The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I
The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I is a private foundation based in Greensboro, an individual recipient Its 2024 filing lists grants for college scholarships and advising, educational programs, and community initiatives.
The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I at a glance
In short: The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I gave $2.3M across 57 grants in 2024 (avg $41K), mostly in North Carolina. 22% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,324,963
- -20.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 57
- -10.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $40,789
- -10.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $14,000
- Total assets
- $46,433,925
- -13.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (12 of 54, 2024)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (87% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I
- How to Apply
-
Contact Melinda W. Oakley and call the foundation for its required grant application form. The filing says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Award restrictions include community capital campaigns, educational institution capital campaigns, and educational programs in Guilford, Randolph, and Surry counties in an individual recipient
- Review Cycle
- June 15 and October 31.
- Deadline
- June 15 and October 31.
- Contact
Application contact: Melinda W Oakley
Mailing address: 324 W Wendover Ave - Ste 130, Greensboro, NC 27408
Phone: (336) 273-7519
Email: mindy.oakley@armfieldfdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Shifted ($500K). Together the top 10 received $1.5M.
Organizations only. It also paid 3 individual scholarships ($112,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
340 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 236 grants of 340 (69%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2024 grant dollars went primarily to recipients in an individual recipient (87%), followed by Georgia (9%), Virginia (1%), an individual recipient (1%), and Maryland (1%). Its stated restrictions specify educational programs in Guilford, Randolph, and Surry counties in an individual recipient
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 57 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 12 of 54 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $32K; repeat grants $46K. How we count
Medians: $16K first-time, $16K repeat.
- 72% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 33% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 114% 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 $2.3M (2024) to $3.5M (2022). In 2024 it made 57 grants totaling $2.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Shifted Greensboro, NC | Carolina College Advising Corps Grant | $500,000 |
| Davidson College Davidson, NC | Grant Davidson Trust | $200,000 |
| UNC - Carolina College Advising Corps Atlanta, GA | Carolina College Advising Corps Grant | $200,000 |
| Communities in Schools Greensboro, NC | GRANT | $187,500 |
| 3 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $112,000 |
| Appalachian State University Boone, NC | Scholarship | $96,291 |
| Center for Creative Leadership Greensboro, NC | Surry County Schools Leadership Initiative | $80,000 |
| Action Greensboro Greensboro, NC | Operational Support, Campus GSO, Build S.M.A.R.T Comms Capaign | $75,000 |
| UNC-Charlotte Charlotte, NC | Scholarship | $70,000 |
| Ready for School Ready for Life Greensboro, NC | GRANT | $66,667 |
Ready to take the next step with The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I?
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 | $46,433,925 | $6,809,951 | $3,756,504 | $2,324,963 | 57 | $2,674,938 | $6,486,536 | $2,355,230 |
| 2023 | $53,543,121 | $2,592,654 | $-1,722,988 | $2,915,937 | 64 | $3,253,514 | $780,408 | $2,483,396 |
| 2022 | $51,338,483 | $4,850,821 | $33,662,907 | $3,508,003 | 75 | $3,832,251 | $3,491,450 | $2,417,470 |
| 2021 | $68,779,889 | $5,451,551 | $3,394,574 | $3,468,208 | 67 | $3,769,412 | $4,656,843 | $3,267,471 |
| 2020 | $65,188,265 | $5,669,903 | $4,506,112 | $3,311,339 | 77 | — | $2,437,889 | $3,119,068 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I reported a distributable amount of $2.4M 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 include scholarships to colleges and universities, support for the Carolina College Advising Corps, and grants to organizations involved in education and community initiatives.
The grantees describe their work in their own terms. Communities in Schools says its mission is to surround students with community support so they can stay in school and achieve in life. An individual recipient State University says it supports the university’s colleges, libraries, and other connected functions. Ready for School Ready for Life describes its mission as creating a collaborative system of care for Guilford County’s youngest children and their families. These are grantee missions, not statements of the foundation’s own mission.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 57 grants totaling $2,324,963. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $500,000, with a median of $14,000. Its largest award was $500,000 to SHIFTED for the Carolina College Advising Corps grant. Other notable awards included $200,000 to Davidson College, $200,000 to UNC – Carolina College Advising Corps for the same advising corps grant, and $187,500 to Communities in Schools.
