Foundation for the Carolinas
Foundation For The Carolinas is a public charity based in Charlotte, North Carolina, established in 1958. It supports charitable organizations through competitive grant programs and grants recommended by advisors of charitable funds established by donors.
Foundation for the Carolinas at a glance
In short: Foundation for the Carolinas gave $609.1M across 1,605 grants in 2024 (avg $379K), mostly in North Carolina. 27% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $609,062,549
- +15.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1,605
- +14.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $379,478
- +1.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $3,934,238,899
- +12.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (427 of 1,601, 2024)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (58% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Foundation for the Carolinas
- How to Apply
-
Search the foundation’s competitive grant programs and follow the instructions for the specific program. Donor-advised fund grants are recommended by fund advisors and are not open to applications.
- Contact
Mailing address: 220 North Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Phone: (704) 973-4500
Website: https://fftc.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
22 open opportunities from Foundation for the Carolinas
Beyond Open Grants: Make Bold Moves
Foundation for the Carolinas
Amount
US $10,000 - US $150,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Cabarrus County Community Foundation Grant Cycle
Foundation for the Carolinas
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Foundation - Family Stability Grant
Foundation for the Carolinas
Amount
US $10,000 - US $50,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Foundation for the Carolinas funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Catawba College ($56.6M). Together the top 10 received $211.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
7,190 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 4,615 grants of 7,190 (64%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s competitive grant programs generally serve a 13-county area: Cabarrus, Cleveland, Davidson, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Richmond, Rowan, Stanly, and Union counties in North Carolina, and Cherokee, Lancaster, and York counties in South Carolina. The foundation’s 2024 filing reports that 58% of grant dollars went to North Carolina recipients, followed by the District of Columbia (10%), New York (8%), Virginia (6%), and California (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 1,605 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Foundation for the Carolinas open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 427 of 1,601 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $83K; repeat grants $489K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $35K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $308.0M (2020) to $609.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 1,605 grants totaling $609.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Catawba College Salisbury, NC | Charitable Gift | $56,557,611 |
| Southern Environmental Law Center Charlottesville, VA | Charitable Gift | $26,472,000 |
| International Rescue Committee Inc New York, NY | Charitable Gift | $24,000,000 |
| League of Conservation Voters Education Fund Washington, DC | Charitable Gift | $20,000,000 |
| Duke University Medical Center Durham, NC | Charitable Gift | $17,000,000 |
| Nova Ukraine San Jose, CA | Charitable Gift | $16,000,000 |
| Planned Parenthood South Atlantic Raleigh, NC | Charitable Gift | $14,095,000 |
| Duke Cancer Institute Durham, NC | Charitable Gift | $13,005,000 |
| Rocky Mountain Institute Basalt, CO | Charitable Gift | $12,250,000 |
| Johnson C Smith University Charlotte, NC | Charitable Gift | $11,831,270 |
Ready to take the next step with Foundation for the Carolinas?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,934,238,899 | $761,389,623 | $849,185,395 | $609,062,549 | 1,605 | $87,323,425 |
| 2023 | $3,492,760,144 | $538,046,453 | $582,472,149 | $525,378,883 | 1,399 | $70,915,744 |
| 2022 | $3,064,138,829 | $953,517,849 | $414,316,706 | $318,450,332 | 1,348 | $50,596,670 |
| 2021 | $2,909,768,326 | $770,296,528 | $584,919,704 | $400,463,161 | 1,598 | $68,522,282 |
| 2020 | $2,397,054,281 | $548,689,880 | $489,891,267 | $307,983,670 | 1,240 | $20,669,514 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization states its mission as “inspiring philanthropy and strengthening our region through innovative community initiatives and quality services to donors and constituents.”
Its 2024 filing describes grants for scholarship programs, educational institutions and other curriculum programs; conservation, environmental education and related projects; services for seniors, youth development, housing and shelter, and other community needs; and animal care, shelter, and spay and neuter programs.
Among the 2024 recipients, Catawba College describes its mission as providing an education that blends liberal studies with career preparation. The Southern Environmental Law Center says it works to protect clean air, clean water and a livable climate, and to preserve natural resources and biodiversity. The International Rescue Committee describes its work helping people affected by conflict and disaster survive, recover and rebuild their lives. These are grantees’ descriptions of their own work, not statements of the foundation’s mission.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 1,605 grants totaling $609,062,549. Grant amounts ranged from $5,100 to $56,557,611, with a median of $25,000.
The largest reported grants included $56,557,611 to Catawba College, $26,472,000 to the Southern Environmental Law Center, $24,000,000 to the International Rescue Committee Inc., $20,000,000 to the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, and $17,000,000 to Duke University Medical Center. Other large recipients included Nova Ukraine ($16,000,000), Planned Parenthood South Atlantic ($14,095,000), Duke Cancer Institute ($13,005,000), Rocky Mountain Institute ($12,250,000), Johnson C. Smith University ($11,831,270), Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy ($11,330,515), and Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc. ($11,075,000). The filing lists the purpose for these grants as “charitable gift.”
