Foundation for the Carolinas fundholders give more than $150 million in Q2 2026

Foundation for the Carolinas says its fundholders granted more than $150 million to nonprofits in the second quarter of 2026, pushing year-to-date giving to nearly $350 million. The Charlotte-based community foundation also reported new funds, scholarship awards and expanded civic and arts programs across the Carolinas.

Why it matters: - Foundation for the Carolinas fundholders are driving major philanthropic dollars to local and national nonprofits, with second-quarter giving topping $150 million. - The pace keeps FFTC on track for another large giving year after a record-setting 2025. - The totals show how donor-advised and other charitable funds continue to shape nonprofit support across the Carolinas and beyond.

What happened: - Foundation for the Carolinas reported that charitable fundholders granted more than $150 million in the second quarter of 2026. - Those gifts were spread across more than 3,700 grants to nonprofits. - The second-quarter totals lifted FFTC’s year-to-date grantmaking to nearly $350 million. - FFTC is based in Charlotte and serves a 13-county region in North and South Carolina. - FFTC is the fifth-largest community foundation in the U.S. out of 800, with assets above $5 billion.

The details: - Fundholders selected the vast majority of grants and directed them to nonprofits of their choosing. - FFTC also distributed grants through scholarship funds, disaster and hardship relief programs, nonprofit endowments and other giving vehicles. - About 2% of total grantmaking was awarded directly by the Foundation to local nonprofits. - Fundholders contributed $109 million into their funds during the quarter, a 114% increase from the first quarter. - Companies, families and nonprofits opened 37 new funds during the period. - FFTC awarded $3.6 million in scholarships to nearly 1,000 students. - The quarterly report covered activity from April 1 to June 30, 2026. - Laura Yates Clark, FFTC president, said the trends seen in 2025 continued as donors kept stepping up for both local and national nonprofits. - FFTC fundholders distributed $1 billion through more than 17,000 grants in 2025.

Between the lines: - The quarter shows an unusually broad base of giving, with donor-directed grants, scholarships and relief programs all moving at once. - The 114% quarter-over-quarter jump in contributions into funds suggests donor momentum accelerated in spring 2026. - FFTC’s mix of arts, civic leadership and direct grantmaking points to a strategy that combines donor stewardship with targeted community programs. - The launch of fftc:FWD.net signals an effort to make nonprofit giving and engagement easier for community members.

What's next: - FFTC’s 2026 giving total will likely keep growing if fundholders maintain second-quarter pacing. - The Foundation will continue using its fund structure, scholarship programs and civic initiatives to channel donor support. - More updates are expected in future quarterly reports, including progress from the K Needs Play Collective Giving Fund and the Robinson Center for Civic Leadership.

The bottom line: - Foundation for the Carolinas is pairing strong donor activity with expanding community programs, and the second quarter delivered one of its biggest snapshots of philanthropic scale in 2026. - More information is available at FFTC's website.