Arts Sciences & Cultural Council of Charlotte Mecklenburg Inc
Arts Sciences & Cultural Council of Charlotte Mecklenburg Inc is a public charity based in Charlotte, North Carolina. It supports arts, science, history, and cultural activity in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community through grantmaking, cultural education, public art, advocacy, planning, and resources for cultural organizations and creative individuals.
Arts Sciences & Cultural Council of Charlotte Mecklenburg Inc at a glance
In short: Arts Sciences & Cultural Council of Charlotte Mecklenburg Inc gave $6.0M across 92 grants in 2025 (avg $65K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $5,979,695
- Grants made (2025)
- 92
- Average grant
- $64,997
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $5,388,300
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Arts Sciences & Cultural Council of Charlotte Mecklenburg Inc
- How to Apply
-
The Community Connector Grant requires an online application; the Strategic Investment Grant has a one-application-per-cycle policy and requires applicants to meet its eligibility and matching requirements.
- Review Cycle
- For the Strategic Investment Grant, the council gives preference to applications received by October 5, 2026, at noon; applications are accepted on a rolling basis until funding is allocated.
- Deadline
- For the Strategic Investment Grant, the council gives preference to applications received by October 5, 2026, at noon;…
- Contact
Mailing address: 220 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Phone: (704) 973-4500
Website: https://artsandscience.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Arts Sciences & Cultural Council of Charlotte Mecklenburg Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Arts & Science Council ($483K). Together the top 10 received $2.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
92 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 65 grants of 92 (71%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The council’s stated work centers on Charlotte-Mecklenburg, including Mecklenburg County and six suburban towns. In 2025, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 92 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2025 it made 92 grants totaling $6.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Arts & Science Council Charlotte, NC | Operating Support Grant | $482,850 |
| Bechtler Museum of Modern Art Charlotte, NC | Operating Support Grant | $343,195 |
| Cornelius Arts Community Center Inc Cornelius, NC | Operating Support Grant | $323,500 |
| Carolina Raptor Center Inc Huntersville, NC | Education Support Grant | $292,500 |
| Charlotte Ballet Charlotte, NC | Culture Blocks Program Investment | $275,211 |
| Operating Support Grant Charlotte, NC | Operating Support Grant | $250,000 |
| Charlotte Symphony Orchestra Society Inc Charlotte, NC | Education Support Grant | $237,936 |
| Childrens Theatre of Charlotte Charlotte, NC | Culture Blocks Program Investment | $236,303 |
| Charlotte Museum of History Inc Charlotte, NC | Operating Support Grant | $225,000 |
| Discovery Place Inc Charlotte, NC | Education Support Grant | $225,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5,388,300 | $14,351,021 | $8,977,873 | $5,979,695 | 92 | $3,557 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The council’s mission is to foster an inclusive, sustainable, culturally rich, and engaged community where arts, science, and history enhance quality of life. Its stated values include equity, community-centered work, collaboration, accessibility, and accountability.
Its programs include Culture Blocks, which brings arts and cultural experiences close to where residents live, and Artist Support Grants, which support professional and artistic development for emerging and established artists. The council also describes grantmaking for cultural education experiences, festivals, creative individuals, professional development, and organizations.
The 2025 filing lists operating, education, and Culture Blocks program investment grants. Among the recipients, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art says it presents exhibitions and programs exploring its modern art collection; Cain Center for the Arts says it provides visual arts, performing arts, and social experiences in the Lake Norman region; and Charlotte Ballet says its work creates connections and educational opportunities through dance. Charlotte Museum of History describes its work as interpreting and preserving Charlotte’s history through education and inclusive storytelling.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the council reported 92 grants totaling $5,979,695. Grants ranged from $5,330 to $482,850, with a median grant of $20,000. The largest listed awards included $482,850 to Arts & Science Council for operating support, $343,195 to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art for operating support, $323,500 to Cornelius Arts Community Center for operating support, and $292,500 to Carolina Raptor Center for education support. Other notable awards included $275,211 to Charlotte Ballet and $236,303 to Children’s Theatre of Charlotte for Culture Blocks program investment, and $237,936 to Charlotte Symphony Orchestra for education support.
