The Paul and Margaret Porter
The Paul and Margaret Porter Charitable Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) foundation based in Fort Mill, South Carolina. Established in September 1977, the foundation operates as a company-sponsored foundation dedicated to supporting community organizations across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.3M
+19.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$308K
-3.9% YoY
Grant Count
37
-2.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$8K
-1.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Paul and Margaret Porter reported a distributable amount of $368K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation advocates for community well-being by partnering with organizations that provide education, social services, medical and palliative care essential to lifelong security and dignity. The foundation envisions a world where everyone has the opportunity to live with dignity, achieve personally, and contribute meaningfully.
Primary funding priorities include:
- K-12 and higher education
- Libraries and arts and culture organizations
- Health and medical services
- Human services and social services
- Medical and palliative care
Grantmaking
The foundation makes grants ranging from $1,000 to $50,000, with typical awards falling within this range. Recent grant activity demonstrates a commitment to local community needs:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation focuses its giving in:
- Cleveland and Mecklenburg Counties, North Carolina
- Central Kentucky
- Baltimore and Central Maryland
- Central Virginia
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $7,319,158
- Total Giving: $307,500
- Total Revenues: $1,608,479
- Total Expenses: $430,309
- Number of Employees: 0
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $6.13 Million
- Revenue: $433,000
- Expenses: $452,000
- Total Liabilities: $122,000
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,319,158 | $6,133,157 | $6,095,953 |
| Revenue | $1,608,479 | $433,106 | $152,457 |
| Expenses | $430,309 | $452,003 | $472,192 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $349,185 | $362,157 | $360,663 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,530,675 | $371,460 | $103,553 |
| Distributable Amount | $367,880 | $347,946 | $362,088 |
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
175 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Brevard College ($50,000), Life Enrichment Center of Cleveland County Inc ($20,000), Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland County ($15,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BLOWING ROCK ART & HISTORY MUSEUM BLOWING ROCK, NC | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $2,500 |
| BLOWING ROCK METHODIST CHURCH CHARLOTTE, NC | ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES IN NEED | $10,000 |
| BLUE RIDGE CONSERVANCY BOONE, NC | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $2,500 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF CLEVELAND COUNTY SHELBY, NC | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $15,000 |
| BREVARD COLLEGE BREVARD, NC | MAINTENANCE ENDOWMENT FOR THE PORTER CENTER | $50,000 |
| CENTRAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SHELBY, NC | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $10,000 |
| CHARLOTTE LATIN SCHOOL CHARLOTTE, NC | STUDENT AND FACULTY SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| CHILDREN'S HOME OF CLEVELAND COUNTY INC SHELBY, NC | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $15,000 |
| CLEVELAND COUNTY ABUSE PREVENTION COUNCIL INC SHELBY, NC | SERVICES TO WOMEN AND CHILDREN EXPOSED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE | $7,500 |
| CLEVELAND COUNTY FAMILY YMCA INC (FKA FOOTHILLS JR GOLF ASSOCIATION) SHELBY, NC | YOUTH CLINICS, EQUIPMENT, MENTORISHIPS | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Laurie Bostian is identified as a key figure with the foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELLEN PORTER WARLICK | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| PATRICIA PORTER TAYLOR | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| SCOTT PORTER | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| J WILLIAM PORTER | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 611 Kingston Way, Fort Mill, SC 29715-6863
Phone: 704-756-2091
Website: porterfoundation.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Paul and Margaret Porter fund?
The foundation advocates for community well-being by partnering with organizations that provide education, social services, medical and palliative care essential to lifelong security and dignity. The foundation envisions a world where everyone has the opportunity to live with dignity, achieve personally, and contribute meaningfully. Primary funding priorities include: • K-12 and higher education • Libraries and arts and culture organizations • Health and medical services • Human services and so…
How do I apply for a grant from The Paul and Margaret Porter?
The foundation makes grants ranging from $1,000 to $50,000, with typical awards falling within this range. Recent grant activity demonstrates a commitment to local community needs: **Recent Grants (2024):** • Life Enrichment Center of Cleveland County: $20,000 (repair of cracked and broken concrete patio and walkways) • Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry: $15,000 (providing food to families in need) • Boys and Girls Club Cleveland County: $15,000 (general operations) The foundation made 38 grants in…
Where does The Paul and Margaret Porter make grants?
The foundation focuses its giving in: • Cleveland and Mecklenburg Counties, North Carolina • Central Kentucky • Baltimore and Central Maryland • Central Virginia
What size grants does The Paul and Margaret Porter award?
In 2024, The Paul and Margaret Porter awarded 37 grants totaling $308K — an average of about $8K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Paul and Margaret Porter required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Paul and Margaret Porter reported a distributable amount of $368K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Paul and Margaret Porter's EIN?
The Paul and Margaret Porter's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 59-1750571. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Paul and Margaret Porter'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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