Cornwell Foundation
Cornwell Foundation is a private foundation based in Charlotte, North Carolina. In its 2025 filing, it reported 16 grants totaling $185,000 to charitable organizations, including organizations supporting education, arts, housing, and community services.
Cornwell Foundation at a glance
In short: Cornwell Foundation gave $185K across 16 grants in 2025 (avg $12K), mostly in North Carolina. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $185,000
- +2.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 16
- -11.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $11,563
- +15.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $19,444,819
- +374.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 16, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (81% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Cornwell Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1110 E Morehead Street, Charlotte, NC 28204-2815
Phone: (704) 372-4500
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Cornwell Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Darlington School ($25K). Together the top 10 received $130K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($40,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
70 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 70 grants of 70 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 81% of grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina, 14% to recipients in Georgia, and 5% to recipients in Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Cornwell Foundation open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 0 of 16 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 16 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. How we count
- 100% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 126% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 215% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $80K (2021) to $185K (2025). In 2025 it made 16 grants totaling $185K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $40,000 |
| Darlington School Rome, GA | To Support the Annual Fund | $25,000 |
| Crisis Assistance Ministry Charlotte, NC | To Support the Efforts to Reduce Homelessness | $20,000 |
| Myers Park United Methodist Church Charlotte, NC | To Support the Annual Fund. | $15,000 |
| Children's Theatre Charlotte, NC | To Support the Arts | $10,000 |
| Northwestern University Evanston, IL | To Support the Kellogg School Annual Fund | $10,000 |
| Queens University Cato School of Education Charlotte, NC | To Support the Annual Fund | $10,000 |
| Roof Above Charlotte, NC | To Support Housing in Charlotte. | $10,000 |
| Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte Charlotte, NC | To Support the Better the Future Capital Campaign | $10,000 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Arts and Sciences Foundation) Chapel Hill, NC | To Support the Arts and Sciences Annual Fund | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Cornwell Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $19,444,819 | $15,083,053 | $434,248 | $185,000 | 16 | $191,340 | $15,084,151 | $88,856 |
| 2024 | $4,097,032 | $171,149 | $223,546 | $180,500 | 18 | $188,262 | $136,700 | $195,640 |
| 2023 | $3,861,355 | $130,597 | $218,192 | $176,000 | 15 | $183,592 | $95,132 | $182,518 |
| 2022 | $3,761,959 | $110,750 | $123,696 | $82,000 | 11 | $89,486 | $78,703 | $192,107 |
| 2021 | $4,115,568 | $2,083,626 | $150,192 | $80,000 | 10 | $88,910 | $2,014,799 | $81,630 |
| 2020 | $1,842,772 | $90,704 | $122,709 | $83,000 | 11 | — | $54,982 | $84,310 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Cornwell Foundation reported a distributable amount of $89K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for annual funds, arts, education, housing, and efforts to reduce homelessness. Among its grantees, Crisis Assistance Ministry describes its mission as helping people in financial crisis move toward self-sufficiency, while Roof Above describes its mission as uniting the community to end homelessness through homeless and housing services in the Charlotte region. Darlington School describes its mission as creating a diverse and inclusive community of learners and empowering students through a challenging, supportive educational experience.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 16 grants totaling $185,000. Grants ranged from $2,000 to $40,000, with a median grant of $10,000. Its largest reported grants included $40,000 to an individual recipient FBO Western NC Relief for its annual fund; $25,000 to Darlington School for its annual fund; and $20,000 to Crisis Assistance Ministry to support efforts to reduce homelessness. Other reported grants included $15,000 to Myers Park United Methodist Church and $10,000 each to Children’s Theatre, Northwestern University, Queens University Cato School of Education, Roof Above, the Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte, and two University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill funds.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists William D Cornwell Jr as president and treasurer; Melissa W Cornwell as vice president and “SECRETA”; and Sara Catherine Cornwell Philpott as vice president and assistant “SECRETA.”
Cornwell Foundation is led by William D. Cornwell Jr., President & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
William D. Cornwell Jr.
President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Melissa W. Cornwell
Vice President & Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Sara Catherine Cornwell Philpott
Vice President & Assistant Secretary
Vice President & Assistant S → Vice President & Assistant Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Cornwell Foundation
How much does Cornwell Foundation give each year?
Cornwell Foundation gave $185K across 16 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $181K across 18 grants.
What is Cornwell Foundation's typical grant size?
Cornwell Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $11,563, across 16 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Cornwell Foundation give grants?
Cornwell Foundation gives mostly in North Carolina: 81% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Georgia (14%) and Illinois (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Charlotte, NC (11 grants) and Chapel Hill, NC (2 grants).
Does Cornwell Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 69% of Cornwell Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (11 of 16) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Cornwell Foundation's largest grantees?
Cornwell Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Darlington School ($25,000), Crisis Assistance Ministry ($20,000) and Myers Park United Methodist Church ($15,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($40,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Cornwell Foundation?
Cornwell Foundation reported $19.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $191K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $89K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Cornwell Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for annual funds, arts, education, housing, and efforts to reduce homelessness. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Cornwell Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Cornwell Foundation's EIN?
Cornwell Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-5509025. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Cornwell Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 6, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cornwell Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Duke Energy Foundation
Charlotte, NC
The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce and local economic development, disaster resilience, conservation, clean water, and economic opportunity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000; applications for grants of $20,000 or less are accepted year-round, after applicants discuss proposals with a state representative.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
41
Total Given
$25.6M
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Ta Piedmont Club Foundation PCF
Saint Louis, MO
The foundation makes general operating grants across education, health, youth development, older-adult services, disability services, and support for immigrant and refugee families; its 2025 grants went to organizations in Charlotte, North Carolina. Grants typically ranged from $500 to $2,300, with a median of $2,300. It accepts unsolicited requests; its 2024 filing says to contact Marshall B. Gilchrist and submit a form letter.
Assets
$9K
Grants
18
Total Given
$40K
William and Betty Mullis Tua Fnd Tr
New York, NY
Assets
$26.9M
Grants
5
Total Given
$1.5M
Stephen L Cornwell Foundation
Charlotte, NC
The Stephen L Cornwell Foundation supports North Carolina organizations working in education, housing, homelessness services, and community programs. Its 2025 grants ranged from $4,000 to $55,000, with a median of $9,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$22.0M
Grants
22
Total Given
$412K
The Crosland Foundation
Charlotte, NC
The Crosland Foundation supports education, including programs for students with learning differences and underserved children, as well as housing and homelessness services and other charitable work. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $142,737, with a median of $25,000, and went mainly to North Carolina, with some funding in Virginia and New York. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$129.0M
Grants
23
Total Given
$952K
More similar funders
More Funders in North Carolina
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Cornwell Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/cornwell-foundation-morg_9e7921044cc34e4dbf5de47565f8f7bf
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_475509025_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Cornwell Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/cornwell-foundation-morg_9e7921044cc34e4dbf5de47565f8f7bf},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 Cornwell 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.
Cornwell Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?