← Back to US Funders Directory

Bishop-Parker Foundation (formerly Mary Parker Foundation)

Annual Giving
$9.0M
Grant Range
$15K - $3.0M
Decision Time
3mo

Bishop-Parker Foundation (formerly Mary Parker Foundation)

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Approximately $8-10 million
  • Total Assets: $118+ million (2024)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $15,000 - $500,000+
  • Geographic Focus: Manatee County, Florida exclusively
  • Grant Cycles: Spring (March), Fall (September), Small Grants (Rolling)

Contact Details

Main Office:

Grant Inquiries: All grant applications require a pre-application meeting. Contact grants@bishopparkerfoundation.org to schedule.

Overview

The Bishop-Parker Foundation represents the consolidated philanthropic legacies of Edward E. and Lillian H. Bishop and Mary E. Parker, who dedicated their lives to improving Manatee County, Florida. Mary Parker, a nursing school graduate who became the Bishops' adopted daughter and lifelong companion, actively guided philanthropic efforts until her passing in 2020 at age 108. The consolidation of the two foundations was completed in 2022, combining assets exceeding $200 million and creating operational efficiencies while honoring both families' charitable missions.

In February 2024, the foundation appointed its first-ever CEO, Wendy Deming, a seasoned nonprofit executive with over 25 years of experience in the independent sector. The foundation distributes approximately $8-10 million annually to nonprofits serving Manatee County across six key focus areas: arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services, and animal welfare. The foundation operates with a strong emphasis on collaborative partnerships and community building, as evidenced by initiatives like the Manatee Food Security Network, which convenes more than 50 organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Large Capital Grants (over $15,000)

  • Range: $15,000 - $500,000+
  • Application: Spring and Fall cycles only
  • Process: Requires pre-application meeting and online submission
  • Recent examples: $3 million to Florida Cultural Group for Sara's Studios; $500,000 to ArtCenter Manatee facility campaign

Small Grants (under $15,000)

  • Process: Rolling deadline
  • Application: Requires pre-application meeting
  • Examples: $17,500 to Stillpoint Mission for utility assistance

Capital Grant Restrictions

  • Equipment/Vehicle Grants: One award per organization annually
  • New Construction/Renovation Grants: One award every two years
  • Large Projects: Foundation will consider funding up to 30% of total project cost
  • Smaller capital grants may not require matching funds

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on six core areas:

Arts and Culture

  • Recent grant: $3 million to Florida Cultural Group for capital project
  • Recent grant: $500,000 to ArtCenter Manatee

Education

  • Youth development and mentoring programs
  • K-12 education initiatives
  • Recent grant: $390,350 to Visible Men Academy to expand from 50 to 120 at-risk K-5 boys
  • Recent grant: $175,000 to Manatee Education Foundation for mentor program expansion

Health

  • Medical and dental care access for underserved populations
  • Mental health services
  • Recent grant: $350,000 to Tidewell Foundation for Empath LIFE Medical Clinic
  • Recent grant: $185,000 to MCR Health for gynecological surgical procedures

Human Services

  • Programs supporting vulnerable populations
  • Family support services
  • Youth services

Environment

  • Environmental conservation and sustainability projects

Animal Welfare

  • Programs supporting animal welfare in Manatee County

What They Don't Fund

Explicit Exclusions:

  • Projects exclusively serving religious purposes or requiring participation in faith-based programming
  • Pass-through funding for distribution to individuals or other charitable groups
  • Grants to individuals
  • Debt reduction
  • Political campaigns or lobbying
  • Annual or endowment campaigns
  • Event sponsorships
  • Team or sport travel
  • Private educational institutions (unless serving special needs or disadvantaged populations)
  • Religious organizations or churches (unless directly benefiting a program in one of the foundation's fields of interest)

Governance and Leadership

Staff

Wendy Deming, Chief Executive Officer

  • Appointed February 2024 as the foundation's first CEO
  • Over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector
  • Previously founded Deming Consulting, specializing in nonprofit board governance and capacity building
  • Quote: "Each grant cycle, we have an opportunity to continue building on the philanthropic legacies of our founders. The grants awarded in this cycle will help our nonprofit partners provide mental health services, mentoring and education programs, access to medical and dental care for those most in need, and support for the arts."

