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Taste of the South at a glanceAlso receives grants: funding profile →

· Public charity

Taste of the South

The organization raises funds for charitable causes across 14 charities in the southern united states by hosting an annual gala that celebrates food, music, and southern hospitality.

$691k
Granted FY2025still arriving
14
Grants FY2025still arriving
14
States reached
$413k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its fieldRead
04Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

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

Human Services$649kHealth$546kEnvironment$444kHousing & Shelter$361kEducation$273kFood & Nutrition$267kScience & Tech$260kCrime & Legal$51kOther$0
02FY2025 · 14 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k3 grants · $24k
  • $10k–50k10 grants · $254k
  • $250k+1 grant · $413k
$24,995
Median grant
14
States reached
$313k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
BOOK HARVEST INC$413,156
FERST READERS$46,525
EVERYBODY WINS$37,560
GOVERNOR'S EARLY LITERACY FOUNDATION$30,255
OPERATION SHOESTRING$27,557
LITERACY UNITED$25,847
DYSLEXIA RESOURCE CENTER$24,995
SMALL MAGIC$21,908
AR KIDS READ$14,359
DR KRISTIN DROEGE$12,625
READING IS FUNDAMENTAL OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA INC$11,929
I WOULD RATHER BE READING$9,109
START THE ADVENTURE IN READING - STAIR$7,860
SING OUT AND READ INC$7,412
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:

Its human-services grants (FY17–25, $262k) land where the poverty rate runs at 12%, against an area that typically sits at 11%. 72% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 11%HOMELESS CHILDREN'S PLAYTIME PROJECT: $29k → 14%WOMEN'S CENTER OF MANATEE: $11k → 10%WOMEN'S FUND OF EAST TENNESSEE: $16k → 12%DAVIS DIRECTION FOUNDATION: $9k → 8%FERST READERS: $47k → 11%HERO DOGS: $27k → 8%NEW DAY RANCH: $16k → 7%UPSTATE WARRIOR SOLUTIONS: $10k → 10%KATES CLUB: $42k → 14%SMALL MAGIC: $22k → 16%SAMARITAN INNS INC: $28k → 14%SAMARITAN INNS INC: $5k → 14%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

MO
KY
VA
MD
AR
TN
NC
SC
DC
LA
MS
AL
GA
TX
FL
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 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
South Carolina Network of Children's Advocacy Centers

Empowering south carolina communities and children's advocacy centers to deliver a best practice response to child abuse

Youth Development
2
Crisis Care Line

Domestic violence victim services

—
3
Life Crisis Center Inc

To improve the quality of life in our community through crisis intervention and violence prevention.

Human Services
4
Wrc Inc

The women's resource center's mission is to eliminate domestic violence and sexual assault abuse through advocacy, education, system change, and empowering services to all surviors. the center provides sexual assault and domestic violence…

—
5
Compass of Carolina Inc

Our mission is to provide compassionate direction to individuals and families in need through counseling, education and financial benefits management.

Education
6
Crisis Connection Inc

The mission of crisis connection, inc. is to promote individual accountability and respect to end domestic violence and sexual assault through confidential crisis intervention, victim advocacy, primary prevention education, and…

—
7
Haven House Inc

Help domestic violence victims gain immediate safety plus the knowledge, skills and resources to succeed in lives free of violence.

Crime & Legal
8
Thrive Dc

Thrive dc works to prevent and end homelessness by providing vulnerable individuals with a comprehensive range of services to help stabilize their lives.

Food & Nutrition
9
Survivor Empowerment Center Inc

To end domestic violence and sexual assault in southern illinois and assist survivors of these crimes and their non-offending significant others.

—
10
Child Watch Counseling and Advocacy Center Inc

To provide families in western kentucky with education, advocacy and treatment that prevents child abuse, encourages family stability, promotes healthy relationships, enhances well-being and cultivates safe, nurturing families.

Crime & Legal
11
Russell House Response to Domestic

Provide compassionate services to empower survivors of domestic and sexual violence. we provide emergency shelter, advocacy, counseling, support groups, transporation and a 24/7 crisis line.

