Murar Foundation Inc

Private foundation · Grantmaker Linville, NC EIN: 45-1003305

Murar Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Linville, North Carolina. Its 2024 filing lists grants to charitable organizations, with most grant dollars going to North Carolina recipients.

Murar Foundation Inc at a glance

In short: Murar Foundation Inc gave $500K across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $50K), mostly in North Carolina. 60% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2024)
$500,000
+2.7% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
10
+0.0% vs 2023
Average grant
$50,000
+2.7% vs 2023
Median grant
$10,000
Total assets
$6,697,218
-2.6% vs 2023
New grantees (estimate)
60% first-time grantees (6 of 10, 2024; small sample)
Primary geography
North Carolina (95% 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 Murar Foundation Inc

Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to Apply

The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Contact

Mailing address: PO Box 705, Linville, NC 28646
Phone: (828) 898-4738

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Murar Foundation Inc funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 9 recipients in 2024

Avery Humane Society: $125KAvery Humane Society$125KAppalachian Theatre: $50KAppalachian Theatre$50KAppalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation: $25KAppalachian RegionalHealthcare Foundation$25KCamp Fiesta Inc: $10KCamp Fiesta Inc$10KLees-McRae College: $10KLees-McRae College$10KStuttering Association for the Young: $10KStuttering Association for theYoung$10KEnsemble Stage: $5KEnsemble Stage$5KFirst Louisiana-Mississippi Inc: $5KFirst Louisiana-MississippiInc$5KGrandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Inc: $5KGrandfather MountainStewardship Foundation Inc$5K

The largest 2024 recipient was Avery Humane Society ($125K). Together the top 9 received $245K.

Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($255,000), which are not listed by name.

Grant Size Distribution

52 grants across all recorded years

39<$50K7$50–100K3$100–250K3$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 39 grants of 52 (75%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2024, 95% of grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina. Florida and New York each received 2%, and Louisiana received 1%.

Grant Distribution by State

6states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.

Cities

BooneBanner ElkNew YorkAustinMetairieNewlandWestonLos AngelesDripping SpringsMetarieLinvilleMiamiQueensbury

Is Murar Foundation Inc open to new grantees?

60%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 6 of 10 grantees (60%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $74K; repeat grants $14K. How we count

Medians: $28K first-time, $10K repeat.

  • 40% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+1%). Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 89% 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 (2019–2024). 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

$0$200K$400K$600K15 grants2019 12 grants2020 10 grants2021 10 grants2022 10 grants2023 10 grants2024

From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $339K (2022) to $500K (2024). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $500K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
1 individual scholarship Recipients not named —$255,000
Avery Humane Society Newland, NCNot for Profit Animal Shelter.$125,000
Appalachian Theatre Boone, NCSupport for the appalachian theatre for future artistic performances.$50,000
Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation Boone, NCSupports the regional healthcare system bringing care to individuals.$25,000
Camp Fiesta Inc Miami, FLSummer Camp for Children with Cancer.$10,000
Lees-McRae College Banner Elk, NCUndergraduate four year college serving the high country of North Carolina.$10,000
Stuttering Association for the Young New York, NYOrganization Serving Children with Stuttering Issues.$10,000
Ensemble Stage Banner Elk, NCLive theatrical productions at an affordable price to residents and visitors.$5,000
First Louisiana-Mississippi Inc Metairie, LAPromotion of Robotics and Science for Children.$5,000
Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Inc Linville, NCA nonprofit organization operating grandfather mountain including habitats and education.$5,000
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Murar Foundation Inc?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2024$6,697,218$416,699$598,961$500,00010$500,000$328,649$564,541
2023$6,879,480$925,552$575,173$487,00010$487,000$827,209$508,563
2022$6,529,101$134,423$396,870$339,00010$339,000$94,390$539,965
2021$6,791,548$396,123$575,363$494,00010$494,000$359,991$570,733
2020$6,971,711$841,658$426,548$360,00012—$770,045$482,394
2019$6,556,601$459,450$555,476$500,00015—$385,873$465,237

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Murar Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $565K 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 filing describes its program as “SMASH CAPITAL FUND I LP - PORTFOLIO DEDUCTIONS FROM PASS-THROUGH.” Its grants support organizations in areas including education, arts and culture, healthcare, animal welfare, children’s programs, science and technology, and environmental education.