Adell Erozer, Former Executive Director

  • Retired February 2024 after years of service
  • Compensation in final year: $16,924 (part-time)

Board of Trustees

Wilmington Trust Company - Co-Trustee (primary administrative trustee)

  • Compensation: $877,880 (2024)

Robert G. Blalock - Co-Trustee and Administrative Officer

  • Compensation: $60,000

Burdette R. Parent - Co-Trustee

  • Compensation: $50,000

Mary E. Jarrell - Co-Trustee

  • Compensation: $50,000

Barbara M. Jennings - Trustee

  • Appointed July 2024
  • Community volunteer with extensive Manatee County nonprofit experience
  • Chairs the Board of Trustees of New College of Florida
  • Past president of the International Women's Forum of Southwest Florida

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Pre-Application Meeting (REQUIRED) All grant applications require a pre-application meeting with foundation staff before the application portal becomes accessible. Contact grants@bishopparkerfoundation.org to schedule.

Step 2: Create/Update Profile on The Giving Partner Organizations must have an active, up-to-date profile on The Giving Partner platform.

Step 3: Submit Application

Grant Information Session The foundation offers a grant information session video available on their website to help applicants understand the process.

Decision Timeline

Spring Grant Cycle

  • Opens: March 1
  • Closes: March 31
  • Awards announced: Approximately June
  • Recent funding: $5.3 million to 30 organizations (Spring 2025)

Fall Grant Cycle

  • Opens: September 1
  • Closes: September 30
  • Awards announced: Approximately December
  • Recent funding: $2.97 million to 45 organizations (Fall 2024)

Small Grant Cycle

  • Rolling deadline
  • Decision timeline varies

No requests are considered outside of the application cycles for large grants.

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the foundation demonstrates strong grantmaking activity:

  • Fall 2024: 45 grants awarded totaling $2,965,888
  • Spring 2024: Over $1.5 million in grants
  • Spring 2025: $5,328,042 to 30 organizations

The foundation's consolidated assets of $200+ million and annual grantmaking of $8-10 million suggest a well-funded operation with significant capacity to support Manatee County nonprofits.

Reapplication Policy

For Capital Grants:

  • Equipment/Vehicle grants: Organizations may receive one award annually
  • New Construction/Renovation grants: Organizations may receive one award every two years

For Unsuccessful Applicants: The foundation does not publish a specific waiting period for unsuccessful applicants to reapply. Given the two annual cycles, organizations are encouraged to discuss reapplication timing during their pre-application meetings with foundation staff.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Priorities

Geographic Focus is Absolute Projects must serve Manatee County residents. Research projects may be an exception, but all other programs must have direct Manatee County impact.

Organizational Maturity Matters Eligible organizations must have been in existence for at least two years and demonstrate a record of effective service and sustainability. This reflects the foundation's emphasis on stewardship and lasting impact.

Collaborative Partnerships are Valued The foundation's mission explicitly mentions supporting "nonprofit and public partners who collaborate to advance the Manatee County Community." The Manatee Food Security Network (50+ organizations) exemplifies their commitment to collaborative problem-solving. Demonstrating partnerships or collaborative approaches strengthens applications.

Capital Needs Alignment Capital requests should "help meet a compelling community need in one or more of the Foundation's fields of interest and offer a broad social benefit." Projects serving narrow constituencies may be less competitive than those with wider community impact.

Youth Development is a Strategic Focus Recent grants demonstrate strong emphasis on youth-focused programs:

  • $390,350 to Visible Men Academy (at-risk K-5 boys)
  • $175,000 to Manatee Education Foundation (mentoring)
  • Multiple grants to youth-serving organizations (Big Brothers Big Sisters, Pace Center for Girls, etc.)

