Borden Foundation
Borden Foundation is a private foundation based in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, with most grant dollars going to recipients in North Carolina and additional support in Virginia, South Carolina, and Washington, DC.
Borden Foundation at a glance
In short: Borden Foundation gave $188K across 34 grants in 2025 (avg $6K), mostly in North Carolina. 27% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $187,900
- +18.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 34
- +9.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $5,526
- +8.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $4,500
- Total assets
- $2,581,073
- +8.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (9 of 33, 2025)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (75% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Borden Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: Po Drawer P, Goldsboro, NC 27533
Phone: (919) 583-8004
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Borden Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Boys and Girls Clubs ($25K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $125K.
Grant Size Distribution
166 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 165 grants of 166 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 75% of grant dollars went to North Carolina recipients, 15% to Virginia, 7% to South Carolina, and 3% to Washington, DC.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 34 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Borden Foundation open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 9 of 33 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $5K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 64% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 140% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 96% 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 (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $60K (2019) to $188K (2025). In 2025 it made 34 grants totaling $188K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boys and Girls Clubs Raleigh, NC | Program Support | $20,000 |
| United Way-Wayne County Goldsboro, NC | Program Support | $15,000 |
| Wake Med Foundation Raleigh, NC | Program Support | $15,000 |
| NC Aquarium Society Raleigh, NC | Program Support | $12,500 |
| Wayne County Development Alliance Goldsboro, NC | Program Support | $12,500 |
| Clemson University Foundation Clemson, SC | Program Support | $10,000 |
| Duke University Durham, NC | Program Support | $10,000 |
| Shrine Mont Orkney Springs, VA | Program Support | $10,000 |
| Wake Relief Raleigh, NC | Program Support | $10,000 |
| A Place to Be Middleburg, VA | Program Support | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Borden 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,581,073 | $409,800 | $201,309 | $187,900 | 34 | $190,075 | $398,566 | $198,310 |
| 2024 | $2,372,582 | $338,622 | $166,296 | $158,150 | 31 | $160,613 | $404,868 | $189,350 |
| 2023 | $2,200,256 | $286,267 | $162,450 | $160,200 | 25 | $162,050 | $225,334 | $158,289 |
| 2022 | $2,076,439 | $1,485,686 | $81,883 | $78,150 | 31 | $80,321 | $56,499 | $89,698 |
| 2021 | $672,636 | $64,279 | $115,578 | $112,880 | 45 | $114,430 | $85,363 | $80,915 |
| 2020 | $723,935 | $72,935 | $97,501 | $85,600 | 42 | — | $59,379 | $66,138 |
| 2019 | $748,501 | $64,456 | $71,055 | $59,550 | 46 | — | $51,574 | $66,894 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Borden Foundation reported a distributable amount of $198K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The available filing information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2025 grants show support for a range of organizations. Grantees’ own descriptions include Shrine Mont’s provision of a place for rest, devotion, fellowship, learning, and education; Clemson University Foundation’s support of the university’s educational and scientific research purposes; and Winchester Education Foundation’s work promoting educational opportunities and supporting Winchester Public School students, teachers, and staff.
Other 2025 recipients describe work in community integration and employment services (Wayne Opportunity Center), music therapy and expressive arts (A Place to Be), regional public-library support (Friends of Handley Regional Library), downtown development and preservation (Downtown Goldsboro Development Corp), and public display of historical objects and buildings (Old Waynesborough Commission).
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 34 grants totaling $187,900. Grants ranged from $500 to $20,000, with a median of $4,500. The largest grants included $20,000 to Boys and Girls Clubs in Raleigh, North Carolina; $15,000 each to United Way-Wayne County and Wake Med Foundation; and $12,500 each to NC Aquarium Society and Wayne County Development Alliance. Each of these grants was listed for program support.
Other notable 2025 grants included $10,000 each to Clemson University Foundation, Duke University, Shrine Mont, and Wake Relief. A Place to Be received $5,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists W Lee Borden as president and trustee, Martin W Borden as vice president, and Martha B Roberson as secretary.
Borden Foundation is led by W. Lee Borden, President since 2022 (on filings since 2019); none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
W. Lee Borden
President
Assistant Secretary → President, 2022
On filings since 2019
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Martha B. Roberson
Secretary
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Martin W. Borden
Vice President
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Edwin B. Borden (2019–2021) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 Borden Foundation
How much does Borden Foundation give each year?
Borden Foundation gave $188K across 34 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $158K across 31 grants.
What is Borden Foundation's typical grant size?
Borden Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $4,500, and its average grant was $5,526, across 34 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Borden Foundation that year got $8K on average.
Where does Borden Foundation give grants?
Borden Foundation gives mostly in North Carolina: 75% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Virginia (15%) and South Carolina (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Goldsboro, NC (14 grants), Raleigh, NC (6 grants), Winchester, VA (4 grants) and Chapel Hill, NC (2 grants).
Does Borden Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 34 grants with a stated purpose on Borden Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (34 grants).
Who are Borden Foundation's largest grantees?
Borden Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Boys and Girls Clubs ($25,000 across 2 grants), United Way-Wayne County ($15,000) and Wake Med Foundation ($15,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Borden Foundation?
Borden Foundation reported $2.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $190K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $198K (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 Borden Foundation fund?
The available filing information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2025 grants show support for a range of organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Borden Foundation?
The foundation 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 Borden Foundation's EIN?
Borden Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 60-0000581. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Borden 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
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS April 29, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Borden Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in North Carolina
The Borden Fund Inc
Goldsboro, NC
The Borden Fund supports children’s services, the arts, community development, and social services, with most funding going to organizations in North Carolina. Its 2025 grants ranged from $100 to $25,100, with a median of $2,500. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.7M
Grants
42
Total Given
$161K
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
State Employees Credit Union Foundation
Raleigh, NC
The foundation funds capital projects, regional or statewide programs, and organizational capacity building that strengthen North Carolina communities; it favors projects with broad or replicable impact and does not fund operating budgets or shortfalls. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,250 to $1 million, with a median of $2,500. Applications are accepted at any time and typically reviewed semiannually.
Assets
$61.0M
Grants
1,806
Total Given
$17.4M
Foundation for the Carolinas
Charlotte, NC
Foundation For The Carolinas funds education and youth development, environmental and wildlife work, health and human services, and animal welfare, with a reported median grant of $25,000 in 2024. Its competitive programs focus on Charlotte-Mecklenburg, the Carolinas, and specific local communities, while donor-advised funds may support eligible nonprofits more broadly; it accepts applications for some competitive grants, but most grants are recommended by fund advisors and have no application process.
Assets
$3.9B
Grants
1,605
Total Given
$609.1M
Dogwood Health Trust
Asheville, NC
Dogwood Health Trust funds work in housing, education, economic opportunity, and health and wellness that improves wellbeing in Western North Carolina, including its 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,000 to $21 million, with a median of $37,500; application requirements vary by funding opportunity.
Assets
$2.0B
Grants
835
Total Given
$148.2M
More similar funders
More Funders in North Carolina
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Borden Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/borden-foundation-morg_9f57d724d67c4b84a2ccc887b7f95fec
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_600000581_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Borden Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/borden-foundation-morg_9f57d724d67c4b84a2ccc887b7f95fec},
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 Borden 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.
Borden Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?