Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc
Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Its 2024 filing reports grants to educational institutions and organizations providing services such as child advocacy, crisis assistance, health care, and meals.
Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc gave $1.0M across 72 grants in 2024 (avg $14K), mostly in North Carolina. 17% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,015,856
- -6.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 72
- +7.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $14,109
- -13.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $7,750
- Total assets
- $379,651
- -39.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 17% first-time grantees (12 of 72, 2024)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (92% 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 Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
Contact Foundation for the Carolinas. No particular form is required. The filing states that awards are solely focused on Davie and Rowan counties.
- Review Cycle
- February 2.
- Deadline
- February 2.
- Contact
Application contact: Foundation For The Carolinas
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 Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Catawba College ($75K). Together the top 10 received $513K.
Grant Size Distribution
335 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 308 grants of 335 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s filing states that awards are solely focused on Davie and Rowan counties. Its 2024 grant dollars were reported as 92% to North Carolina recipients, 7% to Virginia recipients, and less than 1% to Maryland recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 72 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
17%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 12 of 72 grantees (17%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $15K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $9K repeat.
- 79% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−4%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $943K (2020) to $1.1M (2022). In 2024 it made 72 grants totaling $1.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Catawba College Salisbury, NC | Scholarship Support - Rowan and Davie County Students | $75,000 |
| Children's Hope Alliance Barium Springs, NC | Healing the Hurt Through Outpatient Therapy | $75,000 |
| Davidson College Davidson, NC | 2023-24 Margaret C. Woodson Scholarship | $75,000 |
| Mary Baldwin University Staunton, VA | Woodson 1ST Scholarship - Cohort 3 | $75,000 |
| Community Care Clinic of Rowan County Inc Salisbury, NC | Medical, Dental, and Pharmacy Operating Expenses | $45,000 |
| Rowan Helping Ministries Salisbury, NC | Crisis assistance network - financial assistance; miracles on the horizon; in honor & appreciation of tricia johnson for her service on the woodson foundation board | $45,000 |
| Terrie Hess Child Advocacy Center Salisbury, NC | General Support | $37,000 |
| Livingstone College Salisbury, NC | Scholarships for Under-Resourced Students | $35,000 |
| Rowan-Salisbury School System Salisbury, NC | Horizon unlimited - margaret c. Woodson planetarium maintenance in 2023 | $25,800 |
| Meals on Wheels of Rowan Inc Salisbury, NC | Nutritious Meals and Groceries | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $379,651 | $856,040 | $1,102,440 | $1,015,856 | 72 | $1,102,440 | $21,405 |
| 2023 | $626,051 | $907,759 | $1,170,987 | $1,088,000 | 67 | $1,170,792 | $37,570 |
| 2022 | $889,279 | $1,614,840 | $1,197,641 | $1,118,578 | 66 | $1,197,155 | $31,414 |
| 2021 | $472,080 | $885,698 | $1,143,663 | $1,057,087 | 68 | $1,143,396 | $40,720 |
| 2020 | $1,089,291 | $1,170,022 | $1,016,508 | $942,900 | 62 | — | $28,286 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $21K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s 2024 grants include scholarship support and other educational assistance, along with support for organizations serving children, families, and people in need. For example, Catawba College describes its mission as providing an education that blends liberal studies with career preparation, while Children’s Hope Alliance says it works to find and support safe family settings for children. Rowan Helping Ministries describes providing shelter, food, clothing, and other assistance to people in need.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 72 grants totaling $1,015,856. Grants ranged from $1,500 to $75,000, with a median of $7,750. Among the largest awards were $75,000 each to Catawba College for scholarship support for Rowan and Davie County students, Children’s Hope Alliance for outpatient therapy, Davidson College for a Margaret C. Woodson scholarship, and Mary Baldwin University for its Woodson 1st Scholarship.