The foundation’s website says nonprofits can apply to competitive grant programs, which vary in size, application process, and funding focus. Most of its grantmaking, however, is recommended by advisors to donor-established charitable funds; those grants have no application process, and the advisor selects eligible nonprofit recipients. For competitive opportunities, applicants should consult the relevant program’s criteria and instructions. The foundation’s sample application describes an online application process and says paper applications are not accepted. Eligible applicants generally include qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofits, governmental, educational, and religious organizations; an organization that does not meet those criteria may apply under a fiscal sponsorship. The foundation says grants must be used for charitable purposes, and it cannot make grants or loans to small businesses. It is generally prohibited from making grants to individuals, with exceptions for scholarships and corporate disaster relief and financial hardship programs.
Programs listed as active include Plus Collective Basic Operating Grants for 501(c)(3) organizations serving the LGBTQ+ community in Charlotte-Mecklenburg; the Longleaf Fund Grant, which supports capital projects for at-risk children and youth across the Carolinas, with awards of $10,000–$150,000; and the Cherokee County Community Foundation Grant, for eligible organizations serving Cherokee County, South Carolina.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Arrington Mixon as chair and Kieth Cockrell as chair-elect. It lists Marian Steele Clark, Malcomb Coley, Sharyn Ellison, Betsy Fleming, Lynn Good, Todd Gorelick, Jada Grandy-Mock, and Kelly Katterhagen as directors.
Foundation for the Carolinas is led by Cathy Bessant, CEO since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 15 of 34 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Cathy Bessant
CEO
Director → CEO, 2024
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$571K (2024)
Munro C. Richardson
Read Charlotte Executive Director
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$199K (2020) → $199K (2024)
Blair Stanford
Celc Executive Director
Executive Director - Clt Executive Leadership Council → Celc Executive Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
50 hrs/week
$240K (2021) → $267K (2024)
Sherri S. Chisholm
Loo Executive Director
On filings since 2022
50 hrs/week
$184K (2022) → $195K (2024)
Laura Yates Clark
President
New on the 2024 filing
50 hrs/week
$234K (2024)
Arrington Mixon
Chair
Director → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Fred Whitfield
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lynn Good
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marian Steele Clark
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jada Grandy-Mock
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Katterhagen
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Kluttz
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Betsy Fleming
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gene McLaurin
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Malcomb Coley
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tom Nelson
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Edward Serna
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ralph Lopez-Massas
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sharyn Ellison
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Todd Gorelick
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tropzie McCluney
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Asha Rodriguez
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bill Martin
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alyssa Federico
Chief Financial Officer
Senior Vice President - Finance → Senior Vice President & Finance, 2023
Senior Vice President & Finance → Chief Financial Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$184K (2020) → $229K (2024)
Douglas W. Benson
Chief Administrative & Chief Risk Officer Secretary
Senior Vice President & In-House Counsel → Senior Vice President & General Counsel, 2022
Senior Vice President & General Counsel → Chief Administrative & Chief Risk Officer Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$187K (2020) → $258K (2024)
Laura Smith
Former COO
Executive Vice President → President & CEO, 2023
President & CEO → Former COO, 2024
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$313K (2020) → $436K (2024)
Nikhil Sawant
CIO
Executive Vice President & CIO → CIO, 2024
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$325K (2020) → $246K (2024)
Tara Keener
Chief Marketing Officer
Senior Vice President - Marketing & Communications → Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications, 2023
Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications → Chief Marketing Officer, 2024
On filings since 2021
50 hrs/week
$181K (2021) → $172K (2024)
Elizabeth Kiser
Chief Philanthropy Officer
Senior Vice President - Philanthropic Advanc → Senior Vice President & Philanthropic Advancement, 2023
Senior Vice President & Philanthropic Advancement → Chief Philanthropy Officer, 2024
On filings since 2022
50 hrs/week
$179K (2022) → $202K (2024)
Evan N. Wolkofsky
General Counsel
Assistant Deputy Counsel → General Counsel, 2024
On filings since 2022
50 hrs/week
$159K (2022) → $213K (2024)
Federico G. Rios
Senior Vice President & Civic Leadership
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
$160K (2023) → $216K (2024)
Robin Barefoot
Associate Counsel
New on the 2024 filing
50 hrs/week
$139K (2024)
Sean Seifert
Carolina Theatre Executive
New on the 2024 filing
50 hrs/week
$150K (2024)
Kieth Cockrell
Chair Elect
Director → Chair Elect, 2024
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (30)
- Former: Debra S. Watt (2020–2023) — Executive Vice President & Chro
- Former: Michael Marsicano (2020–2023) — President & CEO
- Former: Jancy Patrick (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Devire Robinson (2023) — Vice President - Centers for Giving
- Former: Jeff Brown (2023) — Director
- Former: Tracy O. Russ (2023) — Special Advisor for Civic Initiatives
- Former: Chantay Bouler (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Chris Poplin (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: David B. Collier (2020–2022) — Executive Vice President
- Former: Jewell D. Hoover (2020–2022) — Chair
- Former: Ruth G. Shaw (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Charles G. Beuris (2022) — Vice President & Director - Investment Reporting
- Former: Ralph Lopez (2022) — Director
- Former: Al De Molina (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Barnes Hauptfuhrer (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Davida Rivens (2020–2021) — National Sales Director & Vice President
- Former: Holly K. Welch (2020–2021) — Executive Vice President
- Former: Janice M. Patrick (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Jesse Cureton (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Julie T. Caldwell (2020–2021) — National Marketing Director & Vice President
- Former: Kelly S. King (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Kendall Alley (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Catherine D. Warfield (2021) — Senior Vice President - Philanthropic Advancement
- Former: Keva Womble (2021) — Senior Vice President - Community Programs
- Former: Linda Terrell (2021) — Vice President & Director - Operations
- Former: Theresa Stroish (2021) — Vice President, Director - Customer & Applicant Experience
- Former: Gwin Barr (2020) — Director
- Former: Kevin Roche (2020) — Director
- Former: Lynne Scott Safrit (2020) — Director
- Former: Todd Mansfield (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $571K, to Cathy Bessant (CEO). 15 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Foundation for the Carolinas
How much does Foundation for the Carolinas give each year?
