Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation
The Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Its 2024 grants supported charitable organizations working in areas including arts education, cosmetology education, youth programs, health and fitness, disability services, and community support.
Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation gave $1.1M across 29 grants in 2024 (avg $37K), mostly in North Carolina. 7% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,070,000
- +0.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 29
- -3.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $36,897
- +3.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $22,132,258
- +7.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 7% first-time grantees (2 of 29, 2024)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (93% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 810 Colville Road, Charlotte, NC 28207
Phone: (704) 375-5937
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Arts Plus ($270K). Together the top 10 received $786K.
Grant Size Distribution
150 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 135 grants of 150 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 93% of grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina. The remaining grant dollars went to Pennsylvania (3%), Vermont (3%), and South Carolina (1%). Listed recipients include organizations in the Charlotte area and elsewhere in North Carolina, as well as recipients in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Barre, Vermont.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 29 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation open to new grantees?
7%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 29 grantees (7%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $101K; repeat grants $32K. How we count
Medians: $101K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 93% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 30% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 88% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF 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 $823K (2021) to $1.1M (2022). In 2024 it made 29 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Arts Plus Charlotte, NC | Arts Education Organization | $270,000 |
| Paramount Institute of Cosmetic Arts Gastonia, NC | Operational Support | $200,000 |
| Knothole Foundation Charlotte, NC | Promote baseball in underserved communities | $100,000 |
| Carolina Thread Trail CharLOTTE, NC | assist communities plan and develop connecting trails in a 15 county area surrounding Charlotte | $35,500 |
| Pirates Charities Pittsburgh, PA | Youth Health, Fitness, and Education Programs | $30,000 |
| Right Moves for Youth Inc Charlotte, NC | Work with students to improve school attendance, improve behavior, and engage in education. | $30,000 |
| YMCA of Greater Charlotte Charlotte, NC | Health, Fitness, and Education Programs | $30,000 |
| Philips Academy of North Carolina Inc Charlotte, NC | School for Students with Learning Disabilities and Autism | $30,000 |
| Charlotte Knights Charities Charlotte, NC | Health, Fitness, and Education Programs | $30,000 |
| Good Samaritan Haven Barre, VT | Operational Support | $30,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $22,132,258 | $3,444,830 | $1,332,568 | $1,070,000 | 29 | $1,084,250 | $2,422,391 | $1,235,470 |
| 2023 | $20,585,001 | $2,042,958 | $1,300,291 | $1,067,000 | 30 | $1,069,200 | $1,311,673 | $1,076,495 |
| 2022 | $19,983,632 | $2,013,539 | $1,408,947 | $1,107,000 | 32 | $1,109,125 | $1,387,951 | $1,069,545 |
| 2021 | $19,344,975 | $4,278,287 | $1,098,661 | $823,000 | 30 | $825,315 | $3,305,122 | $1,109,626 |
| 2020 | $16,382,102 | $2,511,260 | $1,011,307 | $830,000 | 29 | — | $1,791,880 | $826,291 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for a range of organizations and activities. For example, Arts Plus is described in the grant filing as an arts education organization, while the Knothole Foundation says its mission is to promote baseball in underserved communities and create opportunities for underserved youth. Right Moves for Youth says it helps students graduate from high school with a plan for future success. Other 2024 recipients include a school serving students with learning and cognitive disabilities, a trail organization, and a provider of shelter and support services for people experiencing homelessness.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 29 grants totaling $1,070,000. Awards ranged from $1,000 to $270,000, with a median of $20,000.
The largest listed grants included $270,000 to Arts Plus for an arts education organization and $200,000 to Paramount Institute of Cosmetic Arts for operational support. Other notable awards were $100,000 to the Knothole Foundation, $35,500 to Carolina Thread Trail, and $30,000 each to Pirates Charities, Right Moves for Youth, YMCA of Greater Charlotte, Philips Academy of North Carolina, Charlotte Knights Charities, and Good Samaritan Haven.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation is led by Bill Allen, President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Bill Allen
President & Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Scribner
Trust Officer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation
How much does Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation give each year?
Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation gave $1.1M across 29 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.1M across 30 grants.
What is Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $36,897, across 29 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation that year got $101K on average.
Where does Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation give grants?
Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation gives mostly in North Carolina: 93% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Charlotte, NC (19 grants), Pittsburgh, PA (3 grants) and Gastonia, NC (2 grants).
Does Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 34% of Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (10 of 29) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Arts Plus ($270,000), Paramount Institute of Cosmetic Arts ($200,000) and Knothole Foundation ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 53% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation?
Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation reported $22.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation fund?
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for a range of organizations and activities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation's EIN?
Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-5854617. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Bill and Sharon Allen Family 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-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Duke Energy Foundation
Charlotte, NC
The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce and local economic development, disaster resilience, conservation, clean water, and economic opportunity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000; applications for grants of $20,000 or less are accepted year-round, after applicants discuss proposals with a state representative.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
41
Total Given
$25.6M
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Hooptee Charities Inc
Matthews, NC
Hooptee Charities, inc. Is organized to promote the education, health, physical fitness, and well-being of underprivileged children through scholarships for camps and other education and athletic programs.
Assets
$839K
Grants
0
Total Given
$4K
The Presbyterian Hospital
Winston-Salem, NC
The Presbyterian Hospital funds community outreach, particularly health-related services, while also supporting arts, cultural, regional, and literacy initiatives. In 2024, it made 58 grants ranging from $5,145 to $503,571 (median $14,275), with 88% of grant dollars going to North Carolina. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.8B
Grants
58
Total Given
$2.9M
Merancas Foundation Inc
Charlotte, NC
The Merancas Foundation funds nonprofits addressing economic hardship, especially through education, affordable housing, and services that support individual and community wellbeing. Its 2025 grants ranged from $10,000 to $1.8 million, with a median of $50,000, and it focuses on the Charlotte, Atlanta, and Trenton metropolitan areas. It accepts unsolicited requests through an online “Are We a Match” process; full proposals are by invitation for pre-approved applicants and current partners.
Assets
$174.4M
Grants
140
Total Given
$16.2M
Foundation for the Charlotte Jewish Community
Charlotte, NC
The Foundation supports Jewish programs and services, education, arts and culture, and other charitable work including human services, health, housing, and youth development. Its 2024 grants had a median of about $23,600, with awards ranging from $5,250 to over $2.1 million; 84% of grant dollars went to North Carolina organizations. It grants only to approved 501(c)(3) organizations, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$228.6M
Grants
82
Total Given
$8.5M
More similar funders
More Funders in North Carolina
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/bill-and-sharon-allen-family-foundation-morg_b2a3eb2b2dcc4716ad45ef5c75b4c483
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_205854617_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/bill-and-sharon-allen-family-foundation-morg_b2a3eb2b2dcc4716ad45ef5c75b4c483},
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 Bill and Sharon Allen Family 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.
Bill and Sharon Allen Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?