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North Carolina Humanities Council at a glanceMostly funded, not a grantmaker: see who funds it →

· Public charity

North Carolina Humanities Council

Nc humanities' mission is to connect north carolinians with cultural experiences that spur dialogue, deepen human connections, and inspire community.

$70k
Granted FY2025still arriving
2
Grants FY2025still arriving
1
States reached
$20k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2024.

Arts & Culture$2.6MEducation$280kCommunity Improvement$79kCivil Rights$41kHousing & Shelter$39kEnvironment$38kInternational$36kPublic Benefit$32kOther$0
02FY2025 · 2 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

How this is measured
The 2 grants below total $39,991, the rows itemized in this filing. The $69,830 headline is the total grant expense on the return; the other $29,839 is giving the schedule does not break out (grants under the $5,000 itemization floor, grants to individuals, grants on other schedules). Every figure below describes the itemized rows only.
$20,000
Median grant
1
States reached
$2.4M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
NORTH CAROLINA FOLKLIFE INSTITUTE$20,000
ELON UNIVERSITY$19,991
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY20–21, $54k) land where the poverty rate runs at 16%, against an area that typically sits at 11%. 78% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 11%MACON COUNTY HERITAGE CENTER-COWEE SCHOOL ARTS AND HERITAGE CENTER: $10k → 12%HALIWA-SAPONI INDIAN TRIBE: $20k → 20%HALIWA-SAPONI INDIAN TRIBE: $12k → 20%OUR DAILY BREAD FOUNDATION: $12k → 10%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
04

Where the work is directed

The same grants placed two ways: where each recipient sits, and where its stated purpose sends the money.

About 19% of North Carolina Humanities Council’s grant dollars are earmarked for a different county than the recipient’s own address. By recipient address, 97% of the giving stays in NC; by stated purpose, 78%.

North Carolina Humanities Councillessmore of its giving
Placed by recipient address · 11% directed abroad (not shown)
How this is measured
Recipient view: each grant at its grantee’s ZIP, mapped to a county. Directed view: each grant at the county its stated purpose names, falling back to the recipient’s county when the purpose names no place; US grants only. A county shows only if it carries the top 95% of that view’s dollars. Purposes are read from the funder’s own 990 grant descriptions.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

52%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$1.7M · 47 repeat orgs$1.6M to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +44% since the first grant, against +25% for those funded once.

47 repeat relationships: 1 still active in FY2025, 46 since wound down; 1 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

47
111

Total granted

$1.7M
$1.6M

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+44%
+25%

Still filing today

79%
71%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 50% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $20k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Arts & CultureEducationHuman ServicesCommunity ImprovementEnvironmentCivil RightsOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • MO
    MUSEUM OF THE NEW SOUTH INC
    3× · 2018–2021 · $77k · revenue +22%
  • Immersion for Spanish Language Acq
    3× · 2020–2023 · $54k · revenue +21%
  • VH
    VETERANS HISTORY MUSEUM OF THE CAROLINAS
    2× · 2020–2021 · $50k · revenue +68% · 40% of their budget

Funded once

  • PN
    PBS NORTH CAROLINA
    one grant, 2023 · $25k
  • IH
    INVISIBLE HISTORIESgraduated
    one grant, 2023 · $20k · revenue ×24
  • EH
    EDENTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
    one grant, 2021 · $20k · revenue -22%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Upcountry History Museum

The upcountry history museum connects people, history and culture.

Arts & Culture
2
The North Caroliniana Society

To promote interest in, knowledge of, and appreciation for north carolina history and culture through historical preservation, library service, and perpetuation of state literary and cultural heritage.

—
3
North Carolina History Theater

The North Carolina History Theater, Inc., is a qualified 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to expressing and exploring the unique history of North Carolina through the performing arts, and celebrating the rich diversity of our…

Arts & Culture
4
Institute of Classical Architecture and Art North Carolina Chapter

The ICAA advances the appreciation of the priciples of traditional architecture and it's allied arts by engaging educators, students and enthusiats in NC.

—
5
North Carolina Museum of History Associates Inc

To build public awareness of and provide funding to the nc museum of history.

Arts & Culture
6
Attleboro Area Industrial Museum Inc
Arts & Culture
7
Concord Antiquarian Society Dba Concord Museum

The concord museum educates visitors of all ages about the history of concord and its continuing influence on american political, literary and cultural life. the museum's nationally significant collection serves as a catalyst for changing…

Arts & Culture
8
Muse Winston-Salem

To connect, enrich, and enlarge the community through history, storytelling, an informed, balanced perspective that leads to acceptance, understanding, and belonging.

