The Barnes Family Foundation is a private family foundation based in Durham, North Carolina, established in 2013 and tax-exempt since June 2014. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting hyper-local, hyper-public nonprofit organizations that strengthen foundational structures for individuals.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$20.4M
+6.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.7M
+72.6% YoY
Grant Count
14
-58.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$125K
+319.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: The foundation's mission is to support and reinforce the foundational structure of the individual. The organization seeks to help hyper-local, hyper-public nonprofit organizations that educate, promote, and refine the knowledge, skills, and abilities in order to help individuals attain the agency and liberty for a practical, productive, and fulfilling life.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Child Development
- Education
- Health Care
- Literacy
- Senior Support
- Community
- Food Insecurity
- Homelessness
- Mental Well Being
- Substance Abuse / Recovery
Grantmaking
The Barnes Family Foundation has awarded over $9 million in grants since its inception. In 2023, the foundation made 32 grants. Recent notable grants include:
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports organizations across multiple states including North Carolina, Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia. The foundation demonstrates particular focus on North Carolina communities, with special emphasis on the Durham area.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $19,121,891
- Total Revenue: $1,442,216
- Total Expenses: $1,115,376
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Grants and Contributions: $1,428,970
Revenue Composition (2023):
- Investment income and dividends: $443,367
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: -$430,121
The foundation is supported by MM Fowler Inc.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $20,427,892 | $19,121,891 | $18,807,893 |
| Revenue | $3,196,886 | $1,442,216 | $1,997,544 |
| Expenses | $1,893,847 | $1,115,376 | $1,116,088 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,746,350 | $1,012,966 | $1,021,250 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,675,821 | $363,177 | $297,777 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,347,091 | $1,055,166 | $1,013,521 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
162 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Marvin L. Barnes serves as President and Treasurer of the foundation. Other family members hold key positions including Vice President and Trustee roles. Board members do not receive compensation for their service.
Dr. Lee Barnes is identified as an established Durham business owner and community member who has been instrumental in major foundation gifts.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARVIN L BARNES | PRESIDENT/TREASURER | 3 | — |
| MATTHEW A BARNES | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| MARVIN L BARNES JR | VICE PRESIDENT/ SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| MICHAEL L BARNES | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| MARVIN L BARNES III | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**October 2025:** The Barnes Family Foundation announced a $3 million gift to the Carolina Theatre of Durham—the single largest gift in the theater's 100-year history. The donation supports the historic nonprofit theater's ongoing maintenance and its Centennial Celebration. The gift included the unveiling of the newly named Barnes Box Office and Barnes Stage.
Barnes Family Foundation Donates $3M to the Carolina Theatre of Durham -The foundation has also made significant contributions to the Museum of Life and Science, demonstrating ongoing commitment to major cultural and educational institutions in the region.
Barnes Family Foundation donates $2 million to the Museum of Life ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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