C Spire Foundation
Accepts applications
C Spire Foundation is a private foundation in Ridgeland, Mississippi. In tax year 2025 it gave $616,563 in 41 grants; the typical grant was $7,500 and the largest $100,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$616,563
- Number of grants41
- Typical grant$7,500
- Largest grant$100,000
- Assets$364,149
- New grantees34%
Giving in 2025 was down from $849,957 the year before.
34% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $516,855 | 62 | $688,061 |
| 2024 | $849,957 | 55 | $383,081 |
| 2025 | $616,563 | 41 | $364,149 |
How to apply
| Contact | Elizabeth C Pickering 1018 Highland Colony Pkwy, Suite 700, Ridgeland, MS 39157 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (601) 974-7645 |
| What to submit | An application for formal requests may be found on the c spire foundations website. Information regarding the organization the organizations designation as a 501C3 tax exempt organization event details and the audience is requested. |
| Deadlines | 90 |
| Restrictions | The c spire foundation considers support for 501C3 tax exempt organizations that primarily focus on steam science technology engineering arts and mathematics education that supports digital literacy technology professional skills and workforce development with preference given to those based in our region. |
What C Spire Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 4 states, the most to Mississippi.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | 36 | $573,563 |
| Alabama | 3 | $25,000 |
| Tennessee | 1 | $10,000 |
| Ohio | 1 | $8,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Friends of Russell C Davis Planetarium | Planetarium | $100,000 |
| Base Camp Academy | Sustaining Sponsor Base Camp Coding Academy STEM | $75,000 |
| Pinola Community Center | STEM Program | $50,000 |
| Eudora Welty Foundation | Scholastic Writing Awards | $40,000 |
| Bean Path | Summer Camp | $30,000 |
| Mississippi Childrens Museum | MS Science Festival | $26,328 |
| American Red Cross | Disaster Relief | $25,000 |
| Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi | Global Teaching Project STEM | $25,000 |
| Community Foundation for Mississippi | National Folk Festival Family Area | $20,000 |
| Jackson State University | Annual Scholarship | $15,000 |
| Mississippi State University | Annual Scholarship | $15,000 |
| Troy University Foundation | Annual Scholarship | $15,000 |
| University of MS Foundation | Annual Scholarship | $15,000 |
| University of Southern Mississippi | Annual Scholarship | $15,000 |
| Alcorn State University Foundation | Annual Scholarship | $12,000 |
| Mississippi State University Center for Cyber Education | STEM Program | $10,000 |
| ChaTech | TechX Awards Competition | $10,000 |
| Jackson State University Development Foundation | Presidents Investiture | $10,000 |
| Secretary of State Student Ambassadors | Lunch for Secretary of State Ambassadors | $8,235 |
| Scripps National Spelling Bee | Spelling Bee | $8,000 |
| University of MS Foundation | 2025 CIE Family Business Symposium | $7,500 |
| CopiahLincoln Junior College Foundation Inc | CO-LIN STEM Symposium | $6,000 |
| Delta State University | Annual Scholarship | $6,000 |
| MS University for Women | Annual Scholarship | $6,000 |
| MS Valley State University | Annual Scholarship | $6,000 |
| American Heart Association | Heartball | $5,000 |
| BPO International | Outreach Ministry | $5,000 |
| Homewood City Schools Foundation | STEM Program | $5,000 |
| Mississippi Museum of Art | Art Party 2025 | $5,000 |
| Pine Grove Association Inc | STEM Summer Camp MAGIC | $5,000 |
| Tougaloo College | Annual Business Luncheon | $5,000 |
| Troy University Foundation | Troy Hack | $5,000 |
| University of Mississippi Medical Center | Changemakers Dinner | $5,000 |
| University of Mississippi Museum | 2025 Harvest Supper | $5,000 |
| Highland Elementary | National Robotics Competition | $2,500 |
| Jackson Friends of the Library | Novel Night Chapter Partner | $2,500 |
| Jackson Symphony League | Symphony Gala | $2,500 |
| Mississippi Arts & Entertainment Experience | Sip & Savor Silver Sponsor | $2,500 |
| Mississippi Spelling Bee | Spelling Bee | $2,500 |
| Tougaloo College | Two Rivers Gala | $2,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Jim Richmond
- Wesley Goings
- Cara Carr
- Elizabeth C Pickering
- Hu Meena
- Meredith Creekmore
- Hugh Goings
- Betsy Oellerich
Questions people ask
Does C Spire Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: 90.
How much does C Spire Foundation give?
$616,563 in tax year 2025, across 41 grants, with a typical grant of $7,500.
Who runs C Spire Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Jim Richmond (Director), Wesley Goings (Treasurer), Cara Carr (Secretary) and Elizabeth C Pickering (Exec Dir President) among 8 officers and trustees.
What does C Spire Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, youth programs and community development.