Michael and Laura Brader-Araje Foundation
ActivePhilanthropy & Voluntarism
About Michael and Laura Brader-Araje Foundation
The Michael and Laura Brader-Araje Foundation focuses its giving on education and community institutions in the Chapel Hill/University of North Carolina ecosystem, supporting early childhood enrichment, independent K-12 education, higher-education access, health/medical education, and local public media. Grants are predominantly local and mission-driven, with several multi-year or repeat awards to neighborhood organizations and university-related entities. Their funding favors program support and scholarships that strengthen civic, educational, and cultural life in the Chapel Hill area.
Focus Areas
Hands-on early childhood learning (Kidzu Children's Museum)Independent/quaker K–12 education (Carolina Friends School)University scholarships and student support at UNCMedical education and health system support at UNC School of Medicine/UNC HealthLocal public media and civic information (WUNC)
Who They Fund
children (early childhood and school‑age)youth and young people (including youth with mental health needs)women (including aspiring public officials and those needing health services)
About Michael and Laura Brader-Araje Foundation
The Michael and Laura Brader-araje Foundation’s giving is anchored in the Chapel Hill and University of North Carolina ecosystem, with repeat support for education, student aid, science learning, public media, and local health institutions. One clear thread is its use of multi-year grants for organizations that sit close to that ecosystem: Carolina Friends School received $74,563 in 2023 and $26,087 in 2025, while Kidzu Children’s Museum received $10,000 in 2023 and $50,000 plus $60,000 in 2025. The foundation also backed UNC-related entities with $50,000 to UNC Health Foundation in 2025 and $50,000 to The Educational Foundation in 2023 for scholarships at the University of North Carolina. Its portfolio extends beyond campus-adjacent work to community-facing groups such as WUNC Radio, Triangle Ultimate, and local health and advocacy organizations. Across the grants list, the pattern is consistent: program support, scholarships, and institutions that connect education, civic life, and public-serving services in North Carolina.
What Michael and Laura Brader-Araje Foundation Funds
Education appears in several forms. The foundation gave $74,563 in 2023 and $26,087 in 2025 to Carolina Friends School for education, and $50,000 in 2023 plus $10,000 in 2025 to Lafayette College for higher education. It also supported Elon University with $10,000 in 2025 and $7,500 in 2025 for philanthropic involvement and education at the university. In early childhood and informal STEM learning, Kidzu Children’s Museum received $10,000 in 2023, $50,000 in 2025, and another $60,000 in 2025 for its hands-on children’s museum work. Science education also shows up through Morehead Planetarium & Science Center, which received $15,000 in 2023, $17,500 in 2025, and $10,000 in 2025. The foundation also funded UNC Health Foundation and The Educational Foundation for health-system and scholarship support.
How Michael and Laura Brader-Araje Foundation Gives
Typical grants cluster around modest to mid-sized awards: the 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $21,250. The recent record shows repeat support across multiple years for several recipients, including Carolina Friends School, Kidzu Children’s Museum, WUNC Radio, Planned Parenthood - South Atlantic, Lillian's List Foundation, Morehead Planetarium & Science Center, Triangle Ultimate, Washington University, Lafayette College, Elon University, and UNC-related entities. That points to a grantmaker that re-engages with familiar organizations rather than only making one-off awards. The foundation is a private family foundation and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$249K
Total Assets
$5.3M
Total Revenue
$153K
Total Expenses
$449K
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $5K and $21K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$21K
Geographic Reach
Regional5 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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