Anonymous Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $14,409,677 (2023)
• Total Assets: $285 million (2021)
• Average Grant Size: $72,410
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $7,250,000
• Number of Awards: 199 (2023)
• Geographic Focus: Eastern North Carolina (particularly Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties)
• Application Method: Invitation only

Contact Details

Address: 4130 Parklake Ave Ste 100, Raleigh, NC 27612-4463

Email: info@anonymoustrust.org

Phone: 919-256-6937

Website: https://anonymous-trust.org/

Overview

The Anonymous Trust was established in 2010 from the estate of Nancy Bryan Faircloth, an heiress and philanthropist who died with $181 million dedicated to philanthropy. With $285 million in assets as of 2021, it ranks among North Carolina's 20 largest foundations. The Trust operates with a lean approach—just three employees, two board members, and no formal office—reflecting Faircloth's philosophy that foundations shouldn't become "all puffed up" with overhead costs. The Trust's mission is to elevate and empower rural, under-resourced, and marginalized communities in eastern North Carolina through grantmaking, relationship building, and resource development. Taking a place-based approach, the Trust focuses on helping the "little guy" through smaller organizations that reach people one-on-one. The Trust made 199 awards totaling over $14.4 million in 2023, continuing an accelerating pace of giving that has distributed more than $88 million since inception, with over $50 million granted between 2017-2021 alone.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Major Institutional Grants ($1 million - $7.25 million) Large, multi-year grants to universities and major institutions for transformational programs serving eastern North Carolina, particularly teacher preparation and workforce development initiatives.

• Application: Invitation only, relationship-based

Standard Operating and Program Grants (Average $72,410) General operating, programmatic, and capital support for nonprofits working in eastern North Carolina.

• Application: Three annual cycles (February, May, November)

Simple Gifts Fund Scholarship Program (Up to $50,000/year per student) Need-based scholarships for Sampson County high school students to attend private, liberal arts colleges outside North Carolina. Over 60 students have participated to date.

• Application: Specific to Sampson County residents

Simple Gifts Teacher Grants (Up to $3,000 for schools; up to $1,000 for individuals) Grants awarded three times annually to Sampson County and Clinton City Schools educators for professional development and student advancement. More than $1 million distributed to date.

• Application: Rolling, three cycles annually

Priority Areas

The Trust supports 501(c)(3) organizations located in or serving eastern North Carolina, with particular emphasis on Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties (economically distressed counties as defined by the NC Department of Commerce):

• Education (Pre-K through Post-Secondary): Teacher preparation, scholarships, educational access for underserved students, Title I school programming
• Health and Human Services: Healthcare access, women's reentry programs, community health initiatives
• Arts and Culture: Educational arts programming, cultural preservation
• Historic Preservation: Heritage conservation and educational outreach
• Community and Economic Development: Capacity building for rural communities, leadership development
• Environment: Environmental conservation in eastern NC

The Trust prefers helping smaller organizations that work directly with individuals rather than funding major capital projects, though it does make strategic large grants to universities for programs serving rural communities.

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the Trust's focus is exclusively on eastern North Carolina, particularly Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties. Organizations outside this geographic area are unlikely to be considered.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Anne B. Faircloth (daughter of founder Nancy Bryan Faircloth)
• Maria M. Lynch

Staff:

• Deborah (Debbie) Aiken, Executive Director (joined November 2017) - Former wealth management officer at Fifth Third and SunTrust banks
• Kimberly Breeden, Staff Member and Director of Simply East Fund (joined 2017) - Formed the Anonymous Trust's Women's Reentry Task Force in 2018; received Angel of Hope award for her work
• Margaret Turlington, Staff Member - Developed and maintains the Simple Gifts Fund Scholarship program
• Matt Friedrick, Senior Program Officer - Works to advance the Trust's mission in eastern North Carolina

The Trust describes itself as "a band of five contrarian women trying to shake things up, challenge the status quo, incite others to join—united to make difference in eastern North Carolina."

Leadership Philosophy

Executive Director Debbie Aiken articulates the Trust's approach: "So much of what we do is not about the gifts but about the relationships. We work very consultatively. It's a lot of what we do." The Trust partners within communities to understand needs, assets, and challenges, engaging with the community to help identify resources to build capacity, amplify results, and engender hope.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Trust's grant process is by invitation only and reserved for organizations with which a relationship has been established. There is no public application portal for unsolicited proposals.

For organizations seeking to connect with the Trust:

1. Initial Contact: Contact the Trust via email at info@anonymoustrust.org or by phone at 919-256-6937 to schedule an introductory meeting
2. Exploratory Meeting: Meet with Trust staff to determine whether missions and geographic focus align
3. Letter of Inquiry: If invited to apply, complete the Trust's standard Letter of Inquiry outlining a proposal that corresponds with the Trust's mission and geographic focus
4. Grant Cycles: The Trust operates three annual grant cycles with the following deadlines:
   • December 1 for February cycle
   • April 1 for May cycle
   • September 15 for November cycle

Getting on Their Radar

The Anonymous Trust specifically seeks relationships with organizations serving eastern North Carolina's Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties. Based on available information:

• Attend regional convenings: The Trust has demonstrated involvement in eastern North Carolina nonprofit and education networks, including partnerships with the UNC School of Government's Lead for North Carolina program
• Build sector relationships: The Trust has worked closely with universities and community organizations in the region. Being known and recommended within eastern NC's nonprofit ecosystem can help
• Women's issues focus: Kimberly Breeden's formation of the Women's Reentry Task Force in 2018 indicates the Trust's willingness to explore new program areas through collaborative models
• Demonstrate grassroots impact: The Trust explicitly prioritizes smaller organizations that work directly with individuals and communities, rather than top-down institutional approaches

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly documented. Given the three annual grant cycles (February, May, November), organizations invited to apply should expect decisions to align with these cycles.

