Funders › North Carolina

John William Pope Foundation

Raleigh, NC · EIN 58-1691765. Reported 1,223 grants totalling $73.1M to 359 recipients across tax years 2020-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.

Yesaccepts unsolicited requests
$25,000median grant
$73.1Mgranted, 2020-2024
359recipients, as named on its returns
73%of grantees funded again the next year
$188.1Massets, latest filing

Does this foundation accept applications?

Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. John William Pope Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.

This is the foundation's own statement to the IRS, not our judgement, and it says nothing about whether they have a form, a deadline, or an appetite for new grantees. Treat it as the reason this foundation is worth your research time, not as an invitation. Many small foundations of this kind have no website and no application process -- a letter of inquiry is the normal first step.

How big are its grants?

The median grant is $25,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $15,000 and $50,000; the smallest was $500 and the largest $666,667. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.

Under $1,000
1 grant
$1,000 - $5,000
12 grants
$5,000 - $10,000
84 grants
$10,000 - $25,000
401 grants
$25,000 - $50,000
316 grants
$50,000 - $100,000
226 grants
$100,000 and Up
183 grants

Every organization it funded

359 recipient names appear in its filings; the 250 largest are listed here. Recipients are grouped by name and state as they were written on the returns, so an organization entered under two different names appears twice. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which that name received money.

