Phil Hardin Foundation
Accepts applications
Phil Hardin Foundation is a private foundation in Meridian, Mississippi. In tax year 2025 it gave $4.5 million in 78 grants; the typical grant was $28,000 and the largest $450,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$4.5 million
- Number of grants78
- Typical grant$28,000
- Largest grant$450,000
- Assets$82.0 million
- New grantees30%
Giving in 2025 was up from $4.3 million the year before.
30% 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 | $3.8 million | 56 | $62.2 million |
| 2024 | $4.3 million | 67 | $71.2 million |
| 2025 | $4.5 million | 78 | $82.0 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Phil Hardin Foundation-Lloyd Gray 2750 North Park Drive, Meridian, MS 39305 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (601) 483-4282 |
| What to submit, deadlines, restrictions | Contact phil hardin foundation-lloyd gray |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Phil Hardin Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 6 states, the most to Mississippi.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | 72 | $4.2 million |
| District of Columbia | 2 | $169,000 |
| Florida | 1 | $50,000 |
| North Carolina | 1 | $30,000 |
| New York | 1 | $25,000 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $5,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ms Childrens Museum | Meridian satellite location | $450,000 |
| Ms Arts and Entertainment Center | Sustained support | $300,000 |
| Meridian Community College Foundation | Phil hardin foundation honors college; beep, annual scholarships, phil hardin scholarships, and tuition guarantee endowment | $200,000 |
| Mississippi State University Foundation | Mental/behavioral health program expansion | $200,000 |
| Lauderdale County School District | Pre-k | $200,000 |
| Mississippi Childrens Museum | Launch into learning | $150,000 |
| Lauderdale County School District | Mastery connect & rethink ed project | $140,000 |
| Jackson Public School District | Excellence for all | $125,000 |
| National Center of Education and the Economy | Ms superintendent academy | $125,000 |
| Community Foundation of Northwest Ms | Advanced STEM access program | $100,000 |
| Milsaps College | Pathways program | $100,000 |
| Meridian Art Association | Expansion of cultural services & education | $100,000 |
| The Mississippi Reading Clinic | Ms reading clinit pilot | $100,000 |
| United Way of East Ms | Imagination library | $80,000 |
| Base Camp Coding Academy | Support | $75,000 |
| Great City Ms Foundation | Lauderdale and delta counties programming | $75,000 |
| Meridian Public School District Foundation | Any given child | $75,000 |
| Meridian Symphony Association | Community chords program | $75,000 |
| Ms Alliance of Nonprofits | Membership dues and operating support | $75,000 |
| Meridian Community College Foundation | Beep | $75,000 |
| Millsaps College | Summer internship program | $73,492 |
| Parents for Public Schools | Parent engagement | $71,040 |
| Lauderdale County School District | Ell teacher | $70,000 |
| Deep South Today | Expanded education reporting at ms today | $64,500 |
| New Destiny Daycare and Learning Academy | Camp destiny afterschool & summer | $60,000 |
| Ms Book Festival | Ms book festival | $60,000 |
| Community Foundation for Ms | Ms statewide afterschool network | $50,000 |
| Meridian Community College Foundation | Principals bootcamp | $50,000 |
| Friends of Russell C Davis Planetarium | Construction project | $50,000 |
| Florida State University Foundation | Adolescent literacy in ms | $50,000 |
| Mississippi College | Eudora documentary | $50,000 |
| Ms Arts Commission | Ms whole schools | $50,000 |
| Spring Initiative | Spring initiative | $50,000 |
| Childrens Foundation of Ms | General operating support | $50,000 |
| University Press of Ms Inc | A generation full of courage | $50,000 |
| University of Southern Ms Foundation | De grummon childrens literature collection | $50,000 |
| The Nea Foundation for the Improvement of Education | The path ahead | $44,000 |
| National Folk Festival | 82nd national folk festival | $40,000 |
| Center for the Study of the American South | Bill ferris legacy podcast | $30,000 |
| United Way of Northeast Ms | Early childhood coalition instructional coach | $26,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Robert F Ward
- Ronnie L Walton
- Martin Davidson
- Kacey Bailey
- Michael van Veckhoven
- Clair Huff
- Derron Radcliff
Questions people ask
Does Phil Hardin Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: Contact phil hardin foundation-lloyd gray.
How much does Phil Hardin Foundation give?
$4.5 million in tax year 2025, across 78 grants, with a typical grant of $28,000.
Who runs Phil Hardin Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Robert F Ward (President), Ronnie L Walton (Secretary), Martin Davidson (Treasurer) and Kacey Bailey (Director) among 7 officers and trustees.
What does Phil Hardin Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, arts and culture and youth programs.