The Sterling Foundation

CHAPEL HILL, NC EIN: 27-1480662

The Sterling Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in CHAPEL HILL, NC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $941K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grants totaling $500. Net investment income was $25K.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$941K

-0.7% YoY

Annual Giving

$500

-90.6% YoY

Grant Count

1

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$500

-90.6% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Sterling Foundation reported a distributable amount of $56K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

About The Sterling Foundation

Based on IRS filings

The Sterling Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in CHAPEL HILL, NC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $941K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grants totaling $500. Net investment income was $25K.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

3states

Cities

AtlantaChapel HillSanta Barbara

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$86K$173K$259K$346K20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$941,162$947,840$884,204
Revenue$33,107$127,586$89,599
Expenses$39,785$63,950$209,680
Qualifying Distributions$27,932$54,953$201,195
Net Investment Income$25,220$115,332$20,672
Distributable Amount$55,997$51,664$52,672

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$13K$25K$38K$50K2 grants20200 grants20211 grants20221 grants20231 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 1 recipients in 2024

UNC$500

Grant Size Distribution

5 grants across all recorded years

4<$50K1$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Unc ($500).

RecipientPurposeAmount
UNC CHAPEL HILL, NCGENERAL SUPPORT$500

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
GARY S BERGERPRESIDENT/TREASURER2
GREGORY S BERGERVICE PRESIDENT/SECRETARY1

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Sterling Foundation?

The Sterling Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in CHAPEL HILL, NC. It holds $941K in total assets as of 2024.

How large is The Sterling Foundation?

As of 2024, The Sterling Foundation holds $941K in total assets with $33K in annual revenue. It awarded 1 grants totaling $500 in 2024.

Where does The Sterling Foundation operate?

The Sterling Foundation has awarded grants in California, Georgia, North Carolina.

What size grants does The Sterling Foundation award?

In 2024, The Sterling Foundation awarded 1 grants totaling $500 — an average of about $500 per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is The Sterling Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Sterling Foundation reported a distributable amount of $56K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is The Sterling Foundation's EIN?

The Sterling Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-1480662. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

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Browse active grant opportunities in The Sterling Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

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