The South Carolina State Capitol

Form 990-PFTax year 2025EIN 58-2479387

The Ceres Foundation Inc

A private foundation in Charleston, SC. Its return for tax year 2025 lists 45 grants and $1 million paid in grants.

Tax year 2025 (period ending Dec 31, 2025), read from the IRS e-file on Nov 11, 2026. Returns reach the IRS 5 to 18 months after the year they describe.

How to apply

Preselected only

The return checks the box saying the foundation gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets and giving by year

8 returns on file
Grants paid by tax year. The latest year is in blue.
  • Tax year 2025

    $1,047,000

    Grants listed
    45
    Assets, end of year
    $26,997,092
  • Tax year 2024

    $961,000

    Grants listed
    59
    Assets, end of year
    $27,248,151
  • Tax year 2023

    $1,040,200

    Grants listed
    72
    Assets, end of year
    $26,763,419
  • Tax year 2022

    $991,238

    Grants listed
    37
    Assets, end of year
    $27,946,564
  • Tax year 2021

    $1,038,500

    Grants listed
    75
    Assets, end of year
    $27,950,946
  • Tax year 2020

    $958,000

    Grants listed
    50
    Assets, end of year
    $27,278,213
  • Tax year 2019

    $1,109,000

    Grants listed
    66
    Assets, end of year
    $28,001,874
  • Tax year 2018

    $1,289,000

    Grants listed
    61
    Assets, end of year
    $28,417,459

Grants paid in 2025

45 grants, largest first

As listed on the return.

  1. Nature Conservancy of SCMt Pleasant, SC

    chelsea plantation

    $200,000
  2. Gibbes Museum of ArtCharleston, SC

    honor of angela mack

    $185,000
  3. Community SchoolRoanoke, VA

    challenge met

    $100,000
  4. Nuvance Health NetworkDanbury, CT

    general fund and endowment/john murphy

    $100,000
  5. Hotchkiss SchoolLakeville, CT

    honor of 1st girls

    $50,000
  6. Nemours Wildlife FoundationYemassee, SC

    cattle study

    $50,000
  7. GrowFood CarolinaCharleston, SC

    packing boxes

    $35,000
  8. Blue Ridge LiteracyRoanoke, VA

    general fund

    $30,000
  9. FareMcLean, VA

    challenge met

    $25,000
  10. Roanoke Symphony OrchestraRoanoke, VA

    challenge met

    $25,000
  11. Science Museum of Western VARoanoke, VA

    general fund

    $15,000
  12. St Francis Service DogsRoanoke, VA

    general fund

    $15,000
  13. Davis Love III FoundationSt Simons Is, GA

    general fund

    $10,000
  14. Foxfield FARMSGranby, CT

    general fund

    $10,000
  15. Friends of Caroline HospiceRidgeland, SC

    general fund

    $10,000
  16. Friends of Drayton HallCharleston, SC

    general fund

    $10,000
  17. Golden OpportunitiesNewtown, CT

    general fund

    $10,000
  18. Grace House of BrunswickBrunswick, GA

    general fund

    $10,000
  19. International Medical CorpsLos Angeles, CA

    general fund

    $10,000
  20. Mill Mountain TheatreRoanoke, VA

    general fund

    $10,000
  21. Southern Environmental Law CenterCharlottesville, VA

    sc office

    $10,000
  22. University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX

    morgantina fund

    $10,000
  23. Westminster SchoolSimsbury, CT

    general fund

    $10,000
  24. Ability Beyond DisabilityBethel, CT

    general fund

    $5,000
  25. Ann's Place The Home of I CanDanbury, CT

    general fund

    $5,000
  26. Best PetsBoulder, CO

    general fund

    $5,000
  27. Boys Farm IncNewberry, SC

    ag programs

    $5,000
  28. Centerpoint Church at RemountN Charleston, SC

    general fund

    $5,000
  29. Connecticut Burn Care FoundationMilford, CT

    general fund

    $5,000
  30. Exceptional SidekickNewtown, CT

    general fund

    $5,000
  31. Fennell Elementary Magnet SchoolYemassee, SC

    general fund

    $5,000
  32. Glynn Community Crisis CenterBrunswick, GA

    general fund

    $5,000
  33. Golden Isle Veterans Village InitiativeBrunswick, GA

    general fund

    $5,000
  34. Green Heart ProjectCharleston, SC

    general fund

    $5,000
  35. Humane Society of South Coastal GABrunswick, GA

    general fund

    $5,000
  36. LVA SchoolDanbury, CT

    general fund

    $5,000
  37. Morningstar Childrens and Family ServicesBrunswick, GA

    general fund

    $5,000
  38. Operation BedspreadSt Simons Island, GA

    general fund

    $5,000
  39. Preservation Society of CharlestonCharleston, SC

    general fund

    $5,000
  40. Safe Harbor Center IncBrunswick, GA

    general fund

    $5,000
  41. Simply SmilesWestport, CT

    general fund

    $5,000
  42. South Carolina AquariumCharleston, SC

    education programs

    $5,000
  43. St Mark's Episcopal ChurchFincastle, VA

    botetourt food bank

    $5,000
  44. St Simons Land TrustSt Simons Is, GA

    general fund

    $5,000
  45. AMIkidsSeabrook, SC

    croquet tournament

    $2,000

Where the money goes

By cause: grants to organizations we matched to the IRS list of exempt organizations, by their category.

  1. Arts and culture3 grants $220,00046% of the total
  2. Education4 grants $185,00039% of the total
  3. Human services4 grants $25,0005% of the total
  4. Animals2 grants $10,0002% of the total
  5. Environment2 grants $10,0002% of the total
  6. International aid1 grant $10,0002% of the total
  7. 2 other causes2 grants $15,0003% of the total

By State

Grants to organizations with a US address, latest year.

  1. South Carolina14 grants $532,000
  2. Virginia8 grants $225,000
  3. Connecticut11 grants $210,000
  4. Georgia9 grants $55,000
  5. California1 grant $10,000
  6. Texas1 grant $10,000
  7. Colorado1 grant $5,000

Officers, directors and trustees

3 people as filed

As filed on the return, with average hours per week and pay from the foundation.

  • Stephen L GavelPRESIDENT/EXEC. DIRECTOR Hours 30Pay $190,000
  • Frank Gavel JrSECRETARY/VICE PRESIDENT Hours 2Pay $0
  • Linda Gavel WebbTREASURER/VICE PRESIDENT Hours 1Pay $0

The return

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