Updated Oct 28, 2026
Private foundations based in North Carolina
721 grantmaking foundations headquartered in North Carolina, holding $22B in assets. Ranked by grants paid in their latest 990-PF; 27 on this page say they accept applications. For foundations ranked by where their grants went, see local funders.
| Foundation | Based in | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke Endowmentsince 1938 | Charlotte, NC | $251M480 grants · 2024 | $200K | Yes | $5.0B |
| Dogwood Health Trustsince 2019 | Asheville, NC | $148M835 grants · 2024 | $38K | Yes | $1.9B |
| The Leon Levine Foundationsince 1981 | Charlotte, NC | $58M522 grants · 2024 | $60K | Yes | $671M |
| Burroughs Wellcome Fundsince 1972 | Rtp, NC | $40M1 grants · 2024 | $40M | Yes | $886M |
| Sall Family Foundation Incsince 1992 | Cary, NC | $36M79 grants · 2024 | $125K | Preselected only | $107M |
| C D Spangler Foundation Incsince 1960 | Charlotte, NC | $28M131 grants · 2025 | $28K | Preselected only | $740M |
| Bill & Peggy Britt Foundation Incsince 2022 | Chapel Hill, NC | $25M7 grants · 2025 | $5.0M | Preselected only | $57M |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundationsince 2002 | Durham, NC | $25M1 grants · 2024 | $25M | Yes | $217M |
| Bolick Foundationsince 2017 | Conover, NC | $24M104 grants · 2025 | $50K | Preselected only | $55M |
| Smith Richardson Foundation Incsince 1948 | Greensboro, NC | $23M282 grants · 2024 | $50K | Yes | $558M |
| The Eddie and Jo Allison Smith Family Foundation Incsince 1994 | Greenville, NC | $21M206 grants · 2024 | $5,492 | Preselected only | $302M |
| Anonymous Trustsince 2010 | Raleigh, NC | $20M347 grants · 2025 | $3,000 | Yes | $111M |
| The Ezrah Charitable Trustsince 2016 | Charlotte, NC | $19M18 grants · 2024 | $500K | Preselected only | $498M |
| Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation Incorporatedsince 1954 | Winston Salem, NC | $18M76 grants · 2024 | $203K | Yes | $182M |
| Charles a Cannon Charitable Trust N0 Onesince 1981 | Concord, NC | $17M133 grants · 2025 | $48K | Preselected only | $415M |
| The Merancas Foundation Incsince 1990 | Charlotte, NC | $16M140 grants · 2025 | $50K | Yes | $174M |
| John William Pope Foundationsince 1986 | Raleigh, NC | $15M259 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $121M |
| Morehead Cain Foundationsince 1948 | Chapel Hill, NC | $15M422 grants · 2024 | $27K | Yes | $225M |
| John M Belk Endowmentsince 1996 | Charlotte, NC | $15M86 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $379M |
| Cannon Foundation Incsince 1948 | Concord, NC | $15M218 grants · 2024 | $50K | Yes | $352M |
| Goodnight Educational Foundationsince 2000 | Cary, NC | $9.2M25 grants · 2025 | $50K | Preselected only | $186M |
| R B Terry Charitable Foundation Incsince 1999 | High Point, NC | $9.0M3 grants · 2024 | $4.5M | Preselected only | $202M |
| Robb and Veda Kaufman Holiness Advancement Foundationsince 2023 | Lexington, NC | $7.0M97 grants · 2025 | $14K | Preselected only | $109M |
| Ally Charitable Foundationsince 2020 | Charlotte, NC | $6.9M182 grants · 2024 | $20K | Yes | $90M |
| The David Belk Cannon Foundationsince 2002 | Gastonia, NC | $6.2M40 grants · 2024 | $53K | Preselected only | $133M |
| The Gambrell Foundationsince 1999 | Charlotte, NC | $5.2M28 grants · 2024 | $110K | Preselected only | $173M |
| Berry Charitable Foundationsince 2012 | Greensboro, NC | $5.1M15 grants · 2024 | $250K | Preselected only | $75M |
| The@w Duke Kimbrell Family Foundationsince 2005 | Gastonia, NC | $5.0M9 grants · 2024 | $500K | Preselected only | $97M |
| Dowd Foundation Incsince 1951 | Charlotte, NC | $4.4M162 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $80M |
| Dickson Foundation Incsince 1952 | Charlotte, NC | $3.8M165 grants · 2024 | $2,000 | Yes | $65M |
| The William R Kenan Jr Fundsince 1983 | Chapel Hill, NC | $3.8M1 grants · 2024 | $3.8M | Preselected only | $65M |
| The Asha and Sajjan Agarwal Foundationsince 2008 | Raleigh, NC | $3.7M24 grants · 2024 | $63K | Preselected only | $134M |
| George and Sarah Buchanan Foundationsince 2006 | Greensboro, NC | $3.7M82 grants · 2024 | $30K | Yes | $66M |
| Reynolds American Foundationsince 1986 | Winston Salem, NC | $3.5M280 grants · 2024 | $460 | Yes | $56M |
| David R Hayworth Foundationsince 1987 | Winston Salem, NC | $3.3M33 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $49M |
