500
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Dollar for dollar, its grants (FY17–24) land where the poverty rate runs at 12%, against an area that typically sits at 13%. 32% of its dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Its grants skew toward lower-need ZIPs.

area typical 13%ROCCO'S HEARTLAND RESCUE INC: $108k → 10%KIAWAH SEABROOK EXCHANGE FOUNDATION: $5k → 12%WOFFORD COLLEGE: $1k → 15%TOO BROKE GIRLS ANIMAL RESCUE: $6k → 18%WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN: $1k → 14%THE HOPE HIGHWAY: $1k → 7%LABOR OF LOVE TRANSPORT RESCUE: $1k → 12%ROCCO'S HILLTOP RANCH: $60k → 13%SAVE A PET: $6k → 11%LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY: $4k → 14%BERRY COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP FUND: $2k → 15%SIMPLY GRACE RESCUE: $6k → 17%BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL RESCUE: $1k → 22%FIRST PRESBYTERIAN DAY SCHOOL: $2k → 23%SANDRA'S RESCUE PUPS: $5k → 28%ROCKIN R RANCH RESCUE: $1k → 23%MONTEGO BAY ANIMAL HAVEN: $1k → 4%SFC VIRGINIA: $3k → 8%LITTLE BEANS ORPHAN ARK RESCUE: $3k → 8%ROCCO'S HILLTOP RANCH: $90k → 10%TOO BROKE GIRLS ANIMAL RESCUE: $4k → 18%FOOTHILLS HUMANE SOCIETY: $20k → 13%SAVE A PET: $5k → 11%PAWS FOREVER HOME: $2k → 17%SANDRA'S RESCUE PUPS: $2k → 28%TOO BROKE GIRLS ANIMAL RESCUE: $3k → 18%SAVE A PET: $4k → 11%SANDRA'S RESCUE PUPS: $2k → 28%MICHAEL NORRIS SCHOLARSHIP FUND: $4k → 11%MICHAEL NORRIS SCHOLARSHIP FUND: $4k → 11%CARING SOLUTIONS: $3k → 23%MICHAEL NORRIS SCHOLARSHIP FUND: $4k → 11%MONROE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY: $2k → 23%MICHAEL NORRIS SCHOLARSHIP FUND: $4k → 11%MICHAEL NORRIS SCHOLARSHIP FUND: $4k → 11%SAVE A PET: $4k → 11%MICHAEL NORRIS SCHOLARSHIP FUND: $3k → 11%MICHAEL NORRIS SCHOLARSHIP FUND: $3k → 11%REID RESCUE: $3k → 11%ROCK ON RESCUE: $3k → 11%ROCK ON RESCUE: $3k → 11%SAVE A PET: $3k → 11%REID RESCUE: $2k → 11%ROCK ON RESCUE: $2k → 11%ROCK ON RESCUE: $2k → 11%ROCK ON RESCUE: $2k → 11%SAVE A PET: $1k → 11%SAVE A PET: $1k → 11%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

ME
WI
NY
NJ
CA
VA
MD
NC
SC
DC
MS
AL
GA
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

89%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$381k · 12 repeat orgs$47k to everyone else

12 repeat relationships: 5 still active in FY2024, 7 since wound down; 6 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

12
29

Total granted

$381k
$37k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+19%
+26%

Still filing today

58%
52%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 93% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $10k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
AnimalsArts & CultureHealthInternationalHuman ServicesEducationOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • RH
    ROCCO'S HEARTLAND RESCUE INC
    3× · 2022–2024 · $258k · revenue ×32 · 91% of their budget
  • SA
    SAVE A PET INC
    8× · 2017–2024 · $24k · revenue +3%
  • FH
    Foothills Humane Society Inc
    2× · 2021–2022 · $21k · revenue +34%

Funded once

  • SG
    SIMPLY GRACE RESCUE INC
    one grant, 2023 · $6k
  • CS
    CARING SOLUTIONS
    one grant, 2018 · $3k
  • LB
    Little Beans Orphan Ark Rescue
    one grant, 2023 · $3k · revenue -25%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Raskels Rescue
Animals
2
Animals First Rescue of the Carolinas Inc

Rescue unwanted dogs and cats from high kill shelters and other dire circumstances. Provide veterinary care shelter and love until the pet is placed into an appropriate new home.

Animals
3
Meows and Mutts Rescue

We are an animal rescue who takes dogs and cats from high kill shelters, off the streets and owner surrenders and get them vetted and adopted and we transport them out of high volume areas to the northeast.

Animals
4
Hope Fur Paws Rescue

To help injured, abandoned and unwanted animals. We provide food, vet care that includes heartworm prevention and spay or neuter services, shelter and anything else needed.

Animals
5
Paws Animal Rescue Center

To help rescue unwanted pets

Animals
6
Carolina Animal Network

we are a small animal rescue. We help the community by assisting with vet care and rehoming animals they cannot keep. We also pull dogs cats kittens and puppies from local kill shelters when they run out of space, we provide those animals…

Animals
7
St Clouds Rescue
Animals
8
Home Free Animal Rescue

To save homeless animals, vet them and find them loving homes

Animals
9
Southern Souls Rescue

Animal Welfare and Rescue.

Animals
10
Fred's Mission Rescue and Sanctuary

Rescue dogs, which includes housing, vetting, and transport.

Animals
11
Fur Animal Rescue

Animal rescue organization dedicated to finding homes for animals at the animal shelter. we also provde vet care foster homes, and assistance with homing for special needs animals.

