The Morehead-Cain Foundation
The Morehead-Cain Foundation is a private foundation based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It supports the Morehead-Cain Scholars Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, including undergraduate scholarships and leadership-development experiences.
The Morehead-Cain Foundation at a glance
In short: The Morehead-Cain Foundation gave $14.9M across 422 grants in 2025 (avg $35K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $14,946,994
- +7.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 422
- +3.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $35,419
- +4.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $27,004
- Total assets
- $224,987,957
- -0.2% vs 2024
- 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.
How to apply to The Morehead-Cain Foundation
- How to Apply
The 2024 filing states that the Morehead-Cain Scholarship application is submitted online and includes biographical and school information, descriptions of activities and awards, short-response questions, longer-form…
The 2024 filing states that the Morehead-Cain Scholarship application is submitted online and includes biographical and school information, descriptions of activities and awards, short-response questions, longer-form essays, and the identification of a school counselor and one recommender. Applicants must be nominated by an eligible nominating school or affiliate partner, or be seniors at accredited North Carolina high schools. They must also be competitive applicants to UNC–Chapel Hill and on track to graduate that academic year. The website says North Carolina students may enter through school or affiliate-program nomination or self-nomination; students outside North Carolina must attend a nominating school or affiliate program. It also describes an Admissions Referral Program for some applicants who are otherwise ineligible.
- Review Cycle
- The filing says the scholarship application is made available in August and must be submitted by October 1. The website states that selection for the Morehead-Cain Class of 2031 was to begin in spring 2026; that stated cycle start has passed.
- Deadline
- The filing says the scholarship application is made available in August and must be submitted by October 1.
- Contact
Application contact: Submitted Online
Mailing address: Post Office Box 690, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Phone: (919) 962-1201
Website: https://www.moreheadcain.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Morehead-Cain Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was UNC Chapel Hill - Scholarship Program ($4.7M). Together the top 10 received $5.0M.
Organizations only. It also paid 396 individual scholarships ($9,967,715), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
1,952 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,902 grants of 1,952 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing’s recipient-state summary reports 100% of grant dollars in North Carolina. However, its itemized grants also list a $40,000 grant to Flight School Inc. in Sonoma, California. The foundation’s website says students outside North Carolina may be eligible through nominating schools or affiliate programs, including students in other U.S. states and certain international locations.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 422 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Morehead-Cain Foundation gives
- Giving grew 21% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 94% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $9.9M (2021) to $14.9M (2025). In 2025 it made 422 grants totaling $14.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| UNC Chapel Hill - Scholarship Program Chapel Hill, NC | Support and Promotion of the Morehead-Cain Scholars Program | $4,745,945 |
| UNC Chapel Hill - Morehead House Maintenance Chapel Hill, NC | To Maintain Facility for Distinguished Guests | $173,704 |
| 47 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $1,979,929 |
| The Flight School Inc Sonoma, CA | Donation | $40,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $224,987,957 | $16,660,210 | $17,455,844 | $14,946,994 | 422 | $16,342,469 | $8,544,966 | $17,334,155 |
| 2024 | $225,484,385 | $15,335,263 | $16,689,105 | $13,846,637 | 409 | $15,537,054 | $5,195,455 | $16,034,676 |
| 2023 | $226,832,928 | $10,574,596 | $15,158,500 | $12,831,191 | 361 | $14,692,611 | $6,500,951 | $15,700,202 |
| 2022 | $231,797,275 | $9,499,160 | $14,756,925 | $12,347,095 | 384 | $14,109,436 | $6,255,067 | $16,588,765 |
| 2021 | $236,239,285 | $29,358,947 | $13,459,617 | $9,901,830 | 376 | — | $25,945,943 | $13,518,886 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Morehead-Cain Foundation reported a distributable amount of $17.3M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to identify, invest in, and empower a community of dynamic, purpose-driven leaders. Its scholarship program offers selected students four years of support at UNC–Chapel Hill, summer enrichment experiences, and discovery funds for educational opportunities outside the classroom.
The foundation also describes an Impact Educator Discovery Fund for North Carolina educators recognized by Morehead-Cain scholars and semifinalists for their impact on future leaders. Its 2026 program information anticipated 25 grants of up to $2,500 each. The stated application deadline was March 13, 2026, so that cycle has passed.
