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
**
Ready to take the next step with Speedway Children's Charities?
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
No grants recorded for .
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
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
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
The Anne Shuford Mcbryde
ASHEVILLE, NC
Assets
$970K
Grants
19
Total Given
$49K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Speedway Children's Charities 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