OrganizationLocationTotal receivedGrantsYears fundedLast
John Locke FoundationRaleigh, NC$19.7M7352024
Asheville SchoolAsheville, NC$2,742,5001152024
Unc Health FoundationChapel Hill, NC$2,666,666442023
Institute for Humane StudiesArlington, VA$2,375,0001752024
James G Martin Center for Academic RenewalRaleigh, NC$1,450,0083632024
Unc Ch Philosophy Politics & EconomicsChapel Hill, NC$1,270,000432024
Mercatus CenterArlington, VA$1,170,0001142024
Economic Policy Innovation CenterArlington, VA$1,000,000222024
State Policy NetworkArlington, VA$990,0001052024
The Fund for American StudiesWashington, DC$915,0001152024
James G Martin CenterRaleigh, NC$900,0002422022
Fair Lines America FoundationAlexandria, VA$850,000442023
Raleigh Rescue Mission IncRaleigh, NC$850,000652024
Civitas InstituteRaleigh, NC$841,0001112020
Nc Institute for Constitutional LawRaleigh, NC$760,0003632024
Advancing American Freedom FoundationWashington, DC$750,000332024
Unc ChChapel Hill, NC$750,000212023
Competitive Enterprise InstituteWashington, DC$710,000952024
Reason Foundation IncWashington, DC$710,000952024
Ravenscroft SchoolRaleigh, NC$600,000852024
National Review InstituteNew York, NY$545,000852024
North Carolina Institute for Constitutional LawRaleigh, NC$545,0002422023
The Educational FoundationChapel Hill, NC$533,334442023
Franklin News FoundationChicago, IL$515,000952024
North Carolina Family Policy CouncilRaleigh, NC$510,000432023
Nc Zoological Society IncAsheboro, NC$500,000112024
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-Arts and Sciences FndChapel Hill, NC$500,000112020
Duke UniversityDurham, NC$483,000522023
Manhattan Institute for Policy Research IncNew York, NY$480,000442024
Grayson-Jockey Club Research FoundationLexington, KY$453,279552024
Freopp - Foundation for Research on Equal OpportunityAustin, TX$420,000422024
Philanthropy RoundtableWashington, DC$375,000552024
Duke University Center for History of Political Economy (hope)Durham, NC$325,000222024
Public Interest Legal FoundationIndianapolis, IN$320,000552024
Institute for Family StudiesCharlottesville, VA$310,000332023
Carolina BalletRaleigh, NC$300,000652024
Institute for JusticeArlington, VA$300,000752024
National Association of ScholarsPrinceton, NJ$300,000332023
Nc Family Policy CouncilRaleigh, NC$285,000322024
Independent InstituteOakland, CA$280,000752024
Nc Freeenterprise FoundationRaleigh, NC$277,800632022
Jesse Helms Center FoundationWingate, NC$275,0001052024
Prevent Child Abuse NcMorrisville, NC$275,000442023
Vandenberg Coalition theWashington, DC$275,000332024
Ncsu (north Carolina State Foundation)Raleigh, NC$265,836312022
Donors TrustAlexandria, VA$250,000112021
Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy StudiesWashington, DC$250,000442024
Atlas Economic Research Foundation Dba Atlas NetworkArlington, VA$245,000642024
Tax FoundationWashington, DC$245,000652024
New Vocations Racehorse Adoptions ProgramLexington, KY$230,000442024
Clemson University Foundation - Institute for the Study of CapitalismClemson, SC$225,000332024
Lucy Burns InstituteMiddleton, WI$225,000542024
Virginia Episcopal SchoolLynchburg, VA$225,000552024
Foundation for Research on Equal OpportunityAustin, TX$220,000422022
Institute for Free SpeechAlexandria, VA$220,000552024
NcsuRaleigh, NC$220,000112023
Capital Research CenterWashington, DC$210,000552024
Heritage Foundation theWashington, DC$210,000332022
Cato InstituteWashington, DC$205,000552024
Fire Dba Foundation for Individual Rights and ExpressionPhiladelphia, PA$200,000442024
Henderson Family YMCAHenderson, NC$200,000442024
National Taxpayers Union FoundationWashington, DC$200,000442024
Occoneechee Council - BSARaleigh, NC$200,000842024
Parents for Educational Freedom in North CarolinaRaleigh, NC$200,000442024
Real Clear FoundationNorthbrook, IL$200,000552024
Belmont Abbey CollegeBelmont, NC$195,000552024
Green Chair Project theRaleigh, NC$195,000652024
Archbridge InstituteWashington, DC$190,000652024
Alliance Medical MinistryRaleigh, NC$185,000652024
American Enterprise InstituteWashington, DC$185,000552024
The Village Church of St GeorgeSt George, SC$185,000112023
Secu Family House at Unc HospitalsChapel Hill, NC$181,500552024
Lucy Burns Institute-BallotpediaMiddleton, WI$175,000212020
SafechildRaleigh, NC$174,000652024
Raleigh Little TheatreRaleigh, NC$172,500652024
American Institute for Economic ResearchGreat Barrington, MA$170,000542023
Charlotte Museum of HistoryCharlotte, NC$170,000212024
Philadelphia SocietyGrand Rapids, MI$170,000442024
Stepup MinistryRaleigh, NC$170,000652024
College of Charleston FoundationCharleston, SC$165,935552024
Duke University Center for History of Political EconomyDurham, NC$150,000112022
