James F And Nelle E Burgess Foundation
The organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting various charitable causes. Its mission centers around providing financial assistance to organizations that align with its established charitable purposes, which include religious institutions, community service initiatives, health charities, and environmental conservation efforts. The foundation primarily serves nonprofit organizations, particularly those focused on community development and support, as well as health and environmental issues. While it has a notable focus on local organizations, particularly in South Carolina, it also extends its support to select initiatives in other states.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Small or mid-sized community organizations based in South Carolina (especially Greenville area) working in faith-based services, local community support, conservation, or basic health/wellness programs seeking modest, short-term operating or program support.
Good Fit
- • Located in South Carolina, ideally Greenville or nearby counties.
- • Requests for modest grants (typical awards are in the low hundreds to a few hundred dollars).
- • Clear local impact and community-service focus (faith-based, meals, conservation, local shelters).
- • An existing local relationship, nomination, or referral from a current grantee or trustee.
- • Simple, concise application materials or a short mailed request are appropriate.
Geography
Giving is strongly concentrated in the foundation's home state, with roughly 78% of dollars staying in South Carolina and only small out-of-state grants to Washington and North Carolina in the latest year.
Recipient Variety
The foundation funded many distinct independent organizations (13 recipients in the latest year and 21 in 2022), spanning churches, conservation groups, meal programs and community service providers despite some dollar concentration among top recipients.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of an open unsolicited application process is absent and the foundation states it funds only preselected applicants, but the latest year shows a high rate of new grantees (10 of 13), suggesting new entrants can be added—likely via nomination, outreach, or trustee-driven selection rather than a public application portal.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
