Morgan Creek Foundation is a corporate foundation based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Established in 2016, it operates as a 501(c)(3) exempt private foundation with a focus on supporting not-for-profit organizations that provide direct services to children and families in need within the communities where the foundation's stakeholders live and work.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.2M
+24.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$253K
+13.1% YoY
Grant Count
30
+3.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$8K
+9.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Morgan Creek Foundation reported a distributable amount of $191K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation seeks to fund not-for-profit organizations that provide disadvantaged children and youth with opportunities to participate in academic programs designed to help them develop skills necessary to become successful adults and contribute to their communities.
Primary funding areas include:
- Education & Academic Programs: K-12 schools, charter schools, and Head Start programs
- Child Welfare & Support Services: Programs serving hospitalized children and teens
- Nature-Based Programming: Initiatives that promote well-being and self-confidence through nature experiences
- Tutoring Programs: Academic support services in Chapel Hill
- Scholarships: Awards to graduating high school students or GED recipients who will attend post-secondary educational institutions and have affiliation with current or former Morgan Creek Foundation grantees
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grantmaking is by invitation only.
Grant Range
$8,000–$18,000
Average Grant
Approximately $12,600–$14,000
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Morgan Creek Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in North Carolina, with additional grantmaking activity in New York and Virginia. Primary focus is on communities where the foundation's stakeholders live and work.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024)
- Total assets: $4,208,593
- Total revenues: $283,737
- Total expenses: $260,369
- Giving rate: 5.4% of assets
Staffing
- Number of employees: 0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,208,593 | $3,379,920 | $2,876,069 |
| Revenue | $283,737 | $206,795 | $183,724 |
| Expenses | $260,369 | $233,601 | $246,571 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $254,698 | $227,828 | $236,963 |
| Net Investment Income | $116,037 | $101,382 | $79,478 |
| Distributable Amount | $190,930 | $152,198 | $153,206 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
147 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Orange County Literacy Council ($17,500), Chapel Hill-carrboro Ymca ($15,000), Durham Literacy Center ($15,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BOOMERANG YOUTH CHAPEL HILL, NC | SUPPORT FOR STRIVE AND BOUNCE BACK PROGRAMS. | $12,500 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF WAKE COUNTY RALEIGH, NC | TO SUPPORT GREAT FUTURES PROGRAM. | $12,500 |
| CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO YMCA CHAPEL HILL, NC | TO SUPPORT Y LEARNING PROGRAM. | $15,000 |
| DURHAM LITERACY CENTER DURHAM, NC | SUPPORT OF THE YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM | $15,000 |
| DURHAM NATIVITY SCHOOL INC DURHAM, NC | SUPPORT FOR BOOKS, TEACHING RESOURCES AND PROVIDING ONLINE ACCESS TO STUDENTS | $15,000 |
| EAST DURHAM CHILDREN'S INITIATIVE DURHAM, NC | TO SUPPORT MENTOR COACHES PROGRAM FOR GRADES 3-8. | $12,500 |
| EL CENTRO HISPANO DURHAM, NC | TO SUPPORT CAREER BUDDIES PROGRAM | $15,000 |
| EMPOWER ALL NC RALEIGH, NC | TO SUPPORT STEAM CAMP | $12,000 |
| FOR KIDS CHESAPEAKE, VA | TO SUPPORT THE BEYOND THE BELL AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM. | $12,500 |
| GIGI'S PLAYHOUSE RALEIGH, NC | SUPPORT LITERACY PROGRAM | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARK W YUSKO | DIRECTOR/PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| STACEY YUSKO | DIRECTOR/VP/DIR. OF GRANTS | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL P HENNESSY | BOARD MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| WILL BACON | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
Recent Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2024, Morgan Creek Foundation made 32 grants across its programming areas, assisting 18 organizations. The foundation continues to focus on direct service provision to children and families in need through academic enrichment, nature-based wellness initiatives, and educational support programs.
Morgan Crest Web3 Foundation Allocates $30 Million to Advance AI and Web3Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Morgan Creek Foundation fund?
The foundation seeks to fund not-for-profit organizations that provide disadvantaged children and youth with opportunities to participate in academic programs designed to help them develop skills necessary to become successful adults and contribute to their communities. Primary funding areas include: • **Education & Academic Programs**: K-12 schools, charter schools, and Head Start programs • **Child Welfare & Support Services**: Programs serving hospitalized children and teens • **Nature-Based…
How do I apply for a grant from Morgan Creek Foundation?
**Grant Activity (2024)** • Number of grants: 18 organizations assisted • Total giving: $228,000–$252,500 • Grant range: $8,000–$18,000 • Median grant: $13,000 • Average grant: Approximately $12,600–$14,000 **Application Process** The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grantmaking is by invitation only. **Notable Grantees** East Durham Children's Initiative is among the organizations supported by the foundation.
Where does Morgan Creek Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in North Carolina, with additional grantmaking activity in New York and Virginia. Primary focus is on communities where the foundation's stakeholders live and work.
What size grants does Morgan Creek Foundation award?
In 2024, Morgan Creek Foundation awarded 30 grants totaling $253K — an average of about $8K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Morgan Creek Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Morgan Creek Foundation reported a distributable amount of $191K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Morgan Creek Foundation's EIN?
Morgan Creek Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3999739. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Morgan Creek Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
The Hillbrook Gkp Iii Foundation Inc
GREENSBORO, NC
Assets
$32K
Grants
1
Total Given
$2K
Rotary Club of Salisbury Charities
SALISBURY, NC
Assets
$39K
Grants
1
Total Given
$50K
Ihope Foundation
GREENSBORO, NC
Assets
$10K
Grants
1
Total Given
$20K
Flow Foundation Inc
WINSTONSALEM, NC
Assets
$395K
Grants
53
Total Given
$1.5M
Orange County Partnership for Young
HILLSBOROUGH, NC
Assets
$477K
Grants
18
Total Given
$2.1M
North Carolina Baptist Hospital
WINSTONSALEM, NC
Assets
$2.8B
Grants
17
Total Given
$634K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Morgan Creek Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Morgan Creek Foundation to a real strategy.