The Carolina Trust
The Carolina Trust is a private foundation, based in Brentwood, TN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.7M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $142K. Net investment income was $54K.
The Carolina Trust at a glance
In short: The Carolina Trust gave $142K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $142K), mostly in Tennessee. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $142,314
- +374.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $142,314
- +374.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $142,314
- Total assets
- $2,717,326
- -5.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Carolina Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Viable ($142K).
Grant Size Distribution
8 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 6 grants of 8 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
Cities
How The Carolina Trust gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−7%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 102% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $30K (2023) to $153K (2021). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $142K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Viable Nashville, TN | Support Mission | $142,314 |
Ready to take the next step with The Carolina Trust?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,717,326 | $53,760 | $202,314 | $142,314 | 1 | $142,314 | $53,760 | $140,007 |
| 2023 | $2,865,880 | $53,753 | $93,337 | $30,000 | 1 | $39,167 | $53,753 | $142,314 |
| 2022 | $3,005,464 | $12,219 | $55,919 | $43,000 | 3 | $45,100 | $12,219 | $148,512 |
| 2021 | $3,049,164 | $2,201,478 | $153,852 | $152,595 | 3 | $153,852 | $1,358 | $148,630 |
| 2020 | $1,001,538 | $1,001,538 | — | — | — | — | $538 | $22,595 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Carolina Trust reported a distributable amount of $140K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Carolina Trust's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; 1 of 2 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Karen Bruton
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
$12K (2022) → $60K (2024)
Ben Turner
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 $60K, to Karen Bruton (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about The Carolina Trust
How much does The Carolina Trust give each year?
The Carolina Trust gave $142K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $30K across 1 grant.
How large is The Carolina Trust?
The Carolina Trust reported $2.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $142K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $140K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
Where does The Carolina Trust operate?
The Carolina Trust has awarded grants in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee.
What is The Carolina Trust's EIN?
The Carolina Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-6784871. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Carolina Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Tennessee
Dallas Seminary Foundation
Dallas, TX
Dallas Seminary Foundation primarily supports Dallas Theological Seminary, scholarships, theological education, ministry training, and related Christian ministries; in 2025, its grants ranged from $5,300 to $6.126 million, with a median of $17,100. Most 2025 grant dollars went to Texas, with additional funding in several other states. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$122.2M
Grants
125
Total Given
$14.8M
Sa Bossong Trust Fund
Asheboro, NC
Assets
$121K
Grants
6
Total Given
$14K
Oneoc
Santa Ana, CA
ONEOC’s 2024 grants supported health, human services, and food-related work, with most funding going to California organizations, particularly in Orange County; grants ranged from $5,500 to $325,132, with a median of $17,000. The profile does not state whether ONEOC accepts unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
$7.9M
Grants
56
Total Given
$1.9M
The Morehead-Cain Foundation
Chapel Hill, NC
The Morehead-Cain Foundation primarily funds scholarships and leadership-development experiences for UNC–Chapel Hill students, with additional support for North Carolina educators and selected organizations. Its 2025 grants ranged from $23 to $4.75 million, with a median of $27,004; reported giving was concentrated in North Carolina. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$225.0M
Grants
422
Total Given
$14.9M
The Bodford Family Foundation
Greensboro, NC
The Bodford Family Foundation supports health, education, religious, and community organizations, with nearly all of its 2025 grant dollars going to North Carolina and a small share to Virginia. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $1 million, with a median of $6,000. A 2023 filing says it funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$27.8M
Grants
19
Total Given
$1.4M
Tony Cruse Sports Medicine
Oklahoma City, OK
Assets
$1K
Grants
1
Total Given
$40K
More similar funders
More Funders in Tennessee
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Carolina Trust'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.
The Carolina Trust down — hundreds of funders to go?