The Catherine Jefferson Foundation Inc
The Catherine Jefferson Foundation Inc is a private philanthropic foundation based in Durham, North Carolina. Established in 2014, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization focused on grantmaking and fund distribution. The foundation manages substantial assets and distributes grants across multiple states and communities throughout the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$30.6M
+46.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.6M
+31.8% YoY
Grant Count
33
-10.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$80K
+47.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Catherine Jefferson Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Grantmaking
The foundation is an active grantmaker with a demonstrated commitment to supporting various causes. Recent grantmaking activity includes:
Grant Range
range**: Typical awards range from $100 to $2,275,000, with recent activity showing significant variation in award amounts.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports a wide range of communities across the United States, including major urban centers and smaller communities. States with documented funding activity include California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $20,816,650
- Total Revenue: $5,780,506
- Total Expenses: $2,682,799
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Total Giving: $2,003,352
The foundation maintains a strong financial position with no outstanding liabilities.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $30,583,118 | $20,816,650 | $17,718,943 |
| Revenue | $14,254,680 | $5,780,506 | $901,803 |
| Expenses | $4,488,212 | $2,682,799 | $2,170,661 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,641,000 | $2,003,352 | $1,855,813 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,711,282 | $2,101,059 | $574,326 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,336,464 | $902,182 | $867,422 |
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
137 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Avon Old Farms ($1,001,000), Syracuse University ($980,000), Kellogg School of Management ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ATHLETES WHO CARE STANTON, NJ | CONTRIBUTION | $10,000 |
| AVON OLD FARMS AVON, CT | CONTRIBUTION | $1,001,000 |
| BAG ROOM OPEN KEY LARGO, FL | CONTRIBUTION | $1,000 |
| BOATHOUSE FOUNDATION INC EDGARTOWN, MA | CONTRIBUTION | $300 |
| BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL BOSTON, MA | CONTRIBUTION | $5,000 |
| BRIGHAM & WOMEN'S HOSPITAL BOSTON, MA | CONTRIBUTION | $500 |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY DURHAM, NC | CONTRIBUTION | $20,000 |
| DURHAM ACADEMY DURHAM, NC | CONTRIBUTION | $10,000 |
| FOLDS OF HONOR CENTER VALLEY, PA | CONTRIBUTION | $41,600 |
| GIFT HILL | CONTRIBUTION | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is managed by trustees who serve without compensation:
- Catherine Jefferson (Trustee)
- Brett Jefferson
- Karen Carlisle
The foundation has no employees and is supported by BRJ Holdings III LLC.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CATHERINE JEFFERSON | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| BRETT JEFFERSON | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| KAREN CARLISLE | TRUSTEE | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has maintained active grantmaking operations with multiple funding rounds announced in recent years, including dedicated grant cycles in 2024 and 2025.
Jefferson Foundation doles out 54 grants for $10,000 or lessSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a grant from The Catherine Jefferson Foundation Inc?
The foundation is an active grantmaker with a demonstrated commitment to supporting various causes. Recent grantmaking activity includes: • **2023 grants**: Made 14 grants totaling $2,003,352 • **2024 grants**: Awarded 129 grants totaling nearly $3.75 million • **2025 grants**: Distributed 54 grants for $10,000 or less in one funding round **Grant size range**: Typical awards range from $100 to $2,275,000, with recent activity showing significant variation in award amounts. **Recent recipients*…
Where does The Catherine Jefferson Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation supports a wide range of communities across the United States, including major urban centers and smaller communities. States with documented funding activity include California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
What size grants does The Catherine Jefferson Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, The Catherine Jefferson Foundation Inc awarded 33 grants totaling $2.6M — an average of about $80K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Catherine Jefferson Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Catherine Jefferson Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.3M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Catherine Jefferson Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Catherine Jefferson Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-7004054. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Catherine Jefferson Foundation Inc'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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