Broyhill Family Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,168,770 (2024)
• Total Assets: $32.7 million (2024)
• Grant Range: $2,500 - $305,350
• Number of Grants: 93 annually (average)
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Caldwell County, NC and surrounding areas
• Application Method: Rolling basis (first-come, first-served)
• Grant Cycle: January 1 - November 15

Contact Details

Address: 800 Hickory Blvd. SW, Lenoir, NC 28645

Phone: 828-758-6100

Fax: 828-758-8919

Email: sheila@broyhillinvest.com (Executive Director Sheila Triplett-Brady)

Website: https://www.broyhillfamilyfoundation.org/

Note: The foundation prefers electronic communication via email.

Overview

Established in 1946 by the founders of Broyhill Furniture Industries, the Broyhill Family Foundation has been supporting education, healthcare, and community development in Western North Carolina for nearly 80 years. Originally created to help children of Broyhill Furniture employees attend college, the foundation has expanded its mission while maintaining deep roots in Caldwell County. With assets of $32.7 million and annual giving of approximately $2.2 million, the foundation distributed 93 grants in 2022. The foundation is completely funded by the J.E. Broyhill family and operates as a private foundation under IRS classification. In 2024, the foundation demonstrated its responsiveness to community needs by closing its grant cycle early to direct $600,000 to Hurricane Helene disaster relief efforts in Western North Carolina.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation focuses on three primary areas:

Education (38% of giving)

• Endowments for college programs and scholarships at North Carolina universities
• Youth development programs with legacy relationships
• Career education and technical training alternatives
• Support for STEM education
• Recent grants: $200,000 (NC School of Science and Math); $100,000 (NCSSM-Morganton); $50,500 (Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute Foundation); $2,500 scholarships (individual students through NCICU)

Healthcare (15% of giving)

• Medical research programs
• Hospital facility endowments
• Healthcare access programs
• Recent grants: $305,350 (Caldwell Memorial Hospital Foundation); $50,000 (Helping Hands Clinic)

Community Support

• Social services and basic needs
• Religious organizations
• Arts and culture
• Youth development
• Emergency/disaster relief
• Recent grants: $600,000 (Hurricane Helene relief - split between Western NC Disaster Recovery and Relief, LLC and Samaritan's Purse); $15,000 (South Caldwell Christian Ministries); $14,000 (Baptist Children's Homes of NC)

Priority Areas

• Organizations serving Caldwell County, NC and surrounding areas
• Programs with proven track records
• Endowments and sustainable program support
• Organizations with which they have existing relationships
• 501(c)(3) public charities with 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) designation
• Programs that benefit communities beyond individual recipients

What They Don't Fund

• Individual scholarships (only endowments to institutions)
• Churches (generally)
• Public schools (generally)
• Grants for propaganda or legislative influence purposes
• Organizations without 501(c)(3) public charity status
• Programs that discriminate based on race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin

Governance and Leadership

M. Hunt Broyhill - Chairman & Chief Executive Officer. Hunt Broyhill leads the foundation's strategic direction and has continued the family's philanthropic legacy of supporting education and healthcare in Western North Carolina.

Sheila Triplett-Brady - Executive Director. She served as Paul Broyhill's right hand person for over 20 years and now oversees the foundation's day-to-day operations. On the foundation's disaster relief efforts, she stated: "The people of North Carolina have weathered, literally, a catastrophe." Regarding the foundation's educational mission, she noted: "For 75 years, we have proudly supported educational opportunities for students in Caldwell County."

Danny A. Gilbert - Vice President

Christopher R. Pavese - Investment Officer

All officers serve without compensation. The foundation was led by Paul H. Broyhill (Chairman) until his passing in 2021. Paul believed strongly in providing career education alternatives for students not pursuing four-year degrees.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a 501(c)(3) public charity with 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) designation
• Must provide benefits beyond the immediate recipient organization
• Must not discriminate based on protected characteristics
• No grants to individuals

Application Materials Required:

• Letter of Inquiry (LOI) - required before formal application
• List of board of directors
• Financial reports/audit
• Income/expense report
• Operating budget
• Grant request narrative

Submission Methods:

• Email (preferred): sheila@broyhillinvest.com
• Fax: 828-758-8919
• Mail: 800 Hickory Blvd. SW, Lenoir, NC 28645

Important Notes:

• The foundation discourages unsolicited grant requests from organizations without existing giving relationships
• Only one grant request per organization per calendar year
• Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis
• Applications are not retained or carried over to the next year

Decision Timeline

Grant Cycle: January 1 - November 15

Review Process: Rolling basis with first-come, first-served review

Deadline: November 15 (requests after this date should be submitted in the following calendar year)

Note: The foundation closed its grant cycle early in 2024 to direct funds to Hurricane Helene relief, demonstrating flexibility to respond to urgent community needs.

