The Goodnight Educational Foundation
The Goodnight Educational Foundation is a private foundation based in Cary, North Carolina. Its 2025 filing lists grants to North Carolina charitable organizations, including museums, educational organizations, and public media.
The Goodnight Educational Foundation at a glance
In short: The Goodnight Educational Foundation gave $9.2M across 25 grants in 2025 (avg $367K), mostly in North Carolina. 20% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $9,180,000
- +8.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 25
- -26.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $367,200
- +47.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $186,368,737
- +28.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 20% first-time grantees (5 of 25, 2025)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Goodnight Educational Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 100 Sas Campus Drive - Bldg A A8368, Cary, NC 27513
Phone: (919) 677-8000
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Goodnight Educational Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was NC Museum of History Foundation ($2.0M). Together the top 10 received $8.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
170 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 103 grants of 170 (61%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars listed for filing year 2025 went to recipients in North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Goodnight Educational Foundation open to new grantees?
20%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 25 grantees (20%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $257K; repeat grants $395K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 76% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+1%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 95% 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 (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $7.5M (2019) to $9.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 25 grants totaling $9.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NC Museum of History Foundation Raleigh, NC | Charitable | $2,000,000 |
| Cary Academy Cary, NC | Charitable | $1,090,000 |
| Friends of NC Museum of Natural Sciences Raleigh, NC | Charitable | $1,050,000 |
| Myfuturenc Inc Raleigh, NC | Charitable | $1,000,000 |
| NC Community College Foundation Raleigh, NC | Charitable | $1,000,000 |
| NC Museum of Art Foundation Raleigh, NC | Charitable | $1,000,000 |
| PBS North Carolina RTP, NC | Charitable | $1,000,000 |
| NCSU Foundation Inc Raleigh, NC | Charitable | $400,000 |
| The YMCA of the Triangle Area Raleigh, NC | Charitable | $100,000 |
| NC Business Leaders for Education Greensboro, NC | Charitable | $60,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Goodnight Educational 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $186,368,737 | $60,071,157 | $9,376,432 | $9,180,000 | 25 | $9,181,500 | $10,202,743 | $9,670,572 |
| 2024 | $144,976,793 | $9,960,729 | $8,585,450 | $8,490,000 | 34 | $8,490,000 | $9,865,279 | $9,181,065 |
| 2023 | $143,818,333 | $5,826,421 | $8,778,972 | $8,651,200 | 37 | $8,651,200 | $6,209,914 | $8,490,634 |
| 2022 | $146,662,935 | $6,481,834 | $9,109,728 | $9,070,000 | 37 | $9,070,000 | $6,442,106 | $8,651,732 |
| 2021 | $149,468,750 | $4,782,379 | $8,127,896 | $8,040,000 | 37 | $8,040,000 | $4,694,483 | $9,068,596 |
| 2020 | $152,710,505 | $7,118,661 | $8,411,068 | $8,160,000 | 29 | — | $6,867,593 | $8,068,021 |
| 2019 | $154,888,465 | $5,918,823 | $7,617,149 | $7,536,000 | 32 | — | $5,837,674 | $8,130,214 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Goodnight Educational Foundation reported a distributable amount of $9.7M for 2025 — 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 grants include support for organizations with varied missions. For example, myFutureNC describes its mission as closing gaps in educational access and promoting an education-through-workforce continuum in North Carolina. Cary Academy describes itself as a coeducational day school serving students in grades six through twelve. Student U says it empowers and equips first-generation college students in Durham Public Schools, along with their families and educators, to become leaders who transform their city.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 25 grants totaling $9,180,000. Grants ranged from $10,000 to $2,000,000, with a median of $50,000. The largest listed grants included $2,000,000 to NC Museum of History Foundation, $1,090,000 to Cary Academy, $1,050,000 to Friends of NC Museum of Natural Sciences, and $1,000,000 each to myFutureNC, NC Community College Foundation, NC Museum of Art Foundation, and PBS North Carolina. Each was listed with the purpose “charitable.”