Hospice of Wake County Dba Transitions LifecareRaleigh, NC$150,000222024
Jonathan ProjectSpringfield, MO$150,000322022
New Civil Liberties AllianceWashington, DC$150,000332022
North Carolina SymphonyRaleigh, NC$150,000332023
Duke University - Civil Discourse Project (formerly Arete Initiative)Durham, NC$146,000222022
Young America's FoundationReston, VA$145,000542024
Daniel Center for Math and ScienceRaleigh, NC$140,000652024
Georgia Center for OpportunityPeachtree Corners, GA$140,000332023
North Carolina Master ChoraleRaleigh, NC$140,000432023
The Embassy Cultural Center FoundationHenderson, NC$140,000442023
Transitions LifecareRaleigh, NC$140,000332022
Foundation for Government AccountabilityNaples, FL$135,000552024
Mercatus Center at GmuArlington, VA$135,000112020
Antonin Scalia Law School at GmuArlington, VA$130,000442024
Institute for Energy ResearchWashington, DC$130,000552024
Independent Women's ForumWashington, DC$125,000552024
Masonic Home for Children at OxfordOxford, NC$125,000552024
North Carolina Opera CompanyRaleigh, NC$125,000532023
New America CorporationOrangeburg, SC$124,961112022
American Institute for Economic Research (aier)Great Barrington, MA$120,000212024
American Juris LinkPhoenix, AZ$120,000552024
Best Nc-Nc Business Leaders for EducationCary, NC$120,000442024
North Carolina Center on Actual InnocenceDurham, NC$120,000332023
Raleigh Fine Arts SocietyRaleigh, NC$120,000442024
Salvation Army of Wake CountyRaleigh, NC$120,000752024
Turning Point Community DevelopmentHenderson, NC$120,000542024
West Virginia University FoundationMorgantown, WV$120,000222023
Winston-Salem State University FoundationWinstonsalem, NC$120,000432024
Safe Families for Children AllianceChicago, IL$117,000552024
Samaritan's PurseBoone, NC$115,000322024
Fellowship Home of RaleighRaleigh, NC$110,000552024
Ncsu - PpeRaleigh, NC$110,000112024
Rebuilding Together of the TriangleMorrisville, NC$110,000552024
Safelight IncHendersonville, NC$108,000112024
Ashbrook Center at Ashland UniversityAshland, OH$105,000332022
Occoneechee CouncilRaleigh, NC$105,000312023
Baptists on Mission (formerly Nc Baptist Men)Cary, NC$100,000212024
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of RaleighRaleigh, NC$100,000442024
Community Housing Coalition of Madison CountyMarshall, NC$100,000222024
Community Partners of HopeHenderson, NC$100,000222024
Dress for Success Triangle NcRaleigh, NC$100,000552024
Duke University-North Carolina Leadership ForumDurham, NC$100,000222022
Full Gospel TabernacleLumberton, NC$100,000442024
Habitat for Humanity of Wake CountyRaleigh, NC$100,000442024
Hart Square FoundationVale, NC$100,000112023
Hill Learning CenterDurham, NC$100,000222022
Institute of Political LeadershipRaleigh, NC$100,000222021
North Carolina Institute of Political LeadershipRaleigh, NC$100,000222023
People United for PrivacyGlendale, AZ$100,000542024
Loaves & Fishes MinistryRaleigh, NC$96,000552024
Community Music SchoolRaleigh, NC$95,000552024
Iron Light LabsChicago, IL$95,000112020
Positive Child AllianceMorrisville, NC$94,928212024
Center for Individual RightsWashington, DC$90,000222024
Parents for Educational Freedom in NcRaleigh, NC$90,000212020
Acts of Vance County IncHenderson, NC$85,000552024
Neighbor to NeighborRaleigh, NC$85,000442024
Speech FirstWashington, DC$85,000332022
Young VoicesWashington, DC$85,000552024
Western Carolina University FoundationCullowhee, NC$82,000332024
American Legislative Exchange CouncilArlington, VA$80,000442024
Boys & Girls Club North Central NcOxford, NC$80,000442024
Emmaus House of RaleighRaleigh, NC$80,000442024
Foundation for Economic EducationAtlanta, GA$80,000332022
Interfaith Prison Ministry for WomenRaleigh, NC$80,000332022
Mackinac Center for Public PolicyMidland, MI$80,000222022
Nc Museum of Art FoundationRaleigh, NC$80,000222021
Unc College of Arts & SciencesChapel Hill, NC$80,000112020
Camp CorralRaleigh, NC$75,000552024
Clemson University FoundationClemson, SC$75,000112023
Food Bank of Central & Eastern North CarolinaRaleigh, NC$75,000332024
Liberty Justice CenterChicago, IL$75,000332024
Lincoln NetworkRaleigh, NC$75,000222021
Nc Opera CompanyRaleigh, NC$75,000222024
Note in the PocketRaleigh, NC$75,000552024
Raleigh Charter High SchoolRaleigh, NC$75,000222021
TrosaDurham, NC$75,000332023
With Love From JesusRaleigh, NC$74,000542024
ArtsplosureRaleigh, NC$70,000552024
Center for Equal OpportunityWashington, DC$70,000332024
Coweta Samaritan Clinic IncNewnan, GA$70,000552024
Nc Center on Actual InnocenceDurham, NC$70,000222024
Nc SymphonyRaleigh, NC$70,000222024
Hope ReinsRaleigh, NC$69,000552024
Ncsu the Economic Legal and Political Foundations of Free SocietiesRaleigh, NC$66,000112021
