The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Arts
The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Arts is a private foundation focused on Arts and culture, based in Chapel Hill, NC. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $33.4M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $1.9M. Net investment income was $3.0M.
The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Arts at a glance
In short: The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Arts gave $1.9M across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $1.9M), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,950,000
- +3.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,950,000
- +3.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,950,000
- Total assets
- $33,398,003
- +2.7% 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 September 2026.
Who The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Arts funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was UNC School of the Arts Foundation ($1.9M).
Grant Size Distribution
6 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 5 grants of 6 (83%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Arts gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+19%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 99% 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 $1.3M (2021) to $1.9M (2025). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $1.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| UNC School of the Arts Foundation Winston-Salem, NC | Support for the thomas s. Kenan iii institute for the arts | $1,950,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Arts?
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 | $33,398,003 | $3,222,164 | $2,365,737 | $1,950,000 | 1 | $2,191,631 | $3,037,933 | $2,215,419 |
| 2024 | $32,535,043 | $4,491,496 | $2,266,123 | $1,880,000 | 1 | $2,047,971 | $4,325,644 | $1,982,029 |
| 2023 | $30,302,671 | $2,286,080 | $2,175,581 | $1,850,000 | 1 | $2,004,371 | $2,128,510 | $1,849,389 |
| 2022 | $30,178,263 | $1,461,510 | $2,021,049 | $1,635,000 | 1 | $1,823,187 | $1,270,885 | $2,127,519 |
| 2021 | $30,752,565 | $2,316,161 | $1,617,669 | $1,251,250 | 2 | — | $2,152,089 | $1,976,217 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Arts reported a distributable amount of $2.2M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Arts is led by Daniel W. Drake, President & Director since 2024 (on filings since 2021); none of the 13 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Daniel W. Drake
President & Director
President, Treasurer & Director → President & Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Thomas S. Kenan III
Chairman & Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Holt K. Hemingway
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
J. Haywood Davis
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Liza Kenan Howell
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Robert P. Baynard Jr.
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Christopher Arndt Shuping
Director
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Evan Stewart Gwyn
Director
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Frank Hawkins Kenan II
Director
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Gareth Gwyn
Director
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Sterling Kenan McCrackent
Director
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Steven R. Armstrong
Treasuer
Assistant Treasuer → Treasuer, 2024
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Susan Bowser
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Elizabeth Price Kenan (2021–2023) — Vice President & Director
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.
Frequently asked questions about The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Arts
How much does The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Arts give each year?
The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Arts gave $1.9M across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.9M across 1 grant.
How large is The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Arts?
The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Arts reported $33.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.2M (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 is The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Arts?
The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Arts is a private foundation focused on Arts and culture, based in Chapel Hill, NC. It holds $33.4M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Arts operate?
The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Arts has awarded grants in North Carolina.
What is The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Arts's EIN?
The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Arts's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-1976597. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Other open foundation grants in North Carolina
North Carolina Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Arts's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common
Eisenberg Grosswald Family Foundation
Winston-Salem, NC
Assets
$684K
Grants
1
Total Given
$35K
Semans Art Fund
Winston-Salem, NC
To aid and support students and programs of the university of North Carolina school of the arts
Assets
$6.0M
Grants
2
Total Given
$54K
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, NC
For continuationwake forest university health sciences (at times also referred to as "wake forest university school of medicine", "wfuhs or "the filing organization") is an integral part of atrium health wake forest baptist (at times also referred to as "ahwfb"), a preeminent learning health system and academic medical center of the highest quality with balanced excellence in patient care, research and education that promotes better health for all through collaboration, excellence and innovation. Ahwfb's mission is to improve health, elevate hope and advance healing - for all and its vision is to be the first and best choice for care.
Assets
$2.2B
Grants
7
Total Given
$301K
The Millennium Fund CO Winston-Salem Foundation
Winston-Salem, NC
Help in the development of downtown Winston-Salem, NC via projects, infrastructure, business recruitment, and site selection.
Assets
$1.5M
Grants
7
Total Given
$1.4M
Meek Family Foundation
Charleston, SC
Assets
$107K
Grants
8
Total Given
$231K
Morris & Gertrude Brenner Foundation
Greensboro, NC
The foundation’s grants have supported organizations working in community services, health care, education and the arts, human rights, services for older adults, and food assistance; in 2024, 91% of its grant dollars went to North Carolina recipients. Its 18 grants ranged from $1,000 to $50,000, with a median of $4,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
19
Total Given
$128K
More similar funders
More Funders in North Carolina
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Arts'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.
The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Arts down — hundreds of funders to go?