Speedway Children's Charities
Speedway Children's Charities (SCC) is a nonprofit philanthropic organization established in 1982 by the Smith family of Speedway Motorsports. Based in Concord, North Carolina, SCC operates as the charitable arm of Speedway Motorsports and is dedicated exclusively to helping children in need across the United States. The organization was founded after the Smith family experienced the loss of their infant son, Cameron, which inspired their passion for supporting vulnerable children.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.2M
-1.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.5M
-2.2% YoY
Grant Count
221
-3.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$16K
+1.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Speedway Children's Charities provides funds to organizations that meet the direct needs of children with medical, educational, or social challenges. The organization's vision is that every child has the same opportunities regardless of obstacles they face.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Critical Needs: Victims of sex trafficking, homeless children, orphans, foster population, and food security
- Medical: Illness, dental care, disability services, and therapy
- Educational: Tutoring, literacy programs, and after-school programs
SCC supports mentoring programs, camps for special needs children, food and clothing assistance, and other direct services addressing children's needs.
Grantmaking
Applicants must be existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit charities with a primary focus on children in their respective service areas. Priority consideration is given to organizations helping the homeless, orphan and foster populations, and victims of sex trafficking.
Review Cycle
**
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
SCC operates through 11 chapters nationwide, serving communities across the United States:
- Atlanta
- Bristol
- Charlotte
- COTA (Central Oklahoma)
- Dover
- Las Vegas
- Nashville
- New Hampshire
- North Wilkesboro
- Sonoma
- Texas
Each chapter raises funds through local events and fundraisers to distribute grants within their respective communities.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Cumulative Impact:
- Since inception in 1982, SCC has distributed over $72.7 million across the United States
- The Charlotte Chapter alone has raised more than $11 million since its inception in 1982
Recent Annual Activity:
- 2024: $4,088,951 distributed nationally
- 2025: $2 million distributed by Charlotte Chapter alone
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,200,728 | $1,214,200 | $1,470,639 |
| Revenue | $5,405,320 | $5,525,470 | $4,860,135 |
| Expenses | $5,434,950 | $5,792,267 | $4,046,818 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
12 open opportunities from Speedway Children's Charities
Dover Grants
SPEEDWAY CHILDREN'S CHARITIES
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Las Vegas Area Grants
SPEEDWAY CHILDREN'S CHARITIES
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
North Wilkesboro Grant Program
SPEEDWAY CHILDREN'S CHARITIES
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Atrium Health Foundation ($100,000), Autism Charlotte ($30,000), Charity League Inc ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 4THIRTEEN JOHNSON CITY, TN | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| A BETTER CHANCE FOR OUR CHILDREN INC WILMINGTON, DE | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| A BETTER WORLD CHARLOTTE, NC | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| ABORTION ALTERNATIVES TLC COMMUNITY CENTER ELIZABETHTON, TN | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| ABUSE ALTERNATIVES INC BRISTOL, TN | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| ACADEMIC LEARNING CENTER INC CONCORD, NC | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $7,500 |
| APPALACHIA SERVICE PROJECT JOHNSON CITY, TN | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $20,795 |
| APPALACHIAN COMMUNITY ACTION & DEVELOPMENT AGENCY INC GATE CITY, VA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| ASSISTANCE AND RESOURCE MINISTRIES INC ELIZABETHTON, TN | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF CHARLOTTE CHARLOTTE, NC | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Chairman: Marcus Smith
- Executive Director: Lisa Starnes
- Charlotte Chapter Director: Taylor Kirby
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARCUS SMITH | CHAIRMAN | 0.2 | — |
| JERRY CALDWELL | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| MARK FABER | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| MATT GRECI | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| BRIAN FLYNN | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| BRANDON HUTCHISON | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| DAVID MCGRATH | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| CHRIS POWELL | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| MIKE TATOIAN | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| GREG WALTER | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| CLAUDIA BYRD | DIRECTOR | 40 | $56,635 |
| JESSICA FICKENSCHER | MANAGING DIRECTOR | 10 | — |
| COREY GLASS | TREASURER & ASSISTANT SECRETARY | 0.3 | — |
| LISA STARNES | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (THRU 2/28/24) | 40 | $13,331 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2024 Highlights:**
SCC awarded more than $4 million in grants nationwide
Speedway Children's Charities Awards More Than $4 Million in Grants NationwideDistributed grants to 426 organizations serving over 363,000 children
Speedway Children\u2019s Charities Awards Nearly $494,000 to Local Organizations\North Wilkesboro Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway raised $170,650 to support children impacted by Hurricane Helene
Speedway Children's Charities Awards $200000 at Night of Joy ...**2025 Activity:**
Charlotte Chapter set a record with $2 million distributed to local nonprofits
Speedway Children's Charities Charlotte Sets Record With $2 ...Sonoma Chapter awarded $175,000 to local nonprofits
Speedway Children\u2019s Charities Sonoma Chapter Awards $175,000 to Local\**Fundraising Events:**
SCC hosts various events and promotions throughout the year, including galas, race day activities, and community events. Events are held at speedway locations and within local communities to raise funds for grant distribution.
Speedway Children\u2019s Charities Sonoma Chapter Awards $175,000 to Local\Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Speedway Children's Charities fund?
**Mission:** Speedway Children's Charities provides funds to organizations that meet the direct needs of children with medical, educational, or social challenges. The organization's vision is that every child has the same opportunities regardless of obstacles they face. **Primary Focus Areas:** • **Critical Needs:** Victims of sex trafficking, homeless children, orphans, foster population, and food security • **Medical:** Illness, dental care, disability services, and therapy • **Educational:**…
How do I apply for a grant from Speedway Children's Charities?
**Grant Distribution:** • In 2024, SCC distributed $4,088,951 in grants to 426 organizations nationwide, collectively serving more than 363,000 children in need • In 2025, the Charlotte Chapter alone distributed $2 million to local organizations • In 2016, the Charlotte Chapter distributed $815,000 to 93 charitable organizations across 11 area counties **Eligibility Requirements:** Applicants must be existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit charities with a primary focus on children in their respective ser…
Where does Speedway Children's Charities make grants?
SCC operates through 11 chapters nationwide, serving communities across the United States: • Atlanta • Bristol • Charlotte • COTA (Central Oklahoma) • Dover • Las Vegas • Nashville • New Hampshire • North Wilkesboro • Sonoma • Texas Each chapter raises funds through local events and fundraisers to distribute grants within their respective communities.
What size grants does Speedway Children's Charities award?
In 2024, Speedway Children's Charities awarded 221 grants totaling $3.5M — an average of about $16K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Speedway Children's Charities's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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