Fox Family Foundation Inc
Fox Family Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Durham, North Carolina. Established in 1991, it supports organizations serving the greater Durham area through arts and culture, education, health, and human services.
Fox Family Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Fox Family Foundation Inc gave $523K across 30 grants in 2024 (avg $17K), mostly in North Carolina. 29% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $523,000
- -9.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 30
- +7.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $17,433
- -15.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $18,750
- Total assets
- $9,522,712
- +4.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (8 of 28, 2024)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Fox Family Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
Contact Kate Shirah, the executive director, about the process. New organizations and those without a recent award begin with a meet-and-greet; previously funded organizations with a current grant or funding within the past five years begin with a brief grant inquiry. The filing states that grants are not restricted to preselected organizations. The filing lists restrictions against grants to political or religious organizations and to individuals, including scholarships. Potential grantees must be located in Durham, Orange, or Wake counties, and support is limited to arts and culture, education, health, and human services.
- Review Cycle
- Inquiries must be received by the deadlines published on the foundation’s website. The 2026 inquiry process is closed.
- Deadline
- Inquiries must be received by the deadlines published on the foundation’s website.
- Contact
Application contact: Kate Shirah
Mailing address: 2451 Croasdaile Farm Parkway Suite, 101, Durham, NC 27705
Phone: (919) 383-5575
Website: https://www.foxfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Fox Family Foundation Inc
Who Fox Family Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Duke University ($66K across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $331K.
Grant Size Distribution
174 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 170 grants of 174 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated eligibility requires potential grantees to be located in Durham, Orange, or Wake counties. Its mission and website emphasize the greater Durham area. All 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 30 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Fox Family Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 28 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $24K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $22K repeat.
- 68% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 22% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 99% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF 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 $514K (2022) to $671K (2021). In 2024 it made 30 grants totaling $523K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Senior PharmAssist Inc Durham, NC | General operating support | $40,000 |
| Durham Technical Community College Foundation Inc Durham, NC | Restricted operating support for Durham Tech Community Health Lab | $37,500 |
| Families Moving Forward Durham, NC | $20,000 for general operating support and $15,000 restricted for rapid rehousing-related expenses | $35,000 |
| Duke University Durham, NC | Restricted operating support for Nasher Museum of Art | $30,000 |
| Duke University Durham, NC | Restricted support for the Division of Pediatric Transplant & Cellular Therapy's Family Support Program | $30,000 |
| Durham Literacy Center Durham, NC | General operating support | $30,000 |
| American Dance Festival Inc Durham, NC | Restricted support in two parts for American Dance Festival's Scripps Studio: 1) capacity & infrastructure support, and 2) operating support | $25,000 |
| Housing for New Hope Durham, NC | General operating support | $25,000 |
| The Association for the Preservation of the Eno River Valley Inc dba Eno R Durham, NC | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Urban Ministries of Durham Inc Durham, NC | General operating support | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Fox Family Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The filing type is Form 990-PF.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $9,522,712 | $959,757 | $707,987 | $523,000 | 30 | $641,515 | $916,844 | $650,643 |
| 2023 | $9,147,580 | $601,006 | $757,492 | $580,500 | 28 | $695,001 | $618,909 | $601,319 |
| 2022 | $11,794,009 | $607,979 | $744,552 | $513,500 | 25 | $630,548 | $503,064 | $617,251 |
| 2021 | $13,850,848 | $786,375 | $936,194 | $670,500 | 61 | $802,031 | $652,212 | $653,886 |
| 2020 | $12,468,834 | $784,086 | $812,160 | $600,500 | 30 | — | $717,001 | $542,397 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Fox Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $651K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to support and engage with partners to make a positive difference in the community through arts and culture, education, health, and human services. Its website describes potential areas of work that include museums and performing arts, literacy and higher education, mental health and health-care access, and housing and family services.
The foundation focuses on general operating support, capacity and infrastructure projects, and flexible program support. It also supports organizations collaborating toward a shared purpose and considers special projects.
Examples of grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. Senior PharmAssist describes its work as helping older adults in Durham obtain and manage medications, with health education, Medicare counseling, referrals, and advocacy. Families Moving Forward says it helps families experiencing homelessness find stable homes through temporary housing, case management, education, and connections to community resources. Durham Literacy Center says it helps Durham County residents improve their literacy skills. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 30 grants totaling $523,000. Grant amounts ranged from $750 to $40,000, with a median of $18,750. Notable awards included $40,000 to Senior PharmAssist for general operating support; $37,500 to Durham Technical Community College Foundation for restricted operating support for the Durham Tech Community Health Lab; and $35,000 to Families Moving Forward, split between general operating support and rapid-rehousing-related expenses. Other awards included $30,000 each to Duke University for the Nasher Museum of Art and the Division of Pediatric Transplant & Cellular Therapy’s Family Support Program, and $30,000 to Durham Literacy Center for general operating support.