Human Services
12
Advocates Against Domestic Abuse

HOPE (Healing Opportunity Provided Equally) works to end violence and provide safety through direct services, education and advocacy to all people experiencing domestic violence

—
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Children's Advocacy Center of Benton County; the most unlike its peers is Reset. 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

85 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2026.

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 2026, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 85 of the 86 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.

3
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
14
Early backer (in before they grew)
82/85
Grantees still filing
46/85
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

THE CENTER FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES INC: $367,300 · Human ServicesTHE CENTER FOR WOMEN A…FERST READERS INC: $46,525 · Human ServicesFERST READERS INCKATE'S CLUB INC: $41,979 · Human ServicesKATE'S CLUB INCSAMARITAN INNS INC: $33,735 · Human ServicesSURVIVORS AND ADVOCATES FOR EMPOWERMENT INC: $30,608 · Human ServicesHOMELESS CHILDREN'S PLAYTIME PROJECT: $29,131 · Human ServicesOPERATION SHOESTRING INC: $27,557 · Human ServicesHero Dogs Inc: $26,705 · Human Services+10 more: $128,743 · Human Services+10 moreBRIDGE STEPS: $295,182 · Food & NutritionBRIDGE STEPSEXTRA TABLE FEEDS INC: $254,896 · Food & NutritionEXTRA TABLE FEEDS…+2 more: $11,870 · Food & NutritionBOOK HARVEST: $413,156 · EducationBOOK HARVESTEVERYBODY WINS DC INC: $37,560 · EducationEVERYBODY WINS DC…GOVERNOR'S EARLY LITERACY FOUNDATION: $30,255 · EducationGOVERNOR'S EARLY …+9 more: $74,191 · Education+9 moreMental Illness Recovery Center Inc: $323,252 · OtherMental Illness Recovery Ce…WOMEN MOVING ON INC WOMENS RESOURCE CENTER TO END DV: $29,096 · OtherRESET: $28,805 · OtherOasis Counseling for Women and Children: $30,778 · OtherActive Minds Inc: $29,387 · Other+35 more: $404,900 · Other+35 moreGULF COAST CENTER FOR ECOTOURISM & SUSTAINABILITY INC: $352,974 · EnvironmentGULF COAST CE…KEEP TEXAS BEAUTIFUL INC: $16,099 · EnvironmentLOUISVILLE NATURE CENTER INC: $15,223 · Environment+5 more: $49,596 · Environment+5 morePATRIOT FOUNDATION: $233,665 · Recreation & SportsWILDERNESS LEADERSHIP & LEARNING INC: $20,170 · Recreation & Sports+1 more: $8,270 · Recreation & SportsGEORGIA FIRST ROBOTICS INC: $252,040 · Science & Tech
Human Services$732,283Food & Nutrition$561,948Education$555,162Other$846,218Environment$433,892Recreation & Sports$262,105Science & Tech$252,040