Classical Liberals in the Carolinas IncCharlotte, NC$65,000332024
Thomas B Fordham InstituteWashington, DC$65,000112021
The Downtown Enfield Restoration and PreservationEnfield, NC$64,319112022
Wingate UniversityWingate, NC$62,000552024
Arise Collective (ipmw)Raleigh, NC$60,000222024
Conservative Coalition for Climate Solutions (C3 Solutions)Falls Church, VA$60,000112023
Free to Choose NetworkErie, PA$60,000542024
Jobs for LifeRaleigh, NC$60,000552024
Phoenix theDenver, CO$60,000222024
Student Free Press Associationthe College FixHillsdale, MI$60,000332024
Sunrise Preservation GroupSouthern Pines, NC$59,500112024
BridgeusaSan Francisco, CA$55,000332024
Junior Achievement of Eastern NcRaleigh, NC$55,000552024
Paragon Health InstituteArlington, VA$55,000332024
Reality MinistriesDurham, NC$55,000552024
Ncsu Free & Open Societies ProjectRaleigh, NC$54,000112024
Ncsu FoundationRaleigh, NC$53,000112020
America's FutureWashington, DC$52,588542024
Falcon Children's Home and Family ServicesFalcon, NC$51,217112021
Acton Institute for the Study of Religion & LibertyGrand Rapids, MI$50,000442024
American Battlefield TrustWashington, DC$50,000112024
Campbell - Second Chance InitiativeBuies Creek, NC$50,000112022
Campbell UniversityBuies Creek, NC$50,000112020
Campbell University (includes Convocation Ctr)Buies Creek, NC$50,000112021
Duke University - Civil Discourse ProjectDurham, NC$50,000112024
Federalist SocietyWashington, DC$50,000112020
Foundation for Individual Rights in EdPhiladelphia, PA$50,000112020
Fraser InstituteVancouver, British Columbia$50,000632024
FreedomworksWashington, DC$50,000112020
NAMI NcRaleigh, NC$50,000112020
Nc Institute of Public LeadershipRaleigh, NC$50,000112024
New Vocations Racehorse Adoption ProgramLexington, KY$50,000112020
Pacific Legal FoundationSacramento, CA$50,000552024
Pacific Research Institute for Public PolicySan Francisco, CA$50,000442024
State Financial Officers FoundationShawnee, KS$50,000222022
The Joel FundRaleigh, NC$50,000552024
Tholos FoundationWashington, DC$50,000222023
Thoroughbred Charities of AmericaLexington, KY$50,000552024
Trosa - Triangle Residential Options for Substance AbusersDurham, NC$50,000222024
White Memorial Presbyterian ChurchRaleigh, NC$50,000222021
YMCA of the TriangleRaleigh, NC$50,000552024
Hope RenovationsCarrboro, NC$47,900112022
Carying PlaceCary, NC$45,000332024
Defense of Freedom Institute for Policy StudiesWashington, DC$45,000222022
Property and Environment Research CenterBozeman, MT$45,000332024
Surry Arts CouncilMount Airy, NC$45,000112021
Corral Riding AcademyCary, NC$43,500332022
CASA-Community Alternatives for Supportive AbodesRaleigh, NC$42,000442024
Edmonds Tennis & Education FoundationHenderson, NC$41,000332024
Dorothea Dix Park ConservancyRaleigh, NC$40,000442024
Duke University Dept of Political ScienceDurham, NC$40,000112024
Godwin Presbyterian ChurchGodwin, NC$40,000552024
Hope of Winston-SalemWinstonsalem, NC$40,000112023
Life Line Outreach IncHenderson, NC$40,000332024
Network of Enlightened Women (new)Washington, DC$40,000442024
Occoneechee Council - Pope Family Eagle Scout ScholarshipRaleigh, NC$40,000112022
Preservation North CarolinaRaleigh, NC$40,000442024
Student Free Press AssociationHillsdale, MI$40,000222023
The Embassy Cultural Center Foundation Mcgregor HallHenderson, NC$40,000212024
Elizabeth Vann Moore FoundationEdenton, NC$37,500112024
Hubzone Technology InitiativeHenderson, NC$37,000432024
Gha Autism SupportsAlbemarle, NC$35,377112024
American Council of Trustees and AlumniWashington, DC$35,000332023
Manhattan InstituteNew York, NY$35,000112020
MyfuturencRaleigh, NC$35,000222023
National Taxpayers UnionWashington, DC$35,000112020
Property and Environment Research Center (perc)Bozeman, MT$35,000222022
Sam Child Advocacy CenterHenderson, NC$35,000332024
Historical Foundation of Hillsborough and Orange CoHillsborough, NC$33,000112024
Nc Master ChoraleRaleigh, NC$32,500222024
50CAN Inc Dba Northcarolina CanGreensboro, NC$30,000222023
50CAN Inc Dba NorthcarolinacanGreensboro, NC$30,000222024
American Legislative Exchange Council AlecArlington, VA$30,000212022
Ava Gardner Museum IncSmithfield, NC$30,000112021
Chowan Arts CouncilEdenton, NC$30,000112024
Concordia UniversityMequon, WI$30,000222022
Duke University - Transformative IdeasDurham, NC$30,000112024
Gigi's Playhouse RaleighRaleigh, NC$30,000442024
Helping Horse Theraupetic Riding ProgramRaleigh, NC$30,000332024
Nc Business Leaders for Education (best Nc)Cary, NC$30,000112020
Oak City CaresRaleigh, NC$30,000332024
Reformers AcademyQuincy, MA$30,000112024
Scottish Cultural Outreach FoundationSwansboro, NC$30,000322024
Wake Forest University FoundationWinstonsalem, NC$30,000112024

