Morgan Creek Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Morgan Creek Foundation is a private foundation in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. In tax year 2025 it gave $341,000 in 36 grants; the typical grant was $10,000 and the largest $20,000. 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$341,000
- Number of grants36
- Typical grant$10,000
- Largest grant$20,000
- Assets$4.8 million
- New grantees46%
Giving in 2025 was up from $252,500 the year before.
46% 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 | $223,350 | 29 | $3.4 million |
| 2024 | $252,500 | 30 | $4.2 million |
| 2025 | $341,000 | 36 | $4.8 million |
How to apply
Morgan Creek 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 Morgan Creek Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 4 states, the most to North Carolina.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 32 | $325,000 |
| New York | 2 | $12,000 |
| Alabama | 1 | $2,000 |
| Virginia | 1 | $2,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Durham Literacy Center | To support hs equivalent instruction program | $20,000 |
| Morehead City Primary School | To support title wave book mobile | $20,000 |
| D3 Community Outreach | Support educational and job training programs | $17,500 |
| East Durham Children's Initiative | To support early childhood services programs | $17,500 |
| Empower All Inc | To support steam camp | $17,500 |
| Rhoda | To support mentoring girls program | $17,500 |
| Book Harvest | Support of the book babies program | $15,000 |
| Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA | To support y learning program. | $15,000 |
| Children's Literacy Project | To support high school educational and tutoring programs | $15,000 |
| Durham Nativity School Inc | Graduate support initiatives | $15,000 |
| Durham YMCA | To support y learning/we build people programs | $15,000 |
| El Centro Hispano | To support career prep/college mentoring program | $15,000 |
| Raleigh Youth Choir | To support musical arts instruction | $15,000 |
| Artspace Inc | Art education and outreach programs | $15,000 |
| Boomerang Youth | Support for strive and bounce back programs. | $12,500 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Support carolina student transfer excellence program (cstep) | $12,500 |
| Central Park School for Children | To support child based learning | $10,000 |
| Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public Schools Foundation | To support the blue ribbon mentor-advocate program's spring break trip | $10,000 |
| Gigi's Playhouse | To support tutoring programs for individuals with down syndrome | $10,000 |
| Minds Matter of NYC Inc | To support testprep program | $10,000 |
| North Carolina Arts in Action | Support arts program at northside school | $10,000 |
| Wee Care Children's Enrichment Program | To support preschool readiness. | $10,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to hunter college | $2,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to samford university | $2,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to nc a&t university | $2,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to unc wilmington | $2,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to unc chapel hill | $2,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to unc greensboro | $2,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to east carolina university | $2,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to fayetteville state | $2,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to barton college | $2,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to appalachian state | $2,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to unc greensboro | $2,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to george washington university | $2,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to durham tech | $1,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to durham technical community college | $1,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Mark W Yusko
- Stacey Yusko
- Michael P Hennessy
- Will Bacon
- Mark Vannoy
- Taylor Thurman
Questions people ask
Does Morgan Creek Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Morgan Creek Foundation give?
$341,000 in tax year 2025, across 36 grants, with a typical grant of $10,000.
Who runs Morgan Creek Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Mark W Yusko (Director/President), Stacey Yusko (Director/Vp/Dir. of Grants), Michael P Hennessy (Board Member) and Will Bacon (Secretary) among 6 officers and trustees.
What does Morgan Creek Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, youth programs and arts and culture.