Speedway Children's Charities
Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC) is a public charity based in Concord, North Carolina, that raises funds and makes grants to nonprofit organizations serving children. Founded in 1982, it operates local chapters that raise money through events and distribute one-time grants in their communities.
Speedway Children's Charities at a glance
In short: Speedway Children's Charities gave $3.5M across 221 grants in 2024 (avg $16K), top state North Carolina. 33% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,464,641
- -2.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 221
- -3.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $15,677
- +1.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $1,200,728
- -1.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (74 of 221, 2024)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (47% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Speedway Children's Charities
- How to Apply
-
The published 2026 application cycles for Charlotte, COTA, and Nashville have passed. Those chapter pages describe an online application and, for selected organizations, a second-round review. The listed 2026 Charlotte and COTA application periods closed in June, and the Nashville period was also scheduled to close in June. The North Wilkesboro program is described as supporting children’s organizations in Wilkes County; the available program information does not provide application instructions or a deadline.
- Contact
Mailing address: 5555 Concord Parkway South 302, Concord, NC 28027
Phone: (704) 455-4426
Website: https://speedwaycharities.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
12 open opportunities from Speedway Children's Charities
Dover Grants
Speedway Children's Charities
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Las Vegas Area Grants
Speedway Children's Charities
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
North Wilkesboro Grant Program
Speedway Children's Charities
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Speedway Children's Charities funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Present Age Ministries Inc ($125K). Together the top 10 received $802K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($50,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
878 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 853 grants of 878 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
SCC’s website lists chapters in Atlanta, Bristol, Charlotte, COTA, Dover, Las Vegas, Nashville, New Hampshire, North Wilkesboro, Sonoma, and Texas. The 2024 grant filing shows recipient grant dollars distributed across North Carolina (47%), Tennessee (22%), Nevada (11%), Virginia (9%), and Texas (6%). Chapter pages describe local service areas including the Charlotte Metro community, Greater Austin, middle Tennessee, Wilkes County, and Sonoma County.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 221 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Speedway Children's Charities open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 74 of 221 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $14K; repeat grants $16K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $901K (2020) to $3.5M (2023). In 2024 it made 221 grants totaling $3.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Present Age Ministries Inc Concord, NC | Program Support | $125,000 |
| Wilkes Community Partnership for Children North Wilkesboro, NC | Program Support | $115,000 |
| Atrium Health Foundation Charlotte, NC | Program Support | $100,000 |
| Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center Foundation Charlotte, NC | Program Support | $100,000 |
| Safe House Project Inc Charlotte, NC | Program Support | $100,000 |
| Piedmont Residential Development Center Kannapolis, NC | Program Support | $75,000 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $50,000 |
| Power Cross Statesville, NC | Program Support | $50,000 |
| Sleep in Heavenly Peace Austin, TX | Program Support | $50,000 |
| NC Baptist State Conventionwilkes Ministry of Hope North Wilkesboro, NC | Program Support | $45,866 |
Ready to take the next step with Speedway Children's Charities?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,200,728 | $5,405,320 | $5,434,950 | $3,464,641 | 221 | — |
| 2023 | $1,214,200 | $5,525,470 | $5,792,267 | $3,544,318 | 230 | — |
| 2022 | $1,470,639 | $4,860,135 | $4,046,818 | $2,385,624 | 181 | — |
| 2021 | $809,434 | $3,172,744 | $2,991,162 | $1,655,050 | 153 | — |
| 2020 | $415,792 | $1,752,353 | $2,000,693 | $901,465 | 93 | — |
| 2019 | $3,387,723 | $4,349,495 | $4,103,052 | $2,349,654 | 203 | $-2,000 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
SCC’s mission, as stated on its 2024 filing, is to raise funds and provide grants to nonprofit organizations that meet the direct needs of children with medical, educational, or social challenges. Its website describes a broader aim of helping children thrive through support for health, safety, education, and joy.