The 2026 grant-award inquiry process is closed to new inquiries. The foundation’s website describes one formal grant cycle each calendar year, opening in the first quarter. New organizations, and organizations without a recent award, must first have a meet-and-greet with the executive director; the meeting is required once every three years. Previously funded organizations with a current grant or funding within the past five years begin with a brief grant inquiry form. The board decides which organizations to invite to apply, and invited applicants submit a grant application. Time-sensitive off-cycle requests to meet another funder’s match requirement are considered only from current and recent grant recipients. The foundation’s 2024 filing says giving is not restricted to preselected organizations and directs prospective applicants to the website for preferences, cycles, deadlines, and application information. Awards may be made for two or three years.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Kate Shirah as executive director; David D Beischer as president; Thomas Beischer as vice president; Barker French as treasurer; and G Rhodes Craver as secretary. It also lists Michelle S Beischer and J David Ross as directors.
Fox Family Foundation Inc is led by Kate Shirah, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 7 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Kate Shirah
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$56K (2020) → $99K (2024)
David D Beischer
President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
J David Ross
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle S Beischer
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barker French
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
G Rhodes Craver
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Beischer
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Cathy McGhee (2020) — Assistant Secretary
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 $99K, to Kate Shirah (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Fox Family Foundation Inc
How much does Fox Family Foundation Inc give each year?
Fox Family Foundation Inc gave $523K across 30 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $581K across 28 grants.
What is Fox Family Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Fox Family Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $18,750, and its average grant was $17,433, across 30 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Fox Family Foundation Inc that year got $6K on average.
Where does Fox Family Foundation Inc give grants?
Fox Family Foundation Inc gives mostly in North Carolina: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Durham, NC (25 grants), Raleigh, NC (2 grants) and Chapel Hill, NC (2 grants).
Does Fox Family Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 83% of Fox Family Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (25 of 30) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Fox Family Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Fox Family Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Duke University ($65,500 across 3 grants), Senior PharmAssist Inc ($40,000) and Durham Technical Community College Foundation Inc ($37,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Fox Family Foundation Inc?
Fox Family Foundation Inc reported $9.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $642K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $651K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Fox Family Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to support and engage with partners to make a positive difference in the community through arts and culture, education, health, and human services. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Fox Family Foundation Inc?
Contact Kate Shirah, the executive director, about the process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Fox Family Foundation Inc's EIN?
Fox Family Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-1756144. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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North Carolina Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Funders that support many of the same organizations
Triangle Community Foundation Inc
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Duke Energy Foundation
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United Way of the Greater Triangle Inc
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United Way of the Greater Triangle funds locally driven efforts addressing poverty and economic mobility, including housing stability, food access, health, education, and workforce needs, primarily in Durham, Wake, Orange, and Johnston counties. In 2025, its 97 grants ranged from $5,510 to $427,548, with a median of $25,051; it also offers a specific Neighbors Helping Neighbors fund for eligible residents and nonprofits. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests generally.
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Duke University
Durham, NC
Duke funds research, education, health, and community support, with 2025 grants ranging from $5,051 to $344,591 and a median of $11,095; it also offers a $150,000 annual prize for organizations scaling social or environmental impact. Most 2025 grant dollars went to North Carolina, with additional support concentrated in Massachusetts and California. The profile does not state whether Duke accepts unsolicited grant requests.
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The Forest At Duke Inc
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The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation
Durham, NC
The foundation funds arts, arts education, and PreK–12 education, primarily for organizations in North Carolina’s Triangle region; its PreK–12 program focuses on Chatham, Durham, Orange, and Wake Counties. Recent awards ranged from $2,500 to $275,000, with a median of $15,000; program materials list multiyear grants of $15,000–$50,000 for arts education and $20,000–$50,000 for the arts. It accepts requests by contacting the executive director, who provides application materials upon request.
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Total Given
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Fox Family Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/fox-family-foundation-inc-morg_4ed5dd03c91742a291bc1d705e78cb10
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_561756144_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Fox Family Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/fox-family-foundation-inc-morg_4ed5dd03c91742a291bc1d705e78cb10},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 Fox Family Foundation Inc'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.
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