Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust
Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust is a private foundation based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Its 2024 filing describes giving restrictions that include 501(c)(3) organizations within Pitt County, North Carolina, and 501(c)(3) organizations engaged in arthritis or cancer research, wherever located.
Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust at a glance
In short: Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust gave $335K across 18 grants in 2025 (avg $19K), mostly in North Carolina. 39% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $335,191
- +4.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 18
- +5.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $18,622
- -1.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $19,826
- Total assets
- $5,713,339
- +1.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 39% first-time grantees (7 of 18, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust
- How to Apply
-
The trust states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Contact the district committee; application forms are available at the address listed on the filing. The filing restricts awards to 501(c)(3) organizations within Pitt County, North Carolina, or 501(c)(3) organizations engaged in arthritis or cancer research wherever located.
- Contact
Application contact: Dist Committee
Mailing address: 1100 Conference Dr, Greenville, NC 27858
Phone: (252) 756-8888
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was St Pauls Episcopal Church ($52K). Together the top 10 received $248K.
Grant Size Distribution
79 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 76 grants of 79 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The trust’s 2024 filing identifies Pitt County, North Carolina, as the geographic area for eligible 501(c)(3) organizations, with an exception for qualifying arthritis or cancer research organizations wherever located. In 2025, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina and 1% to recipients in South Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust open to new grantees?
39%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 7 of 18 grantees (39%) were first-time recipients. With only 18 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $16K; repeat grants $20K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 44% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+4%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 92% 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 (2020–2025). 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 $251K (2021) to $349K (2020). In 2025 it made 18 grants totaling $335K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| St Pauls Episcopal Church Greenville, NC | 501C3 Purposes | $51,766 |
| Food Bank - Central & Eastern NC Greenville, NC | 501C3 Purposes | $25,000 |
| Rebuilding Together Pitt County Greenville, NC | 501C3 Purposes | $25,000 |
| Feed Your Neighbor Food Pantry Greenville, NC | 501C3 Purposes | $22,600 |
| The Salvation Army Greenville, NC | 501C3 Purposes | $21,766 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Coastal Plain Winterville, NC | 501C3 Purposes | $21,766 |
| Carenet Counseling East Greenville, NC | 501C3 Purposes | $20,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity Greenville, NC | 501C3 Purposes | $20,000 |
| Straightway Church Ayden, NC | 501C3 Purposes | $20,000 |
| Chicod Choral Department Greenville, NC | 501C3 Purposes | $19,652 |
Ready to take the next step with Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5,713,339 | $560,564 | $499,506 | $335,191 | 18 | $422,860 | $491,453 | $458,291 |
| 2024 | $5,652,281 | $437,643 | $468,535 | $319,647 | 17 | $404,459 | $363,347 | $430,352 |
| 2023 | $5,683,173 | $243,931 | $502,959 | $341,299 | 16 | $420,790 | $184,751 | $400,472 |
| 2022 | $5,942,201 | $1,191,691 | $474,598 | $321,826 | 16 | $387,465 | $1,104,558 | $411,299 |
| 2021 | $5,225,108 | $627,889 | $385,156 | $250,501 | 12 | — | $555,202 | $420,409 |
| 2020 | $4,982,375 | $345,769 | $476,706 | $348,849 | 11 | — | $282,306 | $348,007 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust reported a distributable amount of $458K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the trust is provided. Its 2024 filing states that awards are restricted to 501(c)(3) organizations within Pitt County, North Carolina, or 501(c)(3) organizations engaged in arthritis or cancer research wherever located.
The 2025 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. For example, CARENET COUNSELING EAST describes its work as providing outpatient, Christian faith-based evaluation and consultation services. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY describes its work as partnering with people in need to build affordable housing. GREENVILLE MUSEUM OF ART INC says it promotes the arts through programs, its collection, and museum facilities; Emerge Gallery Art Center Inc says it promotes artists and arts organizations, arts education, and community access to the arts. Hope of Glory Ministries Inc describes work to share the gospel, relieve burdens, and support families’ financial stability.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the trust reported 18 grants totaling $335,191. Grants ranged from $3,500 to $51,766, with a median grant of $19,826.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $51,766 to ST PAULS EPISCOPAL CHURCH; $25,000 each to FOOD BANK - CENTRAL & EASTERN NC and REBUILDING TOGETHER PITT COUNTY; $22,600 to FEED YOUR NEIGHBOR FOOD PANTRY; and $21,766 each to THE SALVATION ARMY and BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF COASTAL PLAIN. Other grants included $20,000 each to CARENET COUNSELING EAST, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, and STRAIGHTWAY CHURCH; $19,652 to CHICOD CHORAL DEPARTMENT; $15,731 to GREENVILLE MUSEUM OF ART INC; $15,000 to Hope of Glory Ministries; $14,000 to Emerge Gallery Art Center Inc; and $4,910 to Lives of Purpose Inc.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists JAMES G SULLIVAN as chairman and DANNY MCNALLY and ANDREW S CANNAN as members.
Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust is led by James G. Sullivan, Chairman on every filing since 2020; all 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
James G. Sullivan
Chairman
On filings since 2020
2.8 hrs/week
$23K (2020) → $24K (2025)
Danny McNally
Member
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$4K (2020) → $5K (2025)
Andrew S. Cannan
Member
On filings since 2022
1.3 hrs/week
$9K (2022) → $11K (2025)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Bank Of America (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Robert Hudak (2020) — Member
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 $24K, to James G Sullivan (Chairman). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust
How much does Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust give each year?
Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust gave $335K across 18 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $320K across 17 grants.
What is Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust's typical grant size?
Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust's median grant in 2025 was $19,826, and its average grant was $18,622, across 18 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust that year got $16K on average.
Where does Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust give grants?
Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust gives mostly in North Carolina: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Greenville, NC (13 grants) and Grimesland, NC (2 grants).
Does Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 18 grants with a stated purpose on Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "501C3 Purposes" (17 grants).
Who are Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust's largest grantees?
Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust's largest 2025 grantees include St Pauls Episcopal Church ($51,766), Food Bank - Central & Eastern NC ($25,000) and Rebuilding Together Pitt County ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 30% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust?
Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust reported $5.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $423K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $458K (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 Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust fund?
No mission statement for the trust is provided. Its 2024 filing states that awards are restricted to 501(c)(3) organizations within Pitt County, North Carolina, or 501(c)(3) organizations engaged in arthritis or cancer research wherever located. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust?
The trust states that it 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 Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust's EIN?
Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-6505336. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
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 2020–2025
Live grants for the work Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
James J & Mamie Richardson Perkins
Raleigh, NC
The foundation supports 501(c)(3) charities whose work benefits Pitt County, North Carolina residents, including education, housing, food assistance, health, and arts programs. In 2025, grants ranged from $3,360 to $78,944, with a median of $21,300. It does not limit awards to preselected organizations; application forms are available by contacting the Perkins Trust Distribution Committee.
Assets
$10.9M
Grants
26
Total Given
$754K
Tr Uw Vivian S West -
Raleigh, NC
The foundation supports education, food assistance, community rebuilding, religious and charitable services, arts, counseling, health, and cancer support, primarily in North Carolina, with occasional grants in South Carolina. Its 2026 grants ranged from $3,500 to $60,000, with a median of $20,000. It does not restrict giving to preselected organizations; application forms are available by contacting James G Sullivan, and grants are limited to 501(c)(3) charities.
Assets
$6.0M
Grants
12
Total Given
$300K
University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina Foundation Inc
Greenville, NC
The ECU Health Foundation funds health care, medical research, education, patient and family support, and community health programs, primarily in eastern North Carolina. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,500 to $2,068,439, with a median award of $15,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$68.4M
Grants
43
Total Given
$3.7M
W Russell and Patricia Davis Duke
Greenville, NC
Assets
$398K
Grants
82
Total Given
$245K
Eddie and Jo Allison Smith
Greenville, NC
The foundation supports health and medical research, education, human services, and cultural and educational institutions, with grants concentrated in Colorado and North Carolina and smaller shares going to New York and Massachusetts. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $10.5 million, with a median of $5,492. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$302.1M
Grants
206
Total Given
$20.7M
Bill and Faye Stallings Family Foundation
Wilmington, DE
Assets
$84K
Grants
1
Total Given
$30K
More similar funders
More Funders in North Carolina
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/mildred-sheffield-wells-char-trust-morg_be46a71f76ce4a739369b1c993a40e87
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_566505336_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/mildred-sheffield-wells-char-trust-morg_be46a71f76ce4a739369b1c993a40e87},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 Mildred Sheffield Wells Char 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.
Mildred Sheffield Wells Char Trust down — hundreds of funders to go?