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Earl and Kathryn Congdon Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$8.4M
Grant Range
$30K - $3.0M
Decision Time
2mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $8,360,857 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $90,000,000
  • Decision Time: 2 months (for Capacity Building Grants)
  • Grant Range: $30,000 - $3,000,000+
  • Geographic Focus: Greater High Point, NC area
  • Number of Awards: 187 grants (2023)
  • Application Method: Mixed (open application for Capacity Building; invitation-only for Impact)

Contact Details

Physical Address:
400 W. English Rd., Ste. 207
High Point, NC 27262

Mailing Address:
PO Box 6635
High Point, NC 27262

Email: joe@congdonfoundation.org

Website: https://www.congdonfoundation.org/

Key Contact:
Rev. Dr. Joe Blosser, Chief Executive Officer

Overview

The Earl and Kathryn Congdon Family Foundation was established in 2015 by Earl and Kitty Congdon and their three children, building on the success of Old Dominion Freight Line, which started with a $1,700 investment in 1934. With assets of $90 million, the foundation has invested over $127 million since 2015 in organizations that "promote improved quality of life by reducing barriers to opportunity" in the Greater High Point, NC area. The foundation has achieved remarkable results, including helping reduce food insecurity in High Point from 28% to 21% in two years and investing over $40 million in Congdon Yards, which has catalyzed more than $300 million in private investment and created over 1,100 jobs. In 2023, former Executive Director Megan Oglesby was named a finalist for Exponent Philanthropy's Outsized Impact Award for transforming the nonprofit and economic landscape of High Point.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Capacity Building Grants ($30,000 annually, renewable for 3 years = $90,000 total)

  • Application cycle: January 1-31 annually
  • 10 new grants awarded each year
  • Decisions announced by end of March; funds available in April
  • Open online application process
  • Annual focus rotates among the three priority areas:
    • 2024: Education access/quality
    • 2025: Critical community needs
    • 2026: Economic development
    • 2027: Education access/quality

2. Impact Grants (Variable amounts, including multi-million dollar investments)

  • By invitation only
  • Primarily for capital projects and multi-year operating grants
  • Examples include $3 million investment in D-UP Inc.'s Gym, STEM, and Art Complex

3. Scholarships

  • Earl and Kitty Congdon Old Dominion Freight Line Scholarship (up to $6,000/year renewable for dependents of ODFL employees)

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on three interconnected areas:

  1. Quality Education - Increasing access to and quality of education
  2. Critical Community Needs - Addressing food security, healthcare access, and community development
  3. Economic Development - Supporting revitalization, stabilization, and entrepreneurship

Fundable Activities for Capacity Building Grants:

  • Adding staff
  • Expanding facilities
  • Building digital infrastructure
  • Hiring consultants or professionals
  • Enhancing fundraising or marketing efforts
  • Creating programs
  • Developing leadership

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations outside the Greater High Point, NC area
  • Organizations that are not 501(c)3 nonprofits
  • Organizations currently holding a Capacity Building Grant (only one at a time)

Governance and Leadership

Board Members

  • Earl Congdon - Chair (Founder; co-founded Old Dominion Freight Line)
  • Kitty Congdon - Vice-Chair (Co-founder)
  • David Congdon - President (Son; former CEO of Old Dominion Freight Line)
  • Karen Pigman - Treasurer
  • Audrey Harris - Secretary

Staff

  • Rev. Dr. Joe Blosser, Ph.D. - Chief Executive Officer (Ph.D. in ethics from University of Chicago; ordained minister; author of "To Love Our Neighbors"; chairs NC Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service)
  • Megan Oglesby - Senior Advisor (MBA from High Point University; inaugural Executive Director; 2023 Outsized Impact Award Finalist)
  • Kristin Cain - Senior Accountant & Finance Manager

Notable Quote from Leadership:

"Our board is deeply involved in High Point. Their commitment to the city is evident in their desire for the foundation to form real partnerships." - Rev. Dr. Joe Blosser

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Capacity Building Grants:

  1. Review the annual focus area (rotates yearly)
  2. Online application opens January 1st at congdonfoundation.org
  3. Application is short and focused on how funds will create capacity
  4. Submission deadline: January 31st
  5. Review FAQ and application description before applying
  6. Contact Dr. Joe Blosser at joe@congdonfoundation.org with questions

For Impact Grants: Applications by invitation only. Initial contact recommended with Rev. Dr. Joe Blosser, Chief Impact Officer.

Decision Timeline

Capacity Building Grants:

  • Application period: January 1-31
  • Decisions announced: End of March (approximately 2 months after deadline)
  • Funds available: April

The foundation is committed to a "simple, streamlined application process" and seeks to be "responsive and transparent" throughout.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may reapply after an unsuccessful application and should reuse content as long as it addresses the new Request for Proposals. The foundation notes that grants aren't always turned down because applications weren't solid—sometimes it's a matter of timing or funding availability. If program officers encourage reapplication, applicants are advised to ask if there are specific changes they'd like to see. Organizations currently holding a Capacity Building Grant cannot apply for another until their current grant period ends.

Application Success Factors

The foundation emphasizes partnership over transactional grantmaking. Their approach is guided by these principles:

  1. Alignment with Annual Focus: Each Capacity Building Grant cycle focuses on one of three priority areas (education, critical community needs, or economic development). Ensure your application aligns with the current year's focus.

  2. Clear Capacity-Building Vision: Applications should clearly demonstrate how the $30,000 annual grant will build organizational capacity, not just sustain current operations.

  3. Community Impact Focus: Show how your work "reduces barriers to opportunity" in the Greater High Point area. The foundation's philosophy emphasizes helping people help themselves.

  4. Action-Oriented Approach: As Greater High Point Food Alliance Executive Director Carl Vierling states: "Compassion is taking action. It's not being satisfied with the status quo."

  5. Ecosystem Thinking: Business High Point CEO Rachel Collins notes: "We're creating our own ecosystem that is poised to turn our home into the 'high point' of our state once more." Show how your work connects to broader community transformation.

  6. Partnership Readiness: The foundation wants to be in "true partnership" with nonprofits to help them focus on their missions. Demonstrate openness to collaborative relationships.

Recent Funding Examples:

  • D-UP Inc.: $3 million for Gym, STEM, and Art Complex; previous support for Congdon Wellness and Education Center and neighborhood revitalization planning
  • Greater High Point Food Alliance: Catalytic gift that helped reduce food insecurity from 28% to 21% in two years
  • Junior Achievement of the Triad: $25,000 for programs serving students in High Point
  • Open Door Ministries, Growing High Point, Homegrown Heroes Inc. (Kitchenology), The Community Clinic of High Point

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic restriction is absolute: Only 501(c)3 nonprofits in the Greater High Point, NC area are eligible
  • Match your timing to their focus: Check which of the three priority areas is featured in the current Capacity Building Grant cycle before applying
  • The January window is critical: Capacity Building Grant applications are only accepted January 1-31 each year; missing this window means waiting a full year
  • Think capacity, not operations: These grants fund organizational growth (staff, infrastructure, systems) rather than program delivery
  • Partnership over transactions: The foundation seeks long-term partnerships and values transparency, responsiveness, and collaborative relationships
  • Impact Grants require relationships: Multi-year and capital grants are by invitation only—building a relationship through Capacity Building Grants or community connections may open doors
  • Reapplication is encouraged: Don't be discouraged by rejection; timing and funding availability matter, and you can reapply in future cycles
  • Small foundation, outsized impact: Despite being lean operationally, they've catalyzed transformative community change—show how your work contributes to systemic improvement

References

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