The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Ethics is a private foundation focused on Social Science, based in CHAPEL HILL, NC. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $23.9M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grants totaling $1.3M. Net investment income was $2.2M.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$23.9M
+3.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.3M
-4.3% YoY
Grant Count
1
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$1.3M
-4.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Ethics reported a distributable amount of $1.6M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Ethics
Based on IRS filings
The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Ethics is a private foundation focused on Social Science, based in CHAPEL HILL, NC. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $23.9M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grants totaling $1.3M. Net investment income was $2.2M.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $23,935,107 | $23,216,367 | $21,498,839 |
| Revenue | $2,347,152 | $3,399,534 | $1,722,523 |
| Expenses | $1,632,650 | $1,689,891 | $1,619,394 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,463,027 | $1,529,702 | $1,490,471 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,212,823 | $3,278,345 | $1,607,560 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,617,178 | $1,434,244 | $1,344,213 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 1 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Duke University ($1,320,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DUKE UNIVERSITY DURHAM, NC | SUPPORT OPERATIONS OF THE KENAN INSTITUTE FOR ETHICS | $1,320,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| THOMAS S KENAN III | VICE PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | — | — |
| DANIEL W DRAKE | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | — | — |
| J HAYWOOD DAVIS | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| LIZA KENAN HOWELL | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| ROB BAYNARD | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| STEVEN R ARMSTRONG | TREASURER | — | — |
| HOLT K HEMINGWAY | SECRETARY/DIRECTOR | — | — |
| SUSAN BOWSER | ASSISTANT SECRETARY | — | — |
| STERLING KENAN MCCRACKEN | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| FRANK H KENAN | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| CHRISTOPHER ARDNT SHUPING | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| EVAN STEWART GWYN | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| GARETH GWYN | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Ethics?
The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Ethics is a private foundation focused on Social Science, based in CHAPEL HILL, NC. It holds $23.9M in total assets as of 2025.
How large is The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Ethics?
As of 2025, The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Ethics holds $23.9M in total assets with $2.3M in annual revenue. It awarded 1 grants totaling $1.3M in 2025.
Where does The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Ethics operate?
The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Ethics has awarded grants in North Carolina.
What size grants does The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Ethics award?
In 2025, The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Ethics awarded 1 grants totaling $1.3M — an average of about $1.3M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Ethics required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Ethics reported a distributable amount of $1.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Ethics's EIN?
The William R Kenan Jr Fund for Ethics's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-1919423. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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