The Thomas M and Irene Kirbo Charitable Foundation
Accepts applications
The Thomas M and Irene Kirbo Charitable Foundation is a private foundation in Jacksonville, Florida. In tax year 2025 it gave $2.0 million in 159 grants; the typical grant was $10,000 and the largest $125,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$2.0 million
- Number of grants159
- Typical grant$10,000
- Largest grant$125,000
- Assets$50.0 million
- New grantees12%
Giving in 2025 was up from $2.0 million the year before.
12% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, so most of its money goes to organizations it already funds.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.9 million | 163 | $43.7 million |
| 2024 | $2.0 million | 159 | $46.9 million |
| 2025 | $2.0 million | 159 | $50.0 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Martha Jenks Sawyer 2720 Park St Ste 211, Jacksonville, FL 32205 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (904) 384-0440 |
| What to submit | Statement 13 |
| Restrictions | Grants are to be made to aid religious, educational, cultural, charitable, scientific and literary institutions. |
What The Thomas M and Irene Kirbo Charitable Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 4 states, the most to Florida.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 93 | $1.1 million |
| Georgia | 64 | $900,500 |
| Tennessee | 1 | $20,000 |
| North Carolina | 1 | $15,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville Museum of Science and History | Genesis capital campaign to fund a new museum facility | $125,000 |
| Jack Hadley Black History Museum | Maintenance of museum to honor black history and support of the jack hadley yards capital campaign project | $100,000 |
| Ascension St Vincents Foundation | Annual giving fund to provide the economically challenged with health care | $50,000 |
| Atlanta Ronald McDonald Charities Inc | A new world of care capital campaign to expand the existing facility to serve families of sick children | $50,000 |
| Baptist Health Foundation | Appreciative inquiry nursing program at baptist medical ctr. | $50,000 |
| Friends With Jesus | After school and summer programs for at risk youth | $50,000 |
| YMCA of the Georgia Sunbelt | Providing health and counseling services to bainbridge, ga | $50,000 |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Foundation | Scholarships | $45,000 |
| Arc Jacksonville | Arc jacksonville lodge | $30,000 |
| Bainbridge Memorial Health Foundation | Healthcare services to the poor and indigent | $25,000 |
| Downtown Ecumenical Services - Rise Capital Campaign | New facility to provide food, clothing and financial assistance to the poor | $25,000 |
| First Presbyterian Church | Youth program services in inner city | $25,000 |
| Flagler College | Flagler scholarship fund | $25,000 |
| Jacksonville University | Nursing scholarship fund | $25,000 |
| Nonprofit Center of NE FL | Programs to strengthen the nonprofit community | $25,000 |
| University of North FL Foundation | Brooks school of health clinical mental health counseling program | $25,000 |
| Boys and Girls Clubs of NE Florida | Mentoring programs for at risk youth | $20,000 |
| East Tennessee State University FD | Audiology scholarship endowment | $20,000 |
| Georgia Heirs Property Law Ctr | Legal services to promote social justice | $20,000 |
| Reef Ball Foundation | Preservation of marine habitats | $20,000 |
| Friends of Jimmy Carter National Historic Site | Provides education and building programs in southwest georgia | $20,000 |
| Angelwood | Support for children & adults with disabilities | $15,000 |
| Atlanta Music Project | Support of education of young musicians in underserved communities | $15,000 |
| City Rescue Mission | Provide housing and addiction recovery to the homeless | $15,000 |
| Clara White Mission | Housing, training and feeding of veterans and homeless | $15,000 |
| Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley | Parks memorial library in stewart county georgia | $15,000 |
| Decatur County Family Connection | Provide shelter, counseling and safety for young people in crisis | $15,000 |
| Downtown Ecumenical Services | Food, clothing, and financial assistance to the poor | $15,000 |
| Feeding the Valley | Food bank facility in southern service area and dougherty cty | $15,000 |
| Grady County Georgia Sheriff Dept | Training program for dogs used for drug enforcement and search and rescue operations | $15,000 |
| Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry | Provides crisis assistance, medical clinic services, low cost pharmacy to the greater hickory area | $15,000 |
| Groveway Community Group Inc | Provide programs for at risk youth and families | $15,000 |
| Hubbard House | Shelter services for victims of domestic violence | $15,000 |
| North Florida School of Special Education | Vocational training for adults with disabilities | $15,000 |
| Pine Castle | Services for adults with disabilities | $15,000 |
| Prevent Blindness Ga | Vision screening for elderly and indigent | $15,000 |
| Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville | Lodging for families of hospitalized children | $15,000 |
| Scholarship Foundation of Southwest Georgia | Kirbo scholars fund | $15,000 |
| Second Harvest of South Georgia | Provide food to the economically challenged | $15,000 |
| Sulzbacher Center | Services to the homeless | $15,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Charles H Kirbo Jr
- Martha J Sawyer
- Betsy Anne Kirbo
- Thomas M Jenks
Questions people ask
Does The Thomas M and Irene Kirbo Charitable Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications.
How much does The Thomas M and Irene Kirbo Charitable Foundation give?
$2.0 million in tax year 2025, across 159 grants, with a typical grant of $10,000.
Who runs The Thomas M and Irene Kirbo Charitable Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Charles H Kirbo Jr (Trustee), Martha J Sawyer (Trustee), Betsy Anne Kirbo (Trustee) and Thomas M Jenks (Trustee).
What does The Thomas M and Irene Kirbo Charitable Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, youth programs and human services.