The Columbus Phipps Foundation
Dallas, TX · EIN 54-6338751. Reported 278 grants totalling $4,415,365 to 125 recipients across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. The Columbus Phipps Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $6,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $2,500 and $16,500; the smallest was $500 and the largest $193,750. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Recipients are grouped by name and state as they were written on the returns, so an organization entered under two different names appears twice. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which that name received money.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Empire Community College | Big Stone Gap, VA | $689,025 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| University of Va College at Wise | Wise, VA | $550,325 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Appalachian School of Pharmacy | Oakwood, VA | $197,400 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| East Tennessee State University | Johnson City, TN | $194,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute | Blacksburg, VA | $181,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Lincoln Memorial University | Harrogate, TN | $171,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Liberty University | Lynchburg, VA | $163,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Southwest Virginia Community College | Richlands, VA | $149,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Kentucky College of Optometry | Pikeville, KY | $120,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Ridgeview High School | Clintwood, VA | $119,302 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| King University | Bristol, TN | $107,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Dickenson County Public Schools | Clintwood, VA | $93,024 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Etsu (st Mary's) Health Wagon | Wise, VA | $92,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Dickenson County Social Services | Clintwood, VA | $90,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Edward Via College | Spartanburg, SC | $90,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Radford University | Radford, VA | $72,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Dickenson County Vce | Clintwood, VA | $61,500 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond, VA | $60,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Galen College of Nursing | Richardson, TX | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Pikeville University | Pikeville, KY | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Old Dominion University | Norfolk, VA | $37,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Dickinson County Vocational School | Clintwood, VA | $35,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Bluefield University | Bluefield, VA | $33,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Dickenson County Va Cooperative Ext | Clintwood, VA | $33,125 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| George Mason University | Fairfax, VA | $33,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Western Governors University | Salt Lake City, UT | $32,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Pro-Art (dickenson County) | Wise, VA | $32,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Antigua College of Medicine | New York, NY | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Campbellsville University | Campbellsville, KY | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Ferrum College | Ferrum, VA | $29,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Lincoln College of Technology | Nashville, TN | $28,500 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Southeast Ky Cmty & Technical College | Whitesburg, KY | $27,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Marshall University | Huntington, WV | $25,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Town of Clintwood | Clintwood, VA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Southern Mississippi University | Hattiesburg, MS | $24,500 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Ridgeview Middle School | Clintwood, VA | $23,413 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Abingdon, VA | $21,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| University of Pikeville | Pikeville, KY | $20,500 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Morehead State University | Morehead, KY | $20,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Capella University | Minneapolis, MN | $18,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Lindsey Wilson College | Columbia, KY | $18,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Ridgeview Nursing Program-Ridgeview Hs | Clintwood, VA | $17,600 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Emory and Henry College | Emory, VA | $17,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Roanoke College | Salem, VA | $16,000 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| University of Tennessee | Knoxville, TN | $16,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Welch College | Gallatin, TN | $16,000 | 3 | 2 | 2022 |
| Hampden-Sydney College | Hampdensydney, VA | $15,500 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Southern New Hampshire University | Manchester, NH | $15,000 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| University of Nw Ohio | Lima, OH | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Harvard College | Cambridge, MA | $14,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| University of Northwestern Ohio | Lima, OH | $14,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Bluefield College | Bluefield, VA | $13,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Dickenson County Chamber of Commerce | Clintwood, VA | $13,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Belhaven University | Jackson, MS | $12,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| James Madison University | Harrisonburg, VA | $11,500 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| Dickenson County Historical Society Inc | Clintwood, VA | $11,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Wytheville Community College | Wytheville, VA | $11,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Alice Lloyd College | Pippa Passes, KY | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| American College of Education | Indianapolis, IN | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Mary Baldwin University | Staunton, VA | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| St Augustine University Health Sciences | St Augustine, FL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| University of Georgia | Athens, GA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| West Virginia University | Morgantown, WV | $10,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Texas Tech University | Lubbock, TX | $9,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | $9,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Ohio University | Athens, GA | $8,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Ridgeview Elementaty School | Clintwood, VA | $8,082 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Arizona State University | Tempe, AZ | $8,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Georgetown University | Washington, DC | $8,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Stephen F Austin University | Nacogdoches, TX | $8,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| University of Illinois - Urbana | Urbana, IL | $8,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| University of Virginia | Charlottesville, VA | $8,000 | 3 | 2 | 2022 |