Animals
12
Runaways Animal Rescue
Animals
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is The Cat House On the Kings Inc; the most unlike its peers is Lake Oconee Academy Inc. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

26 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 26 of the 47 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

1
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
5
Early backer (in before they grew)
26/26
Grantees still filing
21/26
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

ROCCO'S HEARTLAND RESCUE INC: $258,000 · AnimalsROCCO'S HEARTLAND RESCUE INCSAVE A PET INC: $24,100 · AnimalsSAVE A PET INCFoothills Humane Society Inc: $21,000 · AnimalsFoothills Humane Society IncROCK ON RESCUE INC: $11,000 · Animals+12 more: $13,050 · AnimalsMICHAEL NORRIS SCHOLARSHIP FUND: $25,100 · OtherMICHAEL NORRIS SCHOLARSH…TOO BROKE GIRLS ANIMAL RESCUE: $13,027 · OtherTOO BROKE GIRLS ANIMAL R…Individual grant recipient: $8,000 · OtherIndividual grant recipie…Individual grant recipient: $7,625 · OtherIndividual grant recipie…KIAWAH SEABROOK EXCHANGE FOUNDATION: $7,000 · OtherKIAWAH SEABROOK EXCHANGE…SIMPLY GRACE RESCUE INC: $6,000 · OtherSIMPLY GRACE RESCUE INC+20 more: $24,225 · Other+20 moreLake Oconee Academy Inc: $4,000 · EducationMUSEUM OF ARTS & SCIENCES INC: $3,000 · Arts & CultureWORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INC: $1,000 · InternationalBARRIER ISLANDS FREE MEDICAL CLINIC: $1,000 · HealthMIRACLE HILL MINISTRIES INC: $500 · Human Services
Animals$327,150Other$90,977Education$4,000Arts & Culture$3,000International$1,000Health$1,000Human Services$500

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$100k$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetROCCO'S HEARTLAND RESCUE INC: $258,000 over 3y, 91% of budgetSAVE A PET INC: $24,100 over 8y, 3.5% of budgetFoothills Humane Society Inc: $21,000 over 2y, 2.4% of budgetROCK ON RESCUE INC: $11,000 over 6y, 3.3% of budgetLake Oconee Academy Inc: $4,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMUSEUM OF ARTS & SCIENCES INC: $3,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetLittle Beans Orphan Ark Rescue: $3,000 over 1y, 4.5% of budgetSFC VIRGINIA: $2,500 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetSMILE TRAIN INC: $2,200 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetFIRST PRESBYTERIAN DAY SCHOOL INC: $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetROCKING R RANCH RESCUE: $1,300 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTHE CAT HOUSE ON THE KINGS INC: $1,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetWORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMONTEGO BAY ANIMAL HAVEN LIMITED: $1,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetMIDDLEBURG HUMANE FOUNDATION: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetBARRIER ISLANDS FREE MEDICAL CLINIC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetPrecious Paws Rescue Inc: $1,000 over 1y, 1.7% of budgetWOFFORD COLLEGE: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetLABOR OF LOVE TRANSPORT RESCUE: $1,000 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetRosie Rescue: $1,000 over 1y, 0.8% of budgetUNITED WAY OF PICKENS COUNTY: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMIRACLE HILL MINISTRIES INC: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetHOMEWARD TRAILS ANIMAL RESCUE INC: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBLIND CAT RESCUE & SANCTUARY INC: $250 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE SATO PROJECT: $250 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetPARTNERS FOR PETS INC: $250 over 1y, 0.1% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

  • Who funds ROCCO'S HEARTLAND RESCUE INC ↗
  • Who funds SAVE A PET INC ↗
  • Who funds Foothills Humane Society Inc ↗
  • Who funds ROCK ON RESCUE INC ↗
  • Who funds Lake Oconee Academy Inc ↗
  • Who funds MUSEUM OF ARTS & SCIENCES INC ↗
  • Who funds Little Beans Orphan Ark Rescue ↗
  • Who funds SFC VIRGINIA ↗
  • Who funds SMILE TRAIN INC ↗
  • Who funds FIRST PRESBYTERIAN DAY SCHOOL INC ↗
  • Who funds ROCKING R RANCH RESCUE ↗
  • Who funds THE CAT HOUSE ON THE KINGS INC ↗
  • Who funds WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INC ↗
  • Who funds MONTEGO BAY ANIMAL HAVEN LIMITED ↗
  • Who funds MIDDLEBURG HUMANE FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds BARRIER ISLANDS FREE MEDICAL CLINIC ↗
  • Who funds Precious Paws Rescue Inc ↗
  • Who funds WOFFORD COLLEGE ↗
  • Who funds LABOR OF LOVE TRANSPORT RESCUE ↗
  • Who funds Rosie Rescue ↗
  • Who funds UNITED WAY OF PICKENS COUNTY ↗
  • Who funds MIRACLE HILL MINISTRIES INC ↗

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Petco LoveGreater Good CharitiesPaypal Charitable Giv…Network for GoodThe Blackbaud Giving …The Pfizer Foundation…Charities Aid Foundat…Morgan Stanley Global…National Philanthropi…The Bank of America C…Vanguard Charitable E…American Online Givin…
Petco LoveTX15× affinity5 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Petco Love · Greater Good Charities · Paypal Charitable Giving Fund · Network for Good · The Blackbaud Giving Fund · The Pfizer Foundation Inc · Charities Aid Foundation America · Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc · National Philanthropic Trust · The Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · American Online Giving Foundation Inc

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Stephens Family Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Stephens Family Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 20%6%25%56%100%funder's share of their income ↑0%3%5%8%10%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    2get no government money at all
    4report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–10%
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
    05Through Plinth

    Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

    How do I get to Stephens Family Foundation?

    Find your warmest path to Stephens Family Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

    Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 47 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Stephens Family’s filings →

    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home