Carson Scholars Fund, Inc.
Carson Scholars Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1994 by Dr. Ben Carson that awards $1,000 college scholarships to academically distinguished U.S. students in grades 4-11 and installs literacy-focused Ben Carson Reading Rooms in K-12 schools, currently reaching 12,194+ scholars and 315 reading rooms across 25 states.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersTowson, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. does
Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1994 by Dr. Ben Carson, a world-renowned pediatric neurosurgeon and former U.S. Cabinet Secretary, and his wife Candy Carson. Headquartered at 215 Washington Ave., Suite 250 in Towson, Maryland, the organization operates two integrated programs: the Carson Scholars Program, which awards $1,000 college scholarships to students in grades 4-11 at accredited U.S. schools who are nominated by educators based on academic excellence and community service; and the Ben Carson Reading Project, which installs themed literacy-rich reading rooms in K-12 schools nationwide. Since the first scholarships were awarded in 1996, the organization has honored 12,194+ students across 4,283 schools in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and currently operates 315 reading rooms in 25 states with 157,000+ books deployed and $4.5M+ cumulative invested in literacy programs.
The organization sustains itself through a diversified donation and sponsorship model. Individual donors fund scholarships at $1,500 per Carson Scholar Award and reading rooms at $500 per book/resource bundle, with a stated 88-90 cent program-spend ratio. Major benefactors include the Eleni and Wolfgang Gagon Trust (57+ reading rooms), the Harvey E. Oyer Family, the Jamie & Kyle Stallings family (five Texas reading rooms), the Louis and Phyllis Friedman Foundation, the Pohanka Automotive Group, and individual sponsors like John Henry Kendall. A 2024 strategic collaboration with author James Patterson created the Patterson HBCU Scholarship for alumni attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The organization runs six regional awards banquets (Pittsburgh, Maryland, West Coast, Palm Beach County, Chattanooga, Lee County), three annual charity golf tournaments, the 20-year-old National Day of Reading, the CSF Readathon, an Associate Leadership Council for young professionals, and an alumni network (CSF Connect) of 10,171+ members. The 2026 cohort alone included 706 new scholars and 994 recognized scholars, with 169 schools receiving their first Carson Scholar.
The business is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Lee Warner with Nancy Grasmick (former Maryland State Superintendent) as President, and operated by an approximately 15-20 person staff including an Executive Director (Katie Coleman), dedicated directors for scholarships, reading rooms, alumni, and events, plus regional coordinators for West Texas and Southeast expansion. As a private nonprofit with no parent company and no subsidiaries, CSF has no equity, generates no shareholder returns, and reinvests all contributions into programs, distinguishing it fundamentally from a for-profit investment target.
Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Carson Scholars Fund, Inc.
- Legal name
- Carson Scholars Fund, Inc.
- Website
- https://carsonscholars.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Carson Scholars Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1994 by Dr. Ben Carson that awards $1,000 college scholarships to academically distinguished U.S. students in grades 4-11 and installs literacy-focused Ben Carson Reading Rooms in K-12 schools, currently reaching 12,194+ scholars and 315 reading rooms across 25 states.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Educational Scholarship Services
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)
Keywords
Where Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Towson
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute directly to support scholarships and reading room programs. The organization states that nearly 90 cents of every dollar raised goes to benefit young students.
- Corporate/Foundation Sponsorships: Major sponsors like the Eleni and Wolfgang Gagon Trust, Harvey E. Oyer family, Pohanka Automotive Group, and others fund specific reading rooms or programs. The Patterson HBCU Scholarship is a collaborative effort with author James Patterson.
- Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling merchandise (t-shirts, sweatshirts, tumblers), books authored by Dr. Ben Carson (Think Big, Gifted Hands, Take the Risk, The Big Picture, You Have a Brain), and event sponsorships (golf tournaments, banquet items).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | One time | Carson Scholar Award Donation |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time | Reading Room Support Donation |
| Other | Monthly | General Donations |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that awards $1,000 college scholarships to students in grades 4-11 nominated by their educators for academic excellence and community service, and creates Ben Carson Reading Project literacy spaces in K-12 schools across the country. Supporting programs include a Recognition track for continuing scholars, Alumni Connection networking and mentorship, and the Patterson HBCU Scholarship for Carson Scholar alumni.
Product overview
Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering a unified suite of educational programs centered on its core Carson Scholars Program, which provides $1,000 college scholarships to students in grades 4-11 nominated by educators. The Ben Carson Reading Project creates themed reading rooms in schools to foster literacy. Supporting programs include the Recognition Program for continuing scholars, Alumni Connection for networking and mentorship, and the Patterson HBCU Scholarship (in collaboration with author James Patterson). Additional engagement programs include the annual National Day of Reading, the CSF Readathon competition, the Associate Leadership Council for young professionals, and CSF Connect for alumni networking. The organization also operates a merchandise shop selling books and apparel.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Ben Carson Reading Project: The Ben Carson Reading Project creates engaging school reading spaces that empower children to discover the joy of reading and develop a lifelong love of learning.
