INVEST
Fund List
When you choose to invest with the Greater Cabarrus Foundation, you have several options to tailor your philanthropic efforts to meet your goals and create lasting impact.
The Greater Cabarrus Foundation manages funds that support the philanthropy of the donors who establish them. Grants to nonprofit organizations in Cabarrus County are awarded from these funds based on the donors’ recommendations. Donors have also helped establish permanent endowment funds from which the Greater Cabarrus Foundation awards grants to support the most critical needs of the county.
Donate to a fund that aligns with your philanthropic interests here in Cabarrus County by selecting one of the funds listed below.
Greater Good Society Fund
The Greater Good Society Fund is the cornerstone permanent (endowed) fund supporting the primary grant program and operational activities of the Greater Cabarrus Foundation. By serving as a lasting financial resource, this fund enables the Greater Cabarrus Foundation to make thoughtful, impactful investments in the community while maintaining a responsive approach to emerging needs.
Annual distributions from the fund fuel the Greatest Community Need Grantmaking Program, which awards grants to local agencies tackling the region’s most pressing challenges, as identified in the Cabarrus Health Alliance Community Health Needs Assessment.
This fund reflects the Foundation’s dedication to fostering sustainable, long-term growth in the community and ensuring that resources are available to address critical needs both today and in the future.
Scott and Kristin Baker Family Fund
Susan Howell Bare Charitable Interest Fund
Robert O. and Gail C. Bratton Fund
Ann and Bill Cannon Fund
Helen and Ben Collins Family Fund
Michael R. and Loretta R. Coltrane Community Impact Fund
Cameron and Margarita Cruickshank Charitable Interest Fund
Alan and Robin Davis Community Impact Fund
Leatherman Family Fund
Holt and Anne Morrison Family Fund
Hugh and Mary Margaret Morrison Fund
James Hunter Morrison Family Fund
John and Peg Morrison Family Fund
Niblock Family Fund
Tim and Patricia Propst Fund
Trent and Kelly Propst Fund
Doug and Rebecca Stafford Family Fund
Field of Interest Funds
Field of Interest Funds are permanent (endowed) funds used for a specific cause aligned with social determinant issues or other interests. With these funds, the Greater Cabarrus Foundation Board determines the agency recipients.
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The Greater Cabarrus Foundation Ann Benfield Early Childhood Fund was created by Paula Yost, Esq. in honor of Cabarrus County Partnership for Children Executive Director Ann Benfield.
The purpose of the fund is to:
Provide ongoing financial support to help offset tuition costs for Cabarrus County families, ensuring that every child has access to safe, high-quality early learning experiences regardless of financial circumstance.
Support early childhood programs that are evidence-based and benefit local children.
Annual grants from this endowed fund will be awarded to nonprofit organizations that provide early childhood evidence-based programs or childcare tuition assistance, empowering them to expand their reach and strengthen the stability of working families across our community. Through this fund, Ann Benfield’s legacy of advocacy and service to children will continue to impact generations to come.
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The Employment and Training Field of Interest Fund tackles the pressing workforce development needs of Cabarrus County, bridging the gap between local talent and economic opportunity. This initiative is designed to enhance career mobility by supporting programs that equip residents with the skills and resources needed to succeed in today’s job market.
Workforce challenges, such as skills mismatches and limited training opportunities, prevent many workers from advancing in their careers or transitioning to higher-wage industries. By funding organizations that provide job training, career counseling, and placement services, the fund seeks to create clear pathways to sustainable employment.
This initiative is a vital step toward building a resilient workforce and fostering economic growth in Cabarrus County.
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The Food Security and Nutrition Field of Interest Fund addresses the widespread issue of hunger and nutrition inequity in Cabarrus County, focusing on ensuring consistent access to healthy food for all residents. This initiative emphasizes the importance of sustainable solutions to tackle food insecurity and its underlying causes.
