Carlson Family Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Carlson Family Foundation is a private foundation in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. In tax year 2025 it gave $1.1 million in 100 grants; the typical grant was $10,000 and the largest $78,568. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$1.1 million
- Number of grants100
- Typical grant$10,000
- Largest grant$78,568
- Assets$33.5 million
- New grantees32%
Giving in 2025 was up from $1.1 million the year before.
32% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $964,350 | 108 | $27.3 million |
| 2024 | $1.1 million | 110 | $30.4 million |
| 2025 | $1.1 million | 100 | $33.5 million |
How to apply
Carlson Family Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What Carlson Family Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 17 states, the most to North Carolina.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 39 | $352,080 |
| Connecticut | 11 | $162,650 |
| Maryland | 4 | $94,568 |
| Michigan | 8 | $84,030 |
| Virginia | 5 | $80,000 |
| Tennessee | 7 | $77,500 |
| District of Columbia | 8 | $71,097 |
| California | 2 | $45,000 |
| Florida | 1 | $35,000 |
| New Jersey | 3 | $33,500 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Brooke's House LLC | Major grant, matching grant | $78,568 |
| Sound Waters Inc | Major grant | $50,000 |
| Give A Leg Up (Galup) | Major grant, discretionary grant | $35,000 |
| Detroit Achievement Academy Foundation | Major grant | $30,000 |
| Amandla Inc | Major grant | $25,000 |
| Blood Cancer United | Major grant | $25,000 |
| Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center | Major grant | $25,000 |
| League to Save Lake Tahoe | Major grant | $25,000 |
| STXBP1 Foundation | Major grant | $25,000 |
| Waterside School Inc | Major grant | $25,000 |
| Humble Design Inc | Major grant | $23,000 |
| Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina Inc | Major grant, discretionary grant | $22,000 |
| UNC Health Foundation | Major grant, matching grant | $20,100 |
| Alive | Major grant | $20,000 |
| Arlington Free Clinic Inc | Major grant | $20,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Durham and Orange Counties | Major grant | $20,000 |
| Building One Community | Major grant | $20,000 |
| Catholic Charities Diocese of Nashville | Major grant | $20,000 |
| Givedirectly Inc | Major grant | $20,000 |
| New Jersey Tutoring Corps Inc | Major grant | $20,000 |
| Sandy Hook Promise Foundation | Major grant | $20,000 |
| Save the Sound | Major grant | $20,000 |
| The Clear Fund DBA Givewell | Major grant | $20,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy North Carolina Chapter | Major grant | $20,000 |
| Youth Villages Inc | Major grant | $20,000 |
| Chatham Outreach Alliance - Cora | Major grant, discretionary grant, matching grant | $15,500 |
| Orange County Rape Crisis Center | Major grant, matching grant | $15,200 |
| El Centro Hispano Inc | Major grant, matching grant | $15,150 |
| Arlington Food Assistance Center (Afac) | Major grant | $15,000 |
| Birth Detroit Inc | Major grant | $15,000 |
| Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington Inc | Major grant | $15,000 |
| Clarksville Area Urban Ministries | Major grant | $15,000 |
| DC Firefighters Burn Foundation | Major grant | $15,000 |
| Emancipate NC Inc | Major grant | $15,000 |
| Inter-Faith Council for Social Service | Major grant | $15,000 |
| Miraclefeet | Major grant | $15,000 |
| Oak City Cares Inc | Major grant | $15,000 |
| Safechild | Major grant | $15,000 |
| Yaipak Outreach | Major grant | $15,000 |
| Keep Growing Detroit | Major grant | $12,000 |
Officers and trustees
- John A Norton
- Michael A Norton
- Mary N Owen
- Paul S Norton
- James M Norton
- Christina N Wincek
- Kyle P Norton
- Joseph F Norton
- Ann E Jacobs
- Lauren C Norton
- Kaitlyn Norton
- Trilby F Norton
Questions people ask
Does Carlson Family Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Carlson Family Foundation give?
$1.1 million in tax year 2025, across 100 grants, with a typical grant of $10,000.
Who runs Carlson Family Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists John A Norton (Director), Michael A Norton (Director), Mary N Owen (Secretary) and Paul S Norton (Treasurer) among 12 officers and trustees.
What does Carlson Family Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, health and youth programs.