The Fullerton Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,840,472 (2024)
• Success Rate: Data not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $1,000,000+
• Average Grant: $37,300 (37 awards in 2024)
• Geographic Focus: North Carolina and South Carolina
• Total Assets: $35.2 million

Contact Details

Address: P.O. Box 2208, Gaffney, SC 29342-2208
Phone: 864-489-6678 or 864-489-4731
Executive Director: Chris M. Steed

Overview

The Fullerton Foundation Inc was established in 1954 in New York and is now based in Gaffney, South Carolina. With total assets of $35.2 million, the foundation distributed $1,840,472 in charitable grants during the 2024 fiscal year. The foundation's mission is to improve quality of life in the Carolinas, primarily through investments in healthcare. The foundation also supports education and higher education initiatives across various cities in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The foundation is a private family foundation with deep roots in the Carolinas, tracing back to founder Alma Fullerton and her father Dr. Wylie Hamrick. In recent years, the foundation has made significant grants including a $1 million commitment to Limestone University and a $300,000 grant to Greenwood Genetic Center's Innovation Initiative.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Fullerton Foundation operates on a rolling application basis with three annual deadlines: April 1, August 1, and December 1.

Primary Focus Areas:

• Healthcare and medical innovation
• Medical education and scholarships
• Higher education institutions
• Community facilities (YMCA, community centers)

Priority Areas

Healthcare: The foundation's primary focus is fostering healthcare innovation throughout the Upstate of South Carolina and Western North Carolina. Recent examples include:

• $300,000 to Greenwood Genetic Center for Innovation Initiative to identify novel testing technologies for undiagnosed patients (2024)
• Support for genetic research and precision medicine initiatives
• Healthcare facilities and medical centers

Medical Education: The Fullerton Medical Scholarship Program, established in 1985, provides $20,000 annual awards to incoming medical students who demonstrate potential for excellence as clinicians and community stewards. Awards continue for the remaining three years of medical school based on satisfactory progress. Six medical schools in North and South Carolina participate, with nominees or their families required to be residents of NC or SC for the past five years.

Higher Education:

• $1,000,000 to Limestone University for "Together for Limestone" campaign (2025)
• $200,000 to Wofford College for student research mentored by faculty
• $50,000 to Gardner-Webb University for Doctor of Nursing (DNP) Program

Community Support:

• $125,000 to Cherokee County Family YMCA for capital campaign

What They Don't Fund

• No grants to individuals
• Geographic restrictions: giving primarily limited to NC and SC

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

• Charles F. Hamrick II, Chairman
• Wylie L. Hamrick, Vice-Chairman (historical)
• Lyman W. Hamrick, Secretary (historical)
• W. Carlisle Hamrick, Treasurer (historical)

Executive Staff:

• Chris M. Steed, Executive Director (Full-time, compensation: $159,523 in 2024)

The Hamrick family has deep connections to the foundation's history. The foundation's relationship with organizations like Limestone University "goes back to our inception in 1954," according to Chris Steed, who noted that "Alma Fullerton learned to love Limestone at the feet of her father Dr. Wylie Hamrick, who was an ardent board member and financial supporter who modeled servant leadership."

Quote from Leadership: Chris Steed stated regarding their support of Limestone University: "Our board of directors understands how important Limestone is to her students and our shared community. We make this gift in the hopes that Limestone continues to nurture and educate future leaders and continues to be an integral part of the local economy and culture."

Board members receive modest compensation (approximately $4,000 annually) for their service.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Initial Approach: Letter requesting guidelines

Required Materials:

• Statement of problem the project will address
• Copy of IRS Determination Letter
• Brief history of organization and description of its mission
• Copy of current year's organizational budget and/or project budget

Application Form: Not required

Deadlines: Applications are reviewed three times per year with deadlines of:

• April 1
• August 1
• December 1

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Applicants should contact the foundation directly for information about when decisions will be communicated following each deadline.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. With 37 awards made in 2024 and average grant size of $37,300, the foundation demonstrates active grantmaking, but total application numbers are not disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly documented. Organizations interested in reapplying after an unsuccessful application should contact Executive Director Chris Steed directly to discuss timing and requirements.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented giving patterns and leadership statements, successful applications demonstrate:

Geographic Connection: The foundation prioritizes organizations serving North Carolina and South Carolina communities. The foundation's mission explicitly focuses on "improving quality of life in the Carolinas."