Hunger and inadequate nutrition disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including children, seniors, and low-income families, creating ripple effects on health, education, and economic outcomes. This fund supports nonprofits that provide innovative programs, expand access to nutritious food, and educate the community about healthy eating.
By investing in these efforts, the fund helps create a stronger, healthier community where everyone has the resources they need to thrive.
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The Healthcare Field of Interest Fund is dedicated to improving healthcare access and outcomes for the residents of Cabarrus County. This initiative responds to significant gaps in healthcare services, emphasizing equitable access to preventative care, primary treatment, and specialized health programs.
Healthcare disparities leave many community members without the resources needed to achieve wellness, creating challenges that extend beyond individual health to impact the broader social and economic landscape. The fund supports nonprofits that deliver innovative healthcare solutions, strengthen community health initiatives, and address the critical needs of underserved populations.
Through this strategic investment, the Healthcare Fund helps build a healthier, more equitable future for Cabarrus County residents.
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The Greater Cabarrus Foundation Homebound Elderly Field of Interest Fund was created by Mrs. Karen Pensgen in memory of her husband Gary D. Pensgen to support nonprofit organizations dedicated to reducing loneliness and social isolation among homebound elderly individuals. Through this fund, Mrs. Pensgen seeks to honor the dignity and value of every senior by fostering meaningful human connections and emotional well-being based on individual client preferences.
Grants from the Homebound Elderly Field of Interest Fund will be directed to nonprofit agencies that provide outreach, companionship, and innovative solutions to improve the mental, emotional, and social well-being of homebound seniors who have difficulty leaving their homes due to physical, cognitive, or socioeconomic barriers, or who seek social interaction and companionship. The fund is intended to foster stronger community connections by supporting this focused area of need and ensuring that vulnerable elders are not left behind and improve the likelihood of successfully aging in place.
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The Housing and Homelessness Impact Field of Interest Fund was established to confront the critical shortage of affordable, quality housing in Cabarrus County. This initiative reflects a collaborative approach to addressing one of the community’s most urgent social challenges, bringing together diverse partners to achieve meaningful change.
By reducing housing insecurity, the fund not only improves the quality of life for residents but also strengthens the local economy and supports sustainable regional growth. It offers a unique opportunity for individuals, businesses, foundations, and institutions to pool resources in pursuit of a shared vision.
Grants from this fund will be directed to local nonprofits with proven strategies and innovative solutions for addressing housing and homelessness, ensuring maximum impact and long-term success.
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The K-12 Education Enrichment Field of Interest Fund is a dedicated resource designed to invest in the academic success and holistic development of school-age youth in Cabarrus County. This fund provides vital grant opportunities to local nonprofit organizations offering a range of programming essential for student achievement. Areas of support include high-quality before and after school care, engaging summer camps, comprehensive tutoring services, and other enrichment programs specifically aimed at improving educational outcomes. By addressing the critical need for accessible, supplementary education, the fund works to close achievement gaps and ensure every student in the county has the opportunity to thrive academically.
Through strategic funding, the K-12 Education Enrichment Field of Interest Fund strengthens the local educational ecosystem by empowering trusted community partners. Nonprofits with innovative programs that foster curiosity, build foundational skills, and provide a safe, supportive environment for learning outside regular school hours are encouraged to apply for grants. This initiative is an investment in the future workforce and community leaders of Cabarrus County. Donors interested in contributing to this impactful endeavor can help expand the reach of these programs, directly enhancing the quality of education and opening doors to new opportunities for local youth.
Designated Funds
A Designated Fund can be a permanent (endowed) or non-permanent (quasi-endowed) fund established by an individual or organization for the benefit of one or more agencies. With this fund, the Community Investor determines the agency recipients.
Gail C. Bratton Community Impact Fund
Estill Springs Cemetery Fund
Pat Horton Healthcare Fund
Bob and Dale Nixon Community Investment Fund
North Carolina Society of the Cincinnati Fund
Bob and Susan Smith Community Investment Fund
Donor-Advised Funds
With a Donor-Advised Fund, the Community Investor makes gift and receives immediate tax deduction and can advise the Greater Cabarrus Foundation on grant recipients. As the name suggests, with donor advised funds, the Community Investor recommends the agency recipients, and the Greater Cabarrus Foundation Board makes the ultimate determination on grants.
