Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust
Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust is a public charity based in Charlotte, North Carolina, formed in 2002. Its 2024 IRS filing is marked as the organization’s final return, indicating that it has terminated or is winding down. The filing describes its role as managing endowments and providing investment and endowment services to cultural organizations; the 2025 filing-year data reports 16 grants totaling $9,071,150.
Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust at a glance
In short: Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust gave $9.1M across 16 grants in 2025 (avg $567K), mostly in North Carolina. 6% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $9,071,150
- -25.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 16
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $566,947
- -25.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $358,423
- New grantees (estimate)
- 6% first-time grantees (1 of 16, 2025; small sample)
- 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. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust
- Contact
Mailing address: 220 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
Phone: (704) 973-4500
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Mint Museum ($3.2M). Together the top 10 received $8.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
95 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 37 grants of 95 (39%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to recipients in North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust open to new grantees?
6%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 16 grantees (6%) were first-time recipients. With only 16 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $604K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $360K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $4.8M (2022) to $13.6M (2020). In 2025 it made 16 grants totaling $9.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mint Museum Charlotte, NC | Arts & Culture | $3,166,618 |
| Discovery Place Inc Charlotte, NC | Arts & Culture | $1,223,406 |
| Bechtler Museum of Modern Art Charlotte, NC | Arts & Culture | $838,283 |
| Children's Theatre of Charlotte Charlotte, NC | Arts & Culture | $733,393 |
| Charlotte Symphony Orchestra Society Inc Charlotte, NC | Arts & Culture | $665,178 |
| North Carolina Performing Arts Center Foundation Charlotte, NC | Arts & Culture | $547,207 |
| Wing Haven Foundation Inc Charlotte, NC | Arts & Culture | $432,681 |
| McColl Center for Art Innovation Charlotte, NC | Arts & Culture | $360,157 |
| Levine Museum of the New South Charlotte, NC | Arts & Culture | $356,688 |
| Harvey B Gantt Center for African American Arts & Culture Charlotte, NC | Arts & Culture | $268,481 |
Ready to take the next step with Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2025 grant total covers 16 grants. Assets were not provided for filing year 2025.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | $4,272,816 | $10,287,810 | $9,071,150 | 16 | $-109 |
| 2024 | $228,897,365 | $1,560,264 | $12,985,027 | $12,104,631 | 16 | $32 |
| 2023 | $213,907,642 | $1,358,257 | $8,415,178 | $7,533,849 | 23 | $19 |
| 2022 | $187,755,408 | $2,859,147 | $5,689,377 | $4,751,539 | 19 | $125 |
| 2021 | $215,607,180 | $2,795,412 | $8,175,961 | $7,331,879 | 21 | $43 |
| 2020 | $173,742,321 | $2,357,736 | $14,679,534 | $13,570,246 | 21 | $-226 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Trust’s stated mission is “growing and sustaining a vibrant cultural community in Charlotte-Mecklenburg” by providing endowment management, oversight, and investment expertise to build and grow permanent funds for the area’s arts, science, and history organizations.
In its 2024 filing, the Trust says it oversees the cultural endowment to help sustain and grow the permanent funds of the Arts & Science Council of Charlotte/Mecklenburg and its cultural partners. It describes its services as administering, investing, and distributing funds to member organizations. The filing says that spendable income from endowed funds is used annually to support cultural organizations, either for designated programs or projects or as general operating support.
The 2025 grants show support for organizations with varied cultural and educational missions. For example, Discovery Place describes its work as bringing science, nature, and design together through community experiences; McColl Center describes its focus on contemporary artists and public engagement with art; and Charlotte Ballet says its mission centers on connections and educational opportunities through dance. These are the grantees’ own descriptions of their work.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Trust reported 16 grants totaling $9,071,150. Grant amounts ranged from $7,870 to $3,166,618, with a median of $358,422.
