Laughing Gull Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Laughing Gull Foundation is a private foundation in Durham, North Carolina. In tax year 2024 it gave $6.1 million in 127 grants; the typical grant was $50,000 and the largest $160,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$6.1 million
- Number of grants127
- Typical grant$50,000
- Largest grant$160,000
- Assets$69.5 million
- New grantees43%
Giving in 2024 was up from $6.0 million the year before.
43% of its 2024 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 | $6.0 million | 123 | $70.4 million |
| 2024 | $6.1 million | 127 | $69.5 million |
How to apply
Laughing Gull 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.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Laughing Gull Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 19 states, the most to North Carolina.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 45 | $1.9 million |
| Georgia | 11 | $745,000 |
| Virginia | 16 | $733,075 |
| South Carolina | 7 | $350,000 |
| Louisiana | 7 | $340,000 |
| Florida | 6 | $330,000 |
| New York | 7 | $323,800 |
| California | 5 | $305,000 |
| Alabama | 6 | $275,000 |
| Tennessee | 3 | $160,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Campaign for Southern Equality | General operating support | $160,000 |
| Neighborhood Funders Group | Amplify fund | $150,000 |
| Partnership for Southern Equity | Project supp justice40 accelerator | $150,000 |
| Equality NC Foundation | General operating support | $125,000 |
| Equality Virginia | General operating support | $125,000 |
| University of Central Florida | General operating support | $105,000 |
| Appalachian Voices | General operating support | $100,000 |
| Center for Heirs' Prop Preservatio | General operating support | $100,000 |
| Freedom Center for Social Justice | General operating support | $100,000 |
| Operation Restoration | Operation restoration | $100,000 |
| Partnership for Southern Equity | General operating support | $100,000 |
| Taproot Earth | Gulf south for a green new deal | $100,000 |
| Alliance for Higher Ed in Prison | General operating support | $90,000 |
| Funders for LGBTQ Issues | General operating support | $90,000 |
| Time Out Youth | General operating support | $90,000 |
| Auburn University Foundation | Al prison arts & education project | $80,000 |
| Tennessee Higher Education Initiative | General operating support | $80,000 |
| Federation of Southern Cooperatives Land Assistance Fund | General operating support | $75,000 |
| Georgia Conservation Voters Ed Fund | General operating support | $75,000 |
| Nationz Foundation | General operating support | $75,000 |
| New Virginia Majority Ed Fund | General operating support | $75,000 |
| North Carolina Environmental Justice Network | General operating support | $75,000 |
| Power Coalition for Equity & Justice | Power coalition for equity & justice | $75,000 |
| Rural Investment to Protect Our Environment | General operating support | $75,000 |
| Southeast Climate & Energy Network | General operating support | $75,000 |
| Georgia Coalition for Highed Ed | General operating support | $70,000 |
| LGBTQ Center of Durham | General operating support | $70,000 |
| Life University | Program support for chilon proj | $70,000 |
| Piedmont Virginia Community College | Higher education in prison program | $70,000 |
| Stetson Community Education Project | Community education project | $70,000 |
| Claflin University | Pathways from prison | $65,000 |
| Warren Wilson College Inside Out Program | Program support | $65,000 |
| A-B Tech Community College Fund | Support prison education program | $60,000 |
| ACLU Foundation of NC | General operating support | $60,000 |
| Advocates for Trans Equality Education | General operating support | $60,000 |
| Benedict College | Best lives center prison edu program | $60,000 |
| Common Good Atlanta | General operating support | $60,000 |
| Jamii Sisterhood | Project freedom | $60,000 |
| Miami Dade College Foundation | Higher edu in prison programming | $60,000 |
| Mississippi Valley State University | Prison ed partnership program | $60,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Marjorie Owen Baesmith
- Emily Coward
- Marjorie Williams Coward
- Sarah Schwartz Baesmith
Questions people ask
Does Laughing Gull Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Laughing Gull Foundation give?
$6.1 million in tax year 2024, across 127 grants, with a typical grant of $50,000.
Who runs Laughing Gull Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Marjorie Owen Baesmith (President), Emily Coward (Secretary), Marjorie Williams Coward (Chair) and Sarah Schwartz Baesmith (Treasurer).
What does Laughing Gull Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, environment and conservation and community development.