The David Belk Cannon Foundation

GASTONIA, NC EIN: 27-0004751

The David Belk Cannon Foundation is a private foundation established in 2002 and based in Gastonia, North Carolina. As a 501(c)(3) organization, it operates as a supporting organization of the Community Foundation of Gaston County, making charitable distributions to support various philanthropic initiatives.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$132.5M

+5.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$6.2M

+10.2% YoY

Grant Count

40

-11.1% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$154K

+23.9% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation's primary purpose is to make charitable distributions and provide support to the Community Foundation of Gaston County. Based on recent grantmaking activity, the foundation supports a diverse range of initiatives including:

  • Education
  • Human Services
  • Religious and church ministries
  • Healthcare initiatives (including vascular hybrid operating room support)
  • Capital projects and renovations
  • Scholarships
  • Community development

Grantmaking

The foundation provides support for operating support, general support, capital projects, renovations, and scholarships. The foundation makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not appear to accept unsolicited applications.

Grant Range

$2,000 to $1,100,000

Average Grant

$141,000

Grant Types

**

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation supports initiatives across multiple states, with primary focus areas including:

  • North Carolina
  • South Carolina
  • Virginia
  • Georgia
  • Kentucky
  • Massachusetts
  • New York
  • Washington, D.C.

Grant Distribution by State

10states
+2 more states

Cities

AikenAlbanyArdenArlingtonAshevilleAtlantaBelmontBostonCashiersCentralChapel HillCharlestonCharlotteClintonColumbiaDallasDavidsonDurhamFarmvilleFletcher

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Assets & Revenue (2024):

  • Total assets: $132,530,612
  • Total revenue: $8,374,309
  • Total expenses: $10,050,872
  • Total liabilities: $6,370,000

Historical Giving Trends: Annual giving has fluctuated, with reports indicating a decrease from $16 million in 2022 to $5.6 million in 2023, with 2024 giving at $6,156,099.

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$4M$7M$11M$15M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$132,530,612$126,273,476$117,648,711
Revenue$8,374,309$3,591,682$1,285,700
Expenses$10,050,872$4,148,207$5,306,364
Qualifying Distributions$6,499,919$5,929,434$4,521,403
Net Investment Income$7,893,118$3,109,762$916,583
Distributable Amount$6,235,454$5,930,452$6,331,687

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$2M$3M$5M$7M46 grants202039 grants202130 grants202245 grants202340 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Gaston Community Foundat…$1.5MGaston Day School$892KGaston Community Foundat…$544KThe Conservation Fund$500KDaniel Stowe Botanical G…$300KCovenant Village$250KChrist Church Charlotte$250KGaston County Family YMCA$200KSaint Mary's School$167KYear Up$150K

Grant Size Distribution

200 grants across all recorded years

103<$50K31$50–100K33$100–250K14$250–500K12$500K–1M7$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

  • Eugene R Matthews II - Chair and CEO (compensation: $146,000 annually)
  • Tamara Burrell - Executive Director
  • The foundation is governed by 6 officers and trustees

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Eugene R Matthews IIChair & CEO$148KTamara BurrellExecutive Dir.$129KDr Richard E Rankin JrDirector$23KBen F Matthews IIIVice Chairman$22KAnnabelle KellyAsst Secretary$13KMary M VaughnSecretary$13K

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
Annabelle KellyAsst Secretary0.5$13,000
Eugene R Matthews IIChair & CEO32$148,000
Ben F Matthews IIIVice Chairman4$22,000
Mary M VaughnSecretary0.5$13,000
Dr Richard E Rankin JrDirector4$23,000
Tamara BurrellExecutive Dir.32$128,598

Contact Information

  • Address: 208 Burtonwood Drive, Gastonia, NC 28054
  • Phone: 704-616-4817

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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