← Back to US Funders Directory

Davis Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.0M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.5M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,027,154 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not disclosed
  • Grant Range: $500 - $500,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily South Carolina (91% of grants)

Contact Details

Address: Greenwood, South Carolina

Note: This foundation does not have a public website or published contact information for grant inquiries. They operate as a private family foundation and only make contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Overview

The Davis Family Foundation was established in 2001 as a private independent foundation based in Greenwood, South Carolina. With total assets of approximately $21.2 million as of 2024, the foundation distributed over $1 million in charitable grants annually. Led by Stephen L. Davis (Chair & Treasurer), the foundation has demonstrated consistent commitment to charitable giving, with charitable disbursements typically comprising 80-90% of annual expenses. The foundation has experienced significant growth, with assets increasing from approximately $4 million in the mid-2010s to over $21 million by 2024. The foundation maintains a strong focus on South Carolina-based organizations, with 91% of grants supporting local charities and institutions. Stephen L. Davis is a prominent business leader in Greenwood, serving as Chairman and CEO of Davis & Floyd engineering firm, and has held leadership positions including past chairman of The Citadel Foundation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-directed grant-making without formal programs or application cycles. Grants are made on an invitation-only basis to preselected organizations.

2024 Grant Activity:

  • Total grants: 92 awards
  • Median grant: $2,500
  • Range: Approximately $500 - $500,000

Priority Areas

Based on 2024 grant distributions, the foundation supports:

Education: Higher education institutions including The Citadel ($500,000) and Clemson University Foundation ($66,000)

Faith-Based Organizations: Religious institutions such as Greenwood First ARP Church ($85,000)

Children & Youth Services: Organizations like Connie Maxwell Children's Home ($50,000)

General Support: The vast majority of grants (90 of 92 in 2024) are designated for general operating support, giving recipient organizations flexibility in fund use

Geographic Focus: Predominantly South Carolina-based charities, with particular emphasis on Greenwood County and statewide institutions

What They Don't Fund

The foundation has explicitly stated it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. This indicates they do not fund:

  • Organizations outside their established network
  • First-time applicants without prior relationship
  • Organizations identified through cold applications

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team:

  • Stephen L. Davis - Chair & Treasurer: Prominent Greenwood business leader, Chairman and CEO of Davis & Floyd engineering firm, past chairman of The Citadel Foundation, and board member of Self Regional Healthcare Foundation
  • Cheri Tapager - Vice Chair
  • Hunter M. Davis - Secretary (family member, next generation)
  • Hillary Craigo - Trustee
  • Brad Alexander - CFO at Davis & Floyd, works closely with the foundation

The foundation operates as a family-managed private foundation with strong ties to the Greenwood business community and South Carolina educational institutions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are awarded through:

  • Trustee discretion and initiative
  • Pre-existing relationships with beneficiary organizations
  • Family and trustee connections to specific causes and institutions

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation's grant-making appears to be driven by the Davis family's personal connections and Stephen L. Davis's leadership roles in South Carolina institutions. Specific intelligence about this funder:

Board Connections: Stephen L. Davis has served as past chairman of The Citadel Foundation and serves on the board of Self Regional Healthcare Foundation. Organizations connected to board members of institutions where Davis family members serve may have increased visibility.

Geographic Proximity: 91% of grants support South Carolina organizations, with strong emphasis on Greenwood County. Being an active, well-regarded organization in the Greenwood area may increase visibility.

Institutional Relationships: The foundation's largest grants have gone to institutions where Stephen Davis has held leadership positions (The Citadel) or has business/community connections (Clemson, local churches, local children's services).

Decision Timeline

Not disclosed. As an invitation-only funder, grants are made at the discretion of trustees on their own timeline without formal cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications from the general public.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - unsolicited applications are not accepted.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, analysis of their grant-making patterns reveals:

Geographic Connection: Organizations should be based in or serve South Carolina, particularly Greenwood County. In 2024, 84 of 92 grants (91%) supported South Carolina organizations.

Institutional Relationships: The foundation's largest single grant ($500,000 to The Citadel) reflects Stephen Davis's past leadership as chairman of The Citadel Foundation. Organizations connected to institutions where Davis family members serve in leadership roles appear to receive consideration.

General Operating Support: 98% of grants (90 of 92) in 2024 were designated for general support, indicating the foundation trusts recipient organizations to allocate funds according to their own priorities rather than funding specific projects.

Established Track Record: As the foundation only supports "preselected charitable organizations," having an established reputation and operational history in South Carolina appears essential.

Range of Support: The foundation makes both transformational grants ($500,000) and smaller ongoing support grants (median $2,500), suggesting different types of relationships - major institutional partnerships and consistent support for smaller community organizations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant applications - unsolicited requests are not accepted
  • Relationship-Driven: Grant-making appears driven by the Davis family's personal connections, particularly Stephen L. Davis's board positions and community involvement
  • South Carolina Focus: 91% of funding stays in South Carolina, with strong emphasis on Greenwood County and statewide educational institutions
  • Flexible Funding Philosophy: 98% of grants designated for general support indicates trust in recipient organizations' judgment
  • Long-Term Relationships: Grant recipients appear to receive consistent support over multiple years, suggesting the foundation values ongoing partnerships
  • Wide Grant Range: Awards range from $500 to $500,000, with median of $2,500, indicating support for both major institutions and smaller community organizations
  • Educational Emphasis: Significant support for higher education, particularly institutions where Davis has held leadership roles (The Citadel, Clemson)

References

← Back to US Funders Directory