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Foundation for the Carolinas

EIN 56-6047886 · Charlotte, NC

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

INSPIRING PHILANTHROPY AND STRENGTHENING OUR REGION THROUGH INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY INITIATIVES AND QUALITY SERVICES TO DONORS AND CONSTITUENTS.

Income
$761.4 million
Spending
$849.2 million
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
36 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
141
Volunteers
19
Highest pay
$737,104, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 36.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 42% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (10)
  1. $447.5 million spent. EDUCATION AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: DISBURSED 6,051 GRANTS TO VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS FOR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND OTHER CURRICULUM PROGRAMS.
  2. $139.9 million spent. ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE: DISBURSED 678 GRANTS TO VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORTS OF CONSERVATION, EDUCATION, AND OTHER PROJECTS.
  3. $91.0 million spent. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES: DISBURSED 4,576 GRANTS TO VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS OFFERING SERVICES FOR SENIORS, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING AND SHELTER, AND OTHER COMMUNITY NEEDS.
  4. $11.3 million spent. ANIMAL WELFARE: DISBURSED 302 GRANTS TO VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT ANIMAL CARE, SHELTER, AND SPAY AND NEUTER PROGRAMS.
  5. $30.2 million spent. EVOLVING NEEDS AND OPPORTUNITIES: DISBURSED 1,138 GRANTS TO SUPPORT EVOLVING NEEDS AND OPPORTUNITIES.
  6. $26.3 million spent. ARTS & CULTURE: DISBURSED 1,278 GRANTS TO VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING SUPPORT TO THE CULTURAL COMMUNITY THROUGH ART, HISTORY, AND EDUCATION.
  7. $16.2 million spent. RELIGION: DISBURSED 1,967 GRANTS TO SUPPORT RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
  8. $55.7 million spent. INTERNATIONAL, FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND NATIONAL SECURITY: DISBURSED 189 GRANTS TO VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL, FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND NATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAMS.
  9. $21.7 million spent. OTHER: DISBURSED 183 GRANTS TO VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT OTHER PROGRAMS.
  10. FOUNDATION FOR THE CAROLINAS SERVES AS A CATALYST FOR PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY IN OUR 13-COUNTY REGION AND IS A DRIVER FOR MAJOR CIVIC EFFORTS. WE OFFER INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THAT HELP INDIVIDUALS, NON-PROFITS, AND COMPANIES BRING THEIR CHARITABLE VISIONS TO LIFE. FFTC SUPPORTS PERSONAL AND CORPORATE PHILANTHROPY THROUGH A RANGE OF INNOVATIVE FUND AND GIVING OPTIONS. WE ALSO DRIVE NON-PROFIT SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH ENDOWMENT MANAGEMENT, CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS, AND GRANTMAKING. FFTC FUNDS ARE CHARGED ANNUAL ADMINISTRATIVE FEES BASED ON THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE ASSETS IN THE FUND.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1962.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.