An Analysis of Trends for the 2005 Fiscal Year
Prepared for
NCGives
by Anita Gunn Shirley
As a unique piece of the philanthropic puzzle, foundations play a very important role in enhancing the nation's as well as individual state's welfare. Charitable giving in the United States totaled $260.28 billion in 2005, a 6.1 percent increase over the previous year. Of that total amount, foundations were responsible for $30 billion, or 11.5 percent of the total. Individual giving and bequests totaled $216.51 billion, or 83.2 percent of total giving and corporations were responsible for the remaining $13.77 billion, or 5.3 percent.
This report analyzes publicly available information on giving from foundations in North Carolina. At the present time, no organization compiles total giving information on a statewide basis, therefore, information on individual giving, bequests and corporate giving is not available in North Carolina.
Methodology
The information contained in this report is based on meticulous research and compilation of information from multiple sources. It is not available by consulting any single source of information. Both the Foundation Center and FoundationSearch provide limited aggregate data on foundations, therefore, obtaining aggregate data for foundations can be complicated. In the case of FoundationSearch, the databases are constantly updated, resulting in aggregate data constantly changing, and rarely does one get exactly the same results from queries. In both cases, the aggregate data for foundations come from tax returns filed by individual foundations. However, because a foundation's tax return might be filed by a bank or investment manager in a state other than where the foundation's main office is located, determining whether a foundation should be considered a North Carolina foundation can be complicated and laborious.
In this report, we have not modified any of the information on foundations in Florida, Georgia, and Virginia . We have accepted summaries from the Foundation Center at face value, since the purpose is to provide a context for comparison. However, we have looked very closely at the aggregate and individual data for foundations in North Carolina and have modified the data as appropriate-in some cases adding foundations that were omitted from aggregate data, while in other cases, deleting foundations that were not appropriate to be included in the data. For example, the FoundationSearch database did not include any information on the William R. Kenan Charitable Trust in Chapel Hill, NC (the William R. Kenan Charitable Trust is the fourth largest foundation in North Carolina, with assets of $487 million). Likewise, FoundationSearch doesn't contain a record for the Golden LEAF (Long-Term Economic Advancement Foundation), the sixth largest foundation in the state.
We have attempted to provide accurate and up-to-date information at both the individual foundation level and at the aggregate-statewide level. Information on some foundations was not available. If you feel that we have omitted a foundation or included one that should not have been included, please notify us. We will make every effort to include that information in future editions of this report.
Growth of North Carolina Foundations
When comparing philanthropy in North Carolina with philanthropy in other southeastern states, North Carolina fares very well. With 3,005 foundations in North Carolina, only Florida has more with 4,648. In addition, only Florida foundations awarded more grant dollars than North Carolina's, $1,361,385,955 to $896,910,706, respectively. Table I lists the states in the Southeast with the most foundations and largest amount of foundation assets.
Table I: States in the Southeast with the Largest Amount of Foundation Assets, 2005 FY
| State | Number of Foundations | Assets |
| Florida | 4,648 | $15,258,809,331 |
| North Carolina | 3,005 | $13,348,506,369 |
| Georgia | 1,779 | $7,674,193,895 |
| Virginia | 1,671 | $6,133,397,985 |
Based on the foundation tax returns filed from 1997 to 2005, the number of foundations in North Carolina has increased 208 percent, from 997 to 3,005 foundations. Over the same eight-year period, the assets of the foundations increased 66 percent, from $8.049 billion to $13.348 billion. Annual giving has increased from $387.5 million to $896.9 million, a 131 percent increase.
Table II lists the states in the Southeast that awarded the most grants and the largest amount of grant dollars.
Table II: States in the Southeast with the Total Number of Grants and Grant Amounts Awarded, 2005 FY
| State | Number of Grants | Total Grant Amount Awarded |
| Florida | 29,942 | $1,361,355,955 |
| North Carolina | 18,380 | $896,910,706 |
| Georgia | 14,105 | $627,865,163 |
| Virginia | 9,955 | $367,564,355 |
The growth in the number of foundations in the state follows the national trend, which is due, at least in part, to the fact that we are in the midst of the largest intergenerational transfer of wealth the nation (and the world) has ever experienced. This transfer is fueling the unprecedented growth of foundations. Nationally, the number of foundations doubled between 1980 and 1997, from 22,088 to 44,146; and they have increased 53 percent, from 44,146 in 1997 to 67,736 in 2004.
