The John William Pope Foundation makes grants to improve the well-being of North Carolinians by advancing the ideas of limited government, individual freedom, personal responsibility, and strong communities.
The John William Pope Foundation’s recent grantmaking shows a clear split between large restricted awards and steady operating support for North Carolina institutions. In 2023 through 2025, it backed UNC Health Foundation with multiple grants tied to Lineberger cancer research, including awards labeled “Restricted - UNC Lineberger” and “Restricted - Lineberger Tomorrow's Best Hope.” It also made repeated support to UNC Chapel Hill for Philosophy, Politics, & Economics, and to Asheville School for humanities and economics or Western Civilization programming. That pattern fits the foundation’s broader mission of advancing limited government, individual freedom, personal responsibility, and strong communities. Its annual funding covers public policy, education, human services, and the arts, and the foundation uses both unrestricted and restricted grants. The recent list also shows sizable support for policy research groups in Virginia, while most of its giving lands in North Carolina. Alongside university and school grants, the foundation funds human services, arts projects, scholarships, and fellowship activity connected to its mission. The mix suggests a funder that supports both institutional capacity and targeted programs in education, civic ideas, and community well-being.
In public policy, the foundation supports research and advocacy aligned with free-market principles and limited government. Recent grants include $500,000 to Economic Policy Innovation Center for an unrestricted grant and a series of $330,500 and $329,000 unrestricted awards to John Locke Foundation. Education is another major lane. The foundation gave $500,000 to UNC Chapel Hill for Philosophy, Politics, & Economics, and $500,000 to Asheville School for a Humanities and Economics Program. It also backed Asheville School for a Western Civilization Program in a separate year. In health-related philanthropy, the largest recent awards went through UNC Health Foundation for Lineberger cancer research. The wording on those grants points to restricted support for UNC Lineberger and Lineberger Tomorrow's Best Hope. The arts and human services side appears in the foundation’s named memorial grant programs, which are set up for project grants in North Carolina.
$15.2M
$120.7M
$8.4M
$16.4M
Most grants fall between $15K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for John William Pope Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 990 | $60.9M | 99.3% |
| 2 | Canada |
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Typical grant size sits at $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent list also includes several much larger restricted awards, including six-figure and half-million-dollar grants. Recipients often reappear across years, especially in education and policy, which points to recurring relationships rather than one-off support. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF or PRI maker, and it funds individuals as well as organizations. Several active programs accept unsolicited requests, including annual funding and memorial grant programs.
Grant recipients are concentrated in North Carolina, which accounts for 61% of grants in the HQ state. Chapel Hill appears repeatedly in the recent record, alongside Raleigh and Asheville. Outside North Carolina, Arlington, Virginia, shows up in policy-related support. The recipient-country distribution is overwhelmingly U.S.-based, with a small number of grants to Canada.
Its core grant areas are public policy, education, human services, and the arts. The active programs also break those into specific topics such as free-market public policy, critical thinking and intellectual diversity in education, and arts or human-services projects in North Carolina.
Yes. Several active programs are marked as accepting unsolicited applications, including annual grants for public policy, education, human services, the arts, and the funding opportunities landing page.
The typical grant size is $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes larger restricted awards, including amounts in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Yes. The recent grants list shows repeated awards to the same organizations across multiple years, including UNC Health Foundation, UNC Chapel Hill, Asheville School, and John Locke Foundation. That indicates ongoing relationships rather than isolated grants.
It funds university departments and research centers, college and graduate students, K-12 students, scholars and academic researchers, student-athletes, and medical research institutions. The active programs also include scholarships, fellowships, operating support, and project grants.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
| 7 |
| $65K |
0.7% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RALEIGH RESCUE MISSION INC | RALEIGH, NC | $500,000 | 2026 | RESTRICTED - WOMEN'S FACILITY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| ECONOMIC POLICY INNOVATION CENTER | ARLINGTON, VA | $500,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| NC ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY INC | ASHEBORO, NC | $500,000 | 2026 | RESTRICTED - 50TH ANNIVERSARY CAMPAIGN |
