The David Belk Cannon Foundation
The David Belk Cannon Foundation is a private foundation based in Gastonia, North Carolina. In 2024, it made grants to charitable organizations, including recipients in education, conservation, community services, and the arts.
The David Belk Cannon Foundation at a glance
In short: The David Belk Cannon Foundation gave $6.2M across 40 grants in 2024 (avg $154K), mostly in North Carolina. 26% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,156,099
- +10.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 40
- -11.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $153,902
- +23.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $52,500
- Total assets
- $132,530,612
- +5.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 26% first-time grantees (10 of 39, 2024)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (85% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The David Belk Cannon Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. The filing lists Tamara Burrell as the contact and states that awards must be to a 501(c)(3).
- Contact
Application contact: Tamara Burrell
Mailing address: 208 Burtonwood Drive, Gastonia, NC 28054
Phone: (704) 616-4817
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The David Belk Cannon Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Gaston Community Foundation ($2.0M across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $4.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
209 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 103 grants of 209 (49%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, grant dollars went primarily to North Carolina recipients (85%), followed by Virginia (12%), Massachusetts (2%), and New York (1%). The filing also reports 0% for Washington, D.C.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 40 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The David Belk Cannon Foundation open to new grantees?
26%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 10 of 39 grantees (26%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $103K; repeat grants $177K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $63K repeat.
- 72% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+10%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 107% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $5.6M (2023) to $6.6M (2020). In 2024 it made 40 grants totaling $6.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Gaston Community Foundation Gastonia, NC | New Hope Business District | $1,500,000 |
| Gaston Day School Gastonia, NC | Board Directed, Construction of new upper school building | $892,000 |
| Gaston Community Foundation Gastonia, NC | DBC Donor Advised Fund, Rankin Fund, Strategic Planning | $543,600 |
| The Conservation Fund Arlington, VA | Conservation Fund's Carolina Farms Fund Project | $500,000 |
| Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Belmont, NC | Support Phase 1 projects in DSBG's strategic plan | $300,000 |
| Covenant Village Gastonia, NC | Outdoor Pavillion & Driveway/Parking Lot Improvements | $250,000 |
| Christ Church Charlotte Charlotte, NC | Transforming Hearts, Changing Lives campaign | $250,000 |
| Gaston County Family YMCA Gastonia, NC | Capital Campaign | $200,000 |
| Saint Mary's School Raleigh, NC | Construction | $166,666 |
| Year Up Boston, MA | Support program to prepare career-ready talent for local employers | $150,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The David Belk Cannon Foundation?
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 | $132,530,612 | $8,374,309 | $10,050,872 | $6,156,099 | 40 | $6,647,863 | $8,025,285 | $6,233,617 |
| 2023 | $126,273,476 | $3,591,682 | $4,148,207 | $5,587,871 | 45 | $5,929,434 | $3,109,762 | $5,930,452 |
| 2022 | $117,648,711 | $1,285,700 | $5,306,364 | $5,928,379 | 39 | $6,275,570 | $916,583 | $6,331,687 |
| 2021 | $141,422,518 | $13,308,124 | $11,093,901 | $5,621,834 | 39 | $6,026,517 | $12,681,991 | $6,615,966 |
| 2020 | $130,773,648 | $4,765,855 | $5,764,767 | $6,603,467 | 46 | — | $4,292,546 | $5,818,280 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The David Belk Cannon Foundation reported a distributable amount of $6.2M for 2024 — 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 2024 grants show support for a range of organizations and purposes. For example, Gaston Day School received funding for construction of a new upper school building; The Conservation Fund received support for its Carolina Farms Fund Project; and Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden received support for Phase 1 projects in its strategic plan.
The grantees describe their own work in varied terms. Gaston Community Foundation says it manages charitable funds and connects donors with community needs through grants, scholarships, and donor-advised funds. Gaston Day School describes its mission as educating students and preparing them for responsible and productive lives. Gaston County Family YMCA says it serves people of all ages and backgrounds through programs promoting healthy lifestyles, values, and leadership development. Year Up describes its mission as closing the opportunity divide by helping young adults gain skills, experience, and support for careers and higher education.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 40 grants totaling $6,156,099. Grants ranged from $1,500 to $1,500,000, with a median grant of $52,500.
Among the largest grants were $1,500,000 to Gaston Community Foundation for the New Hope Business District; $892,000 to Gaston Day School for board-directed support and construction of a new upper school building; $543,600 to Gaston Community Foundation for its DBC Donor Advised Fund, Rankin Fund, and strategic planning; and $500,000 to The Conservation Fund for its Carolina Farms Fund Project. Other grants included $300,000 to Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden for strategic-plan projects, $250,000 to Covenant Village for outdoor pavilion and driveway/parking improvements, and $200,000 to Gaston County Family YMCA for its capital campaign.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Eugene R Matthews II as Chair and CEO; Ben F Matthews III as Vice Chairman; Mary M Vaughn as Secretary; Annabelle Kelly as Assistant Secretary; Dr Richard E Rankin Jr as Director; and Tamara Burrell as Executive Director.
