The Dickson Foundation Inc
The Dickson Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Charlotte, North Carolina. It primarily focuses on local giving and does not provide grants to individuals.
The Dickson Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Dickson Foundation Inc gave $3.8M across 165 grants in 2024 (avg $23K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,756,830
- +10.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 165
- -1.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $22,769
- +11.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $65,381,354
- +5.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (93% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Dickson Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
Applications should be submitted as a letter to The Dickson Foundation. The foundation does not provide grants to individuals and primarily focuses on local giving. It does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. There are no application deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: The Dickson Foundation
Mailing address: 200 South College St Ste 1800, Charlotte, NC 28202
Phone: (704) 372-5404
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Dickson Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Ctr Foundation ($301K). Together the top 10 received $1.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
737 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 618 grants of 737 (84%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s filing states that it primarily focuses on local giving. In 2024, 93% of grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina, 2% to Virginia, 2% to South Carolina, 1% to Arizona, and 1% to Oklahoma.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 165 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Dickson Foundation Inc gives
- 88% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−8%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 100% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (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 $3.3M (2020) to $4.1M (2021). In 2024 it made 165 grants totaling $3.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Ctr Foundation Charlotte, NC | General Support | $301,000 |
| Lees McRae College Banner Elk, NC | General Support | $201,000 |
| Samaritan's Purse Boone, NC | General Support | $200,000 |
| NC State University Raleigh, NC | General Support | $127,500 |
| Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region Charlotte, NC | General Support | $127,000 |
| Coalition for Liberty Charlotte, NC | General Support | $125,000 |
| Wing Haven Foundation Charlotte, NC | General Support | $121,000 |
| Elon University Elon, NC | General Support | $106,000 |
| Southminster Charlotte, NC | General Support | $105,000 |
| Central Piedmont Community College Foundation Charlotte, NC | General Support | $103,000 |
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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 | $65,381,354 | $8,362,549 | $4,693,302 | $3,756,830 | 165 | $4,205,948 | $5,448,917 | $4,214,471 |
| 2023 | $61,712,107 | $3,587,400 | $4,174,242 | $3,416,530 | 167 | $3,776,884 | $1,785,103 | $3,851,258 |
| 2022 | $62,298,949 | $5,208,156 | $4,481,332 | $3,640,050 | 187 | $3,992,930 | $4,630,908 | $3,977,352 |
| 2021 | $61,574,126 | $6,096,445 | $4,909,934 | $4,079,093 | 217 | $4,410,856 | $7,448,903 | $4,346,122 |
| 2020 | $60,387,836 | $2,876,349 | $3,984,529 | $3,261,790 | 1 | — | $3,178,863 | $3,658,929 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Dickson Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $4.2M 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. For example, Samaritan’s Purse describes its work as providing spiritual and physical aid to people affected by war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine. Crossnore Communities for Children says it champions the well-being of children and families. Elon University describes its work as providing undergraduate and graduate education, while the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation says it helps the library improve lives and build a stronger community.
Other 2024 recipients include health care organizations, a college foundation, an organization promoting freedom of speech and parental involvement in education, and Wing Haven Foundation, which describes its work as cultivating sanctuary in nature and environmental stewardship.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 165 grants totaling $3,756,830. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $301,000, with a median award of $2,000.
Among the largest 2024 grants were $301,000 to Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center Foundation, $201,000 to Lees-McRae College, $200,000 to Samaritan’s Purse, $127,500 to NC State University, and $127,000 to Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region. Each was listed for general support. Other large awards included $125,000 to Coalition for Liberty, $121,000 to Wing Haven Foundation, $106,000 to Elon University, $105,000 to Southminster, $103,000 to Central Piedmont Community College Foundation, $102,000 to Crossnore Communities for Children, and $101,000 to Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation; each was also listed for general support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists R. Stuart Dickson as director, chairman, and president, with the notation “deceased 0524.” Other listed officers and directors are Rush S. Dickson III, Thomas W. Dickson, Susan W. Patterson, Jane W. Marley, Alison M. Scott, Christian O. Avery, Chase A. Wood, Harrison H. Williamson Jr., and John A. Dickson.
The Dickson Foundation Inc's 2024 filing lists 9 officers; none of the 9 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Alison M. Scott
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chase A. Wood
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christian O. Avery
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Harrison H. Williamson Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jane W. Marley
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John A. Dickson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rush S. Dickson III
Director & Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas W. Dickson
Director & Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan W. Patterson
Officer, Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
32 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: R. Stuart Dickson (2020–2024) — Director, Chairman & President · Filing note: Deceased 5/2024
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Dickson Foundation Inc
How much does The Dickson Foundation Inc give each year?
The Dickson Foundation Inc gave $3.8M across 165 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.4M across 167 grants.
What is The Dickson Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Dickson Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $2,000, and its average grant was $22,769, across 165 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Dickson Foundation Inc give grants?
The Dickson Foundation Inc gives mostly in North Carolina: 93% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Charlotte, NC (60 grants), Raleigh, NC (12 grants), Chapel Hill, NC (6 grants) and Washington, DC (5 grants).
Does The Dickson Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Dickson Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (165 of 165) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Dickson Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Dickson Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Ctr Foundation ($301,000), Lees McRae College ($201,000) and Samaritan's Purse ($200,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 19% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Dickson Foundation Inc?
The Dickson Foundation Inc reported $65.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Dickson Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for a range of organizations. For example, Samaritan’s Purse describes its work as providing spiritual and physical aid to people affected by war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Dickson Foundation Inc?
Applications should be submitted as a letter to The Dickson Foundation. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Dickson Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Dickson Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-6022339. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Dickson Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-dickson-foundation-inc-morg_cce1159651bb4e89903f116ab419e381
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_566022339_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Dickson Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-dickson-foundation-inc-morg_cce1159651bb4e89903f116ab419e381},
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 Dickson Foundation Inc'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.
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