Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc
Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc is a public charity based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It works to strengthen Downtown Chapel Hill through economic development, business support, marketing, community events, and initiatives intended to make the district welcoming and vibrant.
Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc at a glance
In short: Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc gave $52K across 25 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $51,672
- +54.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 25
- +2400.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $2,067
- -93.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $257,838
- -51.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc
- How to Apply
-
The website says a revised application for Orange County Business Grants would be available in early July 2025. The stated grant review process is based on criteria set by the board and executive director.
- Contact
Mailing address: 136 E Rosemary St, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Phone: (919) 932-5800
Website: https://downtownchapelhill.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Shrunken Head Inc ($5K). Together the top 10 received $25K.
Grant Size Distribution
28 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 28 grants of 28 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Partnership’s stated work centers on Downtown Chapel Hill. In 2025, all reported grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina, including recipients in Chapel Hill, Pittsboro, and Hillsborough.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc gives
- Giving grew 232% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $7K (2021) to $52K (2025). In 2025 it made 25 grants totaling $52K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Shrunken Head Inc Chapel Hill, NC | Economic Development of Local Business | $5,177 |
| Ben & Jerry's Pittsboro, NC | Economic Development of Local Business | $4,000 |
| 140 West Franklin Condo Association Chapel Hill, NC | Economic Development of Local Business | $2,000 |
| ALS Burger Chapel Hill, NC | Economic Development of Local Business | $2,000 |
| Chapel Hill Training Chapel Hill, NC | Economic Development of Local Business | $2,000 |
| Classic Carolina UNC LLC Chapel Hill, NC | Economic Development of Local Business | $2,000 |
| Four Corners Chapel Hill, NC | Economic Development of Local Business | $2,000 |
| Lapin Bleu LLC Chapel Hill, NC | Economic Development of Local Business | $2,000 |
| Orange County Arts Alliance Hillsborough, NC | Economic Development of Local Business | $2,000 |
| Le Cheveu Salon LLC Chapel Hill, NC | Economic Development of Local Business | $2,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $257,838 | $720,391 | $915,246 | $51,672 | 25 | $1,909 |
| 2024 | $527,254 | $867,180 | $822,267 | $33,462 | 1 | $2,253 |
| 2023 | $403,156 | $820,765 | $760,484 | $34,136 | 1 | $664 |
| 2022 | $391,889 | $704,157 | $623,612 | $15,542 | 1 | $7 |
| 2021 | $269,897 | $462,275 | $460,836 | $6,865 | Total only | $7 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to bring together the resources of the Town, University, and downtown community to maintain, enhance, and promote downtown as Chapel Hill’s social, cultural, and spiritual center through economic development. Its activities include working with business and property owners to identify and recruit tenants, advocating on issues affecting them, promoting businesses, and coordinating community events.
In its 2025 grants, the Partnership reported awards for the economic development of local businesses. One recipient, Orange County Arts Alliance, received $2,000. The Alliance describes its own mission as expanding the capacity of the Orange County Arts Commission to create, develop, and grow the arts of Orange County.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Partnership reported 25 grants totaling $51,672. Grant amounts ranged from $1,130 to $5,177, with a median of $2,000. The largest reported award was $5,177 to Shrunken Head Inc. of Chapel Hill for the economic development of a local business. Ben & Jerry’s in Pittsboro received $4,000 for the same stated purpose. Other reported $2,000 awards included Orange County Arts Alliance, 140 West Franklin Condo Association, and several Chapel Hill businesses. All reported 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina.
The Partnership’s website describes past grant initiatives involving façade improvements, sidewalk dining, business marketing, live music, and downtown lighting and security. The organization states that grant funds are distributed according to criteria set by its board and executive director; the executive director reviews and approves submissions against those criteria, and a list of grantees and their documentation is maintained.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Doug Rothwell as chair, Sheryl Waddell as vice chair, and Jared Sokolsky as treasurer. It also lists Jeri Lynn Schulke as director through May 2025 and Carter Hubbard as director from June 2025. Other listed board members are Mimi Hock, Jim Fine, and Paula Gilland. Amanda Garner and Patty Griffin are listed as non-voting advisory members.
Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc is led by Doug Rothwell, Chair since 2023 (on filings since 2021); 1 of 19 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Doug Rothwell
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeri Lynn Schulke
Director
Director Fy- → Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$77K (2024) → $93K (2025)
Carter Hubbard
Director From
Current Director → Director From, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cody Johnson
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mimi Hock
Immediate Past Chair
Chair → Past Chair, 2023
Past Chair → Immediate Past Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pam Hemminger
Advisory Member & Non-Voting
Director → Advisory Member, 2024
Advisory Member → Advisory Member & Non-Voting, 2025
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paula Gilland
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amanda Garner
Advisory Member & Non-Voting
Advisory Member → Advisory Member & Non-Voting, 2025
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Fine
Board Member
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sheryl Waddell
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tonya Moore
Board Member
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Aaron Nelson
Advisory Member & Non-Voting
Advisory Member → Advisory Member & Non-Voting, 2025
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrey Shenin
Board Member
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jared Sokolsky
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patty Griffin
Advisory Member & Non-Voting
Advisory Member → Advisory Member & Non-Voting, 2025
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Antoine Peuch
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ivy Taylor
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Potter
Advisory Member & Non-Voting
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Theodore Nollert
Advisory Member & Non-Voting
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (16)
- Former: Gordon Merklein (2021–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Jamie Sanchez (2023–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Sarah Poulton (2023–2024) — Advisory Member
- Former: Simon George (2024) — Board Member
- Former: Andrea Reusing (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Mark Sherburne (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Matt Gladdek (2021–2023) — Executive Di
- Former: Alison Friedman (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Katie Loovis (2023) — Advisory Member
- Former: Mayor Pam Hemminger (2023) — Advisory Member
- Former: Whitney St Charles (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Elizabeth Sasser (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Jaime Sanchez (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Joel Curran (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Len Wohadlo (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Jay Patel (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $93K, to Jeri Lynn Schulke (Director Thru 5/25).
Frequently asked questions about Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc
How much does Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc give each year?
Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc gave $52K across 25 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $33K across 1 grant.
What is Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc's typical grant size?
Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc's median grant in 2025 was $2,000, and its average grant was $2,067, across 25 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc give grants?
Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc gives mostly in North Carolina: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chapel Hill, NC (21 grants) and Pittsboro, NC (2 grants).
Does Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 25 grants with a stated purpose on Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Economic Development of Local Business" (25 grants).
Who are Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc's largest grantees?
Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Shrunken Head Inc ($5,177), Ben & Jerry's ($4,000) and 140 West Franklin Condo Association ($2,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 22% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc?
Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc reported $258K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $720K.
What does Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to bring together the resources of the Town, University, and downtown community to maintain, enhance, and promote downtown as Chapel Hill’s social, cultural, and spiritual center through economic development. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc?
The website says a revised application for Orange County Business Grants would be available in early July 2025. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc's EIN?
Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1561219. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 31, 2024)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Live grants for the work Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc funds
Community Improvement & Capacity Building Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 8, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/chapel-hill-downtown-partnership-inc-morg_8748bf854e1f4fb7963ad08f0da67588
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_201561219_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/chapel-hill-downtown-partnership-inc-morg_8748bf854e1f4fb7963ad08f0da67588},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-08. 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 Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc'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.
Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?