Other 2024 grants included $97,000 to an individual recipient State University and $96,291 to Appalachian State University for scholarships; $80,000 to the Center for Creative Leadership for the Surry County Schools Leadership Initiative; and $75,000 to Action Greensboro for operational support and other activities.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Adair P. Armfield, Phifer Crute, James C. B. Hancock, R. David Sprinkle, and Laura Armfield Cannon as directors. Melinda W. Oakley is listed as an officer.
The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I's 2024 filing lists 6 officers; all 6 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Adair P. Armfield
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$5K (2020) → $6K (2024)
James C. B. Hancock
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$4K (2020) → $6K (2024)
Phifer Crute
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$4K (2020) → $6K (2024)
R. David Sprinkle
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$4K (2020) → $6K (2024)
Laura Armfield Cannon
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
$2K (2022) → $6K (2024)
Melinda W. Oakley
Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$136K (2020) → $147K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Bedford Cannon (2020–2022) — 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 $147K, to Melinda W Oakley (Officer). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I
How much does The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I give each year?
The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I gave $2.3M across 57 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.9M across 64 grants.
What is The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I's typical grant size?
The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I's median grant in 2024 was $14,000, and its average grant was $40,789, across 57 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I that year got $32K on average.
Where does The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I give grants?
The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I gives mostly in North Carolina: 87% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Georgia (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Greensboro, NC (16 grants), Winston-Salem, NC (3 grants), Davidson, NC (2 grants) and Atlanta, GA (2 grants).
Does The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I give general operating support?
Occasionally: 4% of The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 57) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (36 grants) and "Grant" (8 grants).
Who are The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I's largest grantees?
The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I's largest 2024 grantees include Shifted ($500,000), Davidson College ($203,750 across 2 grants) and UNC - Carolina College Advising Corps ($200,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 3 individual scholarships ($112,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I?
The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I reported $46.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.4M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants include scholarships to colleges and universities, support for the Carolina College Advising Corps, and grants to organizations involved in education and community initiatives. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I?
Contact Melinda W. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I's EIN?
The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-2156876. 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
Browse active grant opportunities in The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I'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
IBM International Foundation
Armonk, NY
The IBM International Foundation funds education and workforce programs that build 21st-century and technology job skills, including initiatives for underserved students and job seekers. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.48 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across several U.S. states, especially Delaware and Massachusetts. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$357.7M
Grants
16
Total Given
$11.7M
North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Inc
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina Independent supports scholarships and student enrichment at independent colleges and universities, alongside advocacy and programs for the sector. Its 2025 grants went to North Carolina institutions and ranged from $3,500 to $117,313, with a median of $21,576. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.4M
Grants
35
Total Given
$1.1M
Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc
Greensboro, NC
The Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation funds charitable programs and projects in education, arts, health, human services, economic development, historic preservation, and other areas, as well as scholarships. It generally supports work benefiting Guilford County, North Carolina, and its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $50,000, with a median of $10,000. It accepts applications through an online grant application.
Assets
$20.3M
Grants
66
Total Given
$872K
Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Inc
Atlanta, GA
The foundation funds need-based undergraduate scholarships for female Christian students through participating institutions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, and supports care for senior women at facilities in Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. In 2024, grants ranged from $72,500 to $2,939,000, with a median of $254,000. It does not fund individuals, and institutions not already supported are rarely added; current grantees apply through the foundation’s grant process.
Assets
$990.9M
Grants
208
Total Given
$63.3M
The Cannon Foundation Inc
Concord, NC
The Cannon Foundation funds capital, equipment, and infrastructure projects in human services, higher education, healthcare, and community, primarily for established organizations with significant operations in North Carolina. Recent grants ranged from $2,500 to $500,000, with a median of $50,000. It accepts inquiries through a staged application process, with quarterly deadlines.
Assets
$351.7M
Grants
218
Total Given
$14.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in North Carolina
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-edward-m-armfield-sr-foundation-i-morg_c04ff3872f874a41a773a7b34eb12d4e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_562156876_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-edward-m-armfield-sr-foundation-i-morg_c04ff3872f874a41a773a7b34eb12d4e},
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 Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I'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 Edward M Armfield Sr Foundation I down — hundreds of funders to go?