| McMichael Family Foundationsince 1992 | Madison, NC | $3.3M11 grants · 2024 | $192K | Preselected only | $46M |
| Skeebo Foundationsince 2014 | Charlotte, NC | $3.1M4 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $108M |
| Luddy Charitable Foundationsince 2003 | Raleigh, NC | $3.0M1 grants · 2024 | $3.0M | Preselected only | $61M |
| Cape Fear Memorial Foundationsince 1996 | Wilmington, NC | $2.9M43 grants · 2024 | $60K | Yes | $75M |
| The Joseph M Bryan Foundation of Greater Greensboro Incsince 1988 | Greensboro, NC | $2.9M59 grants · 2024 | $15K | Preselected only | $48M |
| North Carolina Gsk Foundation Incsince 1986 | Durham, NC | $2.8M21 grants · 2025 | $68K | Yes | $78M |
| Louis Dejoy and Aldona Z Wos Family Foundation Incsince 2005 | Greensboro, NC | $2.7M39 grants · 2024 | $18K | Yes | $44M |
| H Smith Richardson Charitable Trustsince 1972 | Greensboro, NC | $2.7M5 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $68M |
| Gipson Family Foundationsince 1997 | Raleigh, NC | $2.7M71 grants · 2025 | $10K | Yes | $83M |
| Troon Foundationsince 2012 | Elon, NC | $2.7M43 grants · 2024 | $35K | Preselected only | $49M |
| Blanche and Julian Robertson Family Foundationsince 1998 | Salisbury, NC | $2.7M1 grants · 2025 | $2.7M | Yes | $60M |
| NC Ideasince 2002 | Durham, NC | $2.6M190 grants · 2024 | $7,500 | Yes | $52M |
| Kulynych Family Foundation II Incsince 1996 | Charlotte, NC | $2.5M1 grants · 2024 | $2.5M | Yes | $50M |
| Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation Incsince 2000 | Greensboro, NC | $2.3M57 grants · 2024 | $14K | Yes | $46M |
| John Rex Endowmentsince 1999 | Raleigh, NC | $2.3M48 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $72M |
| Strickland Family Foundationsince 1995 | Winston Salem, NC | $2.2M114 grants · 2024 | $3,500 | Yes | $51M |
| Grace Jones Richardson Trsince 1964 | Greensboro, NC | $2.2M329 grants · 2024 | $3,500 | Preselected only | $81M |
| Foundation for a Healthy High Pointsince 2014 | High Point, NC | $2.0M32 grants · 2025 | $50K | Yes | $63M |
| Kermit G Phillips II Charitable Trsince 2002 | Greensboro, NC | $1.5M9 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $50M |
| William R Kenan Jr Charitable Trustsince 2012 | Chapel Hill, NC | — | — | Not stated | $665M |
| Kate B Reynolds Charitable Trustsince 1983 | Winston Salem, NC | — | — | Not stated | $564M |
| Bissell Ballantyne Legacy Fdnsince 2023 | Charlotte, NC | — | — | Yes | $183M |
| The Rauch Family Foundationsince 1990 | Durham, NC | — | — | Not stated | $108M |
| Earl and Kathryn Congdon Family Foundationsince 2015 | High Point, NC | — | — | Not stated | $89M |
| Joan H Gillings Foundationsince 2015 | Writsvlle Bch, NC | — | — | Not stated | $44M |
Sources: IRS Business Master File (assets), ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and IRS 990-PF e-file (grants paid, application policy). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own Part XV checkbox.
Open grant programs in North Carolina
All 3| Deadline | Grant | Funder | Award ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rollingno deadline | North Carolina Arts Council — Organizational GrantsStateNorth Carolina Arts Council | North Carolina Arts Council | Not listed |
| Rollingno deadline | North Carolina Humanities — Humanities GrantsStateNorth Carolina Humanities | North Carolina Humanities | Not listed |
Common questions
How many private foundations are based in North Carolina?
Our directory lists 721 private grantmaking foundations in North Carolina with at least $1 million in assets, holding a combined $22B. The data comes from the IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File and Form 990-PF.
How do I get a grant from a private foundation?
Start with foundations that already fund organizations like yours nearby. Read the grantee list on each profile, check whether the foundation accepts applications (it says so on its 990-PF), and lead with a short letter of inquiry. Many family foundations fund only organizations they already know; an introduction through a shared grantee or board member works better than a cold proposal.
Can you help us approach foundations?
Yes. Our grant writers research foundation prospects, write letters of inquiry, and build a foundation fundraising plan. Request a free consultation.