Homer Skelton Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1.75 million (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Average grant size $97,375
• Geographic Focus: Regional (primarily Tennessee and Mississippi)

Contact Details

• Location: Wilmington, DE
• EIN: 62-1578268
• Website: Not available
• Email: Not available
• Phone: Not available

Overview

The Homer Skelton Charitable Foundation is a private foundation established by the late Homer Dee Skelton, a successful car dealership owner and philanthropist who passed away in November 2020. With assets of approximately $19 million, the foundation continues his legacy of charitable giving across several U.S. states, primarily focusing on Tennessee and Mississippi. The foundation awarded 18 grants totaling $1,752,757 in 2024, representing a significant decrease from $7,818,947 in 2023. Managed by three uncompensated trustees including family members, the foundation operates without accepting unsolicited grant applications, focusing instead on organizations with which they have established relationships.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with public application processes. Grants are awarded at trustee discretion with an average grant size of $97,375.

Priority Areas

• Education (elementary, secondary, and higher education)
• Children and family services
• Christian schools and organizations
• Social services
• Child welfare
• Human services

Projects serving children and youth, economically disadvantaged people, and low-income communities are of special interest.

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's closed application process suggests they do not fund:

• Organizations without established relationships with the foundation
• Unsolicited requests from unknown organizations
• Organizations outside their geographic focus areas

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is managed by three uncompensated trustees:

• Michelle Chapman - Homer Skelton's youngest daughter
• Dorothy Maki
• Catherine Skelton - Homer Skelton's widow

Homer Skelton (1931-2020) was a Christian businessman who owned multiple car dealerships in Memphis, Millington, and Olive Branch. He devoted 100% of his salary from his dealerships in his later years to the charitable foundation, supporting churches, communities, and schools in Memphis and DeSoto County.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states they do not accept unsolicited requests, though research indicates they may be open to introductory materials. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees to organizations with which they have established relationships.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's giving patterns and trustee involvement:

• The foundation has longstanding relationships with educational institutions in DeSoto County, MS and Memphis, TN
• They have consistently supported organizations like Northpoint Christian School, DeSoto County Schools, and various Memphis-area nonprofits
• Building relationships through shared community involvement in the Memphis/DeSoto County area may be beneficial
• Organizations serving children, families, and economically disadvantaged populations in their focus regions align with their interests

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available - decisions appear to be made on a rolling basis at trustee discretion.

Success Rates

Not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only grant process.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates on a relationship-based model:

• Organizations with established presence in DeSoto County, MS or Memphis, TN have historically received support
• Christian organizations and schools have been consistent recipients
• Programs directly serving children in need align with the founder's legacy (he provided coats, shoes, and bicycles to children for over 20 years)
• Educational initiatives, particularly those serving disadvantaged youth, match foundation priorities
• Organizations like Pregnancy Care Center, Boys and Girls Club, food pantries, and missions have successfully received grants

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a relationship-based funder that does not accept unsolicited applications
• Focus geographic area is primarily DeSoto County, MS and Memphis, TN, though grants have been made to select organizations in CA, MO, and MT
• Christian organizations and those serving children/families are priority recipients
• Average grant size is substantial at approximately $97,375
• Foundation giving decreased significantly from 2023 to 2024 (from $7.8M to $1.75M)
• All three trustees serve without compensation and appear deeply involved in grant decisions
• Building authentic relationships within the Memphis/DeSoto County philanthropic community is essential for consideration

References

• Charity Navigator Profile - Homer Skelton Charitable Foundation (Accessed February 2025)
• Grantable.co Foundation Profile - Homer Skelton Charitable Foundation (Accessed February 2025)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990 Filings (Accessed February 2025)
• Grantmakers.io Profile - Homer Skelton Charitable Foundation (Accessed February 2025)
• GrantStation - Homer Skelton Charitable Foundation Profile (Accessed February 2025)
• DeSoto Times - "Obituary: Local businessman, philanthropist Homer Skelton died Nov. 7 at 89" (November 2020)
• Higher Ed Grants - Homer Skelton Charitable Foundation Profile (Accessed February 2025)