It is interesting to compare the growth in the number of foundations in various size categories in North Carolina. Since 1997, there has been tremendous growth in the number of foundations below $100 million in size. Between 1997 and 2005, the number of foundations with assets of less than $100 million increased from 965 to 2986, a 209 percent increase. Over the same period, only seven foundations joined the list of foundations in North Carolina with assets of $100 million or more, a 58 percent increase.
Table III illustrates the growth in the number of foundations in North Carolina since 1997, and their assets in six size categories.
Table III: A Comparison of 1997 to 2005 FY Growth of NC Foundations by Number and Assets
| Asset Categories | # of Foundations 1997 | Total Assets 1997 | # in 2005 | Total Assets 2005 | Percent Change in Numbers | Percent Change in Assets |
| $100 million and over | 12 | $5,189,796,497 | 19 | $7,616,045,869 | 58% | 47% |
| $25 million - $99,999,999 | 28 | 1,206,599,256 | 46 | 2,052,011,861 | 64% | 70% |
| $10 million - $24,999,999 | 34 | 536,374,788 | 82 | 1,250,609,294 | 141% | 133% |
| $5 million - $9,999,999 | 48 | 329,498,380 | 78 | 553,846,194 | 63% | 68% |
| $1 million - $4,999,999 | 235 | 538,439,370 | 590 | 1,294,028,350 | 151% | 140% |
| Less than $1 million | 640 | 149,199,146 | 2191 | 581,964,801 | 242% | 290% |
| Totals: | 977 | $8,049,907,437 | 3005 | $13,348,506,369 | 208% | 66% |
Of the foundations in the state with assets in excess of $100 million, only two have been established in the last ten years - the Golden LEAF Foundation and the Moses Cone-Wesley Long Community Health Foundation. The Golden LEAF Foundation was established in 1999 to receive one-half of the funds coming to North Carolina from the master settlement agreement with cigarette manufacturers.
The Board of Trustees of Wesley Long Community Hospital established the Wesley Long Community Health Foundation in 1996 with an initial contribution of $50 million. These funds came primarily from the proceeds of the sale of the hospital's interest in Physician's Health Plan (PHP). The Moses Cone Health System merged its assets into the Foundation in the spring of 1999, making the newly named Moses Cone-Wesley Long Community Health Foundation the largest foundation in the state focused strictly on local health issues.
Two percent, or 69 of the foundations in state, having assets of $20 million or more, control $9,755,552,649, or 73 percent of the assets of all foundations located in North Carolina. Table IV lists the foundations in North Carolina with assets of $20 million or more.
Table IV: Largest Foundations by Assets, 2005 FY
| Foundation | City | Assets |
| The Duke Endowment | Charlotte | $2,542,619,779 |
| Burroughs Wellcome Fund | Research Triangle Park | $702,980,765 |
| Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust | Winston-Salem | $533,714,092 |
| William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust | Chapel Hill | $487,000,000 |
| Smith Richardson Foundation | Greensboro | $479,822,998 |
| Golden LEAF Foundation | Rocky Mount | $415,210,750 |
| Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation | Winston-Salem | $349,881,047 |
| C. D. Spangler Foundation | Charlotte | $348,251,347 |
| Foundation For The Carolinas | Charlotte | $319,830,121 |
| Winston-Salem Foundation | Winston-Salem | $189,205,183 |
| The Cannon Foundation | Concord | $181,705,242 |
| The Leon Levine Foundation | Charlotte | $178,358,472 |
| Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation | Winston-Salem | $173,290,609 |
| The Charles A. Cannon Charitable Trust Number One | Concord | $143,538,589 |
| The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina | Asheville | $125,267,848 |
| The Joseph M. Bryan Foundation of Greater Greensboro | Greensboro | $122,106,966 |
| The John Motley Morehead Foundation | Chapel Hill |
$112,295,627 |
| The Moses Cone-Wesley Long Community Health Foundation | Greensboro | $110,213,975 |