Robert O. Bratton Donor-Advised Fund
Alan P. and Robin B. Davis Donor-Advised Fund
Carole H. Grady Memorial Fund
Betsy and Knox Morrison Donor-Advised Fund
Holt and Anne Morrison Charitable Fund
Hugh H. Morrison and Mary Margaret R. Morrison Donor-Advised Fund
John H. Morrison Jr Donor Advised Fund
Jon and Laura Yancey Donor-Advised Fund
Agency Reserve Funds
An Agency Reserve Fund is a non-permanent (quasi-endowed) fund established by the agency for the benefit of the agency. The agency determines use of proceeds and can access funds when needed and for whatever purpose it deems necessary.
Agency Endowment Funds
An Agency Endowment Fund is a permanent (endowed) fund established by the agency for the benefit of that agency. The agency determines use of proceeds for whatever purpose it deems necessary. Both options empower agencies to strengthen their financial health, enhance their ability to serve the community, and secure a sustainable future. We provide guidance and support throughout the fund establishment process, ensuring that each agency’s fund aligns with its strategic goals and contributes to the overall welfare of Cabarrus County. Agencies interested in establishing an Agency Reserve Fund or an Agency Endowment Fund should contact Cam Cruickshank.
Greater Cabarrus Foundation Funds
The Greater Cabarrus Foundation's funds provide multiple ways for community investors to support lasting impact across Cabarrus County by strengthening local nonprofits, expanding grantmaking, and sustaining the Foundation's mission. Whether supporting day-to-day operations, permanent endowments, or capacity-building services through Support Cabarrus, every contribution helps build a stronger, more resilient community for generations to come.
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The GCF Permanent Operating Endowment Fund supports the annual operating expenses of the Foundation. These funds allow the Foundation to continue to provide free consulting, professional development, and other services to nonprofit organizations in Cabarrus County.
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The Operating Fund of the Greater Cabarrus Foundation helps to support the day-to-day operations of the Foundation.
Contributions to this fund allow the Foundation to continue to provide low-cost philanthropy services, grantmaking services, and serve as a trusted resource for community investors, nonprofit agencies, and other community partners.
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The Greater Good Society Fund is the cornerstone permanent (endowed) fund supporting the primary grant program and operational activities of the Greater Cabarrus Foundation. By serving as a lasting financial resource, this fund enables the Foundation to make thoughtful, impactful investments in the community while maintaining a responsive approach to emerging needs.
Annual distributions from the fund fuel the Greatest Community Need Grantmaking Program, which awards grants to local agencies tackling the region's most pressing challenges, as identified in the Cabarrus Health Alliance Community Health Needs Assessment.
This fund reflects the Foundation's dedication to fostering sustainable, long-term growth in the community and ensuring that resources are available to address critical needs both today and in the future.
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The Support Cabarrus Capacity Building Fund was implemented in 2026 as part of a giving program where community investors make financial contributions into the fund which are then be used to make capacity building grants to Cabarrus County nonprofit agencies addressing one or more social determinant issues through Support Cabarrus, the capacity building division of the Greater Cabarrus Foundation. Contributions to this fund provides nonprofit agencies with administrative services such as bookkeeping, grant writing, and marketing services. The funds may also be used to help nonprofit organizations develop strategic plans, strengthen board governance, and other consulting services.
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The Operating Fund for Support Cabarrus, a division of the Greater Cabarrus Foundation, helps to support the day-to-day operations and programming efforts of the Foundation.
Contributions to this fund allows the Greater Cabarrus Foundation to continue providing free Interagency Consulting Services, Board Services, and Professional Development programming for nonprofit organizations in Cabarrus County.