The Gambrell Foundation
The Gambrell Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1988 and based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The foundation is dedicated to transforming Charlotte into a beacon of economic mobility, human flourishing, and equitable living through strategic philanthropic investments in health, education, social welfare, community vibrancy, and racial equity.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$172.6M
+4.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.2M
+7.6% YoY
Grant Count
28
+3.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$187K
+3.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Gambrell Foundation reported a distributable amount of $8.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: "We believe every person should have the tools necessary to build the life they want to live."
The foundation's approach centers on three core pillars:
- Belonging: Fostering inclusivity and bringing communities together
- Relationships: Strengthening partnerships and collaborating for impact
- Awe & Wonder: Connecting dreamers, thinkers, and tinkerers
The foundation believes a great life grows from strong relationships, a sense of belonging, and moments of awe. It takes well-researched, promising ideas from research and books and implements them within communities.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Education
- After-school programs
- Mentoring programs
- Domestic violence prevention
- Tutoring and mentoring initiatives
- Human services
- Philanthropy and grantmaking
Grantmaking
The foundation has made 137 grants totaling $34.7 million across available records. Recent notable grants include:
Average Grant
amount: $253,000
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports organizations in:
- North Carolina (primary focus)
- District of Columbia
- California
Grantmaking reaches organizations across 8 states, with 94% of all grants concentrated in North Carolina, District of Columbia, and California.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Income:
- Total assets (2024): $172,585,271
- Total assets (2022): $156,000,000
- Annual income (2024): $37,100,000
- Total revenues (2024): $18,267,928
- Total expenses (2024): $10,733,409
Annual Giving:
- Total giving (2024): $5,229,559–$6,365,070
- Annual giving has grown from $6.4 million in 2020 to $18 million in 2022
- Total assets have grown from $568,000 in 2011 to $172.6 million in 2024
Staffing: The foundation employs 9 staff members.
Tax Status:
- Designated as a 501(c)(3) organization
- Tax-exempt since July 1999
- EIN: 56-2120679
- Established in 1998 in North Carolina
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $172,585,271 | $164,985,006 | $156,174,566 |
| Revenue | $18,267,928 | $17,756,452 | $-23,882,443 |
| Expenses | $10,733,409 | $8,949,874 | $13,262,607 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $8,226,648 | $7,278,692 | $10,283,891 |
| Net Investment Income | $11,366,211 | $622,373 | — |
| Distributable Amount | $8,609,978 | $8,457,397 | $8,153,499 |
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
153 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include American Institute for Boys and Men ($800,000), Local Initiatives Support Corporation ($650,000), Hopelab Foundation ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR BOYS AND MEN WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL PURPOSE | $800,000 |
| BOARD OF REGENTS - UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA OAKLAND, CA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $350,000 |
| CAMP BLUE SKIES FOUNDATION CHARLOTTE, NC | GENERAL PURPOSE | $25,000 |
| CHARLOTTE MECKLENBURG LIBRARY FOUNDATION CHARLOTTE, NC | GENERAL PURPOSE | $100,000 |
| CHARLOTTE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CHARLOTTE, NC | GENERAL PURPOSE | $125,000 |
| CHARLOTTE URBAN INSTITUTE - UNC CHARLOTTE CHARLOTTE, NC | GENERAL PURPOSE | $128,000 |
| COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG INC CHARLOTTE, NC | GENERAL PURPOSE | $399,706 |
| DILWORTH CENTER FOR CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY CHARLOTTE, NC | GENERAL PURPOSE | $120,000 |
| FOUNDATION FOR THE CAROLINAS CHARLOTTE, NC | GENERAL PURPOSE | $450,000 |
| HAVENS INCORPORATED CHARLOTTE, NC | GENERAL PURPOSE | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Sally Belk Gambrell: Director, Chief Executive Officer, and Director-President
- Brian Collier: Executive Director and President
- Laura A. Shepard: Director of Communications
- Hannah Rankin: Program Director/Executive Director
- Melissa Nemec: Program Director
The foundation is governed by 4 officers and trustees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SALLY BELK GAMBRELL | DIRECTOR - CEO | 20 | $125,000 |
| HANNAH RANKIN | PROGRAM DIRECTOR | 8 | $70,927 |
| BRIAN E BRIDGFORD | DIRECTOR - VP | 20 | $125,000 |
| BRIAN COLLIER | PRESIDENT | 40 | $374,204 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been active in major community initiatives:
Gambrell Foundation Pledges $1 Million | Central Piedmont Community CollegePledged $1 million to Central Piedmont Community College Foundation
Gambrell Foundation Pledges $1 Million | Central Piedmont Community CollegeProvided a significant gift to Johnson C. Smith University that helped push the institution past its $80 million fundraising goal
A gift from Gambrell Foundation pushes JCSU past $80 million fundraisingInvested $3 million in the Innovation Lab at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's new main library
Gambrell Foundation Invests $3 Million in New Main Library\u2019s Innovation\Funded a grant enabling hundreds of Central Piedmont Community College students to receive laptops
Gambrell Foundation Pledges $1 Million | Central Piedmont Community CollegeThe foundation supports over 31 partner organizations nurturing conditions for human flourishing. Queens University's Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts, supported by the foundation, engages over 10,000 visitors annually. Foundation leadership has traveled over 25,000 miles to cities worldwide to study how history, policies, and practices create thriving communities.
Gambrell Foundation Pledges $1 Million | Central Piedmont Community CollegeSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Gambrell Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** "We believe every person should have the tools necessary to build the life they want to live." The foundation's approach centers on three core pillars: • **Belonging:** Fostering inclusivity and bringing communities together • **Relationships:** Strengthening partnerships and collaborating for impact • **Awe & Wonder:** Connecting dreamers, thinkers, and tinkerers The foundation believes a great life grows from strong relationships, a sense of belonging, and moments of aw…
How do I apply for a grant from The Gambrell Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $521–$2,000,000 • Average grant amount: $253,000 • Median grant amount: $100,000 • Individual grants have ranged from undisclosed amounts to $4.1 million **Recent Grant Activity:** The foundation has made 137 grants totaling $34.7 million across available records. Recent notable grants include: • Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation: $1,000,000 (general purpose) • Foundation for the Carolinas: $600,000 (general purpose) • Charmeck Family Jus…
Where does The Gambrell Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily supports organizations in: • North Carolina (primary focus) • District of Columbia • California Grantmaking reaches organizations across 8 states, with 94% of all grants concentrated in North Carolina, District of Columbia, and California.
What size grants does The Gambrell Foundation award?
In 2024, The Gambrell Foundation awarded 28 grants totaling $5.2M — an average of about $187K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Gambrell Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Gambrell Foundation reported a distributable amount of $8.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Gambrell Foundation's EIN?
The Gambrell Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-2120679. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Gambrell Foundation'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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