| Triangle Community Foundation | Research Triangle Park | $100,752,459 |
| North Carolina Community Foundation | Raleigh | $85,307,887 |
| The Bank of America Charitable Foundation | Charlotte | $77,860,108 |
| John Rex Endowment | Raleigh | $77,715,662 |
| Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro | Greensboro | $77,577,255 |
| Grace Jones Richardson Trust | Greensboro | $70,304,963 |
| The North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation | Research Triangle Park | $61,781,545 |
| A. J. Fletcher Foundation | Raleigh | $61,634,831 |
| The McMichael Family Foundation | Madison | $57,466,331 |
| Cape Fear Memorial Foundation | Wilmington | $57,344,160 |
| The William R. Kenan Jr. Fund | Chapel Hill | $56,691,533 |
| The Belk Foundation | Charlotte | $56,678,286 |
| The Dickson Foundation | Charlotte | $55,899,552 |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation | Durham | $55,561,867 |
| Community Foundation of Gaston County | Gastonia | $55,561,824 |
| Community Foundation of Henderson County | Hendersonville | $55,532,411 |
| John William Pope Foundation | Raleigh | $53,579,851 |
| The Edward M. Armfield Sr. Foundation | Greensboro | $53,240,402 |
| R.J. Reynolds Foundation | Winston-Salem | $51,951,267 |
| R.B. Terry Charitable Foundation | High Point | $50,454,525 |
| Broyhill Family Foundation | Lenoir | $45,630,976 |
| Merancas Foundation | Huntersville | $43,405,954 |
| The Cemala Foundation | Greensboro | $43,375,531 |
| Janirve Foundation | Asheville | $42,723,799 |
| High Point Community Foundation | High Point | $37,358,101 |
| BB&T Charitable Foundation | Wilson | $34,640,801 |
| Robert Haywood Morrison Foundation | Charlotte | $34,460,342 |
| Hillsdale Fund | Greensboro | $33,430,019 |
| Harold H. Bate Foundation | New Bern | $33,409,168 |
| The Wilson Family Foundation | Lenoir | $33,004,518 |
| Stewards Fund | Raleigh | $32,983,213 |
| Annie Penn Community Trust | Reidsville | $32,161,247 |
| A. E. Finley Foundation | Raleigh | $31,537,870 |
| The Roy C. and Natalie H. Roberts Family Foundation | Greensboro | $31,482,723 |
| The Eddie and Jo Allison Smith Family Foundation | Greenville | $30,996,952 |
| Duke Energy Foundation | Charlotte | $29,439,770 |
| George Jr. and Harriet E. Woodward Fund | Charlotte | $29,292,569 |
| William R. Kenan Jr. Fund for the Arts | Chapel Hill | $29,291,296 |
| The Jolley Foundation | Winston-Salem | $29,123,573 |
| Charles I. Branan Trust | Winston-Salem | $28,952,271 |
| Wachovia Foundation | Charlotte | $28,858,165 |
| William R. Kenan Jr. Fund for Engineering Technology and Science | Chapel Hill | $28,826,733 |
| Richmond Community Foundation | Charlotte | $28,624,985 |
| Cumberland Community Foundation | Fayetteville | $28,074,571 |
| Weaver Foundation | Greensboro | $26,895,346 |
| The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation | Durham | $26,527,949 |
| John I. Smith Charities | Charlotte | $25,359,159 |
| Henry Nias Foundation | Carthage | $22,471,627 |
| The Pharmacy Network Foundation | Raleigh | $22,373,471 |
| Mebane Charitable Foundation | Mocksville | $21,742,966 |
| Dowd Foundation | Charlotte | $20,906,855 |
| Totals: |
| $9,755,552,649 |
Due to complex tax laws and the contribution policies of foundations, the largest foundations by assets are not necessarily the largest givers. Most independent or private foundations have endowments and spend part of the income generated by their investments each year, thus preserving and growing their endowments (asset base). On the other hand, many corporate foundations do not have endowments (or large asset bases); instead, they use the foundation structure to pass through annual corporate contributions. These contributions will fluctuate because they are tied to the company's profits. Table V lists the 38 foundations in the state that made contributions in excess of $2.5 million. These 38 foundations, representing 1 percent of the foundations in the state, were responsible for $611,629,042, or 69 percent of the total giving.