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

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetBOOK HARVEST: $413,156 over 1y, 3.1% of budgetTHE CENTER FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES INC: $367,300 over 1y, 4.5% of budgetGULF COAST CENTER FOR ECOTOURISM & SUSTAINABILITY INC: $352,974 over 1y, 48% of budgetMental Illness Recovery Center Inc: $323,252 over 1y, 3.7% of budgetBRIDGE STEPS: $295,182 over 2y, 2.0% of budgetEXTRA TABLE FEEDS INC: $254,896 over 1y, 61% of budgetGEORGIA FIRST ROBOTICS INC: $252,040 over 1y, 34% of budgetPATRIOT FOUNDATION: $233,665 over 1y, 21% of budgetKATE'S CLUB INC: $41,979 over 1y, 1.8% of budgetEVERYBODY WINS DC INC: $37,560 over 1y, 3.3% of budgetSAMARITAN INNS INC: $33,735 over 2y, 0.6% of budgetOasis Counseling for Women and Children: $30,778 over 1y, 2.2% of budgetSURVIVORS AND ADVOCATES FOR EMPOWERMENT INC: $30,608 over 1y, 0.7% of budgetGOVERNOR'S EARLY LITERACY FOUNDATION: $30,255 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetActive Minds Inc: $29,387 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetHOMELESS CHILDREN'S PLAYTIME PROJECT: $29,131 over 1y, 2.1% of budgetWOMEN MOVING ON INC WOMENS RESOURCE CENTER TO END DV: $29,096 over 1y, 0.7% of budgetOPERATION SHOESTRING INC: $27,557 over 1y, 1.4% of budgetWOMEN'S SHELTER OF SOUTH TEXAS: $26,789 over 1y, 0.6% of budgetLITERACY UNITED INC: $25,847 over 1y, 2.9% of budgetDYSLEXIA RESOURCE CENTER: $24,995 over 1y, 10% of budgetSAFE PASSAGE INC: $24,600 over 1y, 1.2% of budgetNAMI National: $24,266 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetMental Health America of Central Carolinas Inc: $22,583 over 1y, 1.3% of budgetSMALL MAGIC: $21,908 over 1y, 0.9% of budgetKIDS HUB: $20,498 over 1y, 1.6% of budgetWILDERNESS LEADERSHIP & LEARNING INC: $20,170 over 1y, 4.7% of budgetMUSIC HEALTH ALLIANCE INC: $18,575 over 1y, 1.2% of budgetTHE CENTER FOR VIOLENCE PREVENTION INC: $17,795 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetSAN INC DBA TURNING POINT: $17,663 over 1y, 1.9% of budgetWOMEN'S FUND OF EAST TENNESSEE: $16,438 over 1y, 4.5% of budgetKEEP TEXAS BEAUTIFUL INC: $16,099 over 1y, 1.5% of budgetNEW DAY RANCH: $15,930 over 1y, 4.3% of budgetLOUISVILLE NATURE CENTER INC: $15,223 over 1y, 3.5% of budgetAR KIDS READ: $14,359 over 1y, 2.7% of budgetKATAWBA VALLEY LAND TRUST: $13,892 over 1y, 4.5% of budgetELIZAS HELPING HANDS INC: $13,829 over 1y, 5.2% of budgetCENTRAL SAVANNAH RIVER LAND TRUST INC: $13,302 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetWilderness Works: $12,988 over 1y, 2.7% of budgetTURN THE PAGE KC INC: $12,625 over 1y, 1.7% of budgetREADING IS FUNDAMENTAL OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA INC: $11,929 over 1y, 7.7% of budgetWOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER OF MANATEE INC: $10,852 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetWOMEN & CHILDREN FIRST THE CENTER AGAINST FAMILY VIOLENCE: $10,798 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetMISSISSIPPI WILDLIFE FEDERATION: $10,672 over 1y, 2.3% of budgetUPSTATE WARRIOR SOLUTION INC: $10,255 over 1y, 1.0% of budgetCANCER RETREAT CENTERS INC: $10,243 over 1y, 3.0% of budgetTennessee State Parks Conservancy: $9,909 over 1y, 7.5% of budgetCHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER OF BENTON COUNTY: $8,897 over 1y, 0.3% 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.

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.

Selby and Richard McR…Mary Kay Ash Foundati…The Morris and Gwendo…Veterans United Found…The Community Foundat…Carmax FoundationDuke Energy FoundationCommunity Foundation …Enterprise Holdings F…Greater Washington Co…The Bank of America C…Raymond James Charita…
Selby and Richard McRae FoundationMS13.5× affinity4 shared granteesties to 9 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Selby and Richard McRae Foundation · Mary Kay Ash Foundation · The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation · Veterans United Foundation · The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee Inc · Carmax Foundation · Duke Energy Foundation · Community Foundation of Greater Memphis Inc · Enterprise Holdings Foundation · Greater Washington Community Foundation · The Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc · Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund

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 Taste of the South funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Taste of the South. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 20%3%13%28%50%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    2get no government money at all
    33report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    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.
    04Through Plinth

    Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

    How do I get to Taste of the South?

    Find your warmest path to Taste of the South 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 86 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 e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Taste of the South’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