Recent Funding Patterns

Large Capital Projects Welcome The foundation makes substantial six-figure grants:

  • $3 million to Florida Cultural Group
  • $500,000 to ArtCenter Manatee
  • $390,350 to Visible Men Academy

Healthcare Access Priority Multiple recent grants support medical and dental care for underserved populations:

  • $350,000 to Tidewell Foundation
  • $185,000 to MCR Health
  • Programs providing access to care for those most in need

Mental Health and Human Services Wendy Deming's statement emphasizes mental health services as a priority area, with grants supporting behavioral health programs and family support services.

Pre-Application Meeting Strategy

The mandatory pre-application meeting is your opportunity to:

  • Test project alignment with current priorities
  • Understand competition in your focus area
  • Receive guidance on strengthening your application
  • Clarify capital grant restrictions if applicable
  • Build relationship with foundation staff

Come prepared with a clear, concise project summary and be ready to discuss how your work advances the Manatee County community.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Pre-application meeting is mandatory - Email grants@bishopparkerfoundation.org before you can access the application portal. Use this meeting strategically to ensure alignment.

  • Manatee County focus is non-negotiable - Every aspect of your project must serve Manatee County residents. Make the local impact crystal clear.

  • Demonstrate organizational stability - With a minimum two-year operating history requirement, show your track record of effective service and financial sustainability.

  • Think collaboration - The foundation values partnerships that strengthen community fabric. Highlight collaborative elements and how you work with other organizations.

  • Capital grants have specific rules - Understand the limitations (30% of project cost for large projects, annual limits for equipment/vehicles, two-year limits for construction/renovation).

  • Youth development is strategic - If your work serves young people in Manatee County, emphasize outcomes and capacity to serve more youth effectively.

  • Values alignment matters - Frame your work around the foundation's values of community building, kindness (compassion and empathy), and stewardship (lasting positive impact).

  • Update your Giving Partner profile - This is a prerequisite. Ensure your profile is current and complete before your pre-application meeting.

  • Large grants are competitive but achievable - The foundation regularly makes six-figure grants. Don't self-select out if you have a compelling capital need aligned with their priorities.

References

  1. Bishop-Parker Foundation official website. Accessed January 8, 2025. https://bishopparkerfoundation.org

  2. Bishop-Parker Foundation Mission, Vision, Values, and Focus. Accessed January 8, 2025. https://bishopparkerfoundation.org/our-mission/

  3. Bishop-Parker Foundation Getting Started guide. Accessed January 8, 2025. https://bishopparkerfoundation.org/getting-started/

  4. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Mary Parker Foundation (EIN 59-2708325). Accessed January 8, 2025. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/592708325

  5. "Bishop and Parker Family Legacies Continue as One Foundation." Tampa Bay Newswire, August 1, 2022.

  6. "Bishop-Parker Foundation awards almost $3 million in grants." Pulse of Manatee, December 2024. https://www.pulseofmanatee.com/p/bishop-parker-foundation-awards-almost

  7. "Bishop-Parker Foundation awards more than $5 million in grants." Bradenton Magazine, 2025. https://bradentonmag.com/bishop-parker-foundation-awards-more-than-5-million-in-grants/

  8. "Bradenton foundation with $200M in assets names first-ever CEO." Business Observer, January 9, 2024.

  9. "Wendy Deming Named CEO of Bishop-Parker Foundation." Sarasota Magazine, January 2024.

  10. Candid (Foundation Directory Online) - The Mary Parker Foundation profile. Accessed January 8, 2025.

  11. Instrumentl - Mary Parker Foundation 990 Report. Accessed January 8, 2025.

  12. "The Power of Partnership: Manatee Community Foundation + Bishop-Parker Foundation." Manatee Community Foundation, 2025. https://manateecf.org/the-power-of-partnership-manatee-community-foundation-bishop-parker-foundation/

  13. IRS Form 990-PF filings for Mary Parker Foundation (2023-2024).

← Back to US Funders Directory