Dowd Foundation Inc
Dowd Foundation Inc is a private grantmaking foundation based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Designated as a 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation has been tax-exempt since February 1951. The foundation maintains a broad philanthropic scope without specifying particular subject areas of focus, indicating support across a wide range of charitable purposes.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$79.6M
+2.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.4M
+10.9% YoY
Grant Count
162
-4.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$27K
+15.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Dowd Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $5.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation has not provided a formal mission statement. The organization does not specify particular subject areas of focus, suggesting a potentially broad philanthropic scope across educational, charitable, and community-based initiatives.
Grantmaking
The foundation reported total expenses of approximately $4.6 million in 2023, with revenue of $6.3 million for the same year. Recent grant activity indicates the foundation awarded approximately $4.0 million in 2024, with an average grant size of $91 across 57,098 total grants in the previous year. The foundation is open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding.
Grant Range
of $91 across 57,098 total grants in the previous year. The foundation is open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding.
Average Grant
of $91 across 57,098 total grants in the previous year. The foundation is open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Dowd Foundation Inc supports a wide range of cities and states across the United States. Geographic funding areas include Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and additional states beyond those listed.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $77.8 million (2023)
Annual Revenue: $6.32 million (2023)
Annual Expenses: $4.59 million (2023)
Total Liabilities: $0 (2023)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $79,612,541 | $77,795,709 | $75,008,786 |
| Revenue | $8,898,359 | $6,322,258 | $18,382,169 |
| Expenses | $5,161,758 | $4,587,725 | $5,854,546 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,433,225 | $3,997,515 | $5,266,918 |
| Net Investment Income | $6,944,998 | $4,447,249 | $9,769,923 |
| Distributable Amount | $5,079,708 | $4,391,203 | $4,134,761 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Charlotte Country Day School ($500,000), Atrium Health Foundation - the Center for Oncology ($400,000), Carolinas Aviation Museum ($250,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALS ASSOCIATION RALEIGH, NC | ASSIST ORGANIZATIONS WITH ITS NEEDS AND GOALS | $257 |
| APARRO SOLUTIONS INC CHARLOTTE, NC | ASSIST ORGANIZATIONS WITH ITS NEEDS AND GOALS | $1,500 |
| ARTSPLUS MONROE, NC | ASSIST ORGANIZATIONS WITH ITS NEEDS AND GOALS | $500 |
| ATRIUM HEALTH FOUNDATION - THE CENTER FOR ONCOLOGY CHARLOTTE, NC | ASSIST ORGANIZATIONS WITH ITS NEEDS AND GOALS | $400,000 |
| AUTISM SOCIETY OF CENTRAL VIRGINIA RICHMOND, VA | ASSIST ORGANIZATIONS WITH ITS NEEDS AND GOALS | $2,500 |
| BAND TOGETHER RALEIGH, NC | ASSIST ORGANIZATIONS WITH ITS NEEDS AND GOALS | $2,500 |
| BIG BROTHERS AND BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL CAROLINAS CHARLOTTE, NC | ASSIST ORGANIZATIONS WITH ITS NEEDS AND GOALS | $2,500 |
| BOCA GRANDE HEALTH CLINIC FOUNDATION BOCA GRANDE, FL | ASSIST ORGANIZATIONS WITH ITS NEEDS AND GOALS | $500 |
| BROOKSTONE SCHOOLS CHARLOTTE, NC | ASSIST ORGANIZATIONS WITH ITS NEEDS AND GOALS | $50,000 |
| BROTHER WOLF ANIMAL RESCUE ASHEVILLE, NC | ASSIST ORGANIZATIONS WITH ITS NEEDS AND GOALS | $520 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation's leadership team includes:
- W. Frank Dowd IV — President and Director
- E. Hooper Hardison Jr — Vice President and Director
All board members serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| W FRANK DOWD IV | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | — | — |
| E HOOPER HARDISON JR | VICE PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | — | — |
| RODDEY DOWD JR | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| LOIS WARREN | TREASURER/SECRETARY | — | — |
| RODDEY DOWD III | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| EDWARD J WOOD IV | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has supported educational institutions, including a $1 million endowed scholarship fund at Pfeiffer University and a $4 million gift to Northwood University. The foundation has also provided multi-year grants to conservation organizations and educational institutions across the United States.
Pfeiffer University Announces $1 Million Dowd Foundation Endowed ScholarshipFrequently Asked Questions
What does Dowd Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation has not provided a formal mission statement. The organization does not specify particular subject areas of focus, suggesting a potentially broad philanthropic scope across educational, charitable, and community-based initiatives.
How do I apply for a grant from Dowd Foundation Inc?
The foundation reported total expenses of approximately $4.6 million in 2023, with revenue of $6.3 million for the same year. Recent grant activity indicates the foundation awarded approximately $4.0 million in 2024, with an average grant size of $91 across 57,098 total grants in the previous year. The foundation is open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding.
Where does Dowd Foundation Inc make grants?
Dowd Foundation Inc supports a wide range of cities and states across the United States. Geographic funding areas include Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and additional states beyond those listed.
What size grants does Dowd Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Dowd Foundation Inc awarded 162 grants totaling $4.4M — an average of about $27K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Dowd Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Dowd Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $5.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Dowd Foundation Inc's EIN?
Dowd Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-6061389. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Dowd Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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