Table V: Largest Foundations by Grants Awarded, 2005 FY
| Foundation | City | Grants Awarded |
| The Duke Endowment | Charlotte | $105,774,927 |
| Golden LEAF Foundation | Rocky Mount | $73,948,883 |
| Foundation For The Carolinas | Charlotte | $55,254,507 |
| The Bank of America Charitable Foundation | Charlotte | $45,007,011 |
| Wachovia Foundation | Charlotte | $40,983,073 |
| Burroughs Wellcome Fund | Research Triangle Park | $31,857,725 |
| Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust | Winston-Salem | $26,193,044 |
| Smith Richardson Foundation | Greensboro | $18,656,881 |
| Winston-Salem Foundation | Winston-Salem | $18,558,654 |
| Duke Energy Foundation | Charlotte | $14,751,718 |
| Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation | Winston-Salem | $14,037,916 |
| C. D. Spangler Foundation | Charlotte | $12,865,955 |
| William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust | Chapel Hill | $10,218,975 |
| Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro | Greensboro | $9,812,669 |
| Triangle Community Foundation | Research Triangle Park | $9,394,464 |
| The Cannon Foundation | Concord | $9,100,000 |
| Janirve Foundation | Asheville | $7,903,300 |
| The Leon Levine Foundation | Charlotte | $7,614,025 |
| Progress Energy Foundation | Raleigh | $7,473,797 |
| The Community Foundation of Western NC | Asheville | $7,416,302 |
| John William Pope Foundation | Raleigh | $7,407,728 |
| Community Foundation of Gaston County | Gastonia | $7,067,421 |
| The Charles A. Cannon Charitable Trust Number One | Concord | $6,672,830 |
| Sunshine Lady Foundation | Morehead City | $6,438,859 |
| BB&T Charitable Foundation | Wilson | $6,037,275 |
| Blumenthal Foundation | Charlotte | $5,820,716 |
| Cherokee Preservation Foundation | Cherokee | $5,764,949 |
| The Moses Cone-Wesley Long Community Health Foundation | Greensboro | $5,233,620 |
| Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation | Winston-Salem | $4,904,645 |
| The John Motley Morehead Foundation | Chapel Hill | $4,500,000 |
| A. J. Fletcher Foundation | Raleigh | $4,347,461 |
| The Cemala Foundation | Greensboro | $3,707,854 |
| Stewards Fund | Raleigh | $3,418,188 |
| North Carolina Community Foundation | Raleigh | $2,807,046 |
| The North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation | Research Triangle Park | $2,775,312 |
| The McMichael Family Foundation | Madison | $2,717,325 |
| Community Foundation of Henderson County | Hendersonville | $2,611,048 |
| John Rex Endowment | Raleigh | $2,572,939 |
| Totals: |
| $611,629,042 |
For the past several decades, community foundations have been the fastest growing segment of philanthropy, outpacing the growth of independent and corporate foundations. The assets of community foundations originate from multiple donors, rather than from a single donor as in the case of most independent and corporate foundations. They are attractive vehicles for channeling philanthropic dollars because they receive a favorable tax treatment from the IRS. Federal tax law allows charitable contributions of cash to community foundations at 50 percent of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income, while gifts of cash to private foundations are limited to 30 percent of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income.
Since 1997, the number of community foundations in North Carolina has increased 81 percent from 16 to 29. However, over the same time period, the assets of community foundations have increased 116 percent, from $538,432,034 to $1,163,858,331; while contributions have increased 177 percent from $58,824,618 to $163,036,045. To put this in perspective, the assets of foundations, not including community foundations, increased 62 percent, from $7,511,475,493 to $12,198,725,644, over the same period; while grants awarded by these same foundations increased 123 percent, from $328,646,184 to $734,621,091. Table VI lists community foundations in North Carolina in alphabetical order.