The council’s Community Connector Grants support Charlotte-Mecklenburg nonprofits and creative individuals developing or expanding programs that broaden participation and remove barriers to arts and cultural experiences. The FY26 application window closed April 8, 2026. The website lists awards of up to $25,000 for nonprofits and up to $20,000 for creative individuals, for project-based support. Its Strategic Investment Grant is designed for established Charlotte-Mecklenburg nonprofits whose primary mission is in arts, science, history, or heritage, for one-time strategic projects. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) public charities with a determination letter and current tax filings in good standing. Requests can be up to $50,000; requests over $10,000 require a 50% match, and organizations with operating budgets of $1.25 million or more must provide matching funds. The council states that the Strategic Investment Grant cycle opened September 8, 2026, and accepts applications on a rolling basis until funds are allocated.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Laura Yates Clark as board chair and Marcie Kelso as vice chair. It lists Allison Allen, Patrick Diamond, Julie Eiselt, Jenni Gaisbauer, Angelia Grant, Leslie Johnson, Julia Martin, and Melissa McVey as members.
Arts Sciences & Cultural Council of Charlotte Mecklenburg Inc is led by Adam Santalla Pierce, President on the 2025 filing; 1 of 16 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Adam Santalla Pierce
President
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$23K (2025)
Laura Yates Clark
Board Chair
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Allison Allen
Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Angelia Grant
Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles Thomas
Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jenni Gaisbauer
Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julia Martin
Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julie Eiselt
Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leslie Johnson
Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Liliana Wendorff
Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Luis Tochiki
Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marcie Kelso
Vice Chair
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melissa McVey
Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nalan Mulder
Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Diamond
Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sam Spencer
Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $23K, to Adam Santalla Pierce (President (As of 10/24)).
Frequently asked questions about Arts Sciences & Cultural Council of Charlotte Mecklenburg Inc
How much does Arts Sciences & Cultural Council of Charlotte Mecklenburg Inc give each year?
Arts Sciences & Cultural Council of Charlotte Mecklenburg Inc gave $6.0M across 92 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990.
What is Arts Sciences & Cultural Council of Charlotte Mecklenburg Inc's typical grant size?
Arts Sciences & Cultural Council of Charlotte Mecklenburg Inc's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $64,997, across 92 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Arts Sciences & Cultural Council of Charlotte Mecklenburg Inc give grants?
Arts Sciences & Cultural Council of Charlotte Mecklenburg Inc gives mostly in North Carolina: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Charlotte, NC (63 grants), Matthews, NC (8 grants), Mint Hill, NC (5 grants) and Davidson, NC (4 grants).
Does Arts Sciences & Cultural Council of Charlotte Mecklenburg Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 16% of Arts Sciences & Cultural Council of Charlotte Mecklenburg Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (15 of 92) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Culture Blocks Program Investment" (46 grants), "Education Support Grant" (14 grants) and "School Funding Investment" (9 grants).
Who are Arts Sciences & Cultural Council of Charlotte Mecklenburg Inc's largest grantees?
Arts Sciences & Cultural Council of Charlotte Mecklenburg Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Arts & Science Council ($482,850), Bechtler Museum of Modern Art ($343,195) and Cornelius Arts Community Center Inc ($323,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 19% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Arts Sciences & Cultural Council of Charlotte Mecklenburg Inc?
Arts Sciences & Cultural Council of Charlotte Mecklenburg Inc reported $5.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $14.4M.
What does Arts Sciences & Cultural Council of Charlotte Mecklenburg Inc fund?
The council’s mission is to foster an inclusive, sustainable, culturally rich, and engaged community where arts, science, and history enhance quality of life. Its stated values include equity, community-centered work, collaboration, accessibility, and accountability. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Arts Sciences & Cultural Council of Charlotte Mecklenburg Inc?
The Community Connector Grant requires an online application; the Strategic Investment Grant has a one-application-per-cycle policy and requires applicants to meet its eligibility and matching requirements. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Arts Sciences & Cultural Council of Charlotte Mecklenburg Inc's EIN?
Arts Sciences & Cultural Council of Charlotte Mecklenburg Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 99-4002299. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Arts Sciences & Cultural Council of Charlotte Mecklenburg Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/arts-sciences-and-cultural-council-of-charlotte-mecklenburg-inc-morg_e3ef47ed55344d868880be688046717f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_994002299_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Arts Sciences \& Cultural Council of Charlotte Mecklenburg Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/arts-sciences-and-cultural-council-of-charlotte-mecklenburg-inc-morg_e3ef47ed55344d868880be688046717f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. 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 Arts Sciences & Cultural Council of Charlotte Mecklenburg Inc'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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