215 of 359 (60%) received money in more than one year over the 5 years we hold.

Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 73%, across 4 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is about typical. This measures how often it paid the same organizations again. It says nothing about whether it would consider a new one.

What the money was for

Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.

What kind of organizations it funds

By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 676 grants where we could match the recipient to a registered organization. The categories are the IRS's. The match, made from the name and address on the return, is ours.

Education
135 grants
Human Services
69 grants
Arts & Culture
59 grants
Philanthropy & Grantmaking
55 grants
Civil Rights
54 grants
Crime & Legal
49 grants
Public & Societal Benefit
48 grants
Youth Development
45 grants

Giving by year

Tax yearGrantsTotalMedian grant
2020226$12.2M$25,000
2021233$14.7M$25,000
2022269$15.7M$25,000
2023236$15.3M$25,000
2024259$15.2M$25,000

Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.

Where its money goes

67% of its giving went to organizations in North Carolina. If your organization is based elsewhere, look in the recipient list for grants to your area before writing.

North Carolina
$49.3M
Virginia
$8.6M
District of Columbia
$6.8M
New York
$1.1M
Illinois
$1.0M
South Carolina
$819K
Kentucky
$793K
Texas
$660K

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Funders that support the same organizations

These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are a sign of overlapping priorities and nothing more: they do not show that any of these funders would consider a new organization. Each page says what its filings show.

Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund164 shared recipientsDonor Advised Charitable Giving Inc143 shared recipientsVanguard Charitable Endowment Program116 shared recipientsAmerican Online Giving Foundation Inc104 shared recipientsNational Philanthropic Trust99 shared recipientsNatl Christian Charitable Fdn Inc87 shared recipients

How to approach this foundation

  1. Check you are its size. The median grant is $25,000. A request many times that size asks for something it has rarely or never given.
  2. Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in North Carolina.
  3. Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
  4. Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.

Related guides

Foundations funding education in North CarolinaEvery funder in this groupFoundations funding education in VirginiaEvery funder in this groupFoundations funding arts & culture in VirginiaEvery funder in this group

Where these numbers come from

Everything above is taken from John William Pope Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 5 returns (tax years 2020-2024). Grant figures are from its returns. Matching recipients to registered organizations, their IRS classifications, the retention rate and the funders that support the same organizations are our own calculations, described in how we build this.

Address of record on the latest return: 4601 Six Forks Road Suite 300, Raleigh, NC, 27609. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.

EIN 58-1691765 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this

This is history, not an open call. Foundation returns are published about a year after the tax year ends. Nothing on this page is a deadline. It is a record of who this foundation has actually funded.

Is something here wrong about your foundation? Email [email protected] and we will correct it.