A 2025 grant went to Flight School Inc. The organization describes its mission as creating a model for a new rite of passage into adulthood for 18-year-olds, with the aim of equipping emerging adults to build a more hopeful and humane future.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 422 grants totaling $14,946,994. Grants ranged from $23 to $4,745,945, with a median of $27,004. The largest grant was $4,745,945 to UNC Chapel Hill’s scholarship program to support and promote the Morehead-Cain Scholars Program. Other notable grants included $173,704 to UNC Chapel Hill for Morehead House maintenance and $40,000 to Flight School Inc. The filing also lists individual scholarship grants for undergraduate study.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Timothy P. Sullivan as chairman and trustee, and Walker L. Poole as vice chairman and trustee. Trustees listed are Willie E. Alston Jr., Phil Berney, A. Holly C. Gwynne-Timothy, Terri Lacy, Rachel M. Pfeifer, and Barbara R. Hyde. Megan M. Mazzocchi is listed as vice president, and Steven R. Michalak as treasurer.
The Morehead-Cain Foundation is led by Christopher J. Bradford, President on every filing since 2022; 12 of 13 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Christopher J. Bradford
President
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$349K (2022) → $530K (2025)
Timothy P. Sullivan
Chairman & Trustee
Trustee → Vice Chairman & Trustee, 2023
Vice Chairman & Trustee → Chairman & Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
$11K (2021) → $4K (2025)
A. Holly C. Gwynne-Timothy
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2.5 hrs/week
$11K (2021) → $2K (2025)
David B. Greer
Director of Development
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$174K (2021) → $212K (2025)
Rachel M. Pfeifer
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2.5 hrs/week
$11K (2021) → $2K (2025)
Terri Lacy
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2.5 hrs/week
$11K (2021) → $2K (2025)
Walker L. Poole
Vice Chairman & Trustee
Trustee → Vice Chairman & Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2022
2.5 hrs/week
$10K (2022) → $2K (2025)
Willie E. Alston Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2.5 hrs/week
$10K (2022) → $2K (2025)
Barbara R. Hyde
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2.5 hrs/week
$932 (2025)
Phil Berney
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Megan M. Mazzocchi
Vice President
Associate Director → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$204K (2021) → $562K (2025)
Steven R. Michalak
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$204K (2021) → $250K (2025)
Jesse M. Soloff
Vice President of Community
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$113K (2024) → $182K (2025)
Former officers (5)
- Former: David C. Wright III (2021–2024) — Chairman & Trustee
- Former: Peter A. Larkin Jr. (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Charles E. Lovelace Jr. (2021–2022) — Executive Director
- Former: Jennifer Halsey Evans (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: W. Frank Dowd IV (2021) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $562K, to Megan M Mazzocchi (Vice President). 12 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Morehead-Cain Foundation
How much does The Morehead-Cain Foundation give each year?
The Morehead-Cain Foundation gave $14.9M across 422 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $13.8M across 409 grants.
What is The Morehead-Cain Foundation's typical grant size?
The Morehead-Cain Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $27,004, and its average grant was $35,419, across 422 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Morehead-Cain Foundation give grants?
The Morehead-Cain 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 Chapel Hill, NC (3 grants), Asheville, NC (3 grants), Canton, NC (3 grants) and Newland, NC (2 grants).
Does The Morehead-Cain Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 422 grants with a stated purpose on The Morehead-Cain Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship Grants for Undergraduate Study" (396 grants), "Hurricane Helene Emergency Relief" (19 grants) and "Donation" (5 grants).
Who are The Morehead-Cain Foundation's largest grantees?
The Morehead-Cain Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include UNC Chapel Hill - Scholarship Program ($4,745,945), UNC Chapel Hill - Morehead House Maintenance ($173,704) and The Flight School Inc ($40,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 396 individual scholarships ($9,967,715), which are not listed by name. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Morehead-Cain Foundation?
The Morehead-Cain Foundation reported $225.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $16.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $17.3M (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 Morehead-Cain Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to identify, invest in, and empower a community of dynamic, purpose-driven leaders. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Morehead-Cain Foundation?
The 2024 filing states that the Morehead-Cain Scholarship application is submitted online and includes biographical and school information, descriptions of activities and awards, short-response questions, longer-form… Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Morehead-Cain Foundation's EIN?
The Morehead-Cain Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-0599225. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 1, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Morehead-Cain Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Morehead-Cain Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-morehead-cain-foundation-morg_080fe922f31d4aa5b3556aa371ca069f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_560599225_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Morehead-Cain Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-morehead-cain-foundation-morg_080fe922f31d4aa5b3556aa371ca069f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 Morehead-Cain 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.
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