Co Ta Huffman-cornwell Foundation

RALEIGH, NC EIN: 56-6065286

The CO TA Huffman-Cornwell Foundation is a private foundation established in 1960 and based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization with a focus on philanthropic giving across multiple sectors and geographic regions.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$2.7M

+1.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$126K

-7.0% YoY

Grant Count

29

+3.6% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$4K

-10.2% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Co Ta Huffman-cornwell Foundation reported a distributable amount of $151K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation's mission is to provide support to those working to improve the quality of life in Burke County, North Carolina, primarily through support of:

  • Education
  • Arts and cultural activities
  • Faith-based activities
  • Health and human services
  • Historic preservation
  • Children's programs
  • Environmental initiatives
  • Cultural and physical development

The foundation also maintains a scholarship program for graduates of Freedom High School in Morganton, North Carolina.

Grantmaking

The foundation accepts applications from prospective grantees.

Grant Range

$4,000–$5,000

Average Grant

$5,500

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation primarily supports projects in North Carolina, with particular emphasis on Burke County. The foundation also extends funding to organizations in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, and South Carolina.

Grant Distribution by State

10states
+2 more states

Cities

AshevilleAtlantaBalsamBaltimoreBarium SpringsBellevilleBoiling SpringsBooneBuies CreekChapel HillCharlotteClemsonConnelly SpringsCullowheeDavidsonDurhamElizabeth CityFort SmithGlen AlpineGreensboro

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of 2023:

  • Total assets: $2,635,840
  • Total revenues: -$17,246 (negative)
  • Total expenses: $162,330
  • Giving rate: 5.0% of assets
  • Total liabilities: $0

As of 2022:

  • Total assets: $2,800,000
  • Total giving: $171,000
  • Number of grants: 31
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$85K$170K$255K$340K20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$2,660,913$2,635,840$2,812,848
Revenue$175,990$-17,246$131,730
Expenses$153,672$162,330$205,628
Qualifying Distributions$129,378$140,415$176,493
Net Investment Income$151,513$46,498$108,516
Distributable Amount$151,007$142,527$141,504

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$43K$85K$128K$171K31 grants202032 grants202131 grants202228 grants202329 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

ENHANCEMENT FUND AT GRAC…$10KALDER SPRINGS$10KBURKE ARTS COUNCIL$10KFIRST UNITED METHODIST C…$10KBURKE COUNTY UNITED WAY$10KGood Samaritan Clinic$10KFirst Presbyterian Church$7KOPEN HEARTS PLACE$6KBURKE COUNTY YOUNG LIFE$5KCANCER FOR COLLEGE THE C…$5K

Grant Size Distribution

151 grants across all recorded years

151<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Open Grants

1 open opportunity from Co Ta Huffman-cornwell Foundation

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Enhancement Fund at Grace Ridge ($10,000), Alder Springs ($10,000), Burke Arts Council ($10,000).

RecipientPurposeAmount
First Presbyterian Church Morganton, NCGENERAL SUPPORT$7,000
North Carolina State University Raleigh, NCGENERAL SUPPORT$500
BURKE COUNTY YOUNG LIFE Morganton, NCGENERAL$5,000
Burke County Literacy Council Morganton, NCGENERAL$2,000
COMMUNITY KINDNESS INC Belleville, ILGENERAL$2,000
PHILANTHROPY SOUTHEAST Atlanta, GAGENERAL$680
ENHANCEMENT FUND AT GRACE RIDGE MORGANTON, NCGENERAL PURPOSE$10,000
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY KENNESAW, GAGENERAL PURPOSE$500
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY CLEMSON, SCGENERAL PURPOSE$500
WESTERN PIEDMONT COMMUNITY COLLEGE MORGANTON, NCGENERAL PURPOSE$3,000

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Board Members:

  • Julie M Garner
  • Mary Lou Hudspeth
  • Lou N Crouch
  • Jan N Stephanides
  • Richard C Avery
  • Jay Norvell
  • Thomas Norvell

Trustee:

  • First Citizens Bank

Staff:

  • Thomas F Wiggins, Senior Vice President
  • Walter Reed, Director

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

FIRST CITIZENS BANKTRUSTEE$22KJULIE M GARNERBOARD MEMBER$250MARY LOU HUDSPETHBOARD MEMBER$250LOU N CROUCHBOARD MEMBER$250JAN N STEPHANIDESBOARD MEMBER$250JAY NORVELLSECRETARY$250THOMAS NORVELLBOARD MEMBER$250

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
FIRST CITIZENS BANKTRUSTEE40$21,545
JULIE M GARNERBOARD MEMBER1$250
MARY LOU HUDSPETHBOARD MEMBER1$250
LOU N CROUCHBOARD MEMBER1$250
JAN N STEPHANIDESBOARD MEMBER1$250
RICHARD C AVERYBOARD MEMBER1
JAY NORVELLSECRETARY1$250
THOMAS NORVELLBOARD MEMBER1$250
MARY LOUISE MCCOMBSCO-CHAIR1
TOM MCCOMBSBOARD MEMBER1
JERRY NORVELLVICE CHAIR1
BARBARA NORVELLCO-CHAIR1

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Co Ta Huffman-cornwell Foundation fund?

The foundation's mission is to provide support to those working to improve the quality of life in Burke County, North Carolina, primarily through support of: • Education • Arts and cultural activities • Faith-based activities • Health and human services • Historic preservation • Children's programs • Environmental initiatives • Cultural and physical development The foundation also maintains a scholarship program for graduates of Freedom High School in Morganton, North Carolina.

How do I apply for a grant from Co Ta Huffman-cornwell Foundation?

**Grant Activity:** • Total giving in 2023: approximately $133,000–$170,700 • Number of grants (2023): 26–31 grants • Median grant size: $4,000–$5,000 • Grant range: $1,000–$15,000 • Average grant size: $5,500 **Application Status:** The foundation accepts applications from prospective grantees. **Recent Grantees (2023):** • Donald R Watson Foundation ($13,172) • Burke County Literacy Council ($12,500) • NCSSM Student and Constituent Support Services ($10,000)

Where does Co Ta Huffman-cornwell Foundation make grants?

The foundation primarily supports projects in North Carolina, with particular emphasis on Burke County. The foundation also extends funding to organizations in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, and South Carolina.

What size grants does Co Ta Huffman-cornwell Foundation award?

In 2024, Co Ta Huffman-cornwell Foundation awarded 29 grants totaling $126K — an average of about $4K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Co Ta Huffman-cornwell Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Co Ta Huffman-cornwell Foundation reported a distributable amount of $151K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is Co Ta Huffman-cornwell Foundation's EIN?

Co Ta Huffman-cornwell Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-6065286. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Co Ta Huffman-cornwell Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Related Funders

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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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