Success Rates

The Trust made 199 awards in 2023. Success rate data for applicants is not publicly available, as the process is invitation-only.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is documented. Given the relationship-based, invitation-only model, organizations should maintain ongoing communication with Trust staff about future funding needs and opportunities.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's documented approach and grant patterns:

1. Geographic Alignment is Non-Negotiable The Trust exclusively focuses on eastern North Carolina, with particular emphasis on Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties. Organizations must be located in or clearly serving these communities.

2. Relationships Over Transactions Executive Director Debbie Aiken emphasizes: "So much of what we do is not about the gifts but about the relationships." The Trust works consultatively and values deep engagement with grantees. One-off project requests are less likely to succeed than proposals from organizations building ongoing partnerships.

3. Direct Service to Individuals The Trust prefers "helping the 'little guy'" through organizations that reach people one-on-one. Grassroots organizations with direct community impact are prioritized over large institutional overhead or capital campaigns (though strategic large grants to universities are made when they serve rural communities).

4. Teacher and Education Focus Recent major grants demonstrate strong commitment to teacher preparation and retention in rural areas. Successful education grants have included:

• NC State's $7.25 million for 100 scholarships recruiting teachers from Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties
• UNC Pembroke's $2.9 million Brave Scholars program for teacher recruitment
• Fayetteville State's $5.9 million for various educational projects
• Lead for North Carolina support for fellows in eastern NC

5. Addressing Systemic Issues The Trust seeks to create "systemic change" through partnerships. Proposals should articulate how funding will create lasting impact beyond immediate service delivery.

6. Community Partnership and Collaboration The Trust values understanding "community assets and challenges" and engaging with communities to identify resources. Collaborative approaches involving multiple stakeholders are viewed favorably.

7. Focus on Underserved and Marginalized Populations Recent grants demonstrate commitment to:

• Title I schools (Tryon Palace's $170,000 for Palace Scholars serving 4,000 students)
• Women reentering society after incarceration (Women's Reentry Task Force)
• First-generation college students
• Rural healthcare access

8. Patience with the Process The invitation-only model requires organizations to invest time in relationship building before formal proposals are invited. Immediate funding needs are unlikely to be met.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geography is everything: If you're not serving eastern North Carolina's Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties, this is not the right funder for you
• Start with a conversation, not a proposal: Contact the Trust to schedule an introductory meeting before investing time in application materials
• Think long-term relationships: This is not a transactional funder. Successful grantees build multi-year partnerships with regular communication and reporting
• Emphasize direct community impact: Show how your work reaches individuals and families, particularly those who are underserved or marginalized
• Teacher education is a sweet spot: If your work relates to preparing, supporting, or retaining teachers in rural eastern NC, you align with a demonstrated priority
• Small organizations welcome: Don't be intimidated by large institutional grants—the Trust explicitly values helping smaller nonprofits and has made grants across a wide range ($1,000 - $7.25 million)
• Be prepared for deep engagement: The Trust describes itself as working "very consultatively" and expects grantees to share outcomes, lessons learned, best practices, and issue insights through annual reporting

References

1. Anonymous Trust official website - https://anonymous-trust.org/ (Accessed January 2026)
2. Anonymous Trust "Our Process" page - https://anonymous-trust.org/our-process/ (Accessed January 2026)
3. Anonymous Trust "Who We Are" page - https://anonymous-trust.org/who-we-are/ (Accessed January 2026)
4. Instrumentl 990 Report for Anonymous Trust - https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/anonymous-trust (Accessed January 2026)
5. Cause IQ profile of Anonymous Trust - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/anonymous-trust,266220561/ (Accessed January 2026)
6. Business North Carolina, "NC trend: The quiet style of the Anonymous Trust" - https://businessnc.com/nc-trend-the-quiet-style-of-the-anonymous-trust/ (Accessed January 2026)
7. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Anonymous Trust filings - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/266220561 (Accessed January 2026)
8. Nancy Bryan Faircloth Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Bryan_Faircloth (Accessed January 2026)
9. NC State College of Education news release on $7.25M grant - https://ced.ncsu.edu/news/2021/06/01/with-7-25m-charitable-grant-from-anonymous-trust-nc-states-college-of-education-to-launch-transformational-scholarships-program-to-prepare-100-teachers-for-eastern-nc/ (Accessed January 2026)
10. UNC School of Government, "The Anonymous Trust Renews Support for Lead for North Carolina" - https://www.sog.unc.edu/about/news/anonymous-trust-renews-support-lead-north-carolina (Accessed January 2026)
11. WNCT news, "Anonymous Trust awards grant to Tryon Palace" - https://www.wnct.com/local-news/new-bern/anonymous-trust-awards-grant-to-tryon-palace/ (Accessed January 2026)
12. Sampson Independent, "7 local teachers earn Simple Gifts travel grants" - https://www.clintonnc.com/news/103952/7-local-teachers-earnsimple-gifts-travel-grants (Accessed January 2026)