Foundation for the Carolinas
Foundation For The Carolinas (FFTC) is a community foundation based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Established in 1958 with an initial $3,000 grant from the United Way, the organization has grown to become the fifth-largest community foundation by assets in the United States. FFTC operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity and serves a 13-county region across North and South Carolina. The foundation employs 123 individuals and operates from its headquarters at 220 North Tryon in Charlotte.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.9B
+12.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$609.1M
+15.9% YoY
Grant Count
1,605
+14.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$379K
+1.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Foundation For The Carolinas inspires philanthropy and empowers individuals to create a better community. The organization's mission centers on driving remarkable impact by growing philanthropy, catalyzing unique civic and social change, fostering sustainability, and leading the philanthropic sector.
Core Philosophy: FFTC believes in the power of collective giving and open philanthropy. The organization emphasizes that partnerships are the most important form of success and that people make more of a difference than money.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Education and Youth Development: Supports scholarship programs, educational institutions, and curriculum programs
- Health and Human Services: Funds services for seniors, youth development, housing and shelter, and community needs
- Environment and Wildlife: Supports conservation efforts and environmental education projects
- Arts & Culture: Funds arts organizations and cultural initiatives
- Animal Welfare: Supports animal care, shelter, and spay and neuter programs
- Economic Mobility and Workforce Development: Addresses low economic mobility for children in the region through initiatives focused on racial and economic segregation, health outcomes, and K-12 school quality
Civic Leadership: FFTC operates the Robinson Center for Civic Leadership, which convenes and connects community members to address regional challenges such as economic mobility, neighborhood revitalization, and children's literacy.
Grantmaking
FFTC facilitates tens of thousands of grants annually to worthy causes throughout its service region. The foundation operates multiple grant programs and funding mechanisms:
Review Cycle
- Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Foundation - Family Stability Grant
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Foundation For The Carolinas serves a 13-county region spanning North Carolina and South Carolina, with primary focus on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area and surrounding counties. The foundation also supports initiatives in the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Current Assets and Revenue (as of January 1, 2026):
- Total Assets: $5.1 billion
- Year-to-Date Contributions to Funds: $9.2 million
- Year-to-Date Grants to Nonprofits: $36.3 million
Recent Historical Financials:
2024:
- Total Assets: $3.93 billion
- Revenue: $761 million
- Expenses: $849 million
- Total Liabilities: $86.7 million
2023:
- Total Assets: $3.49 billion
- Total Revenues: $538 million
- Total Expenses: $582 million
Growth Trajectory: FFTC is the fastest-growing among the 800 community foundations in the United States and ranks among the top five in grantmaking and contributions to funds.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,934,238,899 | $3,492,760,144 | $3,064,138,829 |
| Revenue | $761,389,623 | $538,046,453 | $953,517,849 |
| Expenses | $849,185,395 | $582,472,149 | $414,316,706 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $87,323,425 | $70,915,744 | $50,596,670 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
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
Rolling / Open
Cabarrus County Community Foundation Grant Cycle
FOUNDATION FOR THE CAROLINAS
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Foundation - Family Stability Grant
FOUNDATION FOR THE CAROLINAS
Amount
US $10,000 - US $50,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The organization is governed by a Governing Board and Investment Committee that work with investment consultant Mercer to manage the foundation's assets and determine annual spendable income rates.
Key Staff:
- Marla Neely: Senior Director, Venue Operations (220 North Tryon)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARRINGTON MIXON | CHAIR | 0.5 | — |
| MARIAN STEELE CLARK | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| KIETH COCKRELL | CHAIR ELECT | 0.5 | — |
| MALCOMB COLEY | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| SHARYN ELLISON | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| BETSY FLEMING | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| LYNN GOOD | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| TODD GORELICK | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| JADA GRANDY-MOCK | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| KELLY KATTERHAGEN | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| SUSAN KLUTTZ | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| RALPH LOPEZ-MASSAS | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| TROPZIE MCCLUNEY | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| GENE MCLAURIN | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| TOM NELSON | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| EDWARD SERNA | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| FRED WHITFIELD | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| BILL MARTIN | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| ASHA RODRIGUEZ | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| CATHY BESSANT | CEO | 50 | $571,104 |
| DOUGLAS W BENSON | CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE AND CHIEF RISK OFFICER (SECRE | 50 | $258,355 |
| ALYSSA FEDERICO | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (TREASURER) | 50 | $228,615 |
| EVAN N WOLKOFSKY | GENERAL COUNSEL (ASST SECRETARY) | 50 | $213,325 |
| LAURA YATES CLARK | PRESIDENT | 50 | $234,479 |
| TARA KEENER | CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER (ASST SECRETARY) | 50 | $171,869 |
| BLAIR STANFORD | CELC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 50 | $267,230 |
| ELIZABETH KISER | CHIEF PHILANTHROPY OFFICER | 50 | $202,221 |
| SEAN SEIFERT | CAROLINA THEATRE EXECUTIVE | 50 | $150,154 |
| NIKHIL SAWANT | CIO (THRU 3/1/24) | 50 | $245,614 |
| MUNRO C RICHARDSON | READ CHARLOTTE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 50 | $199,175 |
| FEDERICO G RIOS | SVP, CIVIC LEADERSHIP | 50 | $216,270 |
| SHERRI S CHISHOLM | LOO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 50 | $195,493 |
| ROBIN BAREFOOT | ASSOCIATE COUNSEL | 50 | $139,084 |
| LAURA SMITH | FORMER COO | 50 | $436,231 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2025 Community Impact Funds:** FFTC awarded grants through its Community Impact Funds program, including a $20,000 grant to Lake Norman Humane.
Community Impact Funds Grant Award Listing**Venue Operations:** 220 North Tryon, located within FFTC's headquarters at Belk Place in Uptown Charlotte, operates as an event venue. Revenue generated supports community access to the building, including free public gallery access and no-charge meeting spaces for 501(c)(3) nonprofits in the 13-county region during weekday business hours.
**Foundation Partnerships:** FFTC has received grants from major funders including the John S and James L Knight Foundation (supporting the Knight Tech Infusion Fund and Read Charlotte literacy program), the John M Belk Endowment, and the AbbVie Foundation.
Apply For Grants | Foundation For The CarolinasSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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