John William Pope Foundation

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John William Pope Foundation
FormationJune 18, 1986; 37 years ago (1986-06-18)
Location
Vice president
David Riggs
Chairman
Art Pope
Revenue (2015)
$15,941,873[1]
Expenses (2015)$11,273,387[1]
Websitejwpf.org

The John William Pope Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) private charitable foundation based in Raleigh, North Carolina, that contributes to conservative public policy organizations and think tanks, educational institutions, humanitarian charities, and the arts. Art Pope, a businessman and philanthropist, is the current president and chairman of the board of directors.[2]

The Pope Foundation "has invested millions in a network of foundations and think tanks, and advocacy groups, both in North Carolina and nationally, that are designed to further conservative and free market ideas",[3] including the John Locke Foundation, James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, Americans for Prosperity, and North Carolina Institute for Constitutional Law.[4]

History[edit]

John William Pope, founder of the retail discount chain Variety Wholesalers, created the Pope Foundation in 1986.

The Pope Foundation celebrated its 25th anniversary in December 2011 by hosting a fundraiser for StepUp Ministry, a nonprofit that assists low-income individuals in getting a job and achieving a stable lifestyle.[5] The ministry gained $300,000 from the Pope Foundation dinner.

Philanthropy[edit]

In the 2011–2012 fiscal year, the John William Pope Foundation made over $9.3 million in grants, of which 60% went to support North Carolina public policy organizations, 28% went to support educational causes, 7% went to support national public policy organizations, 4% went to support humanitarian organizations, and 1% went to support the arts.[6]

The Pope Foundation also underwrites scholarships for Eagle Scouts to attend college. Since the first class of scholars in 2001, the Pope Foundation has invested over $1 million in Scouts who plan to pursue careers in the free-enterprise system.[7]

The Pope Foundation also has invested heavily in capital construction projects for area universities, including $3 million to UNC-Chapel Hill for the renovation of Kenan Memorial Stadium;[8] $4.5 million for a convocation center at Campbell University;[9] and $1.2 million to finish renovations on Campbell University's law school – Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law.[10]

In December 2012, the Pope Foundation announced $810,500 in grants to community charities, schools, churches, and the arts.[11] To counter the effects of the federal government shutdown in October 2013, the Pope Foundation gave $185,000 in grants to "13 food bank-type groups" in central, eastern, and western North Carolina.,[12] including three charities in Vance County.[13] The Pope Foundation gave a total of over $1 million to humanitarian and arts nonprofits in 2013.[14]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "John William Pope Foundation" (PDF). Foundation Center. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
  2. ^ Miller, John J. (December 21, 2009). "The Fisherman's Friend". National Review. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  3. ^ Art Pope subject of New Yorker profile | newsobserver.com projects The News & Observer, Archived October 4, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "About – The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal". The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  5. ^ "Pope group steps up for StepUP". Triangle Business Journal. November 18, 2011.
  6. ^ John William Pope Foundation Grants
  7. ^ "Pope Foundation Announces 2013 Class of Eagle Scout Scholars". John William Pope Foundation. February 19, 2013.
  8. ^ Ferreri, Eric (April 6, 2011). "UNC-CH receives $3 million for athlete study center". The News & Observer. [permanent dead link]
  9. ^ "John William Pope Foundation completes $4.5 million grant to Convocation Center". Campbell University. January 15, 2009.
  10. ^ "John W. Pope Foundation Gifts Campbell Law $1.2 Million for Raleigh Building". Campbell University. November 15, 2009.
  11. ^ "Foundation announces $800k in December donations". The News & Observer. December 13, 2012. Archived from the original on December 16, 2012.
  12. ^ "Pope Foundation gives money to ease government shutdown". Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  13. ^ Mansur, Sarah (23 October 2013). "Pope Foundation steps up, helps three in Vance County". The Daily Dispatch. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  14. ^ "Art Pope is no Grinch". Retrieved November 14, 2013.

External links[edit]