35TH ANNIVERSARY
35TH ANNIVERSARY
FROM OUR PRESIDENT
As I reflect on Fox Family Foundation’s grantmaking over the last four years, three themes stand out. First, we continue to focus on how our grantmaking impacts people in our community. Secondly, we value deeply the relationships with our grantees. And finally, we continue to make grant decisions in a pragmatic and responsive way.
Recently, the philanthropic sector has experienced significant challenges – both economic and governmental – and those challenges have been felt locally as well. As a result, we renewed our commitment to listen to nonprofits as they navigate these challenges. One way we responded is to increase the amount of our smallest grants to address increased operating costs that all organizations are experiencing.
Through a retreat last fall, we reviewed recent changes to our grantmaking approach, identifying changes that have worked well but also highlighting where we might improve. In order to augment the grantmaking experience for our grantees, we’ve implemented a new grants management system to streamline our grant process from application through award. Additionally, we felt it important to engage our next generation family members so that we deepen their connection to the Foundation.
It is bittersweet, however, that Kate Shirah, our Executive Director, is leaving the Foundation this year. Kate assisted our foundation and family so ably for over seven years. Our entire board would like to thank her for all of her work. She assisted us with enhancing and refining our grantmaking process; she was a wonderful representative of the Foundation in the community and with our philanthropic partners; and she brought good humor to countless meetings and conversations.
I hope you will enjoy reviewing our grantmaking and growth over the last four years in this report. As we look forward, we remain committed to our continued partnership with the local nonprofit community to enrich and improve the lives of all those who call the greater Durham area home.
With appreciation,
David D. Beischer, President
GRANTS
AWARDED
1991–2025
GRANTS
AWARDED
2022–2025
ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTED
1991–2025
ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTED
2022–2025
Total Giving
Our Endowment
Giving by Primary Area of Support*
2022–2025
*% of total dollars awarded
Giving by Grant Type*
2022–2025
*% of number of grants excluding non-competitive discretionary awards
Multi-Year vs. One-Year Grants*
2022–2025
*% of number of grants excluding non-competitive discretionary awards
First-time Grantees*
2022–2025
*% of number of grants excluding non-competitive discretionary awards
Grants by Target Focus*
2022–2025
*% of number of grants (excluding non-competitive discretionary awards) focusing on each target; does not equal 100% as recipients could select more than one target
SUCCESS STORIES
Leading by Listening
Fox Family Foundation is proud to have supported two respected Durham institutions that share a central attribute … Read more.
October 13, 2026
Growing with Adaptability
Fox Family Foundation awarded a multi-year general operating support grant to the Museum of Durham … Read more.
October 13, 2026
Anchoring Transition in Trust
When the Emily K Center (the Center) announced the departure of its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of nearly 20 years … Read more.
October 13, 2026
Page images, from top: Swinging bridge, courtesy Eno River Association, photo credit: Fred Myers; Carolina Theatre, photo credit: HuthPhoto; Eye exam, courtesy Durham Technical Community College; Bull City Woodshop, photo credit: mpiTOO; Dinosaur, courtesy Museum of Life and Science; Kids in auditorium, courtesy The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle, photo credit: Gabrielle Li; Story 1 photo, courtesy ADF, photo credit: Ben McKeown; Story 2 photo, courtesy NinP, photo credit: mpiTOO; Story 3 photo, courtesy Emily K Center