Table VI: Community Foundations in North Carolina, 2005 FY
| Foundation | City | Assets | Grants Awarded |
| Blowing Rock Community Foundation | Blowing Rock | $1,047,736 | $37,305 |
| Community Foundation of Burke County | Morganton | $2,755,308 | $184,332 |
| Capital Community Foundation | Raleigh | $6,795,169 | $445,020 |
| Cumberland Community Foundation | Fayetteville | $28,074,571 | $1,955,709 |
| The Community Foundation of Davie County | Mocksville | $3,267,993 | $108,915 |
| Edenton-Chowan Community Foundation | Edenton | $230,722 | $38,753 |
| Elizabeth City Foundation | Elizabeth City | $3,179,868 | $113,250 |
| Foundation For The Carolinas | Charlotte | $319,830,121 | $55,254,507 |
| Community Foundation of Gaston County | Gastonia | $55,561,824 | $7,067,421 |
| Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro | Greensboro | $77,577,255 | $9,812,669 |
| The Greater Greenville Community Foundation | Greenville | $3,409,767 | $167,676 |
| Community Foundation of Henderson County | Hendersonville | $55,532,411 | $2,611,048 |
| High Point Community Foundation | High Point | $37,358,101 | $2,260,243 |
| Lenoir Community Foundation | Lenoir | $891,878 | $15,500 |
| Moore County Charitable Foundation | Southern Pines | $534,352 | $44,213 |
| Mount Gilead Community Foundation | Mount Gilead | $151,450 | $28,961 |
| North Carolina Community Foundation | Raleigh | $85,307,887 | $2,807,046 |
| Outer Banks Community Foundation | Kill Devil Hills | $5,373,388 | $209,509 |
| Pinehurst Community Foundation | Pinehurst | $238,263 | $12,500 |
| The Polk County Community Foundation | Tryon | $16,416,756 | $1,219,958 |
| Richmond Community Foundation | Charlotte | $28,624,985 | $1,563,745 |
| Riegelwood Community Foundation | Riegelwood | $307,825 | $37,417 |
| Rocky Mount Community Foundation | Rocky Mount | $3,635,894 | $131,000 |
| Salisbury Community Foundation | Charlotte | $9,809,754 | $41,465,186 |
| The Community Foundation of Southeastern North Carolina | Wilmington | $2,435,221 | $79,968 |
| Thomasville Community Foundation | Thomasville | $284,342 | $14,774 |
| Triangle Community Foundation | Research Triangle Park | $100,752,459 | $9,394,464 |
| The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina | Asheville | $125,267,848 | $7,416,302 |
| Winston-Salem Foundation | Winston-Salem | $189,205,183 | $18,558,654 |
| Totals: |
| $1,149,780,725 | $162,284,615 |
Health Care Conversions
Beginning in the mid-1990's, there were a number of "health care conversions." For the most part, these resulted from the sale or acquisition of a hospital or health care system. In the cases where the health care system or hospital had been run as a nonprofit organization, regulators demanded that proceeds from the sales be put to the public's benefit, usually in the form of creating nonprofit foundations. In addition to the Moses Cone-Wesley Long Community Health Foundation, there were at least four other foundations in the state established over the last ten years as a result of health care conversions. The combined assets of these foundations are $277,435,044, with grants made totaling $11,619,441 to nonprofits.
Table VII: Foundations Established due to Health Care Conversions, 2005 FY
| Foundation | City | Assets | Grants Awarded | |
| Annie Penn Community Trust | Reidsville | $ 32,161,247 | $1,358,582 | |
| Cape Fear Memorial Foundation | Wilmington | $ 57,344,160 | $2,454,300 | |
| Moses Cone-Wesley Long Community Health Foundation | Greensboro | $110,213,975 | $5,233,620 | |
| Sisters of Mercy North Carolina Foundations | Charlotte | N/A | N/A | |
| John Rex Endowment | Raleigh | $ 77,715,662 | $2,572,939 | |
| Totals: |
| $277,435,044 | $11,619,441 | |
Distribution of Foundations
Foundations are found throughout North Carolina. Eighty-seven of the 100 counties have at least one foundation, with some counties having a much higher concentration of foundations. Table VIII lists the ten counties that are home to 82 percent of the state's foundations and 78 percent of the total foundation assets.
Table VIII: Top Ten North Carolina Counties with the Largest
Concentration of Foundation Assets, 2005 FY
| County | Number of Foundations | Assets |
| Mecklenburg | 553 | $4,411,799,122 |
| Forsyth | 1,306 | $2,144,742,470 |
| Durham | 50 | $1,028,199,685 |
| Orange | 91 | $835,173,721 |
| Guilford | 188 | $807,693,988 |
| Wake | 178 | $426,321,642 |
| Buncombe | 38 | $201,094,293 |
| Cabarrus | 11 | $365,338,621 |
| Gaston | 24 | $109,645,840 |
| New Hanover | 35 | $103,290,786 |
| Total: | 2,474 | $10,433,300,168 |
Areas of Giving
In 2005, foundations in North Carolina made contributions totaling $896,909,806 to nonprofit organizations in North Carolina and around the world. This represents a 131 percent increase over the 1997 giving level of $387.5 million.
