The Chisholm Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- The Chisholm Foundation funds work in education, the arts and religion, and it welcomes applications from organisations anywhere in the United States when proposals are compatible with that mission.
- Annual giving stood at $5,443,738 paid, but no grant range is stated, so it is hard to judge what size of request is realistic.
- Its directors review applications individually and only a small number can be funded, so treat this as competitive: set out the need addressed, your organisation's fit with the Foundation's mandate and any partnerships, your plan, who will manage it, and how progress and benefits will be measured, including whether your board approved the plan.
- The Foundation is particularly interested in new or demonstration projects that can be continued and expanded with help from other supporters, so it is worth explaining how you would seek matching gifts or challenge grants to magnify its funds.
- Work to the fixed deadlines, with applications for May grants due by 1 March and for November grants by 1 September; if you have not applied before or want a quicker response, you may start with a brief inquiry letter outlining your proposal.
Overview
The Chisholm Foundation is a US private foundation based in Laurel, MS.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2025, TY2024, TY2023) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Chisholm Foundation supports meaningful endeavours in education, the arts and religion. It welcomes applications from organisations anywhere in the United States when proposals are compatible with that mission. Its directors review applications individually, and only a small number of the applications received can be funded. The Foundation is particularly interested in new or demonstration projects that, if successful, can be continued and expanded with help from additional financial supporters. It encourages applicants to seek matching gifts or challenge grants to magnify its funds. In assessing proposals, the directors consider the need addressed, the applicant organisation's choice to tackle it, project fit with its mandate and partnerships, planning, oversight and evaluation.
Themes
- Arts
- Education
- Religion
Geographic Focus
United States.
How to apply
Applicants who have not previously submitted materials, or who seek a quicker response, may send an inquiry letter containing a brief outline of their proposal.
Deadlines: Generally, applications for May and November grants are due by 1 March and 1 September, respectively.
Application success factors
What the foundation says:
- The directors assess the specific need or problem and how the project will contribute to a solution.
- The directors consider why the organisation chose the problem, fit with its mandate and potential cooperation with other organisations.
- The proposal should set out the steps, resources and time frame needed to complete the project.
- The directors consider who will manage the project and whether it requires additional staff or other resources.
- The directors consider how progress and benefits will be measured, including the possibility of external evaluation.
- The directors consider whether the applicant's board helped develop and formally approved the plan.
- Applicants are encouraged to seek matching gifts or challenge grants to magnify Foundation funds.
- If a grant is approved, applicants should explain the periodic progress reports and expenditure accounts they will provide.
Officers and directors
- Elisabeth Saint-Amand — Trustee
- Alexander Saint-Amand — Trustee
- Lynn Manley Lindsey — Trustee
- Julie Vos Lindsey — Trustee
- Nathan E Saint-Amand — Secretary
- Alexander C Lindsey — Treasurer
- John L Lindsey — President
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 tax year | $5,153,995 | $4,437,351 | $101,960,203 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $6,505,247 | $5,322,830 | $112,746,429 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
| 2025 tax year | $6,611,883 | $5,443,738 | $115,712,003 | Filing for 2025 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
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Applying to The Chisholm Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required