Beehive Foundation Inc.

## Approach Strategy for Beehive Foundation Inc.

The Beehive Foundation is a unique hybrid organization based at 208 West Harris Street on Pulaski Square in Savannah, Georgia. Founded by Mills Bee Lane IV (a Harvard-educated Georgian) in 1970 as the Beehive Press, and incorporated as a foundation in 1990, it operates three distinct programs: scholarly publishing of books about Southern cultural and social history, historic preservation of architecturally significant Georgia properties, and grantmaking to other charitable organizations. The foundation's publishing catalog includes approximately 40 titles spanning architecture, Civil War history, natural histories, slavery, and Southern plantations, praised by The New York Times as "Majestic!" Lane's chief scholarly work is the monumental 10-volume "Architecture of the Old South" series. The foundation is a champion of Savannah's unique town plan and has saved and restored many important 19th-century buildings within the city's National Historic Landmark District. Organizations seeking support should align with Southern history, Georgia cultural heritage, or historic preservation, and establish connections through Savannah's preservation community.

## Funding Patterns Analysis

The Beehive Foundation operates as a hybrid operating/grantmaking foundation with significant program expenses beyond grantmaking:

• 2023: $250,000 in grants, $540,825 total expenses (book assets: $6.1M, FMV: $6.6M)
• 2022: $280,000 in grants, $570,139 total expenses (book assets: $5.8M, FMV: $6.4M)
• 2021: $210,000 in grants, $503,797 total expenses (book assets: $7.3M, FMV: $7.9M)
• 2020: $295,559 in grants, $572,079 total expenses (book assets: $6.9M, FMV: $7.4M)
• 2019: $275,000 in grants, $616,094 total expenses (book assets: $6.7M, FMV: $7.2M)

The five-year average is $262K in grants and $561K in total expenses annually. Operating program expenses (publishing, preservation) consistently represent 45-55% of total expenses, with grantmaking comprising the remainder. This dual model means the foundation's total charitable impact is substantially larger than grants alone. The payout rate including all qualifying distributions is approximately 8.1% of FMV (2023), well above the IRS minimum. Fair market value has declined from $7.2M to $6.6M over five years, an 8.3% decline, suggesting gradual drawdown of the endowment.

## Peer Comparison

The Beehive Foundation is distinctive among historic preservation foundations for its scholarly publishing program. Its total payout rate of 8.1% is generous and places it in the top quartile. The integrated model of publishing, preservation, and grantmaking creates a cohesive mission focused on Southern cultural heritage. The gradual decline in FMV suggests the foundation is spending down its endowment over time, which is sustainable at current rates for approximately 15-20 years.

## Recent Activity and Trends

Key observations from the Beehive Foundation's recent activity:

• Active Publishing Program: The foundation's website features an active online bookshop selling approximately 40 titles across categories including architecture, Civil War, classics, documentary histories, illustrated histories, natural histories, slavery, and Southern plantations. The catalog includes audiobooks, eBooks, and PDFs, demonstrating digital adaptation. Framed prints of John Abbot's "Birds of Georgia" are also available, suggesting diversification of revenue streams.

• Founder's Legacy: Founded by Mills Bee Lane IV, the foundation preserves and extends his life's work. Lane wrote or edited nearly 60 books about Southern cultural and social history, and his 10-volume "Architecture of the Old South" series remains the foundation's signature publication. The website includes a dedicated section about Lane's contributions.

• Steady Financial Operations: Despite a gradual decline in assets (FMV from $7.2M to $6.6M over five years), the foundation maintains consistent operations. The total payout rate of 8.1% exceeds the IRS minimum, indicating the foundation prioritizes mission delivery over endowment preservation.

• Historic Preservation Activity: The IRS filing describes ongoing work in "beautification and restoration or preservation of historically or architecturally significant properties in Georgia through acquisition, restoration and sale," with monitoring of restrictive covenants. This suggests the foundation actively acquires, restores, and transfers historic properties with preservation easements.

• Physical Presence in Savannah: Located on Pulaski Square at the corner of Harris Street and Barnard Street in Savannah's Historic District, the foundation maintains regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm), providing a physical base for community engagement and book sales.

## Application Tips

The Beehive Foundation is primarily an operating foundation focused on publishing and preservation, with secondary grantmaking. Organizations seeking support should:

1. Align With Southern Cultural Heritage: The foundation's entire mission centers on Georgia and Southern cultural and social history. Proposals must demonstrate direct relevance to this theme — whether through historical research, preservation projects, educational programs, or cultural documentation related to the American South.

2. Contact Directly: Email info@beehivefoundation.org or call 912-236-4870. The foundation is open Monday through Friday, 10am-4pm, and can also be visited in person at 208 W. Harris Street on Pulaski Square in Savannah, GA 31401.

3. Explore Publishing Partnerships: For scholars and historians working on Southern history topics, the foundation's publishing program may be the most relevant opportunity. Propose book projects, manuscript collaborations, or research partnerships that could expand the Beehive Press catalog.

4. Historic Preservation Projects: Organizations working on preservation of architecturally or historically significant properties in Georgia should emphasize connections to the foundation's existing preservation work, particularly in Savannah's Historic District.

5. Modest Grant Expectations: With annual grantmaking of approximately $250K and a large portion of expenses going to operations, individual grants are likely in the $5,000-$50,000 range. Focus on specific, well-defined projects rather than general operating support.

6. Leverage the Savannah Preservation Network: The foundation is deeply embedded in Savannah's preservation community. Connections through the Historic Savannah Foundation, Savannah College of Art and Design, and other local preservation organizations can provide warm introductions.