The largest reported grants included $3,166,618 to the Mint Museum, $1,223,406 to Discovery Place Inc., $838,283 to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, $733,393 to Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, and $665,178 to Charlotte Symphony Orchestra Society Inc. All were listed for arts and culture. Other recipients included the North Carolina Performing Arts Center Foundation ($547,207), Wing Haven Foundation ($432,681), McColl Center for Art Innovation ($360,157), Levine Museum of the New South ($356,688), and Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts & Culture ($268,481).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Richard Nichols as chair and Doug Benson as secretary. Directors listed are Adam Santalla, Baker Burleson, Torrey Feimster, Kelly Lineberger, Joy Kenefick, Brad Kutrow, John Nurkin, and Dick Payne.
Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust is led by Richard Nichols, Chair since 2024 (on filings since 2021); none of the 11 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Richard Nichols
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Baker Burleson
Director
Director → Chair, 2023
Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joy Kenefick
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brad Kutrow
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eugene Young
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Torrey Feimster
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Adam Santalla
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dick Payne
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Nurkin
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Lineberger
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Doug Benson
Secretary
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Jack Purcell (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Kelly Katterhagen (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Sam Bowles (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Krista Terrell (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Luther Lockwood (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Steve D. Boland (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Ronald Bryant (2022) — Director
- Former: Bob Lilien (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Holly Welch Stubbing (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Jeep Bryant (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Michelle Thornhill (2020–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust
How much does Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust give each year?
Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust gave $9.1M across 16 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $12.1M across 16 grants.
What is Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust's typical grant size?
Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust's median grant in 2025 was $358,423, and its average grant was $566,947, across 16 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust that year got $8K on average.
Where does Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust give grants?
Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust 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 Charlotte, NC (15 grants).
Does Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 16 grants with a stated purpose on Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Arts & Culture" (16 grants).
Who are Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust's largest grantees?
Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust's largest 2025 grantees include Mint Museum ($3,166,618), Discovery Place Inc ($1,223,406) and Bechtler Museum of Modern Art ($838,283), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 58% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
What does Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust fund?
The Trust’s stated mission is “growing and sustaining a vibrant cultural community in Charlotte-Mecklenburg” by providing endowment management, oversight, and investment expertise to build and grow permanent funds for the area’s arts, science, and history organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust?
Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust's EIN?
Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-0576292. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust funds
Arts, Culture & Humanities Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in North Carolina
Foundation for the Carolinas
Charlotte, NC
Foundation For The Carolinas funds education and youth development, environmental and wildlife work, health and human services, and animal welfare, with a reported median grant of $25,000 in 2024. Its competitive programs focus on Charlotte-Mecklenburg, the Carolinas, and specific local communities, while donor-advised funds may support eligible nonprofits more broadly; it accepts applications for some competitive grants, but most grants are recommended by fund advisors and have no application process.
Assets
$3.9B
Grants
1,605
Total Given
$609.1M
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
Tulsa Community Foundation
Tulsa, OK
Tulsa Community Foundation supports charitable causes through donor-advised grants and selected funds, including scholarships, emergency assistance, disaster relief, arts and humanities, healthcare, and financial literacy, primarily in the Tulsa metro area and eastern Oklahoma, with some giving elsewhere in the United States. Its 2024 median grant was $18,560; selected field-of-interest funds have application cycles, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
1,066
Total Given
$158.6M
IBM International Foundation
Armonk, NY
The IBM International Foundation funds education and workforce programs that build 21st-century and technology job skills, including initiatives for underserved students and job seekers. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.48 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across several U.S. states, especially Delaware and Massachusetts. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$357.7M
Grants
16
Total Given
$11.7M
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
More similar funders
More Funders in North Carolina
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 23, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/greater-charlotte-cultural-trust-morg_c98bc26e39144087a37be0c8e7dad551
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_820576292_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/greater-charlotte-cultural-trust-morg_c98bc26e39144087a37be0c8e7dad551},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-23. 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 Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust'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.
Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust down — hundreds of funders to go?