The Charlotte, COTA, and Nashville grant pages identify critical needs—including homelessness, foster care, orphan populations, sex trafficking, and food security—as well as medical needs such as illness, dental care, disability, and therapy, and educational needs such as tutoring, literacy, and after-school programs. The Charlotte and COTA pages give priority consideration to organizations serving children affected by homelessness, orphan or foster care, and sex trafficking.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of grantee work. Wilkes Community Partnership for Children says its mission is to help children enter school healthy and ready to succeed. Atrium Health Foundation says it supports Atrium Health’s work to improve health and advance healing. Wings of Eagles Ranch describes operating a riding ranch for special-needs and at-risk children, while Charity League says it works to enhance the lives of Charlotte-area children through academic achievement, prosocial behavior, and self-worth.
Grantmaking
SCC’s website says local chapters raise funds through events and distribute one-time grants to nonprofit organizations addressing children’s needs. The 2024 filing’s itemized-grant data lists 221 grants totaling $3,464,641. Grants ranged from $6,000 to $125,000, with a median of $10,000. Separately, the organization’s filing narrative says that during the year ending December 31, 2024, it distributed over $4 million to more than 443 children’s programs, supporting an estimated 333,340 children.
The largest itemized 2024 awards included $125,000 to Present Age Ministries, $115,000 to Wilkes Community Partnership for Children, and $100,000 each to Atrium Health Foundation, Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center Foundation, and Safe House Project. The filing lists the purpose of these awards as program support.
Chapter pages describe online applications followed, for selected applicants, by a second-round review. Charlotte and COTA list IRS 501(c)(3) verification, financials, a board list, a mission statement, an organizational chart, and a budget tracker worksheet as requested second-round materials. The Charlotte and COTA pages say SCC does not fund capital projects or operating costs, including salaries; Nashville says it does not typically fund these costs. SCC’s filing says it monitors grant use through site visits and evaluation forms completed by recipients.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Marcus Smith as chairman and the following directors: Jerry Caldwell, Mark Faber, Matt Greci, Brian Flynn, Brandon Hutchison, David McGrath, Chris Powell, Mike Tatoian, and Greg Walter.
Speedway Children's Charities is led by Lisa Starnes, Executive Director on every filing since 2023; 2 of 14 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lisa Starnes
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$101K (2023) → $13K (2024)
Marcus Smith
Chairman
Vice Chairman → Vice Chairman - Chairman, 2022
Vice Chairman - Chairman → Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2019
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Fickenscher
Managing Director
On filings since 2019
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Claudia Byrd
Director
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$55K (2023) → $57K (2024)
Chris Powell
Director
On filings since 2019
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David McGrath
Director
On filings since 2019
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Greg Walter
Director
On filings since 2019
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jerry Caldwell
Director
On filings since 2019
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brandon Hutchison
Director
On filings since 2022
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Faber
Director
On filings since 2022
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matt Greci
Director
On filings since 2022
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Tatoian
Director
On filings since 2022
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Flynn
Director
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Corey Glass
Treasurer & Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Jill Gregory (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: O. Bruton Smith (2019–2022) — Chairman
- Former: Conrad Clement (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Darrell Waltrip (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Don Hawk (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Eddie Gossage (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: James Greene III (2019–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Mark Simendinger (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Ray Evernham (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Steve Page (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Rob Ramage (2021) — Director
- Former: Carla Weston (2019) — Treasurer & Assistant Secretary
- Former: Charles Swannack Jr. (2019) — Executive Director
- Former: Ed Clark (2019) — Director
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $57K, to Claudia Byrd (Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Speedway Children's Charities
How much does Speedway Children's Charities give each year?
Speedway Children's Charities gave $3.5M across 221 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $3.5M across 230 grants.
What is Speedway Children's Charities's typical grant size?
Speedway Children's Charities's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $15,677, across 221 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Speedway Children's Charities that year got $14K on average.