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the foundation made 93 grants in 2022, 87 in 2021, and 88 in 2020, showing consistent grant-making activity averaging around 90 grants per year.

Reapplication Policy

• Previous grants do not guarantee future funding
• Organizations may submit one request per calendar year
• The foundation discourages unsolicited applications from organizations without existing relationships
• No specific information is publicly available about reapplication after denial

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Values

Existing Relationships: The foundation explicitly states it "discourages unsolicited grant requests from organizations with which they do not already have a giving relationship." This suggests building a relationship before applying is critical.

Program Sustainability: The foundation strongly prefers "bolstering programs already in place" rather than funding new initiatives. They seek to maximize impact through endowments and established programs.

Local Impact: Geographic proximity matters significantly. Caldwell County organizations receive priority, with preference extending to surrounding Western North Carolina areas.

Public Charity Classification: Strict requirement for 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) public charity status demonstrates their preference for organizations with broad public support.

Strategic Considerations

First-Come, First-Served: Since applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, submitting early in the grant cycle (January/February) may improve chances before funds are committed.

Legacy Connections: The foundation has strong ties to organizations related to their founding mission - education for working-class families, healthcare facilities serving their community, and youth development programs.

Endowment Focus: Rather than one-time program grants, the foundation favors endowments that create lasting impact through ongoing support.

Community Responsiveness: The 2024 Hurricane Helene response ($600,000) shows the foundation values timely response to urgent community needs and may adjust priorities for critical situations.

Application Tips

• Build a relationship before applying - attend local Caldwell County nonprofit events, connect through mutual grantees
• Emphasize program track record and sustainability
• Show broad community benefit beyond immediate recipients
• Detail how the grant will strengthen existing programs rather than launch new ones
• Apply early in the grant cycle (January-March)
• Ensure full compliance with 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) public charity requirements
• Demonstrate ties to Caldwell County or Western North Carolina
• Keep Executive Director Sheila Triplett-Brady informed of any press releases (requires approval)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Relationship-first: The foundation "discourages unsolicited applications" - existing relationships are crucial for success. Don't apply cold; build connections first.
• Geographic preference is paramount: Caldwell County organizations receive strong preference. Organizations outside this area face significant barriers unless they have legacy relationships.
• Think endowments, not programs: The foundation explicitly prefers to create endowments at institutions rather than fund programs directly. Frame requests around sustainable funding mechanisms.
• Apply early: First-come, first-served review means early applications (January-March) have better chances before the foundation commits its annual budget.
• Proven programs only: With their stated preference to "bolster programs already in place," new initiatives face steep odds. Show a strong track record.
• Public charity status is non-negotiable: Must be 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) - private foundations and other classifications are automatically ineligible.
• Flexibility for crisis response: The 2024 hurricane response shows the foundation will adjust priorities for urgent community needs - but this responsiveness appears reserved for major events affecting their home region.

References

• Broyhill Family Foundation official website: https://www.broyhillfamilyfoundation.org/ (accessed February 8, 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Broyhill Family Foundation Inc: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/566054119 (accessed February 8, 2026)
• Broyhill Family Foundation Grant Guidelines: http://www.broyhillfamilyfoundation.org/guidelines.html (accessed February 8, 2026)
• High Country Press: "Broyhill Family Foundation Donates $600K to Disaster Relief for Western North Carolina" (November 2024)
• Watauga Democrat: "Broyhill Family Foundation donates $600K to disaster relief" (October 2024)
• NCICU: "Broyhill Family Foundation Scholarships Awarded" (December 2020)
• NC School of Science and Mathematics: "NCSSM-Morganton Receives $100,000 Gift from Broyhill Family Foundation" (May 2021)
• StoryCorps Archive: "Paul Broyhill's Lasting Legacy"
• Cause IQ Broyhill Family Foundation profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/broyhill-family-foundation,566054119/ (accessed February 8, 2026)