W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation
The W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation is a private foundation based in High Point, North Carolina. It supports charitable organizations, primarily in Wake County, whose work reflects its stated aim of helping people pursue self-improvement through “a hand up, not a hand out.”
W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation at a glance
In short: W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation gave $1.1M across 69 grants in 2024 (avg $15K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,063,520
- +48.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 69
- +19.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $15,413
- +24.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $22,587,836
- +2.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states on its 2024 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Its website describes an application process for eligible 501(c)(3) organizations: submit one application per year, including a proposal with the project summary, anticipated results and other funding sources, as well as the organization’s budget. The website directs applicants to submit online; the 2024 filing instead describes mailing materials to the grant manager. The filing lists preferences for character building, increasing self-awareness, and helping people unable to help themselves.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists February 1 and August 1 each year. The 2024 filing states that applications are accepted prior to January 1 and July 1 for consideration at a grant meeting.
- Deadline
- The website lists February 1 and August 1 each year.
- Contact
Application contact: Iris Turner
Mailing address: 3725 National Drive Suite 150, Raleigh, NC 27612
Phone: (919) 780-9257
Website: https://wtrentraglandjrfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Elizabeth Vann Moore Foundation ($254K). Together the top 10 received $704K.
Grant Size Distribution
235 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 220 grants of 235 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website says it does not fund organizations outside North Carolina and that most grants must go to organizations in Wake County. In filing year 2024, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina and 1% to recipients in Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 69 itemized grants.
Cities
How W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation gives
- 62% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 40% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 87% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $718K (2023) to $1.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 69 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Elizabeth Vann Moore Foundation Edenton, NC | General Operating | $254,120 |
| YMCA of the Triangle Raleigh, NC | General Operating | $200,000 |
| Triangle Sports Commission Inc Cary, NC | General Operating | $50,000 |
| Raleigh Rescue Mission Incorporated Raleigh, NC | General Operating | $50,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Wake County Raleigh, NC | General Operating | $25,100 |
| Transitions Lifecare Raleigh, NC | General Operating | $25,000 |
| North Carolina State University Foundation Raleigh, NC | General Operating | $25,000 |
| Marbles Kids Museum Raleigh, NC | General Operating | $25,000 |
| Boys and Girls Clubs of the Albemable Edenton, NC | General Operating | $25,000 |
| Wake Med Foundation Raleigh, NC | General Operating | $25,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $22,587,836 | $1,793,759 | $1,295,217 | $1,063,520 | 69 | $1,063,520 | $1,599,461 | $1,215,575 |
| 2023 | $22,089,294 | $1,706,553 | $906,648 | $718,400 | 58 | $718,400 | $1,548,191 | $1,041,641 |
| 2022 | $21,289,389 | $1,567,027 | $1,269,018 | $1,033,300 | 70 | $1,033,300 | $1,444,471 | $1,126,257 |
| 2021 | $20,991,380 | $2,671,917 | $991,733 | $760,400 | 37 | $1,353,666 | $2,528,884 | $1,247,668 |
| 2020 | $19,269,035 | $910,115 | $964,170 | $771,236 | 1 | — | $647,988 | $1,079,925 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to support organizations that promote self-reliance, patriotism, independence, respect for God, country and family, initiative, conservation, knowledge, compassion, and community, primarily in Wake County. Its stated principal intent is to help individuals pursue and achieve self-improvement.
Its 2024 grantees illustrate a range of activities. For example, Triangle Sports Commission says it promotes the Triangle as a sports destination; Marbles Kids Museum says it uses play to encourage learning, health, creativity and discovery; and Carolina Ballet says its mission is to perform professional ballet for audiences in Raleigh, the Triangle, North Carolina and beyond. Other grantees describe work including providing diapers to families (Diaper Train), strengthening families through services such as housing and mental health support (Triangle Family Services), and providing medical services to uninsured, low-income individuals (Alliance Medical Ministry).
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 69 grants totaling $1,063,520. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $254,120, with a median of $5,000. The largest awards included $254,120 to The Elizabeth Vann Moore Foundation and $200,000 to YMCA of the Triangle, both for general operating support. Other notable grants included $50,000 each to Triangle Sports Commission and Raleigh Rescue Mission; $25,100 to Boys and Girls Club of Wake County; and $25,000 each to Transitions LifeCare, North Carolina State University Foundation, Marbles Kids Museum, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Albemarle, and Wake Med Foundation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Pinnacle Bank as trustee and Iris Turner as grant manager.
W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Pinnacle Bank
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$144K (2022) → $0 (2024)
Iris Turner
Grant Manager
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Wells Fargo Bank N A (2020–2021) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2022 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2022 filing was $144K, to Pinnacle Bank (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation
How much does W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation give each year?
W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation gave $1.1M across 69 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $718K across 58 grants.
What is W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation's typical grant size?
W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $15,413, across 69 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation give grants?
W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation gives mostly in North Carolina: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Raleigh, NC (42 grants), Chapel Hill, NC (5 grants), Edenton, NC (3 grants) and Cary, NC (3 grants).
Does W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (69 of 69) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation's largest grantees?
W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The Elizabeth Vann Moore Foundation ($254,120), YMCA of the Triangle ($200,000) and Triangle Sports Commission Inc ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 47% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation?
W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation reported $22.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.2M (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 does W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to support organizations that promote self-reliance, patriotism, independence, respect for God, country and family, initiative, conservation, knowledge, compassion, and community, primarily in Wake County. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation?
The foundation states on its 2024 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation's EIN?
W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-6035980. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/w-trent-ragland-jr-foundation-morg_bfc3aab6f85d485c81699ceb9e2b269f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_566035980_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/w-trent-ragland-jr-foundation-morg_bfc3aab6f85d485c81699ceb9e2b269f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from W Trent Ragland Jr Foundation'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.
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