The E J Pope & Son Foundation concentrates its modest portfolio on local institutions, primarily providing unrestricted operating support. Most dollars go to the University of Mount Olive while a substantial portion supports veteran-focused services through Hope For The Warriors, indicating a focus on regional higher education and military/veteran wellbeing.
Concentrated, small-scale portfolio: few, relatively large one-off or repeat grants with a majority of funding directed to a single local university and a significant grant to a veteran services group.
E J Pope & Son Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by repeated general-purpose support for the University of Mount Olive, which received the foundation’s largest disclosed grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025. That pattern points to a funder that favors flexible support over restricted project funding and stays close to institutions tied to its local community. A second major thread is veteran and military-family services: Hope for the Warriors received a sizeable grant in 2023, placing that cause alongside higher education as one of the foundation’s clearest priorities. The rest of the portfolio is spread across small awards to North Carolina nonprofits and community organizations, with grant amounts that often sit in the low thousands or below. Recipients include education-related groups, health and human-service organizations, and local civic or cultural entities. The foundation’s giving is also notably steady across years, with general-purpose awards appearing in multiple annual cycles rather than as one-time, isolated gifts. That makes it a profile of local, recurring, flexible philanthropy centered on Mount Olive and nearby North Carolina communities.
Higher education is one of the foundation’s most visible themes. The University of Mount Olive received $21,000 in 2023 and $20,000 in both 2024 and 2025, all labeled general purpose. Community education also appears in smaller grants to Wayne Community College and Wayne Community College Foundation, each funded at $5,000 in 2024, showing support for local postsecondary institutions beyond a single campus. Another recurring area is veterans and military families: Hope for the Warriors was awarded $16,875 in 2023 for general purpose support. The foundation also backs community infrastructure and services through grants such as $2,500 to United Way of Wayne County and $2,500 to Wayne County Development Alliance, indicating interest in organizations that work across multiple local needs.
The grant-size profile is small and concentrated: p25 is $500, median grant size is $1,000, and p75 is $2,500. That lines up with a portfolio built around modest awards, with a few larger gifts standing out. The foundation appears to renew support for some recipients across multiple years, including repeated general-purpose grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Its structure reads as a private foundation making operating-style support rather than program-related investments or individual grants. The available record does not show an application process, so the pattern is best understood through its recurring award history and flexible funding approach.
$63K
$1.3M
$44K
$77K
Most grants fall between $500 and $3K, with a median of $1K.
25th Percentile
$500
Median
$1K
75th Percentile
$3K
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Notable grantees: University of Mount Olive, Hope For The Warriors
The foundation gives locally and overwhelmingly in North Carolina: 90% of grants go to recipients in NC, and the top state by grant count is NC. Mount Olive and Goldsboro appear repeatedly among recipient cities, with additional North Carolina grants reaching Asheville, Kure Beach, Winterville, Morehead City, and Goldsboro-based organizations. Outside the state, grants in the list reached Springfield, Virginia; Memphis, Tennessee; and Hagerstown, Maryland, but those are exceptions in a strongly local portfolio.
Its recent grants go to universities, community colleges, veteran services, health and human-service groups, and local civic organizations. Named recipients include the University of Mount Olive, Wayne Community College, Hope for the Warriors, United Way of Wayne County, and Wayne County Development Alliance.
Typical awards are modest. The grant-size distribution shows p25 at $500, a median of $1,000, and p75 at $2,500. Most recipients in the recent list fall within that range, with a smaller number of larger grants above it.
Yes. The University of Mount Olive appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025 with general-purpose grants, and United Way of Wayne County appears in multiple years as well. That pattern suggests recurring support rather than one-time gifts only.
North Carolina is the top state by grant count, and 90% of grants go to recipients in NC. Mount Olive and Goldsboro are especially prominent among recipient cities, with additional North Carolina gifts going to Asheville, Kure Beach, Winterville, and Morehead City.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT OLIVE | MT OLIVE, NC | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| WAYNE COMMUNITY COLLEGE | GOLDSBORO, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| NC AQUARIUM | KURE BEACH, NC | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| MT OLIVE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | MT OLIVE, NC | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| 3HC | GOLDSBORO, NC | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| UNITED WAY OF WAYNE COUNTY | GOLDSBORO, NC | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| CARTERET HEALTH CARE | MOREHEAD CITY, NC | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| TUSCARORA BOY SCOUTS | GOLDSBORO, NC | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF WAYNE COUNTY | GOLDSBORO, NC | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES | GOLDSBORO, NC | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| FOOD BANK | GOLDSBORO, NC | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| AHOLD DELHAIZE USA FAMILY FOUNDATION | CARLISLE, PA | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| SOUTHEASTERN CANCER CARE | GOLDSBORO, NC | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| NCPCM BUDDY POPE SCHOLARSHIP | RALEIGH, NC | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| RELAY OF LIFE WAYNE COUNTY | DUDLEY, NC | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| NC PICKLE FESTIVAL | MOUNT OLIVE, NC | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| WAYNE PREGNANCY CENTER | GOLDSBORO, NC | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| COMMUNITY SOUP KITCHEN | GOLDSBORO, NC | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF COA | WINTERVILLE, NC | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS | GOLDSBORO, NC | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| WAYNE COUNTY DAY | GOLDSBORO, NC | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| NC MUSEUM OF HISTORY | RALEIGH, NC | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| WAGON TAILS FARM RESCUE | BEULAVILLE, NC | $500 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| PARAMOUNT THEATRE | GOLDSBORO, NC | $500 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| WATCH WAYNE COUNTY | GOLDSBORO, NC | $500 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| STAGE STRUCK | GOLDSBORO, NC | $500 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| OBERRY FOUNDATION | GOLDSBORO, NC | $300 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT OLIVE | MT OLIVE, NC | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT OLIVE | MT OLIVE, NC | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| WAYNE COMMUNITY COLLEGE | GOLDSBORO, NC | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| 3HC | GOLDSBORO, NC | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| NC AQUARIUM | KURE BEACH, NC | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| WAYNE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | GOLDSBORO, NC | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| DR NELSON MISSION | ASHEVILLE, NC | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| WAYNE COMMUNITY COLLEGE | GOLDSBORO, NC | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| UNITED WAY OF WAYNE COUNTY | GOLDSBORO, NC | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| WAYNE COUNTY DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE | GOLDSBORO, NC | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| IMPACT WAYNE | GOLDSBORO, NC | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| CARTERET HEALTH CARE | MOREHEAD CITY, NC | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| WAYNE COUNTY DEVELOPMENT | GOLDSBORO, NC | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| CARTERET HEALTH CARE | MOREHEAD CITY, NC | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| UNITED WAY OF WAYNE COUNTY | GOLDSBORO, NC | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| WAYNE COUNTY DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE | GOLDSBORO, NC | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF COA | WINTERVILLE, NC | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| 3HC | GOLDSBORO, NC | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| UNITED WAY OF WAYNE COUNTY | GOLDSBORO, NC | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| TUSCARORA BOY SCOUTS | GOLDSBORO, NC | $2,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| BOY SCOUTS TUSCARORA | GOLDSBORO, NC | $2,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| PARKERS COMMUNITY FUND | SAVANNAH, GA | $1,500 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF WAYNE COUNTY | GOLDSBORO, NC | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
WAYNE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$10,000GENERAL PURPOSE
NC AQUARIUM
$5,000GENERAL PURPOSE
MT OLIVE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
$2,500GENERAL PURPOSE
3HC
$2,500GENERAL PURPOSE
UNITED WAY OF WAYNE COUNTY
$2,500GENERAL PURPOSE
CARTERET HEALTH CARE
$2,500GENERAL PURPOSE
TUSCARORA BOY SCOUTS
$2,000GENERAL PURPOSE
FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES
$1,000GENERAL PURPOSE
FOOD BANK
$1,000GENERAL PURPOSE
AHOLD DELHAIZE USA FAMILY FOUNDATION
$1,000GENERAL PURPOSE
SOUTHEASTERN CANCER CARE
$1,000GENERAL PURPOSE
NCPCM BUDDY POPE SCHOLARSHIP
$1,000GENERAL PURPOSE
RELAY OF LIFE WAYNE COUNTY
$1,000GENERAL PURPOSE
NC PICKLE FESTIVAL
$1,000GENERAL PURPOSE
WAYNE PREGNANCY CENTER
$1,000GENERAL PURPOSE
COMMUNITY SOUP KITCHEN
$1,000GENERAL PURPOSE
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF COA
$1,000GENERAL PURPOSE
WAYNE COUNTY DAY
$1,000GENERAL PURPOSE
NC MUSEUM OF HISTORY
$1,000GENERAL PURPOSE
WAGON TAILS FARM RESCUE
$500GENERAL PURPOSE
PARAMOUNT THEATRE
$500GENERAL PURPOSE
WATCH WAYNE COUNTY
$500GENERAL PURPOSE
STAGE STRUCK
$500GENERAL PURPOSE
OBERRY FOUNDATION
$300GENERAL PURPOSE
UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT OLIVE
$20,000GENERAL PURPOSE
WAYNE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$10,000GENERAL PURPOSE
3HC
$5,000GENERAL PURPOSE
NC AQUARIUM
$5,000GENERAL PURPOSE
WAYNE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL PURPOSE
DR NELSON MISSION
$5,000GENERAL PURPOSE
WAYNE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$5,000GENERAL PURPOSE
UNITED WAY OF WAYNE COUNTY
$2,500GENERAL PURPOSE
WAYNE COUNTY DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE
$2,500GENERAL PURPOSE
IMPACT WAYNE
$2,500GENERAL PURPOSE
CARTERET HEALTH CARE
$2,500GENERAL PURPOSE
WAYNE COUNTY DEVELOPMENT
$2,500GENERAL PURPOSE
CARTERET HEALTH CARE
$2,500GENERAL PURPOSE
UNITED WAY OF WAYNE COUNTY
$2,500GENERAL PURPOSE
WAYNE COUNTY DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE
$2,500GENERAL PURPOSE
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF COA
$2,500GENERAL PURPOSE
3HC
$2,500GENERAL PURPOSE
UNITED WAY OF WAYNE COUNTY
$2,500GENERAL PURPOSE
TUSCARORA BOY SCOUTS
$2,000GENERAL PURPOSE
BOY SCOUTS TUSCARORA
$2,000GENERAL PURPOSE
PARKERS COMMUNITY FUND
$1,500GENERAL PURPOSE