Mariam and Robert Hayes Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2.5 million
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
• Decision Time: N/A (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $100,000 (typical: $34,000)
• Geographic Focus: North Carolina (primarily Cabarrus region) and select South Carolina counties

Contact Details

• Website: None (operates under Cannon Foundation umbrella)
• Phone: Not publicly available
• Email: Not publicly available
• Foundation Contact: Through Cannon Foundation, Concord, NC

Overview

The Mariam and Robert Hayes Charitable Trust is a private independent foundation established through the will of Mariam Cannon Hayes (1916-2007), daughter of textile magnate Charles A. Cannon. With assets of approximately $21.3 million, the trust distributes roughly $2.5 million annually to preselected charitable organizations. The foundation operates under the umbrella of the Cannon Charitable Interests and maintains a closed grant-making process, supporting only organizations from a predetermined list established by Mrs. Hayes before her death or subsequently added by the trustees. The trust's giving reflects Mrs. Hayes' lifelong interests in education, healthcare, arts and culture, and faith-based initiatives, with a particular focus on communities historically connected to the Cannon family legacy in North Carolina.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust does not operate formal grant programs but distributes funds across several priority areas:

• Educational Institutions: $10,000 - $100,000 (colleges, universities, schools)
• Healthcare Organizations: $25,000 - $75,000 (hospitals, health services)
• Arts & Cultural Organizations: $15,000 - $52,000 (arts councils, museums, historical sites)
• Faith Community Nurse Programs: $10,000 - $50,000
• Religious Organizations: $5,000 - $25,000 (supporting 18 different church denominations)

Priority Areas

• Higher education institutions, particularly those with music programs
• Healthcare facilities and services in the Piedmont region
• Arts organizations preserving North Carolina cultural heritage
• Faith-based community health initiatives
• Historic preservation projects
• Youth development programs

What They Don't Fund

As a closed foundation, they do not fund:

• Unsolicited requests of any kind
• Organizations outside their preselected list
• Individual assistance
• Organizations without established relationships with the trust

Governance and Leadership

The trust is managed by three trustees:

• William C. Cannon Jr. - Trustee (family member)
• Joseph C. Hunter - Trustee
• Elizabeth L. Quick - Trustee

The trust operates as part of the Cannon Charitable Interests, maintaining the philanthropic legacy of the Cannon family. Decisions are made at the sole discretion of the trustees based on Mrs. Hayes' original intentions and the organizations she supported during her lifetime.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Mariam and Robert Hayes Charitable Trust only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations from a list established by Mrs. Hayes before her death or subsequently approved by the trustees. They explicitly do not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the trust's operational structure:

• The trust primarily supports organizations that had existing relationships with Mrs. Hayes or the Cannon family
• Many beneficiaries are institutions where the Hayes or Cannon families have historical connections (e.g., Appalachian State University's Hayes School of Music)
• Organizations in Cabarrus, Rowan, Alamance, and Stanly counties that align with the trust's priorities may be considered by trustees
• Building relationships with other Cannon family foundations may provide indirect connections

Decision Timeline

Grant distributions appear to be made annually at the trustees' discretion, with no public timeline or notification process.

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation only foundation

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - closed foundation

Application Success Factors

Given the closed nature of this foundation, traditional application strategies do not apply. However, understanding their giving patterns provides insight:

• The trust consistently supports organizations with strong regional ties to the Piedmont area of North Carolina
• Educational institutions receiving support often have music or arts programs (reflecting Mrs. Hayes' interests)
• Healthcare grants frequently support innovative community health models, particularly faith-based nursing programs
• Cultural organizations preserving North Carolina heritage receive priority
• Multi-year relationships appear common among beneficiaries

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a closed foundation - do not submit unsolicited proposals
• The trust represents one component of the larger Cannon family philanthropic network
• Geographic focus is specific to areas of historical Cannon Mills influence
• Grant amounts are substantial but limited to preselected organizations
• Understanding this funder helps identify potential partner organizations that may receive their support
• Organizations already receiving Hayes Trust support may be valuable collaborators for joint initiatives

References

• Cause IQ Foundation Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/mariam-and-robert-hayes-charitable-trust,266147884/ (Accessed March 2024)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990 Data: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/266147884 (Accessed March 2024)
• Cannon Foundation - Cannon Charitable Trusts: https://cannonfoundation.org/cannon-charitable-trusts/ (Accessed March 2024)
• Appalachian State University Hayes School of Music: https://music.appstate.edu/ (Historical information)
• Legacy.com - Mariam Cannon Hayes Obituary (2007)
• Cabarrus Arts Council Annual Reports (2016-2017 grant documentation)