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E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation

Annual Giving
$11.6M
Grant Range
$2K - $1.0M
Decision Time
3mo

E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $11,598,861 (2023)
  • Number of Grants: 296 awards (2023)
  • Assets: $239,474,288
  • Decision Time: Meets twice yearly (spring and autumn)
  • Grant Range: $2,000 - $1,000,000 (most under $100,000)
  • Geographic Focus: National with specific geographic priorities
  • Application Deadlines: January 31 (spring) and July 15 (autumn)

Contact Details

Address: E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, Radnor Financial Center, 150 N. Radnor-Chester Road, Suite A200, Radnor, PA 19087

Phone: 215-979-3221

Email: admin@carpenterfoundation.us

Website: https://carpenterfoundation.us/

Overview

The E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation was formed in 1975 by E. Rhodes Carpenter, founder of the Richmond, Virginia-based Carpenter Co. Following his death in 1980 and his wife Leona B. Carpenter's death in 1981, the Foundation received substantial assets. The name was changed to E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation in 1982. With assets of approximately $239 million, the foundation distributed nearly $11.6 million across 296 grants in 2023. The foundation's strategic approach reflects the personal interests and values of its founders, particularly Mrs. Carpenter's commitment to public health nursing and nurse education, Mr. Carpenter's connection to communities where his company operated, and their shared passion for the arts and faith communities. According to Inside Philanthropy, "if your work aligns with the foundation's interests, you stand an excellent chance" as "the foundation makes hundreds of grants each year, many to small, community-oriented outfits."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation considers seven distinct categories of grant requests:

1. Organizations with Direct Carpenter Family Relationships - Variable amounts Public charities that had direct relationships with Leona or Rhodes Carpenter during their lifetimes.

2. Graduate Theological Education - Examples: $20,000-$80,000 Grant requests supporting graduate theological education from U.S. and Canadian public charities. Recent recipients include Wartburg Theological Seminary ($20,000 for diaconal studies development), Hartford Seminary ($80,000 for LGBTQ+ students in the International Peacemaking Program), and Faithful Pride Initiative ($20,000 for multimedia resources for churches hiring queer clergy). Past grantees include Pacific School of Religion, Vanderbilt University's Divinity School, and Wesley Theological Seminary.

3. Performing Arts in Richmond, VA - Variable amounts Support for performing arts in Richmond, Virginia, from public charities located anywhere, provided the performing arts activity occurs within Richmond city limits. Past grantees include Virginia Repertory Theatre, Richmond Ballet, Richmond Symphony, and Virginia Opera.

4. Specific Geographic Communities - Variable amounts Requests for any charitable purpose from public charities located in:

  • Conover, NC
  • Temple, TX
  • Tupelo, MS
  • Russellville, KY
  • Riverside, CA

These communities correspond to locations where Carpenter Company has manufacturing facilities. Applications should be submitted to the Carpenter Co. manufacturing facility in the community where the requesting charity is located.

5. Asian Art Museums and Western Art in China - Examples: Multi-year grants The Foundation considers requests from museums that are public charities with permanent collections for the purchase, conservation, and exhibition of Asian art, and related education programs. The foundation also supports exhibitions of Western art in the People's Republic of China. Past grantees include Riverside Art Museum, Philadelphia Museum of Art, John and Mabel Ringling Museum of Art, and Asian Art Museum. Notable grants include multi-year support (2000-2009) for the Chinese Painting Conservation Program at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art.

6. LGBTQ+ Faith Communities - Variable amounts Grants to local, regional, and national LGBTQ organizations focusing on LGBTQ "people of faith" and their inclusion in worship and religious communities. The Foundation supports projects and programs offering support to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons of faith, or endeavoring to ensure faith communities' understanding, affirmation, and inclusion of such persons.

7. Community Health Nursing - Variable amounts Support for community health nursing from pre-selected public charities located in:

  • Worcester, Massachusetts
  • Richmond, Virginia
  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This priority reflects Mrs. Carpenter's commitment to and service in public health nursing and nurse education. Past grantees include Fan Free Clinic, Family Health Center of Worcester Inc, and VNA Care Network Hospice. The foundation also supports the Carpenter Community Nursing Fellowship through the National Nursing Centers Consortium.

