The C. D. Spangler Foundation is a private independent foundation based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Established in 1956 by Clemmie Dixon Spangler Jr., a billionaire businessman who owned National Gypsum Company and served as president of the University of North Carolina from 1986 to 1997, the foundation has become one of North Carolina's most significant philanthropic institutions. The foundation operates as a non-operating private foundation with a focus on strategic grantmaking to preselected charitable organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$637.6M
+21.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$24.3M
-0.8% YoY
Grant Count
133
+22.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$183K
-18.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, C D Spangler Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $28.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's philanthropic priorities center on education, human services, health, religion, and arts and culture. The foundation has demonstrated particular commitment to improving public education in North Carolina, with a specific emphasis on literacy as a key to economic and social progress. Major funding areas include:
- Education (K-12 and higher education)
- Higher education and university support
- Human services
- Health and wellness initiatives
- Arts and culture
- Museums
- Religion
The foundation has dedicated substantial resources to funding distinguished professorships across the University of North Carolina System, with over 120 professorships established to improve instruction.
Grantmaking
The C. D. Spangler Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and makes grants only to preselected charitable organizations. The foundation does not maintain a website or provide a formal public application process.
Grant Range
$100 to $10,000,000
Average Grant
$365,000 to $874,000
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports organizations in North Carolina, with significant grantmaking also occurring in Georgia and Massachusetts. The foundation's grantmaking reaches organizations across 23 states, with additional presence in New York and California. North Carolina, Georgia, and Massachusetts account for approximately 60% of all grants.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets and Giving:
- Total assets: $637.6 million (2024); $525.1 million (2023)
- Annual income: $152 million
- Total giving: $24.5 million (2023)
- Total expenses: $25.3 million (2023)
- Total liabilities: $2.75 million (2023)
Asset growth has been substantial, increasing from $58.1 million in 2011 to over $637 million by 2024. Annual giving has grown from $18.1 million in 2020 to $51.5 million in 2022.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $637,576,139 | $525,081,380 | $467,156,525 |
| Revenue | $112,283,505 | $84,541,335 | $39,402,450 |
| Expenses | $25,428,046 | $25,305,306 | $25,890,365 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $24,354,039 | $24,547,640 | $25,762,730 |
| Net Investment Income | $77,266,705 | $54,137,647 | $9,553,125 |
| Distributable Amount | $28,627,952 | $23,114,576 | $24,156,360 |
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
152 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Fftc - Charlotte Symphony Orchestra Endowment Campaign ($2,500,000), Darlington School - Capital Campaign ($1,000,000), Harvard Business School ($1,000,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONAL ACADEMY OF IOSCO COUNTY TAWAS CITY, MI | TO ASSIST IN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES | $17,500 |
| APALACHEE HIGH SCHOOL WINDER, GA | TO ASSIST IN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES | $25,000 |
| APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY DISASTER RELIEF FUND BOONE, NC | TO ASSIST IN HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES | $100,000 |
| ASPERMONT ISD ASPERMONT, TX | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $17,500 |
| AUGUSTINE LITERACY PROJECT CHARLOTTE, NC | TO ASSIST IN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES | $100,000 |
| BABY BUNDLES CHARLOTTE, NC | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| BEAVER COUNTY CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER MONACA, PA | TO ASSIST IN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES | $25,000 |
| BEST NC CARY, NC | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA - MECKLENBURG COUNTY COUNCIL CHARLOTTE, NC | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| CARE RING - NURSE - FAMILY PARTNERSHIP CHARLOTTE, NC | TO ASSIST IN HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES | $125,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key leadership includes:
- Meredith R. Spangler – Chairman
- Abigail R. Spangler – Director and President
- W. D. Cornwell Jr. – Vice President/Secretary/Treasurer/Director
- Anna Spangler Nelson – Vice President/Director
The foundation is governed by six officers and trustees, none of whom receive compensation for their roles.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEREDITH R SPANGLER | CHAIRMAN | — | — |
| W D CORNWELL JR | VP/SEC/TR/DIR | — | — |
| ANNA SPANGLER NELSON | VP/DIRECTOR | — | — |
| ABIGAIL R SPANGLER | DIRECTOR/PRES | — | — |
| CINDY L MARR | ASST VP/ASST SEC | — | — |
| MEGHAN G ELLIS | ASST VP/ASST SEC | — | — |
| MEREDITH SPANGLER NELSON RHYNE | VP/ASST SEC | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Recent grant announcements include:
A $1 million grant announced for the Kinsley Leadership Center at the George Spangler Farm & Field
$1 Million Grant Announced for the Kinsley Leadership Center at the GeorgeA $1 million contribution from National Gypsum and the C. D. Spangler Foundation to support community initiatives
National Gypsum & C.D. Spangler Foundation Contribute $1 Million - NC ChamberThe Spangler Center at Harvard Business School remains named in recognition of the family's significant philanthropic contributions to that institution.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does C D Spangler Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's philanthropic priorities center on education, human services, health, religion, and arts and culture. The foundation has demonstrated particular commitment to improving public education in North Carolina, with a specific emphasis on literacy as a key to economic and social progress. Major funding areas include: • Education (K-12 and higher education) • Higher education and university support • Human services • Health and wellness initiatives • Arts and culture • Museums • Relig…
How do I apply for a grant from C D Spangler Foundation Inc?
The C. D. Spangler Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and makes grants only to preselected charitable organizations. The foundation does not maintain a website or provide a formal public application process. **Grant Characteristics:** • Grant range: $100 to $10,000,000 • Median grant size: $25,000 to $30,000 • Average grant size: $365,000 to $874,000 • Annual giving: Approximately $24.5 million (2023) • Number of grants: 109 grants in 2023; 242 total grants documented across re…
Where does C D Spangler Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily supports organizations in North Carolina, with significant grantmaking also occurring in Georgia and Massachusetts. The foundation's grantmaking reaches organizations across 23 states, with additional presence in New York and California. North Carolina, Georgia, and Massachusetts account for approximately 60% of all grants.
What size grants does C D Spangler Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, C D Spangler Foundation Inc awarded 133 grants totaling $24.3M — an average of about $183K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is C D Spangler Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, C D Spangler Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $28.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is C D Spangler Foundation Inc's EIN?
C D Spangler Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-6061548. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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