Educational institutions received the largest percentage of grants awarded by foundations in 1988, 1991, 1994, 1997, and 2005. However, since 1988, there has been a steady decline in the percentage of dollars allocated for educational programs. In 1988, 51 percent of the grant dollars awarded by North Carolina foundations supported educational programs; in 1991, that percentage decreased to 46 percent of the total grant dollars; in 1994, the percentage slipped to 42 percent of grant dollars awarded; in 1997, the percentage decreased to 34 percent ; and finally, in 2005, the percentage dropped to 32 percent.
Over the same period, the category of social and human services has seen a gradual increase in the percentage of grant dollars received. In 1988, the first year for which statewide grants information is available, 18 percent of the grants awarded by North Carolina foundations were contributed for social and human service programs; this increased to 19 percent in 1991 and 1994; to 23 percent in 1997 ; and to 31 percent in 2005.
Health care and hospital programs fluctuated between 1988 and 1994: 14 percent of the funds allocated in 1988 went to health care and hospital programs; this increased to 20 percent in 1991; and increased again to 22 percent in 1994. Between 1997 and 2005, health care and hospital programs dropped slightly and then held steady, receiving 19 percent of the grants awarded by North Carolina foundations in each year. Chart I illustrates the trends in giving by North Carolina foundations between 1988 and 2005 FY.
Table IX: 2005 Distribution of Grants by Subject Area, 2005 FY
| Category | Amount | North Carolina Percentage |
| Education | $283,115,481 | 32% |
| Social and Human Services | $276,382,288 | 31% |
| Health care and Hospitals | $172,393,844 | 19% |
| Religion | $83,135,735 | 9% |
| Arts and Humanities | $51,612,022 | 6% |
| Environment | $27,364,528 | 3% |
| Sports and Athletics | $2,459,408 | <1% |
| International Giving | $446,500 | <1% |
| Totals | $896,909,806 | 100% |
The trends in North Carolina mirror the national trends, which have seen a decrease in the percentage of dollars for education and an increase in dollars for social and human services and health care and hospital programs . However, North Carolina foundations are contributing roughly 24 percent more of their total grant dollars to educational programs; roughly four times more for religious programs; and about half of the national average in the categories of arts and humanities, the environment, and international giving.
Table X: Distribution of Grants by Subject Area, 2005 FY
| Category | Amount | North Carolina Percentage | National Percentage |
| Education | $283,115,481 | 32% | 26% |
| Social and Human Services | $276,382,288 | 31% | 30% |
| Health care and Hospitals | $172,393,844 | 19% | 22% |
| Religion | $83,135,735 | 9% | 2% |
| Arts and Humanities | $51,612,022 | 6% | 13% |
| Environment | $27,364,528 | 3% | 5% |
| Sports and Athletics | $2,459,408 | <1% | n/a |
| International Giving | $446,500 | <1% | 2% |
| Totals | $896,909,806 | 100% | 100% |
Chart II compares giving by North Carolina foundations with their national counterparts.
Chart II: North Carolina Foundation Giving Vs. National Foundation Giving, 2005 FY
Education
North Carolina educational programs received the highest percentage of grants awarded by foundations in the state. In 2005, foundations awarded $283,115,481, or 32 percent of their grants, for educational purposes, representing a two percentage point decrease from 1997 giving levels. Educational recipients included public and private higher education, business education, public and private elementary and secondary education, public policy research, literacy, and scholarship programs. Table XI lists the ten largest single grants awarded in the category of education.
