The Belk Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The Belk Foundation is a private foundation in Charlotte, North Carolina. In tax year 2024 it gave $2.1 million in 40 grants; the typical grant was $50,000 and the largest $150,000. 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$2.1 million
- Number of grants40
- Typical grant$50,000
- Largest grant$150,000
- Assets$55.4 million
- New grantees49%
Giving in 2024 was up from $1.9 million the year before.
49% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $2.2 million | 43 | $46.8 million |
| 2023 | $1.9 million | 33 | $52.1 million |
| 2024 | $2.1 million | 40 | $55.4 million |
How to apply
The Belk 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 The Belk Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 4 states, the most to North Carolina.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 37 | $2.0 million |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $50,000 |
| Virginia | 1 | $49,605 |
| Georgia | 1 | $5,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation for the Carolinas | General operating support for read charlotte, a community initiative to improve early literacy in charlotte-mecklenburg. | $150,000 |
| CMS Foundation (NBCT & TLP) | Program support to increase the number of national board certified teachers and revamp the teacher leader pathway professional development curriculum. | $125,000 |
| Foundation of the University of North Carolina Charlotte (Tutoring) | Program support for teacher candidates to have a high quality clinical experience by tutoring k-5 grade cms students in foundational reading. | $122,439 |
| East Carolina University Foundation Inc | Program support for a 4-year study exploring the impact of burnout and how it can be mitigated for preservice and early career teachers. | $120,462 |
| Heart Math Tutoring Inc | General operating support to help elementary school students build critical foundational math skills and academic confidence. | $100,000 |
| Teach for America Inc | Program support for recruiting, training, and developing impact-driven teachers and leaders. Teach for america supports first- and second-year teachers who teach some of the most vulnerable students in highest need classrooms. | $100,000 |
| International House of Metrolina Inc | Program support for multi-language learners to receive literacy tutoring after school and during the summer months. | $80,000 |
| YMCA of Greater Charlotte | Program support for y readers year-round programming to accelerate literacy growth for kindergarten through third grade students in cms. | $75,000 |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Program support to provide educational programming and integrated clinical experiences for teacher candidates to create the first ever inclusive education minor in north carolina. | $72,018 |
| National Black Child Development Institute-Carolinas | Program support for the family empowerment program to build the capacity of parents and caregivers. | $68,000 |
| Urbanpromise Charlotte | General operating support for a year-round program for low-income students that provides out-of-school-time academic and spiritual development. | $65,000 |
| Communities in Schools of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Inc | Program support for an expanded elementary footprint and enhanced programming to provide mecklenburg county students with a strong foundation for academic success. | $60,000 |
| Augustine Literacy Project-Charlotte | General operating support to provide intensive tutoring to aspiring 1st - 3rd grade readers who are behind in reading. | $50,000 |
| CMS Foundation (Teacher Innovation) | Program support for coaching and project planning for schools and teacher-led teams participating in the cms foundation innovation center. | $50,000 |
| CMS Foundation (Teacher Residency) | Program support for the cms teaching residency, with a goal of increasing the licensing of non-traditional teachers. | $50,000 |
| Freedom School Partners Inc | Program support for the freedom school summer program to stop learning loss and create passionate readers. | $50,000 |
| Latinx Education Center | General operating support for latinxed to work with current and future educators by building a network through their community of practice and coaching support. | $50,000 |
| National Council on Teacher Quality | Program support to advance elementary literacy and teacher diversity in north carolina through stakeholder engagement and policy improvement. | $50,000 |
| North Carolina Business Leaders for Education | Program support for the continued advocacy for reform of teacher compensation, licensure, and development. | $50,000 |
| North Carolina Education Corps | Program support for a high-impact k-3 literacy tutoring partnership with watauga county schools. | $50,000 |
| Ourbridge Inc | General operating support for an afterschool program with a focus on literacy for children from title i cms schools. | $50,000 |
| American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences | Program support for the dissemination across nc of a research-practice partnership examining the academic recovery of students through tutoring and summer school programs in guilford county schools and more than 10 other urban districts. | $49,605 |
| North Carolina Business Leaders for Education | General operating support for transforming north carolina education through state policy and advocacy. | $45,000 |
| KIPP North Carolina Public Schools Inc | Program support for launching kipp nc teacher u, the first educator preparation program approved by the state of north carolina at a public charter school. | $40,000 |
| NC Alliance for School Leadership Development | Program support to create and implement the early career principals academy, a statewide leadership development initiative for early-career public school principals. | $35,000 |
| Queens University of Charlotte | Program support for queens school executive leadership academy (sela), a program that prepares new school leaders and principals. | $35,000 |
| Educationnc | General operating support for ednc to report on policy makers and levers influencing systems change in education. | $30,000 |
| Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center Inc | Program support for clinicians to provide individualized support to emerging readers in k-3rd grades to build vocabulary and language expression. | $27,500 |
| Appalachian State University Foundation Inc | Program support for clinical interns and early field experience interns impacted by hurricane helene. | $25,000 |
| Augustine Literacy Project-Charlotte | Program support for expanded curriculum that will include new lessons designed to meet the needs of multilingual learners. | $25,000 |
| Center for Racial Equity in Education | Program support for professional development programs that build capacity, knowledge, and support to increase teacher retention. | $25,000 |
| Foundation of the University of North Carolina Charlotte (Student Teachers) | Strengthening teachers and leaders: program support for professional development and networking opportunities for teacher candidates participating in the mentor program. | $25,000 |
| Myfuturenc | General operating support for myfuturenc to ensure 2 million north carolinians have a high-quality credential or postsecondary degree by 2030. | $25,000 |
| Profound Ladies Inc | General operating support to increase the retention, effectiveness, and leadership of women educators of color through mentorship, professional development, and wellness support. | $25,000 |
| Public School Forum of North Carolina Inc | Program support for the drive initiative to strengthen teaching and leadership via regional collaboration on staffing for a diverse educator workforce. | $25,000 |
| University of North Carolina System Office | Program support for building and facilitating a regional coaching model to support the leadership development of lab school principals statewide. | $25,000 |
| Watauga Education Foundation Inc | Program support for watauga county schools to expand its summer literacy camp, addressing learning loss caused by hurricane helene for children in k-3 grades. | $25,000 |
| NC Alliance for School Leadership Development | Program support for the assistant principal leadership accelerator program. | $20,000 |
| CMS Foundation (General Operating) | General operating support for educational programs; a board/committee recognition grant. | $5,000 |
| National Alumnae Association of Spelman College | Scholarships to local graduates matriculating to spelman college; a board/committee recognition grant. | $5,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Jevelyn D Bonner-Reed
- John R Belk
- Thomas M Belk Jr
- James Williams
- Robert Belk
- Mary Claudia Belk Pilon
- Carmen Concepcion
- Anna Elliott
- Mary Mack
- Katherine B Morris
- Brandy Nelson
- Rebecca Tanner
Questions people ask
Does The Belk Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Belk Foundation give?
$2.1 million in tax year 2024, across 40 grants, with a typical grant of $50,000.
Who runs The Belk Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Jevelyn D Bonner-Reed (Executive Director), John R Belk (Chair, Board of Directors), Thomas M Belk Jr (Vice Chair, Board of Directors) and James Williams (Treasurer and Secretary, Board of Dir.) among 12 officers and trustees.
What does The Belk Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education and youth programs.