The David Belk Cannon Foundation is led by Eugene R Matthews II, Chair & CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2020); all 6 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Eugene R Matthews II
Chair & CEO
President, CEO & Treasurer → President & CEO, 2022
President & CEO → Chair & CEO, 2023
On filings since 2020
32 hrs/week
$139K (2020) → $148K (2024)
Tamara Burrell
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
32 hrs/week
$52K (2020) → $129K (2024)
Richard E Rankin Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$14K (2020) → $23K (2024)
Annabelle Kelly
Assistant Secretary
Director → Assistant Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$12K (2020) → $13K (2024)
Ben F Matthews III
Vice Chairman
Director → Vice Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$12K (2020) → $22K (2024)
Mary M Vaughn
Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$12K (2020) → $13K (2024)
Former officers (3)
- Former: B Frank Matthews II (2020–2022) — Chairman
- Former: Harriet M. Jackson (2020) — Director
- Former: Vann M. Matthews II (2020) — Director
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 $148K, to Eugene R Matthews II (Chair & CEO). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The David Belk Cannon Foundation
How much does The David Belk Cannon Foundation give each year?
The David Belk Cannon Foundation gave $6.2M across 40 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $5.6M across 45 grants.
What is The David Belk Cannon Foundation's typical grant size?
The David Belk Cannon Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $52,500, and its average grant was $153,902, across 40 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The David Belk Cannon Foundation that year got $103K on average.
Where does The David Belk Cannon Foundation give grants?
The David Belk Cannon Foundation gives mostly in North Carolina: 85% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Virginia (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Gastonia, NC (18 grants), Charlotte, NC (6 grants), Belmont, NC (2 grants) and Raleigh, NC (2 grants).
Does The David Belk Cannon Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 33% of The David Belk Cannon Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (13 of 40) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Board Directed" (3 grants).
Who are The David Belk Cannon Foundation's largest grantees?
The David Belk Cannon Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Gaston Community Foundation ($2,043,600 across 2 grants), Gaston Day School ($892,000) and The Conservation Fund ($500,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 56% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The David Belk Cannon Foundation?
The David Belk Cannon Foundation reported $132.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $6.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $6.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The David Belk Cannon Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for a range of organizations and purposes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The David Belk Cannon Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The David Belk Cannon Foundation's EIN?
The David Belk Cannon Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-0004751. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The David Belk Cannon Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 28, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The David Belk Cannon Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Duke Energy Foundation
Charlotte, NC
The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce and local economic development, disaster resilience, conservation, clean water, and economic opportunity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000; applications for grants of $20,000 or less are accepted year-round, after applicants discuss proposals with a state representative.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
41
Total Given
$25.6M
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Gaston Community Foundation
Gastonia, NC
Gaston Community Foundation supports nonprofit programs and organizational needs, along with specialized medical and professional education grants, primarily benefiting Gaston County residents in North Carolina. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,100 to $1,732,500, with a median of $17,066. It accepts applications through a competitive community grants cycle; new applicants must meet with Foundation staff before applying.
Assets
$145.4M
Grants
168
Total Given
$10.3M
The Stowe Foundation Inc
Belmont, NC
The Stowe Foundation funds tax-exempt organizations, with recent grants supporting botanical gardens, education, animal welfare, health, youth services, literacy, and women; most funding goes to the Charlotte and North Carolina area. In 2024, grants ranged from $150 to $157,000, with a median of $1,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
31
Total Given
$271K
LPL Financial Foundation Inc
Boston, MA
Assets
$7.8M
Grants
55
Total Given
$2.3M
Charles & Irene Nanney Foundation
Raleigh, NC
The Charles & Irene Nanney Foundation supports educational, charitable, civic, and medical purposes, with most of its giving in North Carolina and a small share in Pennsylvania. Its 2025 grants ranged from $250 to $20,000, with a median of $2,500. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$2.9M
Grants
23
Total Given
$164K
More similar funders
More Funders in North Carolina
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The David Belk Cannon Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-david-belk-cannon-foundation-morg_931dd7f987fb47a6b43dd729343ff03f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_270004751_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The David Belk Cannon Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-david-belk-cannon-foundation-morg_931dd7f987fb47a6b43dd729343ff03f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The David Belk Cannon Foundation'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 David Belk Cannon Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?