The Cary Foundation Inc
The Cary Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Charleston, West Virginia. Its most recent filing on record is for 2020, with no filings since; it appears to have wound down or stopped grantmaking.
The Cary Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Cary Foundation Inc gave $261K across 10 grants in 2020 (avg $26K), top state West Virginia. Source: 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2020)
- $261,302
- Grants made (2020)
- 10
- Average grant
- $26,130
- Median grant
- $15,691
- Total assets
- $6,566,218
- Primary geography
- West Virginia (47% of itemized 2020 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2020 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2020; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Cary Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The filing states that written requests should be submitted to the board of directors, with proof of 501(c)(3) exempt status included. The foundation restricts distributions to organizations qualifying under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Its filing says there are no deadlines. These instructions are from the 2020 filing and are not presented as current.
- Contact
Application contact: A Bray Cary Jr
Mailing address: PO Box 11848, Charleston, WV 25339-1848
Phone: (304) 345-7711
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Cary Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2020
The largest 2020 recipient was West Virginia University ($100K). Together the top 10 received $261K.
Grant Size Distribution
10 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 8 grants of 10 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2020, 47% of grant dollars went to recipients in West Virginia, 27% to Massachusetts, 12% to North Carolina, 8% to California, and 6% to Connecticut.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2020 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2020 it made 10 grants totaling $261K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia University Morgantown, WV | Unrestricted Cash Donation | $100,000 |
| Harvard University Cambridge, MA | Unrestricted Cash Donation | $71,003 |
| Facial Paralysis Bells Paky Beverly Hills, CA | Unrestricted Cash Donation | $20,000 |
| Northeastern University Charlotte, NC | Unrestricted Cash Donation | $19,278 |
| Trinity College Hartford, CT | Unrestricted Cash Donation | $16,382 |
| West Virginia Horse Network Elkview, WV | Unrestricted CAS Donation | $15,000 |
| Christ Church Charlotte, NC | Unrestricted Cash Gift | $13,000 |
| Carver Career and Technical Charleston, WV | Unrestricted Cash Donation | $4,761 |
| Bridge Valley Comm and Tech South Charleston, WV | Unrestricted Cash Donation | $1,584 |
| Southern WV Community College Mount Gay, WV | Unrestricted Cash Donation | $294 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $6,566,218 | $-918,832 | $275,244 | $261,302 | 10 | $79,859 | $241,202 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Cary Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $241K for 2020 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s 2020 filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations and makes distributions only to organizations exempt under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Its grants included support for universities and colleges, a horse network, a church, and other organizations.
Trinity College describes its mission as providing excellence in liberal arts education, with emphasis on outstanding faculty, a rigorous curriculum, a talented and motivated student body, and a supportive and secure campus community. The West Virginia Horse Network says it helps horses that need training and those whose behaviors could otherwise limit their chances of finding a safe home.
Grantmaking
In 2020, the foundation made 10 grants totaling $261,302. Grant amounts ranged from $294 to $100,000, with a median grant of $15,691. The largest grants included $100,000 to West Virginia University, $71,003 to Harvard University, $20,000 to Facial Paralysis Bells PAKY, $19,278 to Northeastern University, and $16,382 to Trinity College. The listed purposes were generally unrestricted donations or gifts.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
A Bray Cary Jr was listed as president on the 2020 filing.
The Cary Foundation Inc is led by A. Bray Cary Jr., President on the 2020 filing — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2020 filing
A. Bray Cary Jr.
President
New on the 2020 filing
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020. "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 The Cary Foundation Inc
How much does The Cary Foundation Inc give each year?
The Cary Foundation Inc gave $261K across 10 grants in 2020, according to its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
What is The Cary Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Cary Foundation Inc's median grant in 2020 was $15,691, and its average grant was $26,130, across 10 grants on its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Cary Foundation Inc give grants?
The Cary Foundation Inc's top state is West Virginia, with 47% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Massachusetts (27%) and North Carolina (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Charlotte, NC (2 grants).
Does The Cary Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Cary Foundation Inc's 2020 grants with a stated purpose (10 of 10) were for general or operating support, per its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Cary Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Cary Foundation Inc's largest 2020 grantees include West Virginia University ($100,000), Harvard University ($71,003) and Facial Paralysis Bells Paky ($20,000), according to its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 73% of its itemized 2020 grant dollars.
How large is The Cary Foundation Inc?
The Cary Foundation Inc reported $6.6M in total assets on its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
What does The Cary Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s 2020 filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations and makes distributions only to organizations exempt under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Its grants included support for universities and colleges, a horse network, a church, and other organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Cary Foundation Inc?
The filing states that written requests should be submitted to the board of directors, with proof of 501(c)(3) exempt status included. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is The Cary Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2020, The Cary Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $241K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Cary Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Cary Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-2002202. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal year 2020
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The Cary Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?