MDC Inc
MDC Inc is a Durham, North Carolina–based public charity that works to advance equity and economic mobility in the South. Founded in 1967, it researches, convenes, and provides strategic support to develop leaders and help communities and institutions address systemic challenges.
MDC Inc at a glance
In short: MDC Inc gave $2.2M across 40 grants in 2025 (avg $55K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,215,999
- +15.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 40
- +11.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $55,400
- +3.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $34,000
- Total assets
- $14,579,657
- +12.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (60% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to MDC Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 307 West Main Street, Durham, NC 27701-3215
Phone: (919) 381-5802
Website: https://mdcinc.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who MDC Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Hispanic Federation Inc ($321K). Together the top 10 received $1.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
146 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 94 grants of 146 (64%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
MDC describes its work as focused on the South. In 2025, 60% of grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina, 26% to South Carolina, and 14% to New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 40 itemized grants.
Cities
How MDC Inc gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (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 $393K (2021) to $2.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 40 grants totaling $2.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hispanic Federation Inc New York, NY | Learning Equity Network Solutions | $320,999 |
| Empowered Parents in Community Durham, NC | Investing in Leaders of Color | $134,000 |
| Bertie County YMCA Windsor, NC | Investing in Leaders of Color | $100,000 |
| Care Share Health Alliance Inc Raleigh, NC | Investing in Leaders of Color | $100,000 |
| Carolina Human Reinvestment Georgetown, SC | Investing in Leaders of Color | $100,000 |
| Community Initiatives Inc Greenwood, SC | Investing in Leaders of Color | $100,000 |
| Financial Pathways of Piedmont Inc Winston-Salem, NC | Investing in Leaders of Color | $100,000 |
| Lowcountry Youth Service North Charleston, SC | Investing in Leaders of Color | $100,000 |
| Midlands Fatherhood Coalition Columbia, SC | Investing in Leaders of Color | $100,000 |
| NC Budget & Tax Center Durham, NC | Learning Equity Network Solutions | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with MDC Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
MDC is listed as filing Form 990 (a public charity).
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $14,579,657 | $9,881,455 | $8,208,220 | $2,215,999 | 40 | $415,850 |
| 2024 | $12,983,649 | $3,285,476 | $8,015,838 | $1,925,475 | 36 | $479,662 |
| 2023 | $16,821,754 | $7,864,295 | $6,111,461 | $928,502 | 33 | $167,937 |
| 2022 | $15,379,560 | $15,380,803 | $5,551,859 | $1,525,000 | 28 | $50,791 |
| 2021 | $4,444,816 | $5,223,210 | $3,312,281 | $392,551 | 9 | $92,286 |
| 2020 | $2,532,000 | $2,729,932 | $3,470,043 | $447,000 | 9 | $65,847 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
MDC states that its mission is to equip Southern leaders, institutions, and communities with tools and strategies to advance equity—particularly racial and gender equity—and economic mobility. Its stated vision is a South where all people thrive.
MDC’s work includes educational equity, economic security and mobility, equity-centered leadership and philanthropy, rural prosperity and investment, and research such as its State of the South report. Its website describes support for community partnerships through coaching, training, technical assistance, program design, program management, and evaluation. The filing says MDC awards grants after reviewing written applications and proposed budgets.
The 2025 grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. Empowered Parents in Community describes its mission as advocating for improved educational experiences through parent and caregiver organizing. NC Budget & Tax Center says it analyzes fiscal and economic conditions with community leaders and people with lived experience of poverty to advance policy solutions. Financial Pathways of the Piedmont describes its work as providing personal finance education and counseling, debt reduction programs, and housing counseling. Unity Health on Main says it works to expand access to quality healthcare through community partnerships. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not MDC’s.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, MDC reported 40 grants totaling $2,215,999. Grants ranged from $10,000 to $320,999, with a median of $34,000. The largest award was $320,999 to Hispanic Federation Inc. for “Learning Equity Network Solutions.” Other notable grants included $134,000 to Empowered Parents in Community for “Investing in Leaders of Color,” and $100,000 each to Bertie County YMCA, Care Share Health Alliance, Carolina Human Reinvestment, Community Initiatives, Financial Pathways of Piedmont, Lowcountry Youth Service, Midlands Fatherhood Coalition, NC Budget & Tax Center, Robeson County Church and Community Center, and Unity Health on Main.
