The True North Foundation
The True North Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2006 and based in Currie, North Carolina. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization designated for philanthropic purposes.
Key facts about The True North Foundation
- EIN
- 20-4877644
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $388,686
- Grants made (2024)
- 44
- Average grant
- $8,834
- Median grant
- $5,215
- Total assets
- $1,505,516
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (79% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026.
Who The True North Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The True North Foundation's 44 itemized 2024 grants were North Carolina (79%), Iowa (7%) and District of Columbia (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Wilmington, NC (22 grants), Washington, DC (4 grants), Asheville, NC (2 grants) and Raleigh, NC (2 grants). 95% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.5M
-0.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$389K
+4.4% YoY
Grant Count
44
+7.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$9K
-2.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The True North Foundation reported a distributable amount of $376K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation primarily funds general operating support and colon cancer initiatives. Its grantmaking encompasses a diverse range of charitable causes including education, youth development, food security, health organizations, and community services.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 27 grants in 2024, with a total grant distribution of approximately $254,312 (including grants totaling $208,005 beyond the three largest grants listed).
Grant Types
Ready to take the next step with The True North Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations primarily in North Carolina, with a concentration in the eastern and central regions of the state, including areas such as Wilmington, Raleigh, and surrounding communities.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 44 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $1,505,516
- Total Revenues: $812,203
- Total Expenses: $413,233
- Total Liabilities: $195,000 (as of 2023)
Revenue Composition (2024):
- Grants and Contributions: $253,146
- Investment Income and Dividends: $220,338
- Net Gain from Sale of Non-Inventory Assets: $338,719
Historical Assets (2023):
- Total Assets: $1.52 million
- Total Revenues: $521,000
- Total Expenses: $382,000
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,505,516 | $1,515,010 | $1,290,471 |
| Revenue | $812,203 | $521,170 | $416,157 |
| Expenses | $413,233 | $382,028 | $269,305 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $394,990 | $373,532 | $258,742 |
| Net Investment Income | $546,329 | $265,690 | $176,473 |
| Distributable Amount | $376,338 | $382,552 | $364,512 |
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
186 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Harrelson Center ($25,907), Cfwnc ($25,773), American Red Cross ($25,625).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| HARRELSON CENTER WILMINGTON, NC | GENERAL FUND | $25,907 |
| CFWNC ASHEVILLE, NC | GENERAL | $25,773 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS BOONE, IA | GENERAL | $25,625 |
| HILL SCHOOL OF WILMINGTON WILMINGTON, NC | GENERAL FUND | $21,407 |
| LOWER CAPE FEAR HOSPICE WILMINGTON, NC | GENERAL FUND | $20,726 |
| CAMP SPRING CREEK BAKERSFIELD, NC | GENERAL FUND | $20,000 |
| HOMES OF HOPE INDIA US WILMINGTON, NC | GENERAL FUND | $20,000 |
| UNC TV RESEARCH TRIANGLE PA, NC | GENERAL FUND | $10,500 |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL FUND | $10,444 |
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND RALEIGH, NC | GENERAL FUND | $10,417 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Amy Brown North – Listed as trustee and CPA associated with the foundation
- DeBernia Clinton North III – Listed as trustee
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMY BROWN NORTH | Trustee | 1 | — |
| DEBERNIA CLINTON NORTH III | Trustee | 1 | — |
Contact Information
- Address: PO Box 18, Currie, NC 28435-0018
- Phone: 904-283-5807
- EIN: 20-4877644
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The True North Foundation fund?
The foundation primarily funds general operating support and colon cancer initiatives. Its grantmaking encompasses a diverse range of charitable causes including education, youth development, food security, health organizations, and community services.
How do I apply for a grant from The True North Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** The foundation made 27 grants in 2024, with a total grant distribution of approximately $254,312 (including grants totaling $208,005 beyond the three largest grants listed). **Recent Grants (2024):** • Harrelson Center: $25,907 (General Fund) • The Hill School of Wilmington: $21,407 (General Fund) • Camp Spring Creek: $20,000 (General Fund) • Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts: $10,300 (General Fund) **Grant Types:** Grants are primarily designated for general fund …
Where does The True North Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds organizations primarily in North Carolina, with a concentration in the eastern and central regions of the state, including areas such as Wilmington, Raleigh, and surrounding communities.
What size grants does The True North Foundation award?
In 2024, The True North Foundation awarded 44 grants totaling $389K — an average of about $9K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The True North Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The True North Foundation reported a distributable amount of $376K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The True North Foundation's EIN?
The True North Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-4877644. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The True North Foundation'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.