Foundation for the Carolinas gave $609.1M across 1,605 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $525.4M across 1,399 grants.
What is Foundation for the Carolinas's typical grant size?
Foundation for the Carolinas's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $379,478, across 1,605 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Foundation for the Carolinas that year got $83K on average.
Where does Foundation for the Carolinas give grants?
Foundation for the Carolinas gives mostly in North Carolina: 58% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were District of Columbia (10%) and New York (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Charlotte, NC (346 grants), Salisbury, NC (55 grants), Washington, DC (51 grants) and Raleigh, NC (41 grants).
Does Foundation for the Carolinas give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 1,605 grants with a stated purpose on Foundation for the Carolinas's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable Gift" (1605 grants).
Who are Foundation for the Carolinas's largest grantees?
Foundation for the Carolinas's largest 2024 grantees include Catawba College ($56,557,611), Southern Environmental Law Center ($26,472,000) and International Rescue Committee Inc ($24,000,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 18% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Foundation for the Carolinas?
Foundation for the Carolinas reported $3.9B in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $761.4M.
What does Foundation for the Carolinas fund?
The organization states its mission as “inspiring philanthropy and strengthening our region through innovative community initiatives and quality services to donors and constituents.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Foundation for the Carolinas?
Search the foundation’s competitive grant programs and follow the instructions for the specific program. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Foundation for the Carolinas's EIN?
Foundation for the Carolinas's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-6047886. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Foundation for the Carolinas's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in North Carolina
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
State Employees Credit Union Foundation
Raleigh, NC
The foundation funds capital projects, regional or statewide programs, and organizational capacity building that strengthen North Carolina communities; it favors projects with broad or replicable impact and does not fund operating budgets or shortfalls. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,250 to $1 million, with a median of $2,500. Applications are accepted at any time and typically reviewed semiannually.
Assets
$61.0M
Grants
1,806
Total Given
$17.4M
Dogwood Health Trust
Asheville, NC
Dogwood Health Trust funds work in housing, education, economic opportunity, and health and wellness that improves wellbeing in Western North Carolina, including its 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,000 to $21 million, with a median of $37,500; application requirements vary by funding opportunity.
Assets
$2.0B
Grants
835
Total Given
$148.2M
The Winston-Salem Foundation
Winston-Salem, NC
The Winston-Salem Foundation funds charitable organizations serving Forsyth County, North Carolina, across areas including education, housing, economic opportunity, civic engagement, arts, health, and human services. Its 2024 median grant was $25,000; specific programs offer grants ranging from small grants of up to $2,000 to capital grants of up to $100,000. The profile describes application-based programs but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$630.1M
Grants
823
Total Given
$90.4M
The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Inc
Asheville, NC
The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina funds nonprofits and public agencies serving 18 Western North Carolina counties, including the Qualla Boundary, in areas such as cultural resources, education, human services, and natural resources. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though award sizes varied widely; some local opportunities cap grants at $5,000 or $7,500. It provides an online application system, but the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$481.0M
Grants
793
Total Given
$59.4M
More similar funders
More Funders in North Carolina
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Foundation for the Carolinas funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 9, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/foundation-for-the-carolinas-morg_1881b5a8b4174344a7bcfe157a23b871
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_566047886_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Foundation for the Carolinas funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/foundation-for-the-carolinas-morg_1881b5a8b4174344a7bcfe157a23b871},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-09. 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 Foundation for the Carolinas'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.
Foundation for the Carolinas down — hundreds of funders to go?