Brighton Foundation Trust is a private foundation located in Cashiers, North Carolina. Established in March 1998, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization designated for health, general and rehabilitative services. The foundation supports a diverse range of social and cultural causes across multiple U.S. cities and states.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.0M
-5.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$221K
+41.8% YoY
Grant Count
64
-8.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$3K
+55.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Brighton Foundation Trust reported a distributable amount of $237K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation focuses on a wide range of subject areas, including:
- Vulnerable Populations: Children and youth, economically disadvantaged individuals, homeless people, people with disabilities, and people with terminal illnesses
- Arts and Culture: Support for cultural initiatives and artistic endeavors
- Education: General education and higher education programs
- Religion: Particularly Christian organizations and faith-based initiatives
- Human Services: Family services, child welfare, and general human services support
- Health Services: Support for medical services, including free dental clinic operations
Grantmaking
The foundation made 72 grants in its most recent fiscal year (2024). Recent notable grants include:
Ready to take the next step with Brighton Foundation Trust?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds projects across multiple U.S. states and cities, including:
States: Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, and West Virginia
Cities: Asheville, Augusta, Boston, Chicago, and New York City, among others
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $2,010,361
- Total Revenue: $109,787
- Total Expenses: $223,990
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Total Giving: $221,200
The foundation maintains a healthy asset base relative to its annual giving activity.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,010,361 | $2,124,564 | $2,210,753 |
| Revenue | $109,787 | $71,802 | $39,151 |
| Expenses | $223,990 | $157,991 | $184,132 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $222,220 | $156,971 | $183,470 |
| Net Investment Income | $109,532 | $80,181 | $55,010 |
| Distributable Amount | $237,423 | $195,198 | $195,176 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include First Presbyterian Church -highlands ($41,450), Boys and Girls Clubs of the Plateau ($10,000), Highlands Cashiers Hospital Found ($10,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACADEMY PREP FOUNDATION ST PETERSBURG, FL | OPERATIONS | $5,000 |
| ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF INDIANAPOLIS INDIANAPOLIS, IN | OPERATIONS | $2,000 |
| ATLANTIC THEATER NEW YORK CITY, NY | OPERATIONS | $500 |
| BIG BROTHERS-BIG SISTERS OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA INC ASHEVILLE, NC | OPERATIONS | $2,000 |
| BLACK MOUNTAIN HOME FOR CHILDREN YOUTH & FAMILIES INC BLACK MOUNTAIN, NC | OPERATIONS | $3,000 |
| BLUE RIDGE MTN HEALTH PROJECT CASHIERS, NC | TO SUPPORT FREE DENTAL CLINIC | $2,500 |
| BLUE RIDGE SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION CASHIERS, NC | OPERATIONS | $2,500 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF THE PLATEAU CASHIERS, NC | OPERATIONS | $10,000 |
| BROOKE'S PLACE INDIANAPOLIS, IN | OPERATIONS | $5,000 |
| BROOKLYN ACADEMY OF MUSIC BROOKLYN, NY | OPERATIONS | $200 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is led by trustees Jean Markley and Robert D. Markley, both of whom serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEAN MARKLEY | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| ROBERT D MARKLEY | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Brighton Foundation Trust fund?
The foundation focuses on a wide range of subject areas, including: • **Vulnerable Populations**: Children and youth, economically disadvantaged individuals, homeless people, people with disabilities, and people with terminal illnesses • **Arts and Culture**: Support for cultural initiatives and artistic endeavors • **Education**: General education and higher education programs • **Religion**: Particularly Christian organizations and faith-based initiatives • **Human Services**: Family services…
How do I apply for a grant from Brighton Foundation Trust?
The foundation made 72 grants in its most recent fiscal year (2024). Recent notable grants include: • Vision Cashiers: $50,000 (Operations) • Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau: $10,000 (Operations) • Reach of Macon County: $10,000 (General Operations) The foundation's total giving in 2024 was $221,200.
Where does Brighton Foundation Trust make grants?
The foundation funds projects across multiple U.S. states and cities, including: **States**: Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, and West Virginia **Cities**: Asheville, Augusta, Boston, Chicago, and New York City, among others
What size grants does Brighton Foundation Trust award?
In 2024, Brighton Foundation Trust awarded 64 grants totaling $221K — an average of about $3K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Brighton Foundation Trust required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Brighton Foundation Trust reported a distributable amount of $237K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Brighton Foundation Trust's EIN?
Brighton Foundation Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-2032393. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Brighton Foundation Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
The Hillbrook Gkp Iii Foundation Inc
GREENSBORO, NC
Assets
$32K
Grants
1
Total Given
$2K
Rotary Club of Salisbury Charities
SALISBURY, NC
Assets
$39K
Grants
1
Total Given
$50K
Ihope Foundation
GREENSBORO, NC
Assets
$10K
Grants
1
Total Given
$20K
Flow Foundation Inc
WINSTONSALEM, NC
Assets
$395K
Grants
53
Total Given
$1.5M
Orange County Partnership for Young
HILLSBOROUGH, NC
Assets
$477K
Grants
18
Total Given
$2.1M
North Carolina Baptist Hospital
WINSTONSALEM, NC
Assets
$2.8B
Grants
17
Total Given
$634K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Brighton Foundation Trust on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Brighton Foundation Trust to a real strategy.