The Thomas S Kenan III Foundation
Invitation OnlyChapel Hill, North Carolina · EIN 56-1816652 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2024)$251K
Organizations funded43
Typical grant$3,000
Total assets$5.8M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $2,500 and $10,000.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2024 the foundation checked the box saying it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
25% of grants went outside North Carolina.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duplin County Education Foundation | Kenansville, NC | Liberty hall commission - repairs | $30,000 |
| Kenan Center Lockport | Lockport, NY | Director's discretionary fund | $15,000 |
| Duplin County Board of Education | Kenansville, NC | James kenan high school scholarships | $12,000 |
| St Stephens Episcopal Church | Durham, NC | Designated for the fh kenan concert fund | $12,000 |
| Duke Universityalumni and Development Records | Durham, NC | The thomas S. kenan educational fund - sp duke gardens | $10,000 |
| Frank H Kenan Chapel Landfall | Wilmington, NC | Uncsa music student concerts | $10,000 |
| Duke University | Durham, NC | Kenan instititue ethics - director's discretionary | $10,000 |
| Nc Arts in Action | Durham, NC | Operations | $10,000 |
| North Carolina State University | Raleigh, NC | Wrk, jr. fund for ets | $10,000 |
| St Stephens Episcopal Church | Durham, NC | Support organ dedication company | $10,000 |
| The Arts Center - Carrboro | Carrboro, NC | Undesignated | $10,000 |
| Unc- Wilmington | Wilmington, NC | Health care initiatives - honor dr. & mrs sayeds | $10,000 |
| Unc - Greensboro | Greensboro, NC | Happy dubose kenan gray scholarship fund | $10,000 |
| Urban Youth Impact Inc | West Palm Beach, FL | Facilities imp./blg project & scholarships | $10,000 |
| National Tropical Botanical Garden | Kalaheo, HI | Kahanu garden discretionary fund | $6,000 |
| Durham Rescue Mission | Durham, NC | Greatest needs | $5,000 |
| Nc Center for Nonprofits | Raleigh, NC | Undesignated | $5,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity of Orange County | Chapel Hill, NC | Undesignated | $5,000 |
| Trosa | Durham, NC | Undesignated | $5,000 |
| School of Ethics and Global Leadership | Washington, DC | Undesignated | $5,000 |
| Thalian Association Community Theatre | Wilmington, NC | Support production of 1776 musical | $5,000 |
| Durham Nativity School | Durham, NC | Instructional supplies | $3,000 |
| Caring House Inc | Durham, NC | Operations - memory frankie dubose | $3,000 |
| Mount Vernon Ladies Association | Mt Vernon, VA | Support - martha washington quilts | $3,000 |
| Landfall Foundation | Wilmington, NC | Undesignated | $2,600 |
| First Presbyterian Church - Lockport | Lockport, NY | Music concerts | $2,500 |
| North Carolina Zoo Society | Asheboro, NC | Undesignated - memory of owen kenan | $2,500 |
| North Carolina Children's Museum (Kidzu) | Chapel Hill, NC | Undesignated | $2,500 |
| Saint Mary's School | Raleigh, NC | Support 2025 auction gala | $2,500 |
| Saint Mary's School | Raleigh, NC | Designated for sarah graham kenan fund | $2,500 |
| Secu Family House of Unc Hospitals | Chapel Hill, NC | Undesignated | $2,500 |
| Swingpals Inc | Durham, NC | Greatest needs | $2,500 |
| The Arts Center - Carrboro | Carrboro, NC | Auction support | $2,500 |
| Virginia Theological Seminary | Alexandria, VA | Undesignated | $2,500 |
| Washington National Cathedral | Washington, DC | Undesignated | $2,500 |
| Inter-Faith Council for Social Service | Raleigh, NC | Undesignated | $2,000 |
| Philanthropy Roundtable | Washington, DC | Undesignated | $2,000 |
| Bridge21 Park City | Park City, UT | Greatest needs | $1,000 |
| Duke Divinity School | Durham, NC | Undesignated | $1,000 |
| Preservation North Carolina | Raleigh, NC | Support "new wheels" | $1,000 |
| Table Ministries Inc | Carrboro, NC | Undesignated | $1,000 |
| American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign | Davis, CA | Operations | $500 |
| Cfk Africa | Chapel Hill, NC | Undesignated | $500 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $250,600 | 43 |
| 2023 | $217,700 | 28 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Nov 13, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202523179349102367
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 56-1816652
- Profile updated Nov 5, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.