Carolinas Credit Union Foundation
The Carolinas Credit Union Foundation is a public charity based in Columbia, South Carolina. Formed in 1993, it works with credit unions in North and South Carolina on community philanthropy, scholarships, disaster relief, and other programs intended to enrich communities.
Carolinas Credit Union Foundation at a glance
In short: Carolinas Credit Union Foundation gave $1.2M across 62 grants in 2025 (avg $20K), top state North Carolina. 85% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,213,409
- +32.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 62
- +19.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $19,571
- +10.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $11,850
- Total assets
- $5,548,264
- -3.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 85% first-time grantees (53 of 62, 2025)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (45% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Carolinas Credit Union Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for direct sponsorship or grant appeals from nonprofit organizations. Nonprofits may submit information to their local credit union chapter for consideration through the Foundation’s support-request process.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 1787, Columbia, SC 29202
Phone: (336) 299-6286
Website: https://carolinasfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Carolinas Credit Union Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Civic Foundation ($130K). Together the top 10 received $551K.
Grant Size Distribution
291 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 272 grants of 291 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s stated mission and programs serve credit unions in North and South Carolina. Its website describes its Community Grant Program as supporting local nonprofits through credit union chapters in the Carolinas and also notes disaster-relief assistance in other states and foreign countries when needed. In 2025, 45% of grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina and 21% to recipients in South Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 62 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Carolinas Credit Union Foundation open to new grantees?
85%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 53 of 62 grantees (85%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $20K; repeat grants $16K. How we count
Medians: $12K first-time, $15K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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 $719K (2019) to $1.7M (2022). In 2025 it made 62 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Civic Foundation | General Support | $130,400 |
| UNC Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC | General Support | $88,000 |
| Truliant FCU Winston-Salem, NC | General Support | $55,000 |
| University of South Carolina Columbia, SC | Geneal Support | $55,000 |
| North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC | General Support | $44,500 |
| SPC Credit Union Hartsville, SC | General Support | $40,000 |
| Clemson University Clemson, SC | General Support | $36,500 |
| Gala Hotel Accrual | General Support | $36,186 |
| UNC Charlotte Charlotte, NC | General Support | $35,000 |
| NCRGOG | General Support | $30,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Carolinas Credit Union Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5,548,264 | $2,438,668 | $2,778,083 | $1,213,409 | 62 | $124,800 |
| 2024 | $5,723,150 | $4,167,015 | $3,848,140 | $919,330 | 52 | $152,679 |
| 2023 | $5,211,747 | $4,359,588 | $3,804,218 | $1,067,949 | 66 | $201,837 |
| 2022 | $4,718,312 | $3,334,879 | $3,445,381 | $1,730,070 | 74 | $50,049 |
| 2021 | $4,804,720 | $2,910,430 | $2,168,184 | $788,167 | 37 | $6,827 |
| 2020 | $4,040,438 | $3,242,614 | $2,485,602 | $1,018,667 | 33 | $27,325 |
| 2019 | $3,259,508 | $2,311,945 | $1,336,315 | $719,252 | 23 | $73,307 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to empower and inspire credit unions in the Carolinas through collaborative opportunities to enrich communities. Its stated work includes educational scholarships, assistance to credit unions, and special projects. The Foundation also describes programs for credit union employees and members facing financial hardship, disaster relief, small-credit-union professional development, technology and capital improvements, and local charitable giving coordinated with credit union chapters.
The 2025 filing describes academic and needs-based higher-education scholarships, which require an application and scholarship agreement, and hardship grants for credit union employees or members who demonstrate financial hardship through an application. These programs are for the Foundation’s participants, rather than general grant programs for outside nonprofits.
Among its 2025 grantees, the University of South Carolina received $55,000; its stated mission includes supporting research in business and economic problems. North Carolina State University received $44,500; its mission includes supporting university colleges, libraries, and related functions. Appalachian State University received $28,000; its foundation says it supports students, faculty, staff, and community. Western Carolina University received $27,000 to aid and promote education and charitable activities at the university. Habitat for Humanity of Greenville received $26,056; it describes programs in home construction, home repairs, neighborhood revitalization, and homeownership readiness and sustainability. Kaleideum received $15,000; it says it inspires wonder, curiosity, and lifelong learning through interactive play and discovery. The Citadel Brigadier Foundation received $11,000; it says it generates financial support for cadet-athletes.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 62 grants totaling $1,213,409. Grants ranged from $6,000 to $130,400, with a median of $11,850. The largest listed grants included $130,400 to Civic Foundation, $88,000 to UNC Chapel Hill, $55,000 each to Truliant FCU and the University of South Carolina, and $44,500 to North Carolina State University. Other listed recipients included SPC Credit Union ($40,000), Clemson University ($36,500), UNC Charlotte ($35,000), NCRGOG ($30,000), Appalachian State University ($28,000), and Emergency Responders CU ($27,000). The filing lists the purposes for these grants as general support, with a spelling variation for the University of South Carolina entry.
