The Goodnight Educational Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The Goodnight Educational Foundation is a private foundation in Cary, North Carolina. In tax year 2025 it gave $9.2 million in 25 grants; the typical grant was $50,000 and the largest $2.0 million. 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$9.2 million
- Number of grants25
- Typical grant$50,000
- Largest grant$2.0 million
- Assets$251 million
- New grantees100%
Giving in 2025 was up from $8.5 million the year before.
100% 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 | $8.7 million | 37 | $175 million |
| 2024 | $8.5 million | 34 | $189 million |
| 2025 | $9.2 million | 25 | $251 million |
How to apply
The Goodnight Educational 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 The Goodnight Educational Foundation funds
Where it gives
All of its grants went to recipients in North Carolina.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 25 | $9.2 million |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NC Museum of History Foundation | Charitable | $2.0 million |
| Cary Academy | Charitable | $1.1 million |
| Friends of NC Museum of Natural Sciences | Charitable | $1.1 million |
| Myfuturenc Inc | Charitable | $1.0 million |
| NC Community College Foundation | Charitable | $1.0 million |
| NC Museum of Art Foundation | Charitable | $1.0 million |
| PBS North Carolina | Charitable | $1.0 million |
| Ncsu Foundation Inc | Charitable | $400,000 |
| The YMCA of the Triangle Area | Charitable | $100,000 |
| NC Business Leaders for Education | Charitable | $60,000 |
| Educationnc | Charitable | $50,000 |
| NC School of Science and Math Foundation | Charitable | $50,000 |
| Public Ed Works | Charitable | $50,000 |
| Public School Forum of NC Inc | Charitablw | $50,000 |
| UNC at Chapel Hill - Public Radio Wunc | Charitable | $50,000 |
| Development Foundation of the Nccat | Charitable | $35,000 |
| Boys Club of Wake County Inc | Charitable | $25,000 |
| Latinx Education Center | Charitable | $25,000 |
| Marbles Kids Museum | Charitable | $25,000 |
| Meredith College | Charitable | $25,000 |
| NC Society of Hispanic Professionals Inc | Charitable | $25,000 |
| Student U | Charitable | $25,000 |
| Wake Education Partnership | Charitable | $25,000 |
| NC Science Fair Foundation | Charitable | $10,000 |
| The North Carolina Aquarium Society | Charitable | $10,000 |
Officers and trustees
- James H Goodnight
- Ann Baggett Goodnight
- Leah A Goodnight
- Susan G Ellis
- James A Goodnight
- Donald R Parker
Questions people ask
Does The Goodnight Educational Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Goodnight Educational Foundation give?
$9.2 million in tax year 2025, across 25 grants, with a typical grant of $50,000.
Who runs The Goodnight Educational Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists James H Goodnight (Director), Ann Baggett Goodnight (Director), Leah A Goodnight (Director) and Susan G Ellis (Director) among 6 officers and trustees.
What does The Goodnight Educational Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, education and science and research.