The Cary Foundation Inc

Private foundation · Grantmaker Charleston, WV EIN: 56-2002202

THE CARY FOUNDATION INC is a private foundation based in Charleston, West Virginia. In its 2020 filing, it reported 10 grants totaling $261,302 to organizations in five states.

Key facts about The Cary Foundation Inc

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.

EIN
56-2002202
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2020
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)
How to apply
The foundation states that written requests for donations should be submitted to its board of directors. Full details ↓
Deadline
None.

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2020; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Financial Overview

From 2020 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$6.6M

Annual Giving

$261K

Grant Count

10

Avg Grant Size

$26K

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 September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2020 grants went to organizations including universities and colleges, a horse-support organization, a church, and other educational and community organizations. West Virginia University describes its mission as fostering and supporting research and providing services for inventions by WVU faculty, staff, and students. West Virginia Horse Network says it helps horses in danger because they lack proper training and works to help them find safe homes.

Grantmaking

In 2020, the foundation gave 10 grants totaling $261,302. Grant amounts ranged from $294 to $100,000, with a median of $15,691. The largest awards 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.

Review Cycle

None.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2020, grant dollars went to recipients in West Virginia (47%), Massachusetts (27%), North Carolina (12%), California (8%), and Connecticut (6%).

Grant Distribution by State

5states

Share of 2020 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.

Cities

CharlotteBeverly HillsCambridgeCharlestonElkviewHartfordMorgantownMount GaySouth Charleston

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$100K$200K$300K10 grants2020

In 2020 it made 10 grants totaling $261K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2020

West Virginia University: $100KWest Virginia University$100KHarvard University: $71KHarvard University$71KFacial Paralysis Bells Paky: $20KFacial Paralysis Bells Paky$20KNortheastern University: $19KNortheastern University$19KTrinity College: $16KTrinity College$16KWest Virginia Horse Network: $15KWest Virginia Horse Network$15KChrist Church: $13KChrist Church$13KCarver Career and Technical: $5KCarver Career and Technical$5KBridge Valley Comm and Tech: $2KBridge Valley Comm and Tech$2KSouthern WV Community College: $294Southern WV Community College$294

The largest 2020 recipient was West Virginia University ($100K). Together the top 10 received $261K.

Grant Size Distribution

10 grants across all recorded years

8<$50K1$50–100K1$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 8 grants of 10 (80%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
West Virginia University Morgantown, WVUnrestricted Cash Donation$100,000
Harvard University Cambridge, MAUnrestricted Cash Donation$71,003
Facial Paralysis Bells Paky Beverly Hills, CAUnrestricted Cash Donation$20,000
Northeastern University Charlotte, NCUnrestricted Cash Donation$19,278
Trinity College Hartford, CTUnrestricted Cash Donation$16,382
West Virginia Horse Network Elkview, WVUnrestricted CAS Donation$15,000
Christ Church Charlotte, NCUnrestricted Cash Gift$13,000
Carver Career and Technical Charleston, WVUnrestricted Cash Donation$4,761
Bridge Valley Comm and Tech South Charleston, WVUnrestricted Cash Donation$1,584
Southern WV Community College Mount Gay, WVUnrestricted Cash Donation$294

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants
2020 $6,566,218 -$918,832 $275,244 $261,302 across 10 grants
Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$100K$200K$300K$400K2020
Metric2020
Total Assets$6,566,218
Revenue$-918,832
Expenses$275,244
Net Investment Income$79,859
Distributable Amount$241,202

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal year 2020

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.

Contact

Application contact: A Bray Cary Jr
Mailing address: PO Box 11848, Charleston, WV 25339-1848
Phone: (304) 345-7711

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?

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2020 grants went to organizations including universities and colleges, a horse-support organization, a church, and other educational and community organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from The Cary Foundation Inc?

The foundation states that written requests for donations should be submitted to its board of directors. 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 September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

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