Products and services
- Carson Scholars Program Provides $1,000 college scholarships to students in grades 4-11 at accredited U.S. schools who are nominated by an educator for academic excellence and commitment to community service.
- Ben Carson Reading Project (Reading Rooms) Creates engaging, themed school reading spaces that empower children to discover the joy of reading and develop a lifelong love of learning. Reading rooms are installed at K-12 schools and stocked with curated book collections.
- Recognition Program Honors students who have already received the Carson Scholarship and continue to exemplify academic excellence and dedication to service. Recognized scholars (994 in 2026) receive continued acknowledgment within the program.
- Alumni Connection Fosters meaningful connections among Carson Scholar alumni through networking, mentorship, and engagement opportunities as they pursue college and career success.
- Patterson HBCU Scholarship A collaborative scholarship between author James Patterson and the Carson Scholars Fund that supports Carson Scholar alumni attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
- CSF Shop Online store selling merchandise including t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, tumblers, and books authored by Dr. Ben Carson (Think Big, Gifted Hands, Take the Risk, The Big Picture, You Have a Brain), plus event sponsorship items.
Quantifiable outcome
- 12,194+ students honored since 1996
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Carson Scholars Fund, Inc.
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Dr. Ben Carson and Candy Carson (Founders)coreCo-founders of Carson Scholars Fund; Dr. Ben Carson is a world-renowned pediatric neurosurgeon and former U.S. Cabinet Secretary; Candy Carson is an author, speaker, and philanthropist. Both actively participate in program events and inspire scholars.
- James PattersoncoreWorld-renowned author collaborated with CSF to create the Patterson HBCU Scholarship for Carson Scholar alumni attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities, launched in 2024.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ron Brown Scholar Program: National merit- and service-based scholarship for African American high school seniors pursuing higher education. Comparable to Carson's Patterson HBCU Scholarship stream and aligned with Carson's broader merit-plus-service criteria.
- Jack Kent Cooke Foundation: National scholarship foundation that identifies and supports high-achieving students with financial need, including the Young Scholars Program. Directly comparable to Carson Scholars Fund as a privately endowed K-12/college scholarship nonprofit with a national applicant pool.
- Elks National Foundation: Major fraternal-affiliated scholarship and youth-grantmaking foundation operating Most Valuable Student and other scholarship programs. Comparable as a large volunteer- and chapter-driven scholarship foundation with national geographic coverage.
- Reading Is Fundamental (RIF): Long-standing national literacy nonprofit providing books and reading resources to children. Directly comparable to the Ben Carson Reading Project as a school-based literacy infrastructure provider, though with broader book-distribution model.
- Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans: National scholarship organization providing merit-based college scholarships to high school students who have overcome adversity. Comparable in selection methodology (academic achievement plus character/service) and chapter/award-event model.
- Coca-Cola Scholars Program: Large corporate-sponsored scholarship program recognizing academic achievement and leadership among high school seniors. Highly comparable to Carson Scholars in mission (merit-based recognition, national scope, sizable alumni network).
- UNCF (United Negro College Fund): Largest private scholarship provider for minority students and HBCUs. Comparable in that CSF's Patterson HBCU Scholarship serves the same HBCU-bound student population and operates with a similar donor-and-event-driven funding model.
Broad incumbents
- Dolly Parton's Imagination Library: Celebrity-founded nonprofit gifting age-appropriate books monthly to children from birth to age five. Comparable as a brand-driven, founder-led literacy nonprofit with national reach and donor-sustained operations.
- Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy: National family-literacy grantmaking foundation. Comparable to the Ben Carson Reading Project as a high-profile literacy nonprofit with a grantmaking model and founder-led national identity.
- QuestBridge: National nonprofit connecting high-achieving, low-income students to top colleges via full scholarships. Comparable as a college-access nonprofit targeting high-achieving K-12 students, though operating at significantly larger scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. social profiles
Digital presenceCarson Scholars Fund, Inc. compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles31 records
Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Carson Scholars Fund, Inc.
What does Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. do?
Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that awards $1,000 college scholarships to students in grades 4-11 nominated by their educators for academic excellence and community service, and creates Ben Carson Reading Project literacy spaces in K-12 schools across the country. Supporting programs include a Recognition track for continuing scholars, Alumni Connection networking and mentorship, and the Patterson HBCU Scholarship for Carson Scholar alumni.
Is Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. a public or private company?
Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. founded?
Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. was founded in 1994. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. based?
Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. is headquartered in Towson, United States, in the North America region.
How does Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate/Foundation Sponsorships and merchandise Sales.
Who are Carson Scholars Fund, Inc.'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ron Brown Scholar Program, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Elks National Foundation, Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Coca-Cola Scholars Program and UNCF (United Negro College Fund). Broad incumbents are Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy and QuestBridge.
Does Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. have an API?
No public API is recorded for Carson Scholars Fund, Inc..
What industry is Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. in?
Carson Scholars Fund, Inc.'s product category is Educational Scholarship Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDADAHAC, Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts, with a secondary code of BPAGAKAI, Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations. Its NAICS code is 813211 and its SIC code is 8200.