John William Pope Foundation

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]

John William Pope Foundation
FormationJune 18, 1986 (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 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

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

In the 2011–2012 fiscal year, the John William Pope 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
  1. "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.
  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.
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