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists the following directors: James H Goodnight, Ann Baggett Goodnight, Leah A Goodnight, Susan G Ellis, James A Goodnight, and Donald R Parker.
The Goodnight Educational Foundation's 2025 filing lists 5 officers; none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Ann Baggett Goodnight
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Donald R. Parker
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James A. Goodnight
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leah A. Goodnight
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan G. Ellis
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 Goodnight Educational Foundation
How much does The Goodnight Educational Foundation give each year?
The Goodnight Educational Foundation gave $9.2M across 25 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $8.5M across 34 grants.
What is The Goodnight Educational Foundation's typical grant size?
The Goodnight Educational Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $50,000, and its average grant was $367,200, across 25 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Goodnight Educational Foundation that year got $257K on average.
Where does The Goodnight Educational Foundation give grants?
The Goodnight Educational Foundation gives mostly in North Carolina: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Raleigh, NC (16 grants), Cary, NC (2 grants) and Durham, NC (2 grants).
Does The Goodnight Educational Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 25 grants with a stated purpose on The Goodnight Educational Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (24 grants).
Who are The Goodnight Educational Foundation's largest grantees?
The Goodnight Educational Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include NC Museum of History Foundation ($2,000,000), Cary Academy ($1,090,000) and Friends of NC Museum of Natural Sciences ($1,050,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 45% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Goodnight Educational Foundation?
The Goodnight Educational Foundation reported $186.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $9.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $9.7M (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 Goodnight Educational Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants include support for organizations with varied missions. For example, myFutureNC describes its mission as closing gaps in educational access and promoting an education-through-workforce continuum in North Carolina. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Goodnight Educational Foundation?
The foundation states that it 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 Goodnight Educational Foundation's EIN?
The Goodnight Educational Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-6533546. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does The Goodnight Educational Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 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
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 14, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Goodnight Educational Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Goodnight Educational 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
Triangle Community Foundation Inc
Durham, NC
The foundation supports nonprofits in cultural arts, education and youth, nonprofit capacity building, and sustainable communities, with grants also benefiting fields such as health, conservation, and human services. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,000 and ranged from about $5,000 to $1.39 million; it primarily serves Durham, Orange, Wake, and Chatham Counties in North Carolina. It accepts applications for competitive discretionary programs during open grant cycles; donor-advised fund grants are also made.
Assets
$335.8M
Grants
599
Total Given
$26.7M
The Winston-Salem Foundation
Winston-Salem, NC
The Winston-Salem Foundation funds charitable organizations serving Forsyth County, North Carolina, across areas including education, housing, economic opportunity, civic engagement, arts, health, and human services. Its 2024 median grant was $25,000; specific programs offer grants ranging from small grants of up to $2,000 to capital grants of up to $100,000. The profile describes application-based programs but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$630.1M
Grants
823
Total Given
$90.4M
Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc
Winston-Salem, NC
The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation funds North Carolina nonprofits and other eligible organizations working on democracy, the environment, public education, social and economic justice, and community-led efforts, including rural communities. Its 2024 grants ranged from $100 to $1.2 million, with a median of $50,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; applications are submitted through its portal when opportunities are open.
Assets
$23.6M
Grants
298
Total Given
$21.7M
Truist Foundation Inc
Orlando, FL
The foundation funds workforce development and career pathways, small-business support, and community development, especially for low-to-moderate-income communities and disadvantaged workers. Its 2024 median grant was $25,000, though awards varied widely, and its service area spans 17 East Coast states through Texas. It accepts unsolicited requests through an online application and has a rolling deadline.
Assets
$547.9M
Grants
447
Total Given
$67.0M
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 Goodnight Educational Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-goodnight-educational-foundation-morg_6dd457f926fa4705bef939bbaab3ccbc
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_566533546_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Goodnight Educational Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-goodnight-educational-foundation-morg_6dd457f926fa4705bef939bbaab3ccbc},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Goodnight Educational 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 Goodnight Educational Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?