Great Schools NC
Great schools North Carolina (GSNC) supports leaders with strategic funding and collaborative partnership to increase access to high-quality public education options.
Great Schools NC at a glance
In short: Great Schools NC gave $975K across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $139K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $975,000
- +550.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- +600.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $139,286
- -7.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $150,000
- Total assets
- $664,977
- -58.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Great Schools NC funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was West Triangle HS ($250K). Together the top 7 received $975K.
Grant Size Distribution
8 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 6 grants of 8 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2024 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $150K (2024) to $975K (2025). In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $975K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| West Triangle HS Durham, NC | School Support | $250,000 |
| Warren Young Explorers School Warrenton, NC | School Support | $150,000 |
| Rise Southeast Raleigh Charter School Raleigh, NC | School Support | $150,000 |
| Pioneer Springs Community School Charlotte, NC | School Support | $150,000 |
| Durham Charter School Durham, NC | School Support | $150,000 |
| Sledge Institute Henderson, NC | School Support | $100,000 |
| Educationnc Raleigh, NC | School Support | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Great Schools NC?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $664,977 | $3,107,192 | $3,909,337 | $975,000 | 7 | $81,111 |
| 2024 | $1,611,383 | $3,353,335 | $1,917,432 | $150,000 | 1 | $53,335 |
About Great Schools NC
Based on IRS filings
Great Schools NC is a public charity, based in Charlotte, NC. IRS filing data is available from 2024 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $665K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 7 grants totaling $975K. Net investment income was $81K.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Great Schools NC is led by Madeline Hannigan, Executive Director on every filing since 2024; 6 of 9 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Madeline Hannigan
Executive Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$180K (2024) → $230K (2025)
Scott Benson
Board Chair
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Reid Phillips
Managing Director, School Finance & Real Estate
Managing Director → Managing Director, School Finance & Real Estate, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$132K (2024) → $230K (2025)
Shauna Bell
Managing Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$151K (2024) → $213K (2025)
Shea Reeder
Managing Director, Schools & Partnerships
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$230K (2025)
Hunter Schimpff
Director & Finance
Director of Finance → Director & Finance, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$144K (2024) → $180K (2025)
Allison Becker
Chief of Staff
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$205K (2025)
Beth Anderson
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kameelah Shaheed
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Allie Becker (2024) — Chief of Staff
- Former: Lane Faison (2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Marvin Espinoza-Leiva (2024) — Director of Data Strategy
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2024–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $230K, to Madeline Hannigan (Executive Director). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Great Schools NC
How much does Great Schools NC give each year?
Great Schools NC gave $975K across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $150K across 1 grant.
What is Great Schools NC's typical grant size?
Great Schools NC's median grant in 2025 was $150,000, and its average grant was $139,286, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Great Schools NC give grants?
Great Schools NC gives mostly in North Carolina: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Durham, NC (2 grants) and Raleigh, NC (2 grants).
Does Great Schools NC give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on Great Schools NC's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "School Support" (7 grants).
Who are Great Schools NC's largest grantees?
Great Schools NC's largest 2025 grantees include West Triangle HS ($250,000), Warren Young Explorers School ($150,000) and Rise Southeast Raleigh Charter School ($150,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 56% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Great Schools NC?
Great Schools NC reported $665K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.1M.
What is Great Schools NC's EIN?
Great Schools NC's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 92-1089656. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2024–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 8, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 16, 2026)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Great Schools NC's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common
Avantor Sciences Foundation
Radnor, PA
The Avantor Sciences Foundation funds nonprofit programs advancing STEM education and access to quality healthcare, partnering with organizations worldwide, generally near Avantor sites or where many associates work. It makes fewer, larger grants; recent annual grant totals ranged from about $520,000 to $1.4 million, but individual grant amounts aren’t specified. It does not accept unsolicited requests and contributes only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$711K
Grants
1
Total Given
$520K
The Goodnight Educational Foundation
Cary, NC
The Goodnight Educational Foundation funds North Carolina charitable organizations, including museums, educational institutions, and public media. In 2025, grants ranged from $10,000 to $2 million, with a median of $50,000; it supports only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$186.4M
Grants
25
Total Given
$9.2M
The Belk Foundation
Charlotte, NC
The Belk Foundation funds public education, especially K–3 achievement and strong teachers and leaders, through grants to nonprofits, public school systems, and higher education institutions. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $150,000, with a median of $50,000, mainly in Charlotte-Mecklenburg and for select North Carolina initiatives. It does not accept unsolicited funding requests; full applications are by invitation only.
Assets
$42.9M
Grants
40
Total Given
$2.1M
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
Tom Russell Charitable Foundation Inc
Wilmington, DE
The foundation supports education and youth programs, affordable housing and homeownership, emergency shelters, disability services, and community organizations. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $102,000, with a median of $5,000; North Carolina received the largest share, followed by New York and Illinois. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$29.7M
Grants
43
Total Given
$440K
John M Belk Endowment
Charlotte, NC
The John M. Belk Endowment primarily supports education and career pathways, especially post-secondary opportunities for adults in North Carolina, through grants and its NC Reconnect initiative. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,000 to $2.88 million, with a median of $5,000; most funding went to North Carolina, with some support in Indiana and Massachusetts. It accepts no unsolicited requests and funds only preselected organizations.
Assets
$379.0M
Grants
86
Total Given
$14.7M
More similar funders
More Funders in North Carolina
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Great Schools NC'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.
Great Schools NC down — hundreds of funders to go?