| ASHEVILLE SCHOOL | ASHEVILLE, NC | $500,000 | 2026 | RESTRICTED - HUMANITIES & ECONOMICS PROGRAM |
| JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION | RALEIGH, NC | $328,250 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION | RALEIGH, NC | $328,250 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION | RALEIGH, NC | $328,250 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION | RALEIGH, NC | $328,250 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION | RALEIGH, NC | $328,250 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION | RALEIGH, NC | $328,250 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION | RALEIGH, NC | $328,250 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION | RALEIGH, NC | $328,250 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION | RALEIGH, NC | $328,250 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION | RALEIGH, NC | $328,250 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION | RALEIGH, NC | $328,250 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION | RALEIGH, NC | $328,250 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| INSTITUTE FOR HUMANE STUDIES | ARLINGTON, VA | $250,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| UNC CH PHILOSOPHY POLITICS & ECONOMICS | CHAPEL HILL, NC | $250,000 | 2026 | RESTRICTED - PHILOSOPHY, POLITICS, AND ECONOMICS PROGRAM |
| ADVANCING AMERICAN FREEDOM FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| FREOPP - FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH ON EQUAL OPPORTUNITY | AUSTIN, TX | $200,000 | 2026 | RESTRICTED - FUTURE OF FREEDOM INITIATIVE |
| INSTITUTE FOR HUMANE STUDIES | ARLINGTON, VA | $175,000 | 2026 | RESTRICTED - ACADEMIC TALENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR HISTORY OF POLITICAL ECONOMY (HOPE) | DURHAM, NC | $175,000 | 2026 | RESTRICTED - CENTER FOR HISTORY OF POLITICAL ECONOMY |
| CHARLOTTE MUSEUM OF HISTORY | CHARLOTTE, NC | $150,000 | 2026 | RESTRICTED - REVOLUTIONARY WAR AMERICA 250 EXHIBIT |
| INDEPENDENT INSTITUTE | OAKLAND, CA | $135,000 | 2026 | RESTRICTED - FUTURE OF FREEDOM INITIATIVE |
| REASON FOUNDATION INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $135,000 | 2026 | RESTRICTED - FUTURE OF FREEDOM INITIATIVE |
| THE FUND FOR AMERICAN STUDIES | WASHINGTON, DC | $135,000 | 2026 | RESTRICTED - FUTURE OF FREEDOM INITIATIVE |
| STATE POLICY NETWORK | ARLINGTON, VA | $125,000 | 2026 | RESTRICTED - FUTURE OF FREEDOM INITIATIVE |
| COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $125,000 | 2026 | RESTRICTED - FUTURE OF FREEDOM INITIATIVE |
| NC FAMILY POLICY COUNCIL | RALEIGH, NC | $125,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| MERCATUS CENTER | ARLINGTON, VA | $120,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| NATIONAL REVIEW INSTITUTE | NEW YORK, NY | $115,000 | 2026 | RESTRICTED - FUTURE OF FREEDOM INITIATIVE |
| MANHATTAN INSTITUTE FOR POLICY RESEARCH INC | NEW YORK, NY | $115,000 | 2026 | RESTRICTED - FUTURE OF FREEDOM INTITATIVE |
| NCSU - PPE | RALEIGH, NC | $110,000 | 2026 | RESTRICTED - PHILOSOPHY, POLITICS, AND ECONOMICS PROGRAM |
| SAFELIGHT INC | HENDERSONVILLE, NC | $108,000 | 2026 | RESTRICTED - HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF IN NC |
| GRAYSON-JOCKEY CLUB RESEARCH FOUNDATION | LEXINGTON, KY | $107,151 | 2026 | RESTRICTED - SHINING A LIGHT ON THE BLACK BOX OF EARLY PREGNANCY LOSS STUDY |
| AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR ECONOMIC RESEARCH (AIER) | GREAT BARRINGTON, MA | $100,000 | 2026 | RESTRICTED - FUTURE OF FREEDOM INITIATIVE |
| FRANKLIN NEWS FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2026 | RESTRICTED - FUTURE OF FREEDOM INITIATIVE |
| MERCATUS CENTER | ARLINGTON, VA | $100,000 | 2026 | RESTRICTED - FUTURE OF FREEDOM INITIATIVE |
| PHILANTHROPY ROUNDTABLE | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| MERCATUS CENTER | ARLINGTON, VA | $75,000 | 2026 | RESTRICTED - BRICKELL CONFERENCE AND ACTIVITIES |
| RALEIGH RESCUE MISSION INC | RALEIGH, NC | $75,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| VANDENBERG COALITION THE | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| POSITIVE CHILD ALLIANCE | MORRISVILLE, NC | $75,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| THE FUND FOR AMERICAN STUDIES | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| BAPTISTS ON MISSION (FORMERLY NC BAPTIST MEN) | CARY, NC | $75,000 | 2026 | RESTRICTED - HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF IN NC |
| CLEMSON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION - INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF CAPITALISM | CLEMSON, SC | $75,000 | 2026 | RESTRICTED - INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF CAPITALISM |
| NEW VOCATIONS RACEHORSE ADOPTIONS PROGRAM | LEXINGTON, KY | $65,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| STATE POLICY NETWORK | ARLINGTON, VA | $60,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| SUNRISE PRESERVATION GROUP | SOUTHERN PINES, NC | $59,500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| NCSU FREE & OPEN SOCIETIES PROJECT | RALEIGH, NC | $54,000 | 2026 | RESTRICTED - SCHOOL OF PUBLIC & INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS |
RALEIGH RESCUE MISSION INC
$500,000RESTRICTED - WOMEN'S FACILITY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