Healthcare Innovation Focus: The foundation shows strong preference for healthcare initiatives that advance innovation and improve patient outcomes. The $300,000 grant to Greenwood Genetic Center specifically supported "novel testing technologies for undiagnosed patients," demonstrating interest in cutting-edge medical approaches.

Community Impact: Chris Steed's statement about Limestone University emphasized the importance of organizations that are "an integral part of the local economy and culture" and that "nurture and educate future leaders." Applications should clearly articulate community benefit.

Long-term Relationships: The foundation values sustained relationships with grantees. Their support of Limestone University reflects a relationship "going back to our inception in 1954," suggesting that building long-term relationships with the foundation may be advantageous.

Medical Education: For medical scholarship nominations, students must demonstrate potential for excellence as both clinicians and "stewards of the community's overall well-being," not just clinical competence.

Recent Funded Projects as Models:

• Greenwood Genetic Center's Innovation Initiative (precision medicine, genetic testing)
• Limestone University's operational sustainability campaign
• Wofford College student research programs with faculty mentorship
• Gardner-Webb University's Doctor of Nursing Program
• Cherokee County Family YMCA capital campaign

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Healthcare innovation is paramount: The foundation's stated primary focus is "fostering healthcare innovation throughout the Upstate of South Carolina and Western North Carolina"—align applications with this priority
• Geographic requirements are strict: NC and SC focus is explicit; organizations outside these states should not apply
• Relationship building matters: The foundation values long-term partnerships; consider initial smaller requests to build relationship
• Three annual opportunities: With deadlines in April, August, and December, applicants have multiple opportunities each year to submit requests
• Large grants are possible: While average grant is $37,300, the foundation has awarded grants ranging from tens of thousands to $1 million for the right projects
• Medical education receives special attention: The dedicated medical scholarship program demonstrates sustained commitment to developing healthcare professionals in the Carolinas
• Community stewardship language resonates: Use terminology around "community stewards," "improving quality of life," and "integral part of local economy and culture"

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Fullerton Foundation Inc (EIN 57-0847444), Form 990 data for fiscal year 2024. Accessed January 21, 2025. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/570847444
• Cause IQ - The Fullerton Foundation profile and grant data. Accessed January 21, 2025. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-fullerton-foundation,570847444/
• SCbio - "Fullerton Foundation Awards $300,000 Grant For Greenwood Genetic Center's Innovation Initiative," December 2024. Accessed January 21, 2025. https://www.scbio.org/fullerton-foundation-awards-300000-grant-for-greenville-genetic-centers-innovation-initiative/
• Limestone University - "Fullerton Foundation Commits $1 Million To Limestone University's 'Together for Limestone' Campaign," 2025. Accessed January 21, 2025. https://www.limestone.edu/news/fullerton-foundation-commits-1-million-limestone-universitys-together-limestone-campaign
• The Gaffney Ledger - "Fullerton Foundation commits $1 Million to Limestone's campaign," 2025. Accessed January 21, 2025.
• Duke University School of Medicine - MD Merit Scholarship Award Information (Fullerton Foundation Medical Scholarship details). Accessed January 21, 2025. https://medschool.duke.edu/md-merit-scholarship-award-information
• Foundation Directory Online (Candid) - The Fullerton Foundation profile (FULL005). Accessed January 21, 2025. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=FULL005
• National Center for Family Philanthropy - Chris Steed profile. Accessed January 21, 2025. https://www.ncfp.org/people/chris-steed/