NC250 legislative committee looks to new nonprofit for help with anniversary activities

North Carolina’s General Assembly Semiquincentennial Committee will collaborate with the state’s Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution chapters to launch a new nonprofit—the Celebrating America Foundation (CAF)—to lead fundraising and programming efforts for the state’s role in the United States’ 250th anniversary celebration.

The announcement came at Thursday’s committee meeting at the NC General Assembly.

The foundation, to be facilitated by Paul and Kim Norcross, will be established as a 501(c)(3) entity. Unlike the NC250 Committee, CAF will have the legal authority to raise funds and enter into contracts, enabling it to take on a broader range of initiatives in support of the semiquincentennial.

“We’re proposing to work with a nonprofit that can enter into agreements, spend money, raise money…do the things we really can’t do,” said Senator Ted Alexander, committee co-chair. “But we can advise and give them a road map. We’ve had quite a bit of discussions with SAR and DAR. They are willing to step up and form a new nonprofit.”

Paul and Kim Norcross bring extensive experience in nonprofit management. They founded Phoenix Academy, North Carolina’s largest charter school, and have served in leadership roles across various educational and charitable organizations. Paul Norcross received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 2017.

The committee also discussed potential state funding to support CAF. Representative Hugh Blackwell, committee co-chair, asked how appropriations might work. Kara McCraw, Director of the Legislative Analysis Division of the NCGA, explained, “It would be unusual if the legislature appropriated funds to allow the committee to act as a pass through. What might be better is for the GA to give a direct grant to the nonprofit.”

During the meeting, committee members heard additional updates from stakeholders. Anne Evangelista, legislative affairs director for the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR), reported that the department has already distributed $2.1 million in grants to 74 counties for semiquincentennial programming.

When asked about the rationale for partnering with an outside group despite DNCR’s existing work, NC250 Committee Executive Director Dr. Troy Kickler said, “We are inquiring to partner with an independent organization so we can augment existing programming.”

Committee member Jason Luker raised questions about avoiding overlap.
“What is it that we need to make sure we’re focusing on that [DNCR] needs us to focus on?” said Luker. “I don’t want to step on cultural resources’ toes and [take] energy away from what they’re doing.”

“My understanding is that CAF would focus elsewhere and not be in conflict with anything going on with DNCR,” said Alexander in response.

Kickler also unveiled a proposed seal for the committee’s online and promotional use and outlined potential collaborations with the North Carolina Symphony and PBS NC for a major concert on July 4, 2026. Committee members suggested expanding the event to include simultaneous concerts with the Charlotte Symphony and the Western Piedmont Symphony.

Luker concluded the meeting by previewing the Charlotte History Museum’s upcoming exhibit in April 2026. The immersive 360-degree installation will guide visitors through the Revolutionary War with the help of “histo-pads,” emphasizing how the war was won in the Carolinas. He noted that the core project will cost $350,000, with another $650,000 needed for custom Carolinas-focused content.

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