Other notable awards included $45,000 to Rowan Helping Ministries for crisis assistance and related purposes; $37,000 to Terrie Hess Child Advocacy Center for general support; $35,000 to Livingstone College for scholarships for under-resourced students; and $25,000 to Meals on Wheels of Rowan for nutritious meals and groceries.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Mary Holt Woodson Murphy as chair. Directors listed are Dr Nilous M Avery II, John BE Cunningham, James W Davis, Marlene Boger Shamel, Robert P Shay Jr, Paul B Woodson Jr, Krista Wooly, and Harry McLaughlin.
Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc is led by Mary Holt Woodson Murphy, Chair since 2021 (on filings since 2020); all 9 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Mary Holt Woodson Murphy
Chair
Director → Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$4K (2020) → $4K (2024)
James W. Davis
Director
Chair → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$4K (2021) → $6K (2024)
John Be Cunningham
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$4K (2020) → $4K (2024)
Nilous M. Avery II
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$4K (2020) → $4K (2024)
Paul B. Woodson Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$6K (2020) → $4K (2024)
Robert P. Shay Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$4K (2020) → $4K (2024)
Marlene Boger Shamel
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$4K (2021) → $4K (2024)
Harry McLaughlin
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
$4K (2024)
Krista Wooly
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
$4K (2024)
Former officers (3)
- Former: Patricia Hobson Johnson (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Donald D. Sayers (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: William G. Johnson Jr. (2020–2021) — Director
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 $6K, to James W Davis (Director). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc
How much does Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc give each year?
Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc gave $1.0M across 72 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.1M across 67 grants.
What is Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $7,750, and its average grant was $14,109, across 72 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc that year got $8K on average.
Where does Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc give grants?
Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc gives mostly in North Carolina: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Virginia (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Salisbury, NC (45 grants), Mocksville, NC (10 grants), Spencer, NC (2 grants) and Raleigh, NC (2 grants).
Does Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 22% of Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (16 of 72) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Catawba College ($75,000), Children's Hope Alliance ($75,000) and Davidson College ($75,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 22% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc?
Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc reported $380K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $21K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s 2024 grants include scholarship support and other educational assistance, along with support for organizations serving children, families, and people in need. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc?
Contact Foundation for the Carolinas. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc's EIN?
Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-6064938. 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
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
Rowan County United Way Inc
Salisbury, NC
Rowan County United Way funds health and human services, community development, and initiatives focused on housing, behavioral health, healthy lifestyles, and basic needs in Rowan County, North Carolina. Its 2025 grants ranged from $10,125 to $126,660, with a median of about $50,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.0M
Grants
13
Total Given
$722K
The Hurley-Trammell Foundation
Salisbury, NC
The Hurley-Trammell Foundation supports education and community improvement, with recent grants also benefiting land conservation organizations; its 2025 grants went to recipients in North Carolina. Giving varies widely: recent awards ranged from $500 to $1,218,754, with a median of $10,000 in 2025. It accepts requests by letter with supporting information; applicants should contact Geraldine T. Hurley.
Assets
—
Grants
7
Total Given
$1.3M
The Wallace Family Foundation Inc
Salisbury, NC
The Wallace Family Foundation supports education, arts and theater, scholarships, community services, religion, and other local needs, with nearly all 2024 grant dollars going to North Carolina. Its grants ranged from $100 to $300,000, with a median of $2,000; it accepts written requests from organizations and lists September 1–30 as the submission window.
Assets
$5.5M
Grants
20
Total Given
$364K
The Wilson L Smith Family
Salisbury, NC
The Wilson L Smith Family funds charitable organizations in North Carolina, with recent grants supporting education, community organizations, animal welfare, and dentistry. In 2025, grants ranged from $1,000 to $1 million, with a median of $13,670. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$32.7M
Grants
5
Total Given
$1.5M
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
More similar funders
More Funders in North Carolina
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/margaret-c-woodson-foundation-inc-morg_0f2ee4507a574c2fbcb76aa7b21e59c4
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_566064938_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/margaret-c-woodson-foundation-inc-morg_0f2ee4507a574c2fbcb76aa7b21e59c4},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Margaret C Woodson 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.
Margaret C Woodson Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?