Priority Areas

  • Graduate theological education
  • Performing arts (Richmond, VA specifically)
  • Asian art museums and conservation
  • LGBTQ+ faith inclusion initiatives
  • Community health nursing
  • Charitable organizations in specific Carpenter Company communities
  • Western art exhibitions in China

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation generally will not consider requests to support:

  • Private secondary education
  • Individuals
  • Local religious congregations
  • Large public charities
  • Transfers of endowment funds to other organizations

Governance and Leadership

Co-Executive Director: Diane Collins (Georgetown University Law Center)

The foundation operates with a Board of Trustees that meets twice yearly to review grant applications. Specific trustee names are not publicly disclosed in available sources.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application Format: Letter application (no forms required)

Submission Method: Mail in duplicate to: E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, Radnor Financial Center, 150 N. Radnor-Chester Road, Suite A200, Radnor, PA 19087

Application Components:

  • Maximum 50-word project description and funding amount requested
  • Organization history and purpose
  • Detailed project description
  • Line-item budget including administrative overhead
  • Two years of financial statements
  • IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter
  • Most recent Form 990 (if applicable)

Important Limitation: The Foundation will consider only one request from an organization in a calendar year.

Special Note for Carpenter Company Communities: Applications from public charities located in Conover, NC; Temple, TX; Tupelo, MS; Russellville, KY; and Riverside, CA should be submitted to the Carpenter Co. manufacturing facility in the respective community.

Decision Timeline

Application Deadlines:

  • Spring Meeting: Postmarked by January 31
  • Autumn Meeting: Postmarked by July 15

Board Meetings: The Foundation Board meets twice yearly (spring and autumn) to review grant applications.

Notification: Specific notification timelines are not publicly disclosed, but decisions are made at the board meetings following each deadline.

Success Rates

While specific acceptance rate percentages are not publicly disclosed, the foundation demonstrates strong grant-making activity:

  • 296 awards made in 2023
  • Total giving of $11,598,861 in 2023
  • According to Inside Philanthropy: "if your work aligns with the foundation's interests, you stand an excellent chance" and "the foundation makes hundreds of grants each year, many to small, community-oriented outfits"

The foundation appears receptive to applications from organizations of various sizes, with many grants going to "small, community-oriented outfits."

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may submit only one request per calendar year. Information about reapplication after rejection is not publicly specified, though the annual limit suggests organizations could reapply in subsequent calendar years.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and grant-making patterns, successful applications share these characteristics:

1. Clear Alignment with One of Seven Categories The foundation has very specific funding categories. Successful applicants demonstrate clear fit within one of the seven defined areas rather than attempting to stretch their work to fit multiple categories.

2. Connection to Carpenter Legacy Projects that honor the founders' values see success - Mrs. Carpenter's commitment to public health nursing and nurse education, Mr. Carpenter's ties to manufacturing communities, and their shared passion for the arts and faith inclusion.

3. Geographic Specificity Matters For categories with geographic restrictions (Richmond performing arts, specific manufacturing communities, three cities for community health nursing), the location requirement is absolute - the activity must occur in the specified location even if the applicant organization is based elsewhere.

4. Faith and Inclusion Intersection For LGBTQ+ grants, successful projects focus specifically on "people of faith" and their inclusion in worship and religious communities - this is more specific than general LGBTQ+ support.

5. Recent Grant Examples Demonstrate Priorities:

  • Georgia State University ($50,000): The Garden Initiative for Black Women's Religious Activism - demonstrates intersection of faith, education, and inclusion
  • Wartburg Theological Seminary ($20,000): Diaconal studies development - graduate theological education focus
  • Hartford Seminary ($80,000): LGBTQ+ students in International Peacemaking Program - combines theological education with LGBTQ+ inclusion
  • Faithful Pride Initiative ($20,000): Resources for churches hiring queer clergy - LGBTQ+ faith community support

6. Simplicity in Application The foundation explicitly states "no forms need be filled out in order to apply; a letter application is sufficient." Successful applicants follow the straightforward requirements without over-complicating submissions.

7. Budget Transparency Including a "line-item budget including administrative overhead" demonstrates financial transparency and realistic project planning.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Fit is everything: With seven distinct categories, ensure your project clearly fits one specific area rather than trying to appeal to multiple priorities
  • Geographic requirements are non-negotiable: For performing arts (Richmond city limits), community health nursing (three specific cities), and Carpenter Company communities (five specific cities), location requirements are absolute
  • Small organizations are welcome: The foundation explicitly supports "small, community-oriented outfits" - don't be discouraged by modest organizational size
  • One chance per year: With only one application allowed per calendar year, make it count by ensuring strong alignment before applying
  • Simple is sufficient: Follow the letter application format; no need for elaborate proposals or supplementary materials beyond what's requested
  • Faith intersection matters: For LGBTQ+ and theological education grants, the intersection of faith and inclusion is key - general support without this connection won't align
  • Timing is strategic: With only two deadlines per year (January 31 and July 15), plan ahead and choose the meeting that aligns best with your project timeline

References

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