Hillsdale Fund
Hillsdale Fund is a private foundation based in Greensboro, North Carolina. It makes grants to organizations; its 2024 filing lists 69 grants totaling $1,458,400.
Hillsdale Fund at a glance
In short: Hillsdale Fund gave $1.5M across 69 grants in 2024 (avg $21K), top state North Carolina. 58% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,458,400
- +0.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 69
- -9.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $21,136
- +10.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $29,295,872
- +7.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 58% first-time grantees (40 of 69, 2024)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (32% 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 Hillsdale Fund
- How to Apply
-
The filing says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It lists a completed application and a copy of the applicant’s IRS exemption letter as required materials, gives “MARY SCOTT Hillsdale Fund INC PIEDM” as the contact, and states that there are no restrictions on awards.
- Review Cycle
- The filing states that deadlines vary each year, with one in spring and one in fall.
- Deadline
- The filing states that deadlines vary each year, with one in spring and one in fall.
- Contact
Application contact: Mary Scott Hillsdale Fund Inc Piedm
Mailing address: PO Box 20124, Greensboro, NC 27420
Phone: (336) 274-5471
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Hillsdale Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Memphis Inner City Rugby ($100K). Together the top 10 received $595K.
Grant Size Distribution
383 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 352 grants of 383 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 32% of grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina, 19% to Virginia, 10% to Tennessee, 9% to Ohio, and 6% to Washington. The remaining 24% went to recipients in other states.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 69 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Hillsdale Fund open to new grantees?
58%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 40 of 69 grantees (58%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $22K; repeat grants $20K. How we count
Medians: $18K first-time, $14K repeat.
- 22% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−1%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 95% 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 $1.5M (2023) to $1.5M (2022). In 2024 it made 69 grants totaling $1.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis Inner City Rugby Memphis, TN | To assist the tax exempt organization to carry out its exempt purpose. | $100,000 |
| Woodberry Forest School Woodberry Forest, VA | To assist the tax exempt organization to carry out its exempt purpose. | $80,000 |
| Blue Scholars Initiative Inc Miami, FL | To assist the tax exempt organization to carry out its exempt purpose. | $70,000 |
| Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley New Market, VA | To assist the tax exempt organization to carry out its exempt purpose. | $65,000 |
| Camp Harbour View Foundation Inc Boston, MA | To assist the tax exempt organization to carry out its exempt purpose. | $50,000 |
| Curamericas Global Inc Springs, NC | To assist the tax exempt organization to carry out its exempt purpose. | $50,000 |
| Seattle Aquarium Society Seas DBA Seattle Aquarium Seattle, WA | To assist the tax exempt organization to carry out its exempt purpose. | $50,000 |
| The Ohio State University Foundation Columbus, OH | To assist the tax exempt organization to carry out its exempt purpose. | $50,000 |
| Business of Art Center DBA Manitou Art Center Springs, CO | To assist the tax exempt organization to carry out its exempt purpose. | $40,000 |
| Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Inc Cleveland, OH | To assist the tax exempt organization to carry out its exempt purpose. | $40,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $29,295,872 | $994,180 | $1,805,341 | $1,458,400 | 69 | $1,618,247 | $3,213,028 | $1,697,106 |
| 2023 | $27,217,632 | $1,096,420 | $1,761,911 | $1,451,312 | 76 | $1,612,088 | $492,968 | $1,571,281 |
| 2022 | $28,684,269 | $947,585 | $2,024,974 | $1,527,998 | 71 | $1,679,820 | $286,332 | $1,621,232 |
| 2021 | $30,280,669 | $1,089,955 | $1,834,179 | $1,476,736 | 74 | $1,607,361 | $3,214,459 | $1,806,131 |
| 2020 | $28,269,602 | $937,001 | $1,796,439 | $1,507,000 | 93 | — | $379,274 | $1,575,447 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Hillsdale Fund reported a distributable amount of $1.7M 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 filing does not state a mission for Hillsdale Fund. Its grants include organizations with varied missions. For example, Memphis Inner City Rugby describes its work as closing the opportunity gap and supporting upward mobility in under-resourced Memphis communities. The Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley says it informs and engages people to protect the region’s natural resources, cultural heritage, and rural character. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame says it celebrates rock and roll and honors artists whose music connects people. Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital Operating Corporation says it serves communities by preventing illness, restoring health, and providing comfort.
Grantmaking
In 2024, Hillsdale Fund made 69 grants totaling $1,458,400. Grant amounts ranged from $1,500 to $100,000, with a median of $15,000. Among the largest awards were $100,000 to Memphis Inner City Rugby, $80,000 to Woodberry Forest School, $70,000 to Blue Scholars Initiative, and $65,000 to the Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley. Other notable awards included $50,000 each to Camp Harbor View Foundation, Curamericas Global, the Seattle Aquarium Society, and the Ohio State University Foundation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Louise B. McCoy as president; Sion A. Boney III as treasurer; and George L. Dufournier, William L. R. Smith, Lunsford R. Smith, Margaret W. Gallagher, Laurinda L. Douglas, John Peter Gallagher, Barbara R. Evans, and James L. Richardson as trustees.
Hillsdale Fund is led by Louise B. McCoy, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 13 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Louise B. McCoy
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barbara R. Evans
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cali C. Smith
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
George L. Dufournier
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James L. Richardson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Peter Gallagher
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laurinda L. Douglas
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lunsford R. Smith
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Margaret W. Gallagher
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Martin M. Boney
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William L. R. Smith
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Caroline S. Pryor
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sion A. Boney III
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Eudora L. Richardson (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Margaret R. White (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Richard G. Smith III (2020) — Trustee
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.
Frequently asked questions about Hillsdale Fund
How much does Hillsdale Fund give each year?
Hillsdale Fund gave $1.5M across 69 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.5M across 76 grants.
What is Hillsdale Fund's typical grant size?
Hillsdale Fund's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $21,136, across 69 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Hillsdale Fund that year got $22K on average.
Where does Hillsdale Fund give grants?
Hillsdale Fund's top state is North Carolina, with 32% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Virginia (19%) and Tennessee (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Raleigh, NC (9 grants), Greensboro, NC (6 grants), Durham, NC (2 grants) and Richmond, VA (2 grants).
Does Hillsdale Fund give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 69 grants with a stated purpose on Hillsdale Fund's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Hillsdale Fund's largest grantees?
Hillsdale Fund's largest 2024 grantees include Memphis Inner City Rugby ($100,000), Woodberry Forest School ($80,000) and Blue Scholars Initiative Inc ($70,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Hillsdale Fund?
Hillsdale Fund reported $29.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.7M (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 Hillsdale Fund fund?
The filing does not state a mission for Hillsdale Fund. Its grants include organizations with varied missions. For example, Memphis Inner City Rugby describes its work as closing the opportunity gap and supporting upward mobility in under-resourced Memphis communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Hillsdale Fund?
The filing says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Hillsdale Fund's EIN?
Hillsdale Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-6057433. 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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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Hillsdale Fund funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/hillsdale-fund-morg_0c9dc197ae5e4dd68e0f2f02e0c376ae
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_566057433_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Hillsdale Fund funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/hillsdale-fund-morg_0c9dc197ae5e4dd68e0f2f02e0c376ae},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Hillsdale Fund'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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