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Stephen L Cornwell Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Stephen L Cornwell Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$412k
Granted FY2025still arriving
22
Grants FY2025still arriving
1
States reached
$55k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0197% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2020 to 2025.

Education$740kHousing & Shelter$551kPhilanthropy$365kHealth$77kHuman Services$64kEmployment$15kFood & Nutrition$13kYouth Development$8kOther$0
02FY2025 · 22 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k11 grants · $50k
  • $10k–50k8 grants · $205k
  • $50k–250k3 grants · $157k
$13,000
Median grant
1
States reached
$22M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
FOUNDATION FOR THE CAROLINAS READ CHARLOTTE$55,000
ROOF ABOVE$52,000
DREAMKEY PARTNERS$50,000
NORTH CAROLINA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION$39,500
BEST NC$35,000
PUBLIC SCHOOL FORUM OF NC$30,000
CHARLOTTE BILINGUAL PRESCHOOL$25,000
HEART MATH TUTORING$25,000
UNC CHARLOTTE FOUNDATION FOR THE UNCC READING CAMP$22,000
NC HOUSING COALITION$15,000
CHARLOTTE SPEECH AND HEARING CENTER$13,000
COMMUNITY CARE CLINIC OF ROWAN COUNTY$5,000
HOLY ANGELS$5,000
ROWAN LITERACY COUNCIL$5,000
RUFTY-HOLMES SENIOR CENTER$5,000
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 (FY20–25, $112k) land where the poverty rate runs at 12%, against an area that typically sits at 9%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 9%CHARLOTTE FAMILY HOUSING: $26k → 10%BIT OF HOPE RANCH: $4k → 12%CAROLINA CARING: $4k → 12%CHARLOTTE FAMILY HOUSING: $20k → 10%BREAD INC: $4k → 12%ROWAN HELPING MINISTRIES: $15k → 15%ROWAN HELPING MINISTRIES: $10k → 15%ROWAN HELPING MINISTRIES: $5k → 15%ROWAN HELPING MINISTRIES: $5k → 15%DREAM CENTER ACADEMY: $6k → 12%DREAM CENTER ACADEMY: $5k → 12%DREAM CENTER ACADEMY: $4k → 12%CRISIS ASSISTANCE MINISTRY: $4k → 12%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.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

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

91%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$1.4M · 23 repeat orgs$140k to everyone else

23 repeat relationships: 15 still active in FY2025, 8 since wound down; 5 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

23
13

Total granted

$1.4M
$109k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+11%
+41%

Still filing today

65%
38%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 90% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $31k went to new ones.

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

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

’20’21’22’23’24’25
Human ServicesEducationHealthArts & CultureHousing & ShelterEmploymentOther
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

  • DP
    DreamKey Partners Inc
    3× · 2023–2025 · $140k · revenue +7%
  • CB
    Charlotte Bilingual Learning Center
    6× · 2020–2025 · $138k · revenue +19%
  • HM
    Heart Math Tutoring Inc
    6× · 2020–2025 · $135k · revenue +87%

Funded once

  • FF
    FOUNDATION FOR THE CAROLINAS A WAY HOME - HOUSING ENDOWMENT
    one grant, 2020 · $25k
  • FF
    FOUNDATION FOR THE CAROLINAS HOUSING OPPORTUNITY INVESTMENT FUND
    one grant, 2020 · $20k
  • TH
    THE HOUSING PARTNERSHIP
    one grant, 2020 · $20k
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
Hospice of Gaston County Inc

To provide compassionate, exceptional and highly reliable care.

—
2
Carolina Family Health Centers Inc

Carolina Family Health Centers, Inc. provides accessible and affordable health care with excellence...where patients come FIRST

—
3
Carolinas Center for Medical Excellence Found ation
Health
4
Carolina Community Care Inc

The mission of hospice & community care is to give hope, comfort, and compassion to those that need it most. hospice & community care is a nonprofit healthcare organization providing hospice and palliative care to residents of york,…

—
5
Care Share Health Alliance Inc

Care share health alliance is a north carolina-based nonprofit organization advancing community health and wellbeing through systems change. guided by the mission of collaborating for health and a vision of communities that are healthy and…

Health
6
Carolina Common Enterprise

The specific objectives and purposes of this corporation shall be to assist individuals and communities, particularly those in low-income and socially disadvantaged areas, in the creation, expansion, and improvement of rural and…

Community Improvement
7
North Carolina Community Health Center Assoc Inc

To promote community based primary health care systems in medically underserved areas.

