A E Finley Foundation Inc logo

A E Finley Foundation Inc

RALEIGH, NC EIN: 56-6057379 Website

The A.E. Finley Foundation is a private foundation based in Raleigh, North Carolina, established in 1957 to perpetuate the philanthropic legacy of Albert Earle Finley. The foundation operates with an all-volunteer board and no paid staff, maintaining low overhead while maximizing charitable impact. With total assets of approximately $29.7 million, the foundation distributes roughly $1.3 million annually to nonprofit organizations.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$29.7M

-1.1% YoY

Annual Giving

$1.3M

+16.3% YoY

Grant Count

70

+32.1% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$19K

-11.9% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation's mission is to continue the legacy of giving reflected in A.E. Finley's values by providing opportunities for individuals to recognize their self-worth and pursue their life goals, and to provide relief, comfort, and support to those in need.

The foundation provides grants in the following priority areas:

  • Educational and life skills training
  • Job readiness and meaningful work
  • Human and community services
  • Athletic and recreational programs
  • Operating support for nonprofits
  • Facility maintenance and capital improvements
  • Financial aid and scholarships

The foundation's giving framework emphasizes that nonprofit services and programs be offered within a free market that provides economic opportunity for all.

Grantmaking

The foundation provides grants across four main categories:

Grant Range

$1,000 - $333,285

Average Grant

varies by category, ranging from approximately $10,607 for operating support to $294,405 for facility maintenance and financial aid combinations

Grant Types

**

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation primarily supports organizations in North Carolina, with additional funding activity in Georgia, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Grant Distribution by State

8states

Cities

ArlingtonAshevilleAthensAydenBel AirBlack MountainBooneCaryChapel HillCharlotteChathamDurhamGarnerGreensboroGreenvilleLake JunaluskaMadisonMills RiverMorehead CityMorrisville

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Assets & Revenue (2024):

  • Total Assets: $29.7 million
  • Total Revenue: $1.23 million
  • Investment Income and Dividends: $658,225
  • Net Rental Income: $67,443

Expenses & Giving (2024):

  • Total Expenses: $1.56 million
  • Total Grants Awarded: $1.2 - $1.35 million
  • Giving Rate: 3.9%

Tax Status:

  • 501(c)(3) organization
  • Tax-exempt since July 1959
  • EIN: 56-6057379
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$1M$2M$3M$5M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$29,717,102$30,047,739$30,364,540
Revenue$1,228,057$1,113,107$3,006,229
Expenses$1,564,166$1,372,572$1,447,674
Qualifying Distributions$1,361,207$1,168,324$1,195,645
Net Investment Income$1,041,349$921,634$2,791,555
Distributable Amount$1,393,814$1,248,303$1,256,676

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$354K$708K$1M$1M43 grants202052 grants202147 grants202253 grants202370 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

RAVENSCROFT SCHOOL$317KNCSU WOLFPACK CLUB$127KDUKE UNIVERSITY$79KHARGRAVE MILITARY ACADEMY$79KSAMARITAN'S PURSE$15KALLIANCE MEDICAL MINISTRY$13KPROVIDENCE BAPTIST CHURCH$10KSAVING GRACE ANIMALS FOR…$10KCLI PRISON ALLIANCE$8KNC TENNIS FOUNDATION$8K

Grant Size Distribution

240 grants across all recorded years

203<$50K21$50–100K11$100–250K5$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The foundation operates with an all-volunteer board:

  • Duke Finley – Board Chairman/President
  • Vic Bell – Vice President
  • Kevin Anderson – Secretary
  • Ann Dillon – Family Director
  • Jim Welch – Director
  • Joe Velk – Independent Director
  • Giny Wheeler – Independent Director
  • Mary Moss – Independent Director

All board members serve on a voluntary basis without compensation.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
DUKE FINLEYCHAIRMAN/PRESIDENT4
VIC BELLVICE PRESIDENT4
ANN DILLONSECRETARY4
GINY WHEELERDIRECTOR4
JIM WELCHDIRECTOR4

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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