| Foundation | Recipient | Amount |
| The Duke Endowment | Duke University | $25,000,000 |
| C. D. Spangler Foundation | Harvard Business School | $7,500,000 |
| The Duke Endowment | Duke University-Perkins Library | $6,692,000 |
| Duke Energy Foundation | Foundation of the University of North Carolina | $3,000,000 |
| The William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust | Kenan Center | $3,000,000 |
| The William R. Kenan Jr. Fund | Kenan Flagler Business School | $2,200,000 |
| Charles A. Cannon Charitable Trust Number One | Wingate University | $1,500,000 |
| William R. Kenan Jr. Fund for Eng Technology and Science | North Carolina State University | $1,275,000 |
| Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation[1] | Wake Forest University | $1,200,000 |
Social Services
Social service programs received $276,382,288, or 31 percent of the grants allocated by North Carolina foundations. This represents an eight percentage point increase over the allocations made in 1997, the last year for which information is available. In this category, organizations addressing the needs of children, youth, and philanthropic causes, such as community foundations and independent foundations, received significant support from foundations. Other areas receiving support included united funds, voter education efforts, programs for the disadvantaged, economic development efforts, domestic violence prevention, housing, animal welfare, and programs for the elderly. Table XII lists the ten largest single grants awarded in the category of social services.
Table XII: Ten Largest Single Grants in the Category of Social Services, 2005 FY
| Foundation | Recipient | Amount |
| The Bank of America Foundation | National Council of La Raza | $3,600,000 |
| The Duke Endowment | Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect Initiative | $3,200,000 |
| The Bank of America Foundation | Enterprise Foundation | $3,000,000 |
| Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation | NC Community Development Initiative | $1,750,000 |
| The Bank of America Foundation | Harris Family YMCA | $2,000,000 |
| The Leon Levine Foundation | Foundation of Shalom Park | $1,500,000 |
| Foundation For The Carolinas | New Mexico Community Foundation Trust | $1,360,012 |
| Duke Energy Foundation | Share the Warmth | $1,206,000 |
| Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation | North Carolina Justice and Community Development Center | $1,175,000 |
| The Bank of America Charitable Foundation | Boys and Girls Clubs of America | $1,000,000 |
Health Care and Hospitals
Health care and hospitals received $172,393,844, or 19 percent of the funds allocated in 2005. This represents the same percentage as 1997 foundation giving to hospitals and health care agencies. Recipients include hospitals, medical research facilities, health agencies, federated health funds, hospices and hospitality houses. Also receiving funds are organizations providing services for seriously sick children and health care for the poor.
Table XIII: Ten Largest Single Grants in the Category of Health Care and Hospitals, 2005 FY
| Foundation | Recipient | Amount |
| The Leon Levine Foundation | Levine Children's Hospital | $3,275,000 |
| Charles A. Cannon Charitable Trust Number One | Northeast Medical Center | $3,196,785 |
| Foundation For The Carolinas | Carolinas Healthcare Foundation | $2,405,195 |
| The Cannon Foundation | Cabarrus Memorial Hospital | $2,127,778 |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation | North Carolina Association of Free Clinics | $2,000,000 |
| The Duke Endowment | Duke University Health System | $2,000,000 |
| The Duke Endowment | Duke University School of Nursing | $2,000,000 |
| The Bank of America Charitable Foundation | Children’s Hospital Corporation | $1,000,000 |
| The Duke Endowment | North Carolina Hospital Foundation | $1,000,000 |
| R.B. Terry Charitable Foundation | North Carolina Veterinary Medical Foundation | $995,000 |
Religion
Religious causes received the most consistent percentage of grant dollars since 1988, with 6 percent of the grant dollars each time the information was analyzed, except for 2005, when the percentage increased by half again, to 9 percent, or $83,135,735, of the total grants awarded. Churches, ecumenical efforts, Jewish religious and cultural programs, missionary and evangelism efforts all received support in this category.
Table XIV: Ten Largest Single Grants in the Category of Religion, 2005 FY
| Foundation | Recipient | Amount |
| C. D. Spangler Foundation | Myers Park Baptist Church Cornwell Center Endowment | $2,250,000 |
| The Duke Endowment | Duke University Divinity School | $2,048,000 |
| The Bank of America Foundation | Billy Graham Evangelical Association | $1,000,000 |
| The Duke Endowment | Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church | $989,263 |
| Foundation For The Carolinas | Christ Church | $621,599 |
| The Palin Foundation | Christian Foundation of the Triangle | $525,000 |
| Foundation For The Carolinas | Cabarrus Cooperative Christian Ministry | $463,413 |
| The Leon Levine Foundation | Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte | $440,000 |
| Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust | Crisis Control Ministry | $400,000 |
| P & B Foundation | Northside Baptist Church | $258,964 |
Arts and Humanities
Programs in the arts and humanities received $51,612,022, or 6 percent of the funds allocated in 2005. This represents a slight decrease over the 1997 funding level of 7 percent of the total grant dollars awarded. Museums, historic preservation, arts councils, arts education, the performing arts, events and festivals all received support from foundations.