| Eastern Kentucky University | Richmond, KY | $7,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Strayer University | Fredericksburg, VA | $7,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| University of the Cumberlands | Williamsburg, KY | $7,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Dickenson County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism | Clintwood, VA | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Dickenson County Visitors Center | Clintwood, VA | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Exalt Academy of Cosmetology | Bristol, VA | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Hazard Community & Technical College | Hazard, KY | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Mid-America College of Funeral Service | Jeffersonville, IN | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Pioneer Art League of Dickenson County | Clintwood, VA | $6,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| University of Central Missouri | Warrensburg, MO | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| University of Montana | Missoula, MT | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Jonnie B Deel Memorial Library | Clintwood, VA | $5,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Ridgeview Elementary School | Clintwood, VA | $5,114 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Hollins University | Roanoke, VA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Jettie Baker Center | Clintwood, VA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Jettie Baker Center for the Arts | Clintwood, VA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Louisiana State University | Baton Rouge, LA | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Unc Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Ervington Elementary School | Nora, VA | $4,925 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Sandlick Elementary | Birchleaf, VA | $4,730 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Haysi Public Library | Haysi, VA | $4,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Christopher Newport Univ | Newport News, VA | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Tennesse Wesleyan University | Athens, TN | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Clintwood Elementary School | Clintwood, VA | $3,300 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Christopher Newport University | Newport News, VA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Colorado State University | Fort Collins, CO | $3,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Lonesome Pine Soil & Water Conservation District | Clintwood, VA | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Walters State Community College | Morristown, TN | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Big Sandy Community & Tech Col | Prestonsburg, KY | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Bryant and Stratton College | Virginia Beach, VA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| College of William and Mary | Williamsburg, VA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Dickenson County Extension Office | Clintwood, VA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Dickinson County Behavioral Health Club | Clintwood, VA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Dickinson County Fair | Iron Mountain, MI | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Fayetteville State Univeristy | Fayetteville, NC | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Fayetteville State University | Fayetteville, NC | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Galen College of Nursing | Hazard, KY | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Logan University | Chesterfield, MO | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Longwood University | Farmville, VA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Ne State Technical Community College | Blountville, TN | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Northeast State Community College | Blountville, TN | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Roane State Community College | Harriman, TN | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Belmont University | Nashville, TN | $1,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Chamberlain College of Nursing | Downers Grove, IL | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Colorado Christian University | Lakewood, CO | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Esthetic Skin Institute | Fort Lauderdale, FL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Lonesome Pine Soil & Water Conservation | Clintwood, VA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Mcclure River Kiwanis Club | Clintwood, VA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Tusculum College | Greeneville, TN | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Walden University - Maryland | Baltimore, MD | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| University of Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| University of Virginia - Charlottesville | Charlottesville, VA | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
77 of 125 (62%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 67%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is about typical. This measures how often it paid the same organizations again. It says nothing about whether it would consider a new one.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Ridgeview Nursing Program-Ridgeview Hs
GRANT FOR STATE BOARDS FOR - Ridgeview Middle School
GRANTS FOR SCHOOL MATERIALS - Chamberlain College of Nursing
GRANT FOR SCHOLARSHIP AWARD - Mcclure River Kiwanis Club
GRANT FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES
What kind of organizations it funds
By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 96 grants where we could match the recipient to a registered organization. The categories are the IRS's. The match, made from the name and address on the return, is ours.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 70 | $1,260,474 | $6,000 |
| 2022 | 75 | $1,141,620 | $6,000 |
| 2023 | 70 | $947,904 | $4,000 |
| 2024 | 63 | $1,065,367 | $6,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Where its money goes
70% of its giving went to organizations in Virginia. If your organization is based elsewhere, look in the recipient list for grants to your area before writing.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are a sign of overlapping priorities and nothing more: they do not show that any of these funders would consider a new organization. Each page says what its filings show.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $6,000. A request many times that size asks for something it has rarely or never given.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Virginia.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Related guides
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from The Columbus Phipps Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Grant figures are from its returns. Matching recipients to registered organizations, their IRS classifications, the retention rate and the funders that support the same organizations are our own calculations, described in how we build this.
Address of record on the latest return: Po Box 653067, Dallas, TX, 75265. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 54-6338751 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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