Grantees describe their own work in varied terms. Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation says it supports healthcare in western North Carolina through its work with Appalachian Regional Healthcare System and its affiliates. Lees-McRae College says its mission is to help students broaden their horizons, pursue careers, and find their place in the world through education and service. The Stuttering Association for the Young describes itself as empowering, educating, and supporting young people who stutter. Camp Fiesta describes its program as a free camp for children with cancer. First Louisiana-Mississippi says it engages young people in mentor-based science, engineering, and technology programs.

Grantmaking

In 2024, the foundation made 10 grants totaling $500,000. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $255,000, with a median grant of $10,000.

The largest grants were $255,000 to Appalachian State University Foundation for an endowment for the Summer Festival, student scholarships, and concert hall renovations; $125,000 to Avery Humane Society for its nonprofit animal shelter; $50,000 to Appalachian Theatre for future artistic performances; and $25,000 to Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation to support the regional healthcare system. Other grants included $10,000 each to Camp Fiesta, Lees-McRae College, and the Stuttering Association for the Young, and $5,000 each to Ensemble Stage, First Louisiana-Mississippi, and Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Erica Lauren, Jennifer S. Junker, Nancy Schaffel, and Neil Schaffel as directors.

Murar Foundation Inc's 2024 filing lists 4 officers; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Erica Lauren

    Director

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jennifer S. Junker

    Director

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Nancy Schaffel

    Director

    On filings since 2019

    3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Neil Schaffel

    Director

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 Murar Foundation Inc

How much does Murar Foundation Inc give each year?

Murar Foundation Inc gave $500K across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $487K across 10 grants.

What is Murar Foundation Inc's typical grant size?

Murar Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $50,000, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Murar Foundation Inc that year got $74K on average.

Where does Murar Foundation Inc give grants?

Murar Foundation Inc gives mostly in North Carolina: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Boone, NC (2 grants) and Banner Elk, NC (2 grants).

Does Murar Foundation Inc give general operating support?

Yes: 10% of Murar Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 10) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are Murar Foundation Inc's largest grantees?

Murar Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Avery Humane Society ($125,000), Appalachian Theatre ($50,000) and Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation ($25,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($255,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 40% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Murar Foundation Inc?

Murar Foundation Inc reported $6.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $500K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $565K (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 Murar Foundation Inc fund?

The foundation’s 2024 filing describes its program as “SMASH CAPITAL FUND I LP - PORTFOLIO DEDUCTIONS FROM PASS-THROUGH.” See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Murar Foundation Inc?

The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Murar Foundation Inc's EIN?

Murar Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-1003305. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.

Does Murar Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?

No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Data update history

(7)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 5, 2020)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 11, 2021)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 12, 2022)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 10, 2023)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 21, 2024)
  6. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 28, 2025)
  7. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Murar Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

The High Country Charitable Foundation

Wellington, FL

The High Country Charitable Foundation supports local nonprofits serving people and animals in need in Avery County, North Carolina, including organizations providing essential community services. It reported fulfilling $317,500 in grant requests in 2025, but no typical grant size is stated; 2026 applications are closed, and the available information does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$4.7M

Grants

0

Total Given

$422K

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

Rowland & Sylvia Schaefer Family

Boca Raton, FL

The foundation supports religious, health, and educational organizations, including groups connected to Jewish life and Israel. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $250,000, with a median of $25,000, and went to organizations in Florida, New York, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Massachusetts. Its filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$10.6M

Grants

14

Total Given

$898K

Thoresen Foundation

Canton, GA

The Thoresen Foundation funds charitable organizations across varied areas, including healthcare, disability services, youth activities, conservation, and community needs, with the largest share of 2024 grants going to California, North Carolina, and Florida. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,000 to $275,000, with a median of $22,000. It supports only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$39.1M

Grants

32

Total Given

$1.5M

Charles & Nancy Rosenblatt Family

Boca Raton, FL

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$1.2M

Grants

7

Total Given

$52K

The Robert a and Susan C Wilson Foundation

Memphis, TN

The foundation’s 2024 grants supported charitable organizations, including the Bob and Susan Wilson Foundation and groups involved in conservation, remembrance and education, and cancer research; grants went to recipients in Tennessee, North Carolina, Maine, and Mississippi. Its seven grants ranged from $250 to $10,834,850, though most were much smaller than its largest grant. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

—

Grants

7

Total Given

$10.9M

More similar funders

More Funders in North Carolina

Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Murar Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/murar-foundation-inc-morg_f6c16e37accb48c0b69d7a8c084ded31

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_451003305_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Murar Foundation Inc funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/murar-foundation-inc-morg_f6c16e37accb48c0b69d7a8c084ded31},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Murar 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.

Murar Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?