Philanthropy
9
Bechtler Collection Preservation Foundation
Arts & Culture
10
Fort Mill History Museum

To preserve Fort Mill's heritage for the benefit of present and future generations.

Arts & Culture
11
Granville County Historical Society

Promote knowledge about history of granville county

Arts & Culture
12
Eastern Carolina Village & Farm Museum 1840-1940

Preserve and interpret architectural and agricultural life in pitt county and eastern north carolina from 1840 - 1940

—
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Nc Transportation Museum Foundation; the most unlike its peers is Charlotte Film Society. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
05the grantee network

120 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2026.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2026, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 120 of the 159 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

10
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
50
Early backer (in before they grew)
117/120
Grantees still filing
82/120
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

MUSEUM OF THE NEW SOUTH INC: $76,508 · Arts & CultureMUSEUM OF THE NEW SOUTH INCImmersion for Spanish Language Acq: $53,909 · Arts & CultureVETERANS HISTORY MUSEUM OF THE CAROLINAS: $49,600 · Arts & CultureWestern North Carolina Historical Association Inc: $47,665 · Arts & Culture+63 more: $1,192,405 · Arts & Culture+63 moreUNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL: $99,857 · OtherUNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILLTHE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE: $98,495 · OtherTHE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTEAPPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY: $59,628 · OtherCounty of Johnston: $55,000 · OtherNORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES: $48,238 · Other+60 more: $965,030 · Other+60 moreALLIANCE FOR HERITAGE CONSERVATION: $62,250 · EducationALLIANCE FO…Elon University: $39,691 · EducationElon Univer…Davidson College: $20,000 · EducationDavidson Co…FONTANA REGIONAL LIBRARY INC: $20,000 · EducationFONTANA REG…GUILFORD COLLEGE: $20,000 · EducationGUILFORD CO…BOOKMARKS INC: $20,000 · EducationBOOKMARKS I…LENOIR-RHYNE UNIVERSITY: $20,000 · EducationLENOIR-RHYN…LATINX EDUCATION CENTER: $20,000 · EducationLATINX EDUC…JOHNSON C SMITH UNIVERSITY: $20,000 · EducationJOHNSON C S…DUKE UNIVERSITY: $20,000 · EducationDUKE UNIVER…WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY: $20,000 · EducationWAKE FOREST…STUDENT ACTION WITH FARMWORKERS: $18,915 · EducationSTUDENT ACT…MAGNOLIA HOUSE FOUNDATION INC: $13,500 · Education+2 more: $17,017 · EducationNEIGHBORHOOD DATA WORKS: $20,000 · Community ImprovementFREEDOM ORG: $19,750 · Community ImprovementBoston-Thurmond Innovation Network: $16,815 · Community ImprovementRURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER INC: $5,000 · Community ImprovementHALIWA SAPONI TRIBE INC: $32,251 · Human ServicesOur Daily Bread Foundation: $12,220 · Human ServicesMacon County Heritage Center: $10,000 · Human ServicesDIAMANTE INC: $5,570 · Human ServicesASSOCIACION DE MEXICANOS EN CAROLINA DEL NORT: $36,720 · InternationalInternational House of Metrolina Inc: $10,000 · InternationalSouthern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy: $20,000 · EnvironmentOUTER BANKS CONSERVATIONISTS INC: $20,000 · Environment
Arts & Culture$1,420,087Other$1,326,248Education$331,373Community Improvement$61,565Human Services$60,041International$46,720Environment$40,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$100k$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetMUSEUM OF THE NEW SOUTH INC: $76,508 over 3y, 1.7% of budgetALLIANCE FOR HERITAGE CONSERVATION: $62,250 over 3y, 28% of budgetImmersion for Spanish Language Acq: $53,909 over 3y, 3.8% of budgetVETERANS HISTORY MUSEUM OF THE CAROLINAS: $49,600 over 2y, 40% of budgetWestern North Carolina Historical Association Inc: $47,665 over 3y, 11% of budgetLOUISE WELLS CAMERON ART MUSEUM: $46,050 over 3y, 0.9% of budgetCENTER FOR CULTURAL PRESERVATION INC: $45,000 over 3y, 29% of budgetNORTH CAROLINA MUSEUM OF HISTORY FOUNDATION INC: $44,500 over 2y, 4.0% of budgetCharlotte