The Katherine and Thomas Belk Foundation Inc
The Katherine and Thomas Belk Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Its 2024 filing is marked as a final return and states that, as of December 31, 2024, all assets held by the foundation had been redeemed, liquidated, and donated to qualified charitable organizations; the foundation appears to have wound down.
The Katherine and Thomas Belk Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Katherine and Thomas Belk Foundation Inc gave $3.4M across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $567K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,403,567
- +400.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- -50.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $567,261
- +901.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $350,000
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (60% 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 Katherine and Thomas Belk Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests; it states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Its 2024 filing is marked as a final return.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2701 Coltsgate Road 102, Charlotte, NC 28211-3594
Phone: (980) 256-4002
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Katherine and Thomas Belk Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Foundation for the Carolinas ($1.4M). Together the top 6 received $3.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
59 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 47 grants of 59 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 60% of grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina, 37% to recipients in Massachusetts, and 3% to recipients in Maryland.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Katherine and Thomas Belk Foundation Inc gives
- Giving grew 188% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $680K (2023) to $3.4M (2024). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $3.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation for the Carolinas Charlotte, NC | Annual Fund | $1,422,675 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Boston, MA | Charitable Fund | $1,255,892 |
| Myers Park Presbyterian Church Charlotte, NC | Annual Fund | $600,000 |
| National Stewardship Foundation LLC Towson, MD | Annual Fund | $100,000 |
| Via Health Partners Charlotte, NC | Annual Fund | $15,000 |
| Good Fellows Charlotte, NC | Annual Fund | $10,000 |
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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 | — | $1,305,276 | $3,473,471 | $3,403,567 | 6 | $3,403,567 | $1,235,474 | $88,104 |
| 2023 | $2,167,774 | $16,321 | $740,472 | $680,000 | 12 | $680,000 | $6,372 | $171,815 |
| 2022 | $2,891,946 | $45,666 | $1,400,304 | $1,338,000 | 12 | $1,338,000 | $13,085 | $212,078 |
| 2021 | $4,246,584 | $746,894 | $1,231,045 | $1,180,000 | 16 | $1,180,000 | $717,723 | $286,670 |
| 2020 | $4,730,735 | $375,807 | $1,221,606 | $1,160,000 | 13 | — | $348,915 | $290,762 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Katherine and Thomas Belk Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $88K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to charitable funds, a church, a health organization, and other charitable organizations. The Foundation for the Carolinas, which received a grant, describes its own mission as “inspiring philanthropy and strengthening our region through innovative community initiatives and quality services to donors and constituents.”
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported six grants totaling $3,403,567. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $1,422,675, with a median of $350,000. The largest grants were $1,422,675 to the Foundation for the Carolinas, $1,255,892 to Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund, and $600,000 to Myers Park Presbyterian Church. Other reported grants were $100,000 to National Stewardship Foundation LLC, $15,000 to Via Health Partners, and $10,000 to Good Fellows.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Thomas M. Belk Jr. as vice president/director, Katherine M. Belk as secretary/director, Katherine Belk Morris as president/director, H.W. McKay Belk as vice president/director, John R. Belk as treasurer/director, and Edward M. Lazar as assistant secretary.
The Katherine and Thomas Belk Foundation Inc is led by Katherine Belk Morris, President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Katherine Belk Morris
President & Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hw McKay Belk
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John R. Belk
Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katherine M. Belk
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas M. Belk Jr.
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Edward M. Lazar
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 Katherine and Thomas Belk Foundation Inc
How much does The Katherine and Thomas Belk Foundation Inc give each year?
The Katherine and Thomas Belk Foundation Inc gave $3.4M across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $680K across 12 grants.
What is The Katherine and Thomas Belk Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Katherine and Thomas Belk Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $350,000, and its average grant was $567,261, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Katherine and Thomas Belk Foundation Inc give grants?
The Katherine and Thomas Belk Foundation Inc gives mostly in North Carolina: 60% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Massachusetts (37%). The most frequent recipient cities were Charlotte, NC (4 grants).
Does The Katherine and Thomas Belk Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 83% of The Katherine and Thomas Belk Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 6) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Katherine and Thomas Belk Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Katherine and Thomas Belk Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Foundation for the Carolinas ($1,422,675), Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund ($1,255,892) and Myers Park Presbyterian Church ($600,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 96% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
What does The Katherine and Thomas Belk Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to charitable funds, a church, a health organization, and other charitable organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Katherine and Thomas Belk Foundation Inc?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests; it states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is The Katherine and Thomas Belk Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Katherine and Thomas Belk Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $88K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Katherine and Thomas Belk Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Katherine and Thomas Belk Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-2220828. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Katherine and Thomas Belk Foundation Inc 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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