Table XV: Ten Largest Single Grants in the Category of Arts and Humanities, 2005 FY
| Foundation | Recipient | Amount |
| The Bank of America Foundation | Orange County Performing Arts Center | $2,000,000 |
| The Bank of America Foundation | Museum of Fine Arts/Boston | $1,500,000 |
| William R. Kenan Jr. Fund for the Arts | Kenan Institute for the Arts Foundation | $1,025,000 |
| The Bank of America Foundation | Apollo Theater Foundation | $1,000,000 |
| Mary Duke Biddle Foundation | Duke University Nasher Museum of Art | $1,000,000 |
| A. J. Fletcher Foundation | A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute | $1,000,000 |
| The Leon Levine Foundation | Levine Museum Matching Endowment Fund | $400,000 |
| Tom Davis Fund | Sun N Fun Aviation Museum | $320,000 |
| Progress Energy Foundation | NC Symphony Society | $300,000 |
| Duke Power Foundation | Arts and Science Council | $291,657 |
Environment
Environmental efforts received $27,364,528, or 3 percent of the funds allocated by North Carolina foundations, a one percentage point reduction over the 1997 level of funding. Recipients included advocacy groups, botanical gardens, arboretums, land trusts, wildlife conservation groups, nature/science centers, and parks and recreation programs.
Table XVI: Ten Largest Single Grants in the Category of the Environment, 2005 FY
| Foundation | Recipient | Amount |
| Foundation For The Carolinas | Southern Environmental Law Center | $3,040,500 |
| Foundation For The Carolinas | NC Nature Conservancy | $2,150,000 |
| Sall Family Foundation | Nature Conservancy | $1,235,000 |
| Foundation For The Carolinas | Conservation Trust for North Carolina | $1,183,500 |
| Foundation For The Carolinas | Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy | $1,076,500 |
| Sall Family Foundation | World Wildlife Fund | $800,000 |
| Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation | NC Nature Conservancy | $800,000 |
| Triangle Community Foundation | Carolina Environmental Program of UNC | $500,000 |
| Salisbury Community Foundation | Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy | $475,000 |
| Foundation For The Carolinas | NC Environmental Defense | $300,000 |
Conclusion
Foundations play an important and growing role in supporting programs that benefit North Carolinians in many different sectors. Nationally, foundations contribute nearly 12 percent of the total amount of charitable giving. Evidence points to North Carolina foundations mirroring the national percentage of the total amount of charitable giving. Currently, there are no comprehensive data for individual giving, bequests and corporate giving in the state, making it near impossible to give a precise estimate of the percentage of total private giving that is provided by individuals. It is the intent of NCGives to facilitate research in the state to address this issue. With private giving expected to grow as more wealth is transferred from the World War II generation to the baby boomers, philanthropy in North Carolina is expected to increase.
About the Author
This report was written by Anita Gunn Shirley. Ms. Shirley is the editor of four editions of North Carolina Giving: The Directory of the State's Foundations (1990. 1993, 1996, 1999 editions.), Virginia Corporate Giving: A Directory of Philanthropic Programs (1997), North Carolina Corporate Giving: A Directory of Philanthropic Programs (1995), Georgia Giving: The Directory of the State's Foundations (1995), Virginia Giving: The Directory of the Commonwealth's Foundations (1994), North Carolina Religious Grantmakers: A Guide to Local, State, and National Funds (1987), and Grantseeking in North Carolina: A Guide to Foundation and Corporate Giving (1984). She is currently the Assistant Director of Foundation Relations for the Duke University Medical Center. Ms. Shirley holds a MA in Philanthropy and Development from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota and BA from Beloit College. She can be reached by email at: agshirley@nc.rr.com.
About the Report
Funding for this report was provided by NCGives. NCGives is an emerging, statewide initiative, which focuses on the generosity of women, communities of color and youth by celebrating, connecting, inspiring and growing their traditions of giving. More information about NCGives can be found at http://www.ncgives.org/home/.