Health
8
Children's Home Society of North Carolina Inc

The Children's Home Society of North Carolina's mission is to promote the right of every child to a permanent, safe, and loving family.

Human Services
9
Carolina Charter Academy

Operation of a public charter school.

Education
10
Raleigh County Community Action Association Inc

Raleigh county community action association, inc. empowers individuals and families to reach their highest levels of social and economical self-sufficiency, while identifying and eliminating causes of poverty. rccaa provides direct…

Human Services
11
Gaston Memorial Hospital Inc

To provide compassionate, exceptional and highly reliable care.

Health
12
Food Bank of Central & Eastern Nc Inc

Nourish people. build solutions. empower communities. no one goes hungry.

Food & Nutrition
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Holy Angels Inc; the most unlike its peers is Salisbury Police Foundation. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

27 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

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 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 27 of the 44 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.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
3
Early backer (in before they grew)
27/27
Grantees still filing
17/27
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

NORTH CAROLINA BUSINESS LEADERS FOR EDUC: $155,000 · EducationNORTH CAROLINA BUSINESS LEADERS F…Charlotte Bilingual Learning Center: $138,000 · EducationCharlotte Bilingual Learning Cent…Heart Math Tutoring Inc: $135,000 · EducationHeart Math Tutoring IncPUBLIC SCHOOL FORUM OF NC INC: $80,000 · EducationPUBLIC SCHOOL FORUM OF NC INCNORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC: $40,000 · EducationNORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY F…+1 more: $5,000 · EducationBLACK CHILD DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE-CHARLOTTE: $70,000 · OtherBLACK CHILD DEVELOPMENT INS…THE HOUSING PARTNERSHIP - DREAMKEY PARTNERS: $67,000 · OtherTHE HOUSING PARTNERSHIP - D…UNC CHARLOTTE FOUNDATION FOR THE UNCC READING CAMP: $62,000 · OtherUNC CHARLOTTE FOUNDATION FO…UNCC CHARLOTTE FOUNDATION FOR THE UNCC READING CAMP: $30,000 · OtherUNCC CHARLOTTE FOUNDATION F…FOUNDATION FOR THE CAROLINAS A WAY HOME - HOUSING ENDOWMENT: $25,000 · OtherFOUNDATION FOR THE CAROLINA…NORTH CAROLINA HOUSING COALITION INC: $25,000 · OtherNORTH CAROLINA HOUSING COAL…FOUNDATION FOR THE CAROLINAS HOUSING OPPORTUNITY INVESTMENT FUND: $20,000 · OtherTHE HOUSING PARTNERSHIP: $20,000 · OtherHOLY ANGELS INC: $16,250 · OtherIndividual grant recipient: $15,000 · OtherGaston Skills Incorporated: $15,250 · Other+13 more: $77,250 · Other+13 moreFOUNDATION FOR THE CAROLINAS: $280,000 · PhilanthropyFOUNDATION FOR THE CA…NORTH CAROLINA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $79,500 · PhilanthropyNORTH CAROLINA COMMUN…ROOF ABOVE INC: $208,000 · Arts & CultureROOF ABOVE I…DreamKey Partners Inc: $140,000 · Housing & ShelterCharlotte Family Housing: $46,000 · Human ServicesROWAN HELPING MINISTRIES: $35,000 · Human ServicesDREAM CENTER ACADEMY: $15,250 · Human ServicesBit of Hope Ranch Inc: $4,000 · Human ServicesCAROLINA CARING INC: $4,000 · Human ServicesBREAD INC: $4,000 · Human ServicesCrisis Assistance Ministry: $4,000 · Human ServicesCOMMUNITY CARE CLINIC OF ROWAN COUNTY INC: $15,000 · HealthCharlotte Speech and Hearing Center Inc: $13,000 · HealthCANCER SERVICES OF GASTON CTY INC: $13,000 · Health
Education$553,000Other$442,750Philanthropy$359,500Arts & Culture$208,000Housing & Shelter$140,000Human Services$112,250Health$41,000