MDC’s filing describes a process in which staff review written applications for applicant and program suitability, including proposed budgets. Selected recipients receive written grant agreements specifying terms and conditions for continued eligibility. During the grant period, recipients periodically report on their use of funds and must return misspent funds.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
MDC’s 2025 filing lists John LS Simpkins as president through April 2025 and Lakeisha Hood Moise as president from May 2025. It also lists Kweku Forstall as chair, Susan Gooden as vice-chair, Jamila Mayfield as treasurer, Juan Sepulveda as secretary, Richard Ammons, Monica Dongre, and Stephanie Kang as directors, and Mark Motamen as vice president of operations and culture.
MDC Inc is led by John Ls Simpkins, President Thr: since 2025 (on filings since 2020); 6 of 14 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
John Ls Simpkins
President Thr:
President → President & CEO, 2023
President & CEO → President Thr:, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$135K (2021) → $252K (2025)
Lakeisha Hood Moise
President Fr:
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kweku Forstall
Chair
Director → Treasurer, 2022
Treasurer → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ralph F. Gildehaus III
Senior Program Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$141K (2020) → $173K (2025)
Brandy Bynum Dawson
Senior Program Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$130K (2025)
Kamilah Pickett
Director of Race Matters Institute
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$106K (2025)
Richard Ammons
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Monica Dongre
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Kang
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Motamen
Vice President, Operations & Culture
Interim CFO Jul Dec Then Vice President Operations A → Vice President Operations & Culture, 2024
Vice President Operations & Culture → Vice President, Operations & Culture, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$71K (2020) → $179K (2025)
Calvin Allen
Vice President, Partnerships & Programs
Senior Program Director → Vice President Partnerships & Programs, 2024
Vice President Partnerships & Programs → Vice President, Partnerships & Programs, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$121K (2023) → $170K (2025)
Susan Gooden
Vice Chair
Director → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Juan Sepulveda
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jamila Mayfield
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (20)
- Former: Amir Farokhi (2020–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Darrin Goss Sr. (2020–2024) — Chair
- Former: Josh Carpenter- To (2024) — Director
- Former: Kerri Forrest (2024) — Senior Program Director
- Former: Michelle Mapp-To (2024) — Director
- Former: Bill Purcell (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Christopher King (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Julie Mooney (2020–2023) — Senior Program Director
- Former: Mala Thakur (2020–2023) — Senior Program Director
- Former: Alexandra Zagbayou (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Josh Carpenter (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Bill Spriggs (2022–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Marie Washington (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Chris King (2022) — Director
- Former: David L. Dodson (2020–2021) — Former President
- Former: Leslie Winner (2020–2021) — Vice Chair
- Former: Richard E. Hart (2020–2021) — Senior Program Director
- Former: John S. Spriggs (2021) — Director
- Former: Wendy Puriefoy (2020) — Director
- Former: William Spriggs PhD (2020) — 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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $252K, to John LS Simpkins (President THR: 4/25). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about MDC Inc
How much does MDC Inc give each year?
MDC Inc gave $2.2M across 40 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.9M across 36 grants.
What is MDC Inc's typical grant size?
MDC Inc's median grant in 2025 was $34,000, and its average grant was $55,400, across 40 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does MDC Inc give grants?
MDC Inc gives mostly in North Carolina: 60% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were South Carolina (26%) and New York (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Raleigh, NC (7 grants), Durham, NC (6 grants) and Greenville, SC (2 grants).
Does MDC Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 40 grants with a stated purpose on MDC Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Learning Equity Network Solutions" (22 grants), "Investing in Leaders of Color" (11 grants) and "American Rescue Plan Act Subaward" (5 grants).
Who are MDC Inc's largest grantees?
MDC Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Hispanic Federation Inc ($320,999), NC Budget & Tax Center ($165,000 across 2 grants) and Empowered Parents in Community ($134,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 28% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is MDC Inc?
MDC Inc reported $14.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $9.9M.
What does MDC Inc fund?
MDC states that its mission is to equip Southern leaders, institutions, and communities with tools and strategies to advance equity—particularly racial and gender equity—and economic mobility. Its stated vision is a South where all people thrive. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from MDC Inc?
MDC Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check mdcinc.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is MDC Inc's EIN?
MDC Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-0894222. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 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 March 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 June 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 7, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 20, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in MDC Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). MDC Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/mdc-inc-morg_8d397032bd214a21b21efb664bf010b7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_560894222_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{MDC Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/mdc-inc-morg_8d397032bd214a21b21efb664bf010b7},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 MDC 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.
MDC Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?