Where does Speedway Children's Charities give grants?
Speedway Children's Charities's top state is North Carolina, with 47% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Tennessee (22%) and Nevada (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Charlotte, NC (31 grants), Las Vegas, NV (30 grants), Johnson City, TN (14 grants) and Kingsport, TN (12 grants).
Does Speedway Children's Charities give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 221 grants with a stated purpose on Speedway Children's Charities's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (221 grants).
Who are Speedway Children's Charities's largest grantees?
Speedway Children's Charities's largest 2024 grantees include Present Age Ministries Inc ($125,000), Wilkes Community Partnership for Children ($115,000) and Atrium Health Foundation ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($50,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 10% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Speedway Children's Charities?
Speedway Children's Charities reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.4M.
What does Speedway Children's Charities fund?
SCC’s mission, as stated on its 2024 filing, is to raise funds and provide grants to nonprofit organizations that meet the direct needs of children with medical, educational, or social challenges. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Speedway Children's Charities?
The published 2026 application cycles for Charlotte, COTA, and Nashville have passed. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Speedway Children's Charities's EIN?
Speedway Children's Charities's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-1331429. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
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
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 11, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 1, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 24, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 31, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 23, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 18, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Speedway Children's Charities funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Speedway Children's Charities'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
Engelstad Family Foundation
Las Vegas, NV
The Engelstad Family Foundation supports sustainable, systems-level change, especially nonprofit capacity and community partnerships in Southern Nevada, across areas such as education, health, and social services. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $21 million, with a median of about $163,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$666.1M
Grants
26
Total Given
$27.3M
United Way of Greater Charlotte Inc
Charlotte, NC
United Way of Greater Charlotte supports nonprofits and community initiatives focused on economic opportunity and locally identified needs, including housing, food security, education, health, and mental wellness. Its grants primarily serve Anson, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, and Union counties; in 2025, the median grant was $30,878, with awards ranging from $5,292 to $1,178,487. Application access varies by program: the 2026 Anson and Cabarrus county processes are invitation-only, while the 2026 Unite Charlotte cycle is open to eligible organizations serving Mecklenburg County.
Assets
$26.7M
Grants
210
Total Given
$11.0M
Merancas Foundation Inc
Charlotte, NC
The Merancas Foundation funds nonprofits addressing economic hardship, especially through education, affordable housing, and services that support individual and community wellbeing. Its 2025 grants ranged from $10,000 to $1.8 million, with a median of $50,000, and it focuses on the Charlotte, Atlanta, and Trenton metropolitan areas. It accepts unsolicited requests through an online “Are We a Match” process; full proposals are by invitation for pre-approved applicants and current partners.
Assets
$174.4M
Grants
140
Total Given
$16.2M
Canarelli Family Foundation
Las Vegas, NV
The Canarelli Family Foundation funds programs for youth and families in education, health, housing, arts, and sports, with priority for at-risk, disabled, and underserved people, primarily in the Las Vegas Valley. In 2025, grants ranged from $2,000 to $250,000, with a median of $20,000. It makes contributions only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$12.1M
Grants
81
Total Given
$3.3M
Truist Foundation Inc
Orlando, FL
The foundation funds workforce development and career pathways, small-business support, and community development, especially for low-to-moderate-income communities and disadvantaged workers. Its 2024 median grant was $25,000, though awards varied widely, and its service area spans 17 East Coast states through Texas. It accepts unsolicited requests through an online application and has a rolling deadline.
Assets
$547.9M
Grants
447
Total Given
$67.0M
More similar funders
More Funders in North Carolina
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Speedway Children's Charities funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/speedway-children-s-charities-morg_17d48145671040738e9ce3c2a4f5103f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_561331429_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Speedway Children's Charities funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/speedway-children-s-charities-morg_17d48145671040738e9ce3c2a4f5103f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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 Speedway Children's Charities'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.
Speedway Children's Charities down — hundreds of funders to go?