North Carolina Textile Foundation

Our Mission

The mission of the North Carolina Textile Foundation (NCTF) is to advance the Wilson College of Textiles at North Carolina State University through engagement, partnership and philanthropy. The foundation’s vision is to foster lifelong relationships and inspire philanthropic investment in the Wilson College of Textiles.

As a charitable organization, the foundation supports the college and dean of the college. Such support shall include but is not limited to providing funds for scholarships to deserving undergraduate and graduate students; recruitment and retention of highly qualified students, educators and researchers; and placement of graduates. The foundation also assists in the acquisition and maintenance of state-of-the-art equipment and facilities for research and education.

• Core values inform the work of the North Carolina Textile Foundation.
  • Integrity
  • Trust
  • Diversity
  • Inclusivity
  • Collaboration
  • Authenticity

To date, the foundation has funded over $50 million for faculty and staff development, innovative scholarship programs, faculty and student recruitment and other unique programs that enable the college to educate outstanding young graduates to meet the needs of a rapidly changing, highly technical industry.

A Long and Proud History

Incorporated in 1942 as a nonprofit charitable and educational corporation by textile industry leaders, the foundation is governed by an independent board of 16 directors that works closely with the dean of the college to seek individual, corporate and foundation gifts to enhance the resources and educational mission of the college.

Early leaders included W. J. “Nick” Carter, president of Carter Fabrics Corporation; David Clark, president of Clark Publishing Company; Herman Cone, president of Cone Mills; and J. Spencer Love, president of Burlington Mills. These businessmen realized that salaries at the Wilson College of Textiles were not competitive with those of industry, so qualified people could not be persuaded to teach.

Other textile executives soon joined the effort, and the foundation was incorporated in December 1942. Its initial goal was to raise $500,000 to supplement the teaching salaries allotted by the state and help recruit a new dean of the college. By 1945, the foundation had raised more than $700,000, and by July 1948, the foundation had raised $1 million.