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Harold H Bate Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$2.0M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo

Harold H Bate Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • EIN: 56-2121302
  • Annual Giving: $1,983,488 (2024 fiscal year)
  • Total Assets: $25.6 million
  • Number of Awards: 68 grants (2022)
  • Average Grant Size: ~$23,000
  • Grant Range: Varies widely (from scholarships to $60,000+ grants)
  • Geographic Focus: Craven, Pamlico, and Jones counties, NC, and East Carolina University
  • Application Deadlines: May 15 and October 1
  • Established: 1999

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 14298, New Bern, NC 28561

Phone: 252-638-1998

Website: www.batefoundation.org

Overview

The Harold H Bate Foundation Inc was established in 1999 through the estate of Harold H. Bate, a philanthropist and retired lumber executive who died in 2000 at age 93. Born in New York and educated at Cornell University, Bate joined his family's lumber business before moving to New Bern, North Carolina in 1964. Before his death, he had made gifts to East Carolina University totaling more than $2.7 million. The Foundation's mission is to enhance education, youth and recreation, and the quality of life for residents of Craven, Pamlico, and Jones counties in North Carolina, as well as support East Carolina University. With assets of approximately $25.6 million, the foundation awarded 68 grants totaling nearly $2 million in its most recent fiscal year, making it a significant regional funder. ECU honored Bate's legacy by naming the Bate Building in his honor in 2001.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Grants: The foundation accepts applications for both capital projects and operating programs that serve residents of Craven, Pamlico, and Jones counties or are connected with East Carolina University. Applications are accepted twice annually with deadlines of May 15 and October 1.

Scholarship Programs at East Carolina University:

  • Harold H. Bate Scholarships - primarily supporting students from Jones, Pamlico, or Craven counties
  • Harold H. Bate RIBN Scholarship (created 2014) - for nursing students in the RIBN program who plan to work in Eastern North Carolina after graduation
  • Harold H. Bate Study Abroad Scholarships - encouraging students to travel abroad

Scholarship Programs at Craven Community College:

  • Harold H. Bate Foundation Scholarship - up to $700 for students enrolled 6+ credit hours, or $350 for those enrolled less than 6 credit hours
  • Students must demonstrate financial need, maintain 2.0 GPA, and reside in Craven, Jones, or Pamlico counties

Priority Areas

  • Education: School programs, teacher support, educational facilities, scholarships
  • Youth Development: Programs serving young people in the tri-county area
  • Recreation: Community recreation facilities and programs
  • Quality of Life: Initiatives that enhance overall community wellbeing
  • Healthcare: Community health initiatives (e.g., infant CPR kit distribution)

Grant Types

  • Challenge or matching grants - considered in conjunction with other sources and fundraising efforts
  • Multi-year awards - available for qualifying projects
  • Collaborative efforts - strongly encouraged
  • Capital projects - building and facility improvements
  • Operating support - program funding

What They Don't Fund

Organizations must be qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and not be private foundations, or must be public instrumentalities. While specific exclusions are not detailed, the foundation's focus is clearly limited to its three-county geographic area and East Carolina University.

Governance and Leadership

Board Members (with compensation from 2024 Form 990):

  • Donald Brinkley, Board Member - $46,000 (appears to serve in a leadership capacity given higher compensation)
  • Gary Baldree Sr, Board Member - $8,250
  • Robert Mattocks, Board Member - $8,250
  • Marvin Mullinix, Board Member - $8,250
  • Silas Seymour, Board Member - $8,250
  • David Hinson Jr, Board Member - $8,250

The foundation operates as an independent private foundation governed by this board of trustees, who carry out the vision of Harold H. Bate to "administer charitable gifts wisely to enhance education, youth and recreation and the quality of life" in the three counties.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation accepts applications through a formal process requiring submission of a comprehensive application packet.

Application Deadlines: May 15 and October 1 of each year

Required Documents:

  • Grant application (four pages)
  • Executive summary
  • Copy of IRS tax exemption letter
  • Copy of recent financial statements and reports
  • Copy of recent Form 990
  • Copy of budget for the period which includes the proposed project/program funded by grant request
  • List of board members and staff members of the grant applicant organization

Eligibility: Organizations must have qualified for exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and not be private foundations (as defined by Section 509(a) of the Code), or be public instrumentalities. Organizations must be located in Craven, Pamlico or Jones Counties or provide services and benefits directly to residents of these counties.

Decision Timeline

With two annual deadlines (May 15 and October 1), the foundation operates on a semi-annual review cycle. Specific notification timelines are not publicly documented, but applicants should expect decisions to be made within several months following each deadline.

Success Rates

In 2022, the foundation made 68 awards totaling $1,547,864. This represents an average of approximately $22,762 per grant, though individual awards range from small scholarships to grants exceeding $60,000. The foundation has consistently maintained similar grant-making levels, with 67 awards in 2021 and 68 awards in 2020, demonstrating stable annual grant activity.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies are not publicly documented. However, the foundation's willingness to consider multi-year awards suggests openness to ongoing relationships with successful grantees.

Application Success Factors

Geographic Alignment is Critical

All grants must serve residents of Craven, Pamlico, or Jones counties or connect with East Carolina University's service to Eastern North Carolina. Projects outside this geographic area will not be considered.

Focus on Core Mission Areas

The foundation has maintained consistent focus on education, youth development, recreation, and quality of life enhancement since its founding. Applications should clearly demonstrate how they advance one or more of these areas.

Leverage Through Collaboration

The foundation explicitly encourages "collaborative efforts" and considers challenge or matching grants "in conjunction with other sources and fundraising efforts." Applications that demonstrate partnerships and leverage foundation funding with other resources may be viewed favorably.

Recent Grant Examples Indicate Priorities

  • Partners In Education received multiple grants, including $60,000 split between the Cheryl Marteney Beginning Teachers' Cottage ($30,000) and the Individual School Grant Program ($30,000), plus an additional $55,000 grant
  • Partners In Education also received $32,640 for school support programs
  • American Heart Association received support to provide 537 infant CPR kits to CarolinaEast Medical Center
  • Craven Community College receives ongoing scholarship funding
  • East Carolina University receives significant scholarship and program support

These examples suggest the foundation favors educational programs, teacher support, student scholarships, and health/safety initiatives with clear community benefit.

Documentation Requirements are Comprehensive

The four-page application plus supporting documents (financial statements, Form 990, budget, board list) indicate the foundation conducts thorough due diligence. Applications should be complete, professional, and provide full financial transparency.

Capital and Operating Support Both Available

Unlike some foundations that only fund capital projects or only fund programs, the Harold H. Bate Foundation accepts applications for both "programs or capital projects," providing flexibility for different types of organizational needs.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic restriction is absolute: Your organization must serve Craven, Pamlico, or Jones counties or be connected with East Carolina University - no exceptions
  • Plan ahead for semi-annual deadlines: With only two deadlines per year (May 15 and October 1), missing a deadline means a six-month wait
  • Show collaboration and leverage: The foundation explicitly encourages collaborative efforts and matching grants - demonstrate how foundation funding will be amplified
  • Education and youth are core priorities: The foundation's strongest pattern of giving supports education, youth development, and programs that benefit young people
  • Multi-year relationships are possible: The foundation considers multi-year awards, suggesting they invest in ongoing partnerships with effective organizations
  • Comprehensive documentation required: Prepare thorough financial documentation, including recent Form 990, financial statements, and detailed project budgets
  • Average grant is around $23,000: While grants range from small scholarships to $60,000+, the typical award is in the low-to-mid five figures - calibrate your request accordingly

References

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