The Foundation’s Community Grant Program awards grants to nonprofits selected by credit union chapters or collaborating credit unions, matching fundraising efforts up to $2,500. Its website invites nonprofits to submit information to their local credit union chapter for consideration; the program is directed by the chapter network. The Foundation also welcomes inquiries from multiple credit unions collaborating in areas where chapters may not be active.
For small credit unions, the Foundation’s Technology and Capital Improvements Grant Program is available to credit unions with $100 million or less in assets, with priority given to those under $50 million. Applications are accepted annually from June 1 through October 1. The Foundation reported awarding $100,000 through this program in 2025. The Hamilton Professional Grant Fund supports training and education expenses for small credit unions.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Lauren Whaley as “EXECUTIVE DI,” Jessica Baker as chair, Genice DeCorte as treasurer, and Frankie DeDonato as secretary. It also lists Creighton Blackwell, Jama Campbell, Fred Eisel, Terri Hendrix, Joe McCain, and Precious McCloud as directors. The Foundation’s website identifies Lauren Whaley as its president.
Carolinas Credit Union Foundation is led by Jessica Baker, Chair on the 2025 filing; 1 of 16 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jessica Baker
Chair
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan Schline
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sam Whitehurst
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Creighton Blackwell
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Liz Ponder
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Precious McCloud
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Woods
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jama Campbell
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Fred Eisel
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joe McCain
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda Weatherford
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Terri Hendrix
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Whaley
Executive Di
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$151K (2019) → $180K (2025)
Frankie Dedonato
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ashley Ruffin
Vice Chair
Director → Secretary, 2024
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Genice Decorte
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Bob Bruns (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: David Brehmer (2019–2024) — Vice Chair
- Former: Jennifer Parker (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Jesscia Baker (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Brian Sponaugle (2019–2023) — Chair
- Former: Leigh Brady (2019–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Bonnie Ciuffo (2019–2022) — Chair
- Former: Brian McKay (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Todd Hall (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Elizabeth Orama (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Mark Curran (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Willard Ross (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Scott Weaver (2020) — Director
- Former: Mark Caverly (2019) — Immediate Pa
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $180K, to Lauren Whaley (Executive Di).
Frequently asked questions about Carolinas Credit Union Foundation
How much does Carolinas Credit Union Foundation give each year?
Carolinas Credit Union Foundation gave $1.2M across 62 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $919K across 52 grants.
What is Carolinas Credit Union Foundation's typical grant size?
Carolinas Credit Union Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $11,850, and its average grant was $19,571, across 62 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Carolinas Credit Union Foundation that year got $20K on average.
Where does Carolinas Credit Union Foundation give grants?
Carolinas Credit Union Foundation's top state is North Carolina, with 45% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest state was South Carolina (21%). The most frequent recipient cities were Greensboro, NC (7 grants), Winston-Salem, NC (4 grants), Columbia, SC (2 grants) and Raleigh, NC (2 grants).
Does Carolinas Credit Union Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 98% of Carolinas Credit Union Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (61 of 62) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Carolinas Credit Union Foundation's largest grantees?
Carolinas Credit Union Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Civic Foundation ($130,400), UNC Chapel Hill ($88,000) and Truliant FCU ($55,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 23% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Carolinas Credit Union Foundation?
Carolinas Credit Union Foundation reported $5.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.4M.
What does Carolinas Credit Union Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to empower and inspire credit unions in the Carolinas through collaborative opportunities to enrich communities. Its stated work includes educational scholarships, assistance to credit unions, and special projects. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Carolinas Credit Union Foundation?
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for direct sponsorship or grant appeals from nonprofit organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Carolinas Credit Union Foundation's EIN?
Carolinas Credit Union Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-1842095. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Carolinas Credit Union Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 8, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 13, 2026)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 3, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 2, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 1, 2024)
Live grants for the work Carolinas Credit Union Foundation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Carolinas Credit Union Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Carolinas Credit Union Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/carolinas-credit-union-foundation-morg_0710911b2abe40a397e28c790b3a92be
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_561842095_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Carolinas Credit Union Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/carolinas-credit-union-foundation-morg_0710911b2abe40a397e28c790b3a92be},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Carolinas Credit Union 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.
Carolinas Credit Union Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?