Aj Fletcher Foundation
The A.J. Fletcher Foundation is a Form 990 public charity based in Raleigh, North Carolina, formed in 1975. It supports The Fletcher Academy, School of Achievement, Inc., and makes grants to public charities in North Carolina or serving North Carolina residents.
Aj Fletcher Foundation at a glance
In short: Aj Fletcher Foundation gave $8.8M across 70 grants in 2024 (avg $126K), mostly in North Carolina. 49% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $8,828,250
- +32.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 70
- +14.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $126,118
- +15.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $279,221,023
- +5.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 49% first-time grantees (34 of 70, 2024)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (98% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Aj Fletcher Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests, letters of inquiry, or proposals. It invites a select group of organizations to apply based on independent research, community engagement, and strategies aligned with board priorities.
- Contact
Mailing address: 909 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27605
Phone: (919) 322-2580
Website: https://ajf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Aj Fletcher Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Fletcher Academy School of Achievement Inc ($2.7M). Together the top 10 received $5.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
278 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 114 grants of 278 (41%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports public charities located in North Carolina or serving North Carolina residents. In 2024, 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina and 2% to recipients in Washington, DC; Tennessee accounted for 0% as reported.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 70 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Aj Fletcher Foundation open to new grantees?
49%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 34 of 70 grantees (49%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $60K; repeat grants $189K. How we count
Medians: $28K first-time, $80K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $6.0M (2021) to $8.8M (2024). In 2024 it made 70 grants totaling $8.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Fletcher Academy School of Achievement Inc Raleigh, NC | Operations and Facilities Support | $2,675,000 |
| North Carolina Community Foundation Inc Raleigh, NC | Dorothea DIX Park Fund | $1,000,000 |
| UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media Foundation Chapel Hill, NC | Broadcast Studio | $500,000 |
| States Newsroom Chapel Hill, NC | NC Newsline | $285,000 |
| The Shaw University Raleigh, NC | Real Estate & Strategic Development | $250,000 |
| Occoneechee Council Inc Boy Scouts of America #421 Raleigh, NC | Scoutreach access to scouting and cristo rey work study program | $218,750 |
| Healing Transitions Inc Raleigh, NC | Capital Campaign | $200,000 |
| North Carolina Justice Center Raleigh, NC | Education & Communications Project Support | $200,000 |
| Common Cause Education Fund Washington, DC | Campus Education and Outreach | $180,000 |
| Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation Inc Boone, NC | General Obligations and Hospital Capital Campaign | $175,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Aj Fletcher Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $279,221,023 | $12,098,985 | $10,308,195 | $8,828,250 | 70 | $12,149,563 |
| 2023 | $263,837,938 | $6,065,550 | $8,073,377 | $6,672,600 | 61 | $4,698,561 |
| 2022 | $240,226,445 | $103,189,395 | $8,049,293 | $6,205,875 | 63 | $103,189,395 |
| 2021 | $168,653,502 | $53,698,336 | $16,213,183 | $6,017,000 | 51 | $53,726,000 |
| 2020 | $154,919,685 | $78,045,637 | $21,929,107 | $8,253,267 | 33 | $78,086,594 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to support The Fletcher Academy and other public charities located in North Carolina or serving North Carolina residents that work in its listed charitable areas. Its website identifies education and preservation of knowledge, care and support for elderly, infirm or indigent people, mass media and other communication arts, artistic endeavors, public recreation, and religious faith.
The foundation’s filing describes The Fletcher Academy as an independent, co-educational day school serving students in grades 1–12 with learning disabilities and/or attention deficit disorders. Among other 2024 grantees, the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media Foundation says it provides funds for scholarships and student and staff support; States Newsroom describes itself as a nonprofit state-focused news organization; and Healing Transitions describes its work as peer-based recovery services for people experiencing homelessness and addiction. These are descriptions from the grantees themselves.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 70 itemized grants totaling $8,828,250. Grants ranged from $7,500 to $2,675,000, with a median of $50,000. The largest listed awards included $2,675,000 to The Fletcher Academy School of Achievement Inc. for operations and facilities support; $1,000,000 to North Carolina Community Foundation Inc. for the Dorothea Dix Park Fund; $500,000 to the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media Foundation for a broadcast studio; and $285,000 to States Newsroom for NC Newsline.
The filing’s program narrative separately reports grants totaling $6,158,250 for 2024, which does not match the $8,828,250 total for itemized grants in the filing data.
The foundation says grantees must submit annual reports confirming their use of grant funds. It also states that grants benefit organizations located in North Carolina, conducting activities there, or serving North Carolina residents.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing are James F. Goodmon, chairman of the board; Beth Briggs, Maria Spaulding, Michael Goodmon, James Goodmon Jr., and Steve Hammel, directors; Greg Patterson, director/treasurer; Daniel P. McGrath, treasurer/secretary; Barbara L. Goodmon, president; and Damon J. Circosta, vice president/executive director/assistant secretary.
Aj Fletcher Foundation is led by Damon J. Circosta, V.p, Executive Director & Assistant Secretary since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 2 of 11 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Damon J. Circosta
V.p, Executive Director & Assistant Secretary
Vice President & Executive Director → V.p, Executive Director & Assistant Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$146K (2020) → $219K (2024)
Barbara L. Goodmon
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James F. Goodmon
Chairman of the Board
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicole Stewart
Director of Engagment
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$111K (2024)
Beth Briggs
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Greg Patterson
Director & Treasurer
Director → Director & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James F. Goodmon Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maria Spaulding
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Hammel
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Goodmon
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel P. McGrath
Treasurer & Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Micheal Goodmon (2022) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $219K, to Damon J Circosta (V.P/ Exec. DIR./Asst Secre). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Aj Fletcher Foundation
How much does Aj Fletcher Foundation give each year?
Aj Fletcher Foundation gave $8.8M across 70 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $6.7M across 61 grants.
What is Aj Fletcher Foundation's typical grant size?
Aj Fletcher Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $126,118, across 70 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Aj Fletcher Foundation that year got $60K on average.
Where does Aj Fletcher Foundation give grants?
Aj Fletcher Foundation gives mostly in North Carolina: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Raleigh, NC (30 grants), Durham, NC (13 grants), Chapel Hill, NC (3 grants) and Cary, NC (3 grants).
Does Aj Fletcher Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 24% of Aj Fletcher Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (17 of 70) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Capital Campaign" (5 grants) and "Work Study Program" (4 grants).
Who are Aj Fletcher Foundation's largest grantees?
Aj Fletcher Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The Fletcher Academy School of Achievement Inc ($2,675,000), North Carolina Community Foundation Inc ($1,000,000) and UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media Foundation ($500,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 47% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Aj Fletcher Foundation?
Aj Fletcher Foundation reported $279.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $12.1M.
What does Aj Fletcher Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to support The Fletcher Academy and other public charities located in North Carolina or serving North Carolina residents that work in its listed charitable areas. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Aj Fletcher Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests, letters of inquiry, or proposals. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Aj Fletcher Foundation's EIN?
Aj Fletcher Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7423031. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Aj Fletcher Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Aj Fletcher Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/aj-fletcher-foundation-morg_5a2f3c81d14c44bda5ed7ffa79c67d7d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237423031_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Aj Fletcher Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/aj-fletcher-foundation-morg_5a2f3c81d14c44bda5ed7ffa79c67d7d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Aj Fletcher Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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