ECONOMIC POLICY INNOVATION CENTER
$500,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT
NC ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY INC
$500,000RESTRICTED - 50TH ANNIVERSARY CAMPAIGN
ASHEVILLE SCHOOL
$500,000RESTRICTED - HUMANITIES & ECONOMICS PROGRAM
JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION
$328,250UNRESTRICTED GRANT
JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION
$328,250UNRESTRICTED GRANT
JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION
$328,250UNRESTRICTED GRANT
JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION
$328,250UNRESTRICTED GRANT
JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION
$328,250UNRESTRICTED GRANT
JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION
$328,250UNRESTRICTED GRANT
JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION
$328,250UNRESTRICTED GRANT
JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION
$328,250UNRESTRICTED GRANT
JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION
$328,250UNRESTRICTED GRANT
JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION
$328,250UNRESTRICTED GRANT
JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION
$328,250UNRESTRICTED GRANT
JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION
$328,250UNRESTRICTED GRANT
INSTITUTE FOR HUMANE STUDIES
$250,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT
UNC CH PHILOSOPHY POLITICS & ECONOMICS
$250,000RESTRICTED - PHILOSOPHY, POLITICS, AND ECONOMICS PROGRAM
ADVANCING AMERICAN FREEDOM FOUNDATION
$250,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT
FREOPP - FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH ON EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
$200,000RESTRICTED - FUTURE OF FREEDOM INITIATIVE
INSTITUTE FOR HUMANE STUDIES
$175,000RESTRICTED - ACADEMIC TALENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
DUKE UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR HISTORY OF POLITICAL ECONOMY (HOPE)
$175,000RESTRICTED - CENTER FOR HISTORY OF POLITICAL ECONOMY
CHARLOTTE MUSEUM OF HISTORY
$150,000RESTRICTED - REVOLUTIONARY WAR AMERICA 250 EXHIBIT
INDEPENDENT INSTITUTE
$135,000RESTRICTED - FUTURE OF FREEDOM INITIATIVE
REASON FOUNDATION INC
$135,000RESTRICTED - FUTURE OF FREEDOM INITIATIVE
THE FUND FOR AMERICAN STUDIES
$135,000RESTRICTED - FUTURE OF FREEDOM INITIATIVE
STATE POLICY NETWORK
$125,000RESTRICTED - FUTURE OF FREEDOM INITIATIVE
COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE
$125,000RESTRICTED - FUTURE OF FREEDOM INITIATIVE
NC FAMILY POLICY COUNCIL
$125,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT
MERCATUS CENTER
$120,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT
NATIONAL REVIEW INSTITUTE
$115,000RESTRICTED - FUTURE OF FREEDOM INITIATIVE
MANHATTAN INSTITUTE FOR POLICY RESEARCH INC
$115,000RESTRICTED - FUTURE OF FREEDOM INTITATIVE
NCSU - PPE
$110,000RESTRICTED - PHILOSOPHY, POLITICS, AND ECONOMICS PROGRAM
SAFELIGHT INC
$108,000RESTRICTED - HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF IN NC
GRAYSON-JOCKEY CLUB RESEARCH FOUNDATION
$107,151RESTRICTED - SHINING A LIGHT ON THE BLACK BOX OF EARLY PREGNANCY LOSS STUDY
AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR ECONOMIC RESEARCH (AIER)
$100,000RESTRICTED - FUTURE OF FREEDOM INITIATIVE
FRANKLIN NEWS FOUNDATION
$100,000RESTRICTED - FUTURE OF FREEDOM INITIATIVE
MERCATUS CENTER
$100,000RESTRICTED - FUTURE OF FREEDOM INITIATIVE
PHILANTHROPY ROUNDTABLE
$75,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT
MERCATUS CENTER
$75,000RESTRICTED - BRICKELL CONFERENCE AND ACTIVITIES
RALEIGH RESCUE MISSION INC
$75,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT
VANDENBERG COALITION THE
$75,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT
POSITIVE CHILD ALLIANCE
$75,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT
THE FUND FOR AMERICAN STUDIES
$75,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT
BAPTISTS ON MISSION (FORMERLY NC BAPTIST MEN)
$75,000RESTRICTED - HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF IN NC
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION - INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF CAPITALISM
$75,000RESTRICTED - INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF CAPITALISM
NEW VOCATIONS RACEHORSE ADOPTIONS PROGRAM
$65,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT
STATE POLICY NETWORK
$60,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT
SUNRISE PRESERVATION GROUP
$59,500UNRESTRICTED GRANT
NCSU FREE & OPEN SOCIETIES PROJECT
$54,000RESTRICTED - SCHOOL OF PUBLIC & INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Current and upcoming funding from John William Pope Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofits located anywhere in North Carolina serving North Carolinians. Project-specific requests only; not for general operating support, endowment, debt relief, crisis funding, or medical research.
Deadline: Applications accepted July 1 - September 1 annually; award decisions in December; awards issued in January.
Who can apply: Nonprofits located anywhere in North Carolina serving North Carolinians. Project-specific requests only; not for general operating support, endowment, debt relief, crisis funding, or medical research.
Deadline: Applications accepted July 1 - September 1 annually; award decisions in December; awards issued in January.
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