Museum of History: $40,000 over 2y, 2.0% of budgetCORE SOUND WATERFOWL MUSEUM: $40,000 over 2y, 2.4% of budgetUNMANAGEABLE: $39,800 over 2y, 5.2% of budgetElon University: $39,691 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetASSOCIACION DE MEXICANOS EN CAROLINA DEL NORT: $36,720 over 2y, 2.2% of budgetDestination Cleveland County: $35,000 over 2y, 2.8% of budgetSt Josephs Historic Foundation: $32,800 over 2y, 0.6% of budgetHALIWA SAPONI TRIBE INC: $32,251 over 2y, 0.6% of budgetHISTORIC PRESERVATION SOCIETY OF DURHAM: $30,000 over 2y, 23% of budgetRockingham County Historical Society Museum and Archives: $30,000 over 2y, 7.9% of budgetSURRY ARTS COUNCIL: $30,000 over 2y, 1.2% of budgetBEAUFORT COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL: $28,467 over 2y, 2.2% of budgetGREENSBORO HISTORICAL MUSEUM INC: $27,600 over 2y, 7.0% of budgetCALDWELL HERITAGE MUSEUMINC: $27,585 over 2y, 27% of budgetMOUNT AIRY MUSEUM OF REGIONAL HISTORY INC: $27,500 over 2y, 3.2% of budgetHidden Voices: $25,810 over 2y, 18% of budgetBLACK MOUNTAIN COLLEGE MUSEUM AND ARTS CENTER INC: $25,800 over 2y, 1.1% of budgetKORNER'S FOLLY FOUNDATION INC: $25,000 over 2y, 3.0% of budgetPAULI MURRAY CENTER FOR HISTORY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE: $23,650 over 2y, 3.6% of budgetTHE NORTH CAROLINA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM: $23,369 over 2y, 1.5% of budgetPreservation Greensboro Inc: $23,000 over 2y, 3.1% of budgetNATIONAL HUMANITIES CENTER: $21,946 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetINVISIBLE HISTORIES: $20,000 over 1y, 21% of budgetEDENTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION: $20,000 over 1y, 3.2% of budgetMUSEUM OF THE ALBEMARLE INC: $20,000 over 1y, 8.6% of budgetHISTORIC CABARRUS ASSOCIATION INC: $20,000 over 1y, 51% of budgetHistoric Jamestown Society Inc: $20,000 over 1y, 38% of budgetMUSEUM OF ASHE COUNTY HISTORY INC: $20,000 over 1y, 21% of budgetJANE AUSTEN COLLABORATIVE INC: $20,000 over 1y, 27% of budgetDUNN AREA HISTORY MUSEUM INC: $20,000 over 1y, 14% of budgetWOMEN ADVANCE: $20,000 over 1y, 23% of budgetSouthern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy: $20,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetOUTER BANKS CONSERVATIONISTS INC: $20,000 over 1y, 2.2% of budgetNEIGHBORHOOD DATA WORKS: $20,000 over 1y, 6.5% of budgetFEDERATION OF NORTH CAROLINA HISTORICAL SOCIETIES: $20,000 over 1y, 61% of budgetDavidson College: $20,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNorth Carolina Folklife Institute: $20,000 over 1y, 17% of budgetFONTANA REGIONAL LIBRARY INC: $20,000 over 1y, 0.6% of budgetGUILFORD COLLEGE: $20,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTriad Cultural Arts Inc: $20,000 over 1y, 11% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

North Carolina Commun…The Cannon Foundation…Co Tua Marion S Covin…Foundation for the Ca…Triangle Community Fo…Z Smith Reynolds Foun…The Community Foundat…The Winston-Salem Fou…Arts & Science Counci…Duke Energy FoundationThe Golden Leaf IncDuke University
North Carolina Community FoundationNC50.8× affinity33 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: North Carolina Community Foundation · The Cannon Foundation Inc · Co Tua Marion S Covington Fdn · Foundation for the Carolinas · Triangle Community Foundation Inc · Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc · The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Inc · The Winston-Salem Foundation · Arts & Science Council Charlotte/Mecklenburg Inc · Duke Energy Foundation · The Golden Leaf Inc · Duke University

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization North Carolina Humanities Council funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from North Carolina Humanities Council. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 10%6%23%51%90%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    1get no government money at all
    47report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 159 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990 e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on North Carolina Humanities Council’s filings →

    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home