Anonymous Trust
Accepts applications
Anonymous Trust is a private foundation in Raleigh, North Carolina. In tax year 2025 it gave $20.3 million in 344 grants; the typical grant was $3,000 and the largest $2.5 million. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$20.3 million
- Number of grants344
- Typical grant$3,000
- Largest grant$2.5 million
- Assets$321 million
- New grantees45%
Giving in 2025 was up from $15.7 million the year before.
45% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $14.4 million | 199 | $274 million |
| 2024 | $15.7 million | 246 | $312 million |
| 2025 | $20.3 million | 344 | $321 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Margaret Turlington Coordinator PO Box 2087, Clinton, NC 28329 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (910) 385-6716 |
| What to submit | Simple gifts scholarship application (available at the website www.simplegiftsfund.org), current resume, three recommendations (teacher, peer, additional), counselor statement, transcripts of academic records, completed css profile, pdf document of sat,act, and subject test scores, copy financial award letter from college/university to be attended, and copy of letter(s) notifying the applicant of scholarships or fellowships granted. |
| Deadlines | November 1 for the following academic year. |
| Restrictions | The simple gifts scholarship is worth up to $50,000 per year to earn a four year degree at an out-of-state liberal arts college or university. Eligible students must be 1) united states citizen and resident of North Carolina 2) have attended a high school located in sampson county, nc for a minimum of two school years, or be scheduled to complete a minimum of two years at time of graduation 3) be scheduled to become a high school graduate in year of the application or be a graduate of sampson community college 4) been accepted into and be planning to attend an accredited liberal arts college or university 5) rank in the top 25% of his/her high school graduating class 6) have an unmet financial need. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Anonymous Trust funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 13 states, the most to North Carolina.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 295 | $18.2 million |
| Georgia | 7 | $993,153 |
| South Carolina | 11 | $334,216 |
| California | 3 | $232,111 |
| Virginia | 14 | $229,800 |
| New York | 3 | $166,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 4 | $64,699 |
| Illinois | 2 | $32,767 |
| Florida | 1 | $32,000 |
| Texas | 1 | $23,613 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville State University Foundation | Securities donation for general operating support | $2.5 million |
| Arise Collective | Grant for general operating support | $1.6 million |
| NC State Foundation Inc | Grant for transformational scholars | $1.3 million |
| North Carolina Museum of Art Foundation | Securities donation for general operating support | $1.0 million |
| UNC Pembroke Foundation Inc | Securities donation for general operating support | $604,384 |
| Barton College | Securities donation for general operating support | $487,115 |
| Fayetteville State University Foundation | Grant for general operating support | $405,145 |
| Ipas | Challenge grant for general operating support | $400,000 |
| Teach for America | Grant for general operating support | $400,000 |
| UNC Chapel Hill | Grant for carolina corp at 26-project | $380,370 |
| Ripe for Revival | Grant for general operating support | $315,000 |
| Duke University - Nicholas School | Grant for general operating support | $300,000 |
| Ecu Health Foundation | Challenge grant for general operating support | $300,000 |
| YMCA of Southeastern NC | Grant for general operating support (multi-year) | $300,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain | Grant for general operating support | $275,000 |
| NC Baptist Men | Grant for general operating support | $275,000 |
| Girl Scouts of the Coastal Pines | Grant for general operating support | $274,000 |
| NC State Foundation Inc | Grant for general operating support | $269,450 |
| Duke University | Grant for general operating support | $259,100 |
| Boys and Girls Homes of NC | Grant for general operating support | $250,000 |
| Roanoke Island Historical Assn | Grant for general operating support | $250,000 |
| UNC School of Government Foundation Inc | Challenge grant for lead for nc | $250,000 |
| Food Bank of the Albemarle | Grant for general operating support (multi-year grant) | $225,000 |
| NC State Foundation Inc | Grant for juntos | $222,200 |
| Barton College | Grant for general operating support | $219,603 |
| Access Dental Care | Grant for general operating support | $200,000 |
| Marbles | Challenge grant for general operating support | $200,000 |
| Simply Girls Inc | Grant for general operating support | $200,000 |
| Thrive Scholars | Grant for general operating support | $200,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle | Grant for general operating support | $195,300 |
| American Heart Association | Grant for general operating support | $185,000 |
| Boy & Girls Clubs of the Tar River Region | Grant for general operating support | $180,000 |
| The NC Literary & Historical Association | Grant for general operating support | $175,000 |
| Public School Forum of North Carolina | Grant for general operating support | $161,000 |
| Louis Wells Cameron Art Museum | Grant for general operating support | $150,000 |
| Children's Cancer Partners of Carolinas | Grant for general operating support | $140,000 |
| Book Harvest | Grant for general operating support | $135,000 |
| Ednc | Grant for general operating support | $135,000 |
| Johnston Health Foundation | Grant for general operating support | $125,000 |
| North Carolina Central Univ Foundation | Outright grant - aspiring eagles | $123,250 |
Officers and trustees
- Anne B Faircloth
- Maria M Lynch
- Margaret Turlington
- Kimberly K Breeden
- Deborah M Aiken
Questions people ask
Does Anonymous Trust accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: November 1 for the following academic year..
How much does Anonymous Trust give?
$20.3 million in tax year 2025, across 344 grants, with a typical grant of $3,000.
Who runs Anonymous Trust?
Its 2025 filing lists Anne B Faircloth (Trustee), Maria M Lynch (Trustee), Margaret Turlington (Scholarship Coordinator) and Kimberly K Breeden (Simply East Fund Director) among 5 officers and trustees.
What does Anonymous Trust fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, arts and culture and youth programs.