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

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetFOUNDATION FOR THE CAROLINAS: $280,000 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetROOF ABOVE INC: $208,000 over 5y, 0.2% of budgetNORTH CAROLINA BUSINESS LEADERS FOR EDUC: $155,000 over 6y, 3.7% of budgetDreamKey Partners Inc: $140,000 over 3y, 0.2% of budgetCharlotte Bilingual Learning Center: $138,000 over 6y, 0.9% of budgetHeart Math Tutoring Inc: $135,000 over 6y, 1.3% of budgetPUBLIC SCHOOL FORUM OF NC INC: $80,000 over 4y, 0.6% of budgetNORTH CAROLINA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $79,500 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetCharlotte Family Housing: $46,000 over 2y, 0.7% of budgetNORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC: $40,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetROWAN HELPING MINISTRIES: $35,000 over 4y, 0.2% of budgetNORTH CAROLINA HOUSING COALITION INC: $25,000 over 2y, 0.3% of budgetHOLY ANGELS INC: $16,250 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetDREAM CENTER ACADEMY: $15,250 over 3y, 0.7% of budgetGaston Skills Incorporated: $15,250 over 3y, 0.3% of budgetCOMMUNITY CARE CLINIC OF ROWAN COUNTY INC: $15,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetCharlotte Speech and Hearing Center Inc: $13,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetCANCER SERVICES OF GASTON CTY INC: $13,000 over 3y, 1.1% of budgetSALISBURY POLICE FOUNDATION: $5,000 over 1y, 2.0% of budgetBOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER GAS: $5,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetLivingstone College: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetRUFTY-HOLMES SENIOR CENTER INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetBit of Hope Ranch Inc: $4,000 over 1y, 1.0% of budgetBACKPACK WEEKEND FOOD PROGRAM INC: $4,000 over 1y, 0.8% of budgetBREAD INC: $4,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetCrisis Assistance Ministry: $4,000 over 1y, 0.0% 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.

  • Who funds FOUNDATION FOR THE CAROLINAS ↗
  • Who funds ROOF ABOVE INC ↗
  • Who funds NORTH CAROLINA BUSINESS LEADERS FOR EDUC ↗
  • Who funds DreamKey Partners Inc ↗
  • Who funds Charlotte Bilingual Learning Center ↗
  • Who funds Heart Math Tutoring Inc ↗
  • Who funds PUBLIC SCHOOL FORUM OF NC INC ↗
  • Who funds NORTH CAROLINA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds Charlotte Family Housing ↗
  • Who funds NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC ↗
  • Who funds ROWAN HELPING MINISTRIES ↗
  • Who funds NORTH CAROLINA HOUSING COALITION INC ↗
  • Who funds HOLY ANGELS INC ↗
  • Who funds DREAM CENTER ACADEMY ↗
  • Who funds Gaston Skills Incorporated ↗
  • Who funds COMMUNITY CARE CLINIC OF ROWAN COUNTY INC ↗
  • Who funds Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center Inc ↗
  • Who funds CANCER SERVICES OF GASTON CTY INC ↗
  • Who funds SALISBURY POLICE FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER GAS ↗
  • Who funds Livingstone College ↗
  • Who funds RUFTY-HOLMES SENIOR CENTER INC ↗
  • Who funds Bit of Hope Ranch Inc ↗
  • Who funds CAROLINA CARING INC ↗

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.

Duke Energy FoundationFoundation for the Ca…The Leon Levine Found…The Carrie E and Lena…Gaston Community Foun…Merancas Foundation I…Speedway Children's C…The Cannon Foundation…Z Smith Reynolds Foun…United Way of Greater…The Winston-Salem Fou…Gaston Memorial Hospi…
Duke Energy FoundationNC27.5× affinity15 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Duke Energy Foundation · Foundation for the Carolinas · The Leon Levine Foundation · The Carrie E and Lena V Glenn Found · Gaston Community Foundation · Merancas Foundation Inc · Speedway Children's Charities · The Cannon Foundation Inc · Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc · United Way of Greater Charlotte Inc · The Winston-Salem Foundation · Gaston Memorial Hospital Foundation Inc

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 Stephen L Cornwell Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Stephen L Cornwell Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%0%1%3%5%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
    0get no government money at